Hospitals Ramp Up Hyperbaric Therapy for Diabetics, Despite Concerns
The American Diabetes Association does not recommend the treatment. Some experts say hyperbaric therapy’s increased use for diabetic wounds owes more to hospitals’ pursuit of Medicare revenue than to the treatment’s proven value.
Hospital Successfully Fends Off OSHA Citation
More than 18 months after being cited by OSHA for allegedly failing to guard adequately against workplace violence, one of the largest public hospitals in the United States is claiming victory. Bergen Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Paramus, N.J., defended its program and recently reached an agreement with federal officials, who dismissed the citation.
The New War on Sepsis
The sepsis program in the St. Joseph Hoang network seems to be working. The death rate for all of its hospitals from 2015-2016 has dropped from 15 percent to 12 percent for severe sepsis/shock, and from 12 percent to 9 percent for all sepsis cases.
CDC Updates SSI Guidelines for the First Time in 18 Years
Between 2006 and 2009, roughly 1.9% of surgical procedures in the United States resulted in SSI complications; however, it’s likely that number is much higher since about 50% of SSIs don’t become evident until after discharge. Estimated costs of SSIs range from $10,443 to $25,546 per infection, although it can cost more than $90,000 to treat an SSI involving a prosthetic joint implant or an antimicrobial-resistant organism.
Time Out Day for Patient Safety
June 14 is National Time Out Day , a Joint Commission and Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) campaign to promote patient safety before, during, and after surgery. The organizations are also reminding healthcare facilities to commit to conducting a safe, effective time outs for each and every surgery.
Quantity Over Quality? Minorities Shown to Get an Excess of Ineffective Care
Minority patients face a double whammy: Not only are they more likely to miss out on effective medical treatments than white patients, but, according to a new study, they’re also more likely to receive an abundance of ineffective services.
Burned Out or Under the Influence?
By the time the general public hears about an impaired clinician, whether it’s a nurse, technician, or physician, it’s usually after something bad has already happened. The infamous case of a New Hampshire technician who stole painkiller syringes and exposed thousands of patients to hepatitis C is just one example. The following is an edited Q&A with Judy Kees, a regional coach leader at Studer Group with human resource executive experience at several health systems. PSMJ spoke with Kees on how to deal with an impaired employee, how to identify the problem before harm is done, and what your obligations are afterwards.
Using Data Analytics to Change Behavior
The data-analytics application works in conjunction with the smart pump system to create a continuous quality loop to strengthen patient safety, opportunities for improvement, and data-driven insights.
Improving Collaboration Around Medication Management Programs
There are numerous reasons patients stop taking medication against their physician’s advice. They might feel better (or, thanks to side effects, feel worse). They might not be able to reach the pharmacy. The cost might be too steep. Then, of course, there is the potential for medications to be prescribed from a number of points of care, which is leading to more challenges regarding medication reconciliation. Whatever the cause, poor medication adherence has significant costs for both the individual and the health system.
The Merging of HIT
Treating less sick patients at a tertiary hospital is usually not cost-effective compared to a community hospital setting, and treatment of complex cases at the community hospital often produces less favorable outcomes that are not in the best interests of the patient.
