Alarm Management Showcase

Alarm Management Showcase:
Being Everywhere at Once

Caregivers can’t be everywhere, but with integrated alarm notification systems, they can respond quickly when needed.

Until you know there is a problem, it’s much harder to respond to it. For patients, alarm notification systems can undoubtedly be lifesaving. But with the right core technology, they can also be early warning systems that help to prevent patients from deteriorating to a critical point.

Read More »

Patient Mobilization

Patient Mobilization

Best practices improve health outcomes and ensure safety for patients and staff alike.

As research supports the critical need for mobilizing hospitalized patients, the adage “If you don’t use it, you will lose it” sums up the weakness and loss of functional status seen with prolonged bed rest. In the hospital setting, patients often depend on their caregivers for mobilization.

Read More »

Safer PCA Therapy

Safer PCA Therapy

Patient Safety Benefits of Continuous Respiratory Rate and End Tidal Monitoring

The following interviews were adapted from a November 12, 2010, webcast, “Safer PCA Therapy,” that explored the application of continuous monitoring for patients receiving opioids, most typically using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).

Read More »

Rapid Implementation of an Anesthesiology Information Management System

Rapid Implementation of an Anesthesiology Information Management System

Careful planning allows a public hospital in California to reap patient safety
and financial benefits from technology on the fast track.

At most hospitals, it takes a significant time to bring in new information technology systems. Indeed, the wheels move slowly as these organizations attempt to get new technology approved, purchased—and finally implemented.

Read More »

Reducing Alarm Hazards: Selection and Implementation of Alarm Notification Systems

Reducing Alarm Hazards: Selection and Implementation of Alarm Notification Systems

Few threats to patient safety have existed for as long or been as thoroughly studied as alarm fatigue (Healthcare Technology Foundation). In December 2010, ECRI Institute listed “Alarm Hazards” as the second highest technology hazard of 2011.

Read More »

ISMP: Root Causes: A Roadmap to Action

ISMP

Root Causes: A Roadmap to Action

Problem: After receiving a report of a medication error that reached a 4-year-old child, we were once again reminded that errors are almost never caused by the failure of a single element in the system.

Read More »

Health & IT Quality: Seeing Is Not Believing

Health & IT Quality

Seeing Is Not Believing

Consider this scenario: An adventure traveler begins his trek to a remote village in the Andes. Upon arriving at the airport, he rents a car and begins his journey on winding roads to the village. After 90 minutes of driving, he encounters an intersection with a traffic light. Upon seeing the bottom of the light glowing brightly, he continues through the intersection.

Read More »

ARQH: What Is Your Organization’s Patient Safety Culture?

ARQH

What Is Your Organization’s Patient Safety Culture?

Ask any frontline clinician or healthcare support staff if they can identify the components that make up a “culture of patient safety,” and you might get a vague answer in response. But ask those same health providers if they feel they can speak up to report patient safety concerns without fearing retribution, and you’re likely to get very specific responses.

Read More »