Aug. 29, 2011—The American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued a statement in response to a Sentinel Event Alert issued by The Joint Commission (TJC) on the “Radiation Risks of Diagnostic Imaging.” The ACR agrees in general that “care should be taken” but wishes to clarify inaccuracies it finds in the Sentinel Alert.

Oakbrook Terrace, IL, Aug. 24, 2011—While diagnostic radiation tests can help save lives, a new Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert warns that health care organizations must seek new ways to reduce exposure to repeated doses of harmful radiation from these diagnostic procedures. The Alert urges greater attention to the risk of long-term damage and cumulative harm that can occur if a patient is given repeated doses of diagnostic radiation.

Orlando, Florida, August 8, 2011 — Armed with an ever-growing body of research suggesting that textiles — specifically, medical uniforms — play a key role in the transmission of disease in healthcare settings, Vestagen Technical Textiles participated in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)  stakeholder meetings to examine exposure to infectious diseases in health care workplaces.

Washington, DC, July 29, 2011—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should gather the information needed to develop a new regulatory framework to replace the 35-year-old 510(k) clearance process for medical devices, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

July 15, 2011—To help prevent healthcare-acquired infections in outpatient (ambulatory care) settings, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and its Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee offer two free tools at CDC.gov.

Washington, D.C., June 13, 2011—The National Quality Forum (NQF) Board has recently approved for endorsement a list of 29 serious reportable events (SREs) in healthcare as outlined in the forthcoming report Serious Reportable Events in Healthcare–2011 Update: A Consensus Report.

San Diego, April 19, 2011—Awarepoint Corporation, the leading provider of real-time location system (RTLS) solutions for hospitals, announced it has acquired Patient Care Technology Systems (PCTS).

Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, March 25, 2011—Joint Commission accredited hospitals now have the option of seeking Advanced Certification in Palliative Care. Palliative care is the field of medicine designed to improve the quality of life of patients and their families by relieving the pain, symptoms and stress of a serious or debilitating illness.

Atlanta, Georgia, March 7, 2011—Hospitals finally have an alternative to saline irrigation with the introduction of IrriSept^®, the first and only FDA-cleared wound debridement and cleansing system containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).