ISMP Survey Shows Provider Text Messaging Often Runs Afoul of Patient Safety
ISMP conducted this survey to gain insight into the practice of texting medical orders given the ongoing debate regarding its use. Technology-savvy healthcare professionals have embraced the convenience of this 21st century form of communication, while opponents feel it is too informal to properly document patient care. They also have concerns about data security and the potential impact on patient safety with texting medical orders.
Ultrasound Guidance Improves Neuraxial Anesthesia Safety
The path to effective neuraxial anesthesia delivery has existed for decades—ultrasound visualization. But practical issues in implementation have intervened. As a result, even in today’s technological age, highly trained anesthesia providers continue to deliver neuraxial—and most prominently epidural—anesthesia wearing a virtual blindfold, using spinal palpation alone to determine the optimal site for injection.
Gutting HAIs: Ambitious Goals for 2020
The Department of Health and Human Services has given hospitals aggressive goals on HAI reduction. By 2020, the department wants CAUTI rates to be cut 50% in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory surgical centers.
Study: Recounting the Cost of CAUTIs
What you may not know is that CAUTIs cost hospitals far more than most think. While most say the average cost of treating a CAUTI is $1,000, that figure is likely too low. In some cases, it’s 10 times too low.
Case Study: Hospitalwide Huddles Curb Catheter Infections at Saint Anthony
In just two years, the facility cut its hospital-acquired infection rate by 90% and saved itself $498,000. How did the facility make such tremendous strides in infection control? Short answer: daily interdisciplinary safety huddles (DISH).
Call Me, Beep Me: When Physicians Text
In medicine, there are a lot of cost, coordination, and time benefits to a secure SMS. That’s why so many were upset when a miscommunication almost forced them to stop.
Q&A: Active Shooter Response and Prevention
This Q&A was taken from the ASHE webinar, “Active Shooter – Best Practices for the Worst Case,” with speakers Kevin M. Tuohey, executive director for research compliance at Boston University & Boston Medical Center; Constance Packard, CHPA, executive director, support services for Boston Medical Center/Boston University Medical Campus; and Thomas Smith, CHPA, CPP, owner of Healthcare Security Consultants, Inc.
Case Study: Five Steps from Sentara Health for Room Cleaning
Facilities still struggle with infection control, whether it’s hospital floors, fungi on doorknobs, or Legionella in the pipes.
Not Tolerated: Sexual Harassment in Healthcare
Healthcare organizations (HCO) must get proactive about preventing, investigating, and resolving sexual harassment claims and violations.
Drug Shortages Continue to Compromise Patient Care
An exhaustive account of frustrations, difficulties, misspent resources, and safety concerns came across loud and clear from respondents who participated in ISMP’s August through October 2017 national survey on drug shortages.