Happy Patient, Happy Hospital: Increase Patient Engagement With Advocates
Advocates who work for hospitals and health systems help patients navigate the care they receive within that system, as well as any associated financial responsibilities. They do so for all patients, free of charge, as part of their in-hospital services.
Postmortem: Was the Failed Massachusetts Law Requiring Patient Limits for Nurses a Good Idea?
The proposed law, which became known as “Question 1” because of its position on the referendum ballot, was soundly defeated in the November 2018 election, with about 70% of Massachusetts poll-goers voting “no.” An industry-backed campaign from hospital executives spent around $27 million exhorting voters to turn down the measure.
Talk Down: Joint Commission on De-escalation
The Joint Commission (TJC) released a new report on January 28: Quick Safety 47: De-escalation in Healthcare. This report discusses better training to mitigate such situations. The accreditor writes that as violence against nurses, doctors, and healthcare staff becomes more prevalent, the need for mitigation is greater than ever. Violence and assault are perpetual risks for anyone working in healthcare, particularly nurses and nursing assistants.
Depression Screening and Treatment
Despite clear guidelines saying providers should screen for depression and provide follow-up and treatment, it’s the fourth least-reported measure on the Medicaid Adult Core Set. And only seven states report depression screening and follow-up data.
5 Ways to Support Nurses Experiencing Domestic Violence
According to a 2014 study in the Journal of Emergency Nursing, three in four nurses experienced verbal or physical abuse from patients and visitors. As a result, nurse leaders are grappling with the issue of how to protect staff against workplace violence.
Examine Your Dialysis Space to Ensure Room to Separate Infectious Patients
In a November 7 blog post, the medical director of TJC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Evaluation wrote that among other infection control practices for hemodialysis, surveyors will be observing water and dialysate testing, medication storage, preparation and administration, and “patient placement in full view of staff during dialysis treatment.”
Reduce Disruptive Nurse-to-Nurse Behavior With These Strategies
Disruptive behaviors among nurses have become so pervasive that the American Nurses Association (ANA) created a policy in 2015 in an attempt to reduce them.
Suicide Prevention National Patient Safety Goal Updated
TJC officials say the revised requirements are based on more than a year of research, review, and analysis with multiple panels convened by TJC and representing provider organizations, suicide prevention experts, behavioral facility design experts, and other key stakeholders.
What One Hospital Learned From a Ransomware Attack
This month’s PSQI Online Spotlight looks at the lessons an Indiana hospital learned from a ransomware attack.
Sharp HealthCare: Before the Plane Crash
The disaster spurred officials at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and local hospitals to join forces to create an emergency preparedness partnership. A year after the crash, SAN and San Diego hospitals were holding regular meetings together, providing training, and developing contact sheets of whom to call should a crisis occur.