Suicides and Drugs Cut U.S. Life Expectancy
In 2017, American life expectancy dropped for the third year in a row, with the main culprits of the decline being drug overdoses and suicides. There was a grand total of 2.8 million deaths that year—69,000 more than in 2016 and breaking the U.S. record for most deaths in one year.
How Diagnostic Stewardship Can Fight Hospital-Acquired Infections
Diagnostic stewardship confronts one of the biggest unspoken issues in healthcare: overutilization of services. Laboratory testing is one area where overutilization is quite common.
How Hospitals are Using Smartphones to Raise HCAHPS Scores
One survey of nurse managers and IT decision-makers found that, within the next four years, 97% of nurses will use mobile devices at the bedside. Most people recognize the importance of fast, efficient communication in improving patient care and safety.
Wildfire and Smoke: Sharp HealthCare’s Fire Plans
In 2007, San Diego County had a huge wildfire that forced several hospitals, nursing homes, and behavioral health hospitals to evacuate. Sharp HealthCare was one of the hospital systems to take in some of those patients. And the area suffered from a devastating wildfire in 2003, known as the Cedar Fire.
Controlling Risk Through Medication Communication Best Practices
To minimize the potential for dangerous complications or the need for readmission, medical facilities must take steps to ensure clear communication practices.
Joint Commission’s New Emergency Management Checklist
The Joint Commission published a new Emergency Management Health Care Environment Checklist on its website, which helps healthcare organizations that are reopening their facilities after a disaster.
How to Protect Patients and Staff From What Could Be a Long Flu Season
The study, published in the October issue of the journal Science, presents evidence that flu incidence tends to fluctuate depending on environmental moisture levels, population density, and activity levels of the general population.
Study: More Than Half of Hospital Infections Could Be Prevented With Proper Protocols
The September release of the study was timed to coincide with Outbreak Prevention and Response Week, hosted by SHEA and key partners to raise awareness and provide resources to healthcare professionals, the infection prevention community, patients, and families on ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Part One: ECRI Tech Hazards 2019
There are new additions to this year’s list, including retained surgical items and patient lift systems. Several experts discuss the top 10 issues and about steps that can be taken to prevent them to guide readers in the upcoming year.
TJC Releases Compliance and Sentinel Event Stats for First Half of 2018
The latest list, published in the September issue of Perspectives, shows the standards scored most frequently as “not compliant” during Joint Commission accreditation surveys and certification reviews from January 1 through June 30, 2018.