The Way Forward: Coronavirus Remains Focal Point for Healthcare Organizations
Now that COVID-19 has reached an endemic phase, one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare organizations is keeping communities focused on containing the virus, says Janet Tomcavage, MS, executive vice president and chief nurse executive at Geisinger Health.
Revisiting Staff Respite Spaces
Offering staff and care providers a respite space where they can take a break from the demands of their role is a small gesture that greatly increases their satisfaction at work and directly affects the care they give to patients. The ability to rest and recharge promotes safer, more efficient operations, resulting in better outcomes and fewer medical errors.
Researcher: ‘The Levees Have Broken’ at Emergency Departments
The new studies examine boarding of patients in emergency departments before they are moved to inpatient beds and patients who left without being seen (LWBS), the latter presumably because of ED crowding and long wait times. The Joint Commission has deemed extended boarding of patients in the ED as a patient safety risk, with boarding recommended not to exceed four hours. Relatively high LWBS rates can have significant negative consequences for patients if they are deferring care for acute conditions.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 63 – Getting Back to Basics With Hand Hygiene
On episode 63 of PSQH: The Podcast, Megan DiGiorgio, senior clinical manager at GOJO Industries, talks about getting back to basics with hand hygiene.
Discuss Any Revisions to Masking Policies With Your Staff, IC Experts
The CDC recently revised its guidance on COVID-19 universal masking, but consult with your staff and infection control experts before making changes to your organization policies. The guidance from CDC and CMS has been revised several times over the last few months, including the final days in September.
Researcher: Paxlovid is ‘Game Changer’ in Treatment of COVID-19
The recent study examined data from more than 560,000 patients who could have been treated with Paxlovid from March 1, 2022, to Aug. 1, 2022. Among these patients, 146,000 received Paxlovid and 421,000 did not receive the oral antiviral medication.
How Behavioral ‘Nudges’ Help Patient Engagement—and Improve Provider Experience
A new JAMA Network Open study has found that patient engagement technology can significantly increase the number of patients who get, and stay, vaccinated. By using text reminders, automated vaccine reservations, and other techniques like links to vaccine verification, providers can leverage technology to keep patients engaged and healthy as the industry continues to work through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing Rural Healthcare Disparities With Patient Movement Data
As the conversation turns to rebuilding the resiliency of our healthcare system, disparities in care are top of mind for many organizations. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as on rural and poor populations, has shown the extent of our healthcare accessibility gaps.
OSHA: Look for Final COVID Rule, Emerging Infectious Disease, Workplace Violence Standards
In addition to a final rule on COVID-19, the agency is working on standards covering emerging infectious diseases and workplace violence in healthcare, said OSHA’s Assistant Secretary of Labor Doug Parker in an address at the National Safety Council’s 2022 NSC Congress & Expo in San Diego.
One PHE Declared as Another is On Its Way Out—Maybe
On August 4, two days after appointing a national monkeypox response team, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared the infectious disease a U.S. public health emergency (PHE). Cases are now being reported in all U.S. states and some territories.