First Databank Acquires Medication Reconciliation Solution Leader Design Clinicals
First Databank (FDB), the leading provider of clinical drug knowledge that helps improve medication-related decisions and patient outcomes, has announced that an affiliate of FDB has acquired Design Clinicals, Inc., a healthcare information technology company dedicated to providing clinician-friendly solutions for improving medication reconciliation and the delivery of patient care. Design Clinicals, based in Seattle, Washington, began operations in 2005, is led by founder and CEO Dewey Howell, MD, PhD, a practicing family physician turned healthcare information technology software developer.
NPSF Awards Research Grant for Project Investigating Environmental Factors Involved in Patient Falls
The National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) has awarded a $100,000 grant for an innovative patient safety research project that will examine the mechanisms underlying patient falls in the hospital and formulate recommendations for improved facility design.
National Coordinator Mostashari Announces Resignation
Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM, announced on August 8 that he will step down from his position as national coordinator for health information technology in the fall. Mostashari first joined the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) as deputy for programs and policy in 2009 and succeeded David Blumenthal, MD, as national coordinator in April 2011. Although the previous national coordinators have also served approximately two years in the position, Mostashari’s announcement caught the health IT community by surprise and prompted many accolades for his national leadership for health IT and its role in patient safety and quality improvement.
AHA Board Elects Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, Chair-elect Designate
The American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Board of Trustees has elected Jonathan B. Perlin, M.D., president of clinical and physician services and chief medical officer of the Nashville-based HCA (Hospital Corporation of America) as its chair-elect designate.
PCORI Launches “Engagement Awards” Program to Advance Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has launched a funding initiative designed to grow a national community of patients, clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare stakeholders who will advance patient-centered outcomes research.
The Beryl Institute and Inspiration NW Introduce Patient Experience Care Cards
The Beryl Institute announced a partnership with Inspiration NW, founder of Patient Experience Care Cards, to expand usage and awareness of the tool in the healthcare industry. Care Cards impact the patient experience by helping staff foster more meaningful conversations with patients.
New IOM Report Explores Inter-professional Education for Healthcare Workforce
The latest report from the Institute of Medicine summarizes the work of the Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education. The Forum held two workshops in 2012 focused on the connection between inter-professional education and collaborative practice. The report summarizes the results of the workshops.
Physician Patient Safety Leader Named President of National Patient Safety Foundation
The Board of Directors of the National Patient Safety Foundation announced today that Tejal K. Gandhi, MD, MPH, will become the Foundation’s next president, effective July 1. The announcement came at the opening session of the 15th Annual NPSF Patient Safety Congress, which is being held this week in New Orleans.
PCORI Awards Funding for Comparative Effectiveness Research Projects
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved 51 new awards, totaling $88.6 million over three years, to fund patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects under the first four areas of its National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda. This brings the total that PCORI has awarded for projects addressing these priorities to $129.3 million. PCORI also has committed another $30 million in funding for a series of pilot projects.
Study Shows Hospital C-Suite and Risk Managers Struggle with Maintaining Patient Safety
Maximizing patient safety is the top priority for hospital C-Suite executives and Risk Managers in the United States – but, “lack of teamwork, negative culture and poor communication” will present barriers to patient safety in the future – according to a new survey commissioned by American International Group (AIG) in consultation with patient safety expert, Dr. Marty Makary, MD, MPH.