Five Essential Components of an Effective Stroke System

By Jeff Terry, MBA, and Jennifer Jefferson, BS

Approximately 795,000 Americans will have a stroke this year. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. The direct and indirect costs associated with stroke are projected to exceed $65 billion in 2009, according to the National Stroke Association.

Connectivity to Improve Patient Safety

By Susan F. Whitehead and Julian M. Goldman, MD

For the past 5 years the Medical Device “Plug-and-Play” Interoperability Program has been leading the evaluation and adoption of open standards and technology for medical device interoperability to support clinical innovation and improve patient safety.

Online Connectivity

Clinical Documentation: More than a Cumbersome Chore

By Marlene McAllister, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, and Sherrill Rhodes, RN, MSN

“Charting” is often viewed by nurses as a necessary evil. Sure, deep down most nurses know that the exercise is essential — and that regulatory bodies such as the Joint Commission, National Quality Forum, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are looking for the clinical documentation that illustrates that care is being delivered in line with a set of established standards.

The Laboratory as a Service Line and Revenue Generator