New Medicare Rules Should Help ‘High Need’ Patients Get Better Treatment
New Medicare policies reflect heightened attention to the costliest patients in the health care system — mostly older adults who have multiple chronic conditions that put them at risk of disability, hospitalization, and an earlier-than-expected death.
High Reliability and The Impact of ‘Rescuing’ Patients
The healthcare industry is transitioning to a new wave of patient safety, according to a group of experts that says high reliability will become a bigger emphasis for healthcare facilities looking to improve quality care.
Grilled About Deadly Superbug Outbreaks, Execs At Scope Maker Olympus Takes Fifth
Three senior executives at scope maker Olympus Corp., which is under federal investigation for its role in superbug outbreaks, repeatedly invoked their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned recently about internal company emails.
Can Predictive Analytics Push Patient Safety Into the 21st Century?
For industries across the country, data has become a key element of operational improvement, and the use of predictive analytics in particular has opened a new opportunity to better utilize a growing repository of data.
HHS: $28 Billion Saved Through Patient Safety Efforts
Efforts to improve patient safety are paying off, according to a new Health and Human Services (HHS) department report.
Unraveling Diagnostic Error: Delving Deeply to Identify Hidden Human Factors
The challenges we face in improving patient safety and decreasing healthcare-related harm and death remain urgent, compelling, and undeniable. Despite our considerable efforts over the past 15 years, and some very notable advances, mostly resulting from increased standardization of processes and the use of checklists, the overall magnitude of the problem remains enormous.
How to Engage With a Population to Break Down Barriers to Health Improvements
Healthcare organizations seek new engagement solutions for populations challenged to make improvements in their care.
CRICO Celebrates 40 Years in Patient Safety
By Susan Carr CRICO, the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance company for the Harvard medical institutions and affiliates, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In addition to providing members with liability coverage and claims management, CRICO has made reducing the risk of harm and improving patient safety a priority for the benefit of patients … Continued
5 Types of PPE and How Your Staff is Misusing Them
By John Palmer Train your workers how to use the tools that protect them. One of the first things that a student learns in medical school, one of the first thing a worker learned on the job, and perhaps the most important thing you, as a safety professional can be a pest about with your … Continued
Understanding of Human Over-Reliance on Technology
The implementation of information technology in medication-use systems is widely accepted as a way to reduce adverse drug events by decreasing human error (Mahoney, Berrard-Collins, Coleman, Amaral, & Cotter, 2007). Technology examples include computerized order entry systems, clinical decision support systems, robotic dispensing, profiled automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), smart infusion pumps, and barcode scanning of medications during compounding, dispensing, ADC restocking, and administration.