Study: Readmissions Sometimes Improve Patient Health
Are readmissions always bad? A new study by John Hopkins Medicine published in The Journal of Hospital Medicine says the answer is not as clear cut as once believed. Researchers looked at three years and 4,500 acute-care facilities worth of readmission and mortality data, finding that hospitals with high readmission rates tended to have lower mortality rates as well.
HRSA Awards Grants to Improve Primary Care and Telehealth in Rural Communities
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is awarding more than $16 million in grants for providers serving rural communities. Sixty rural communities in 32 states will receive grants. Seven rural health research centers will also be beneficiaries.
New Resources Aim to Simplify Stewardship Implementation
A finalized Joint Commission standard, along with proposed CMS regulations, place more emphasis on program leadership and providing resources for measurement and action.
Continuity of Care Innovation is Closer Than You Think
Hospital administrators seeking solutions to continuity of care challenges but who don’t know where to begin, many not realize that innovative problem solvers are nearby–maybe in their own communities.
How A Robust Never Events Policy Can Alter Your Facility’s Culture
Think fast: Does your hospital have a “never events” policy? Does it include apologizing to the patients that were harmed and waiving their costs? Does it include a risk assessment?
If you answered “no” to any of those questions, you are one of the 20% of hospitals across the country that don’t have an adequate never events policy.
Debate on Effects of Social Determinants on Hospital Readmissions Continues
A report finding no connection between socio-economic status and readmissions rates is being faulted for its lack of granularity by advocates for safety net hospitals.
The Six C’s of CAUTI Prevention
Staff-driven bundles, judicious culturing lead to huge CAUTI decreases. As hospitals prepare for more rigorous Joint Commission standard, Mayo Clinic shows how regimented approach can reduce rates by as much as 70%. In early 2014, the medical intensive care unit at the Mayo Clinic Hospital contributed 25% of the facility’s catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). … Continued
ACS Lays Out Attire Guidelines for Surgeons
By Alexandra Wilson Pecci In addition to reflecting patients’ preferences for a professional manner of dress, the attire guidelines for surgeons also incorporate concerns over quality of care and patient safety. Wearing soiled scrubs in front of family members, letting surgical masks dangle, and leaving large sideburns uncontained during surgery are all no-nos for … Continued
Study: Culture of Safety Scores Have No Impact on Catheter Infections
Many hospitals have focused on improving the culture of safety in their institution through a patient safety culture survey provided to staff members.
Texas Institute for Patient Safety Takes Aim at Medical Students
New collaborative effort will focus on incorporating patient safety into medical school.
In May, the University of North Texas (UNT) Health and Science Center announced a new collaborative aimed at improving patient care throughout the state and reducing medical errors across the continuum of care.