Update: Identifying Human Trafficking Patients Alert
Trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry in the world, and America is one of the largest markets for victims. The Health and Human Services Department estimates that 88% of trafficking victims visit a healthcare provider at least once during their captivity and aren’t recognized as victims.
Digital Microscopy: Making Diagnostics More Accessible
By Dr. Eric Mbuthia Kanyi and Lydia Mwangasha Introduction Nairobi’s informal settlements are characterized by marked overpopulation with poor water and waste management, resulting in a high incidence and prevalence of water- and sanitation-related diseases (Kandrava et al., 2007; Eisenstein, 2016). Nearly 30% of patients presenting at Access Afya facilities are treated for gastrointestinal infections, … Continued
Q&A: Joint Commission Focuses on Dialysis
Jennifer Cowel, RN, MHSA, is president of Patton Healthcare Consulting in Naperville, Illinois, and Kathleen Good, MSN, RN, is an associate of the company. They are both Joint Commission alumni and spoke with PSMJ about maintaining a safe dialysis program.
Eight Steps to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Harassment by Non-Employees
Non-employee sexual harassment, also called third-party sexual harassment, is common, says attorney Sarah Carlins with Houston Harbaugh in Pittsburgh. The employer can be liable for acts of a non-employee if the employer knew about the conduct and failed to take immediate and appropriate corrective action.
Step Up Your Game: Staying Compliant With Joint Commission Hand Hygiene Requirements
This new focus on compliance will deliver increased patient safety, enhanced quality of care, and improved economic outcomes. And all of these fit right in with the drive for healthcare organizations to achieve high reliability.
A Novel Approach to Hospital Efficiency
While recognizing the value of many traditional utilization management processes, including labor productivity, staffing ratios, bed type assignments, throughput initiatives, and supply chain management, the team’s goal was to find new opportunities for improved resource management in bedside care delivery.
The Correct Use of Physical Restraints in the Inpatient Setting
Most healthcare providers do not overuse patient restraints maliciously, but systematic overuse can have disastrous results—both for the patients and the institution.
Flu Vaccine Programs For Providers: Making It Legal, Effective, and Mandatory
Many healthcare workers already understand that getting a flu shot every fall helps protect not only themselves, but also coworkers, friends and family, and of course patients. Others, however, will require more than a reminder of the 2017–2018 flu season, which was the worst in nearly a decade, to go get vaccinated for the flu.
FDA: Only You Can Prevent Surgery Fires
The alert is targeted at healthcare professionals involved in surgical procedures—such as surgeons, surgical technicians, anesthesiologists, anesthesiologist assistants, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, and nurses—and staff responsible for patient safety and risk management.
AORN to Change Recommendations in Heated Bouffant Hat vs. Skull Cap Debate
Over the past couple of years, AORN, while still claiming all ears needed to be covered in the OR, has insisted it never explicitly declared that skull caps should be banned. Then a new study last fall hit bouffant-backers with an uppercut and pushed AORN to reconsider its stance on headwear.