What’s Ahead for Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Based on an industrywide study, ASCs continue to perform more than half of all U.S. outpatient surgical procedures, and they can expect to see greater volumes as the number of outpatient procedures increases an estimated 15% by 2028. However, analysts predict this number will be even higher based on the CMS 2021 final rule on the Outpatient Prospective Payment System and ASCs.
AORN Updates Skin Antisepsis Guidelines: What This Means for Organizations
Facilities had relied on research prior to official guidelines, which makes the update to AORN’s response impactful. The AORN adds their voice to the World Health Organization, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, as well as the CDC and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 32 – How to Transform the Patient-Physician Journey
On episode 32 of PSQH: The Podcast, Dr. Barry Chaiken, clinical lead for Tableau, talks about how information technology can help solve healthcare’s biggest problems.
University Hospitals Exec: ‘Healthcare Is Riddled With Mindless Variation’
HealthLeaders interviewed Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD, recently to discuss a range of topics, including checklists, value-based care, workforce safety, and his vision for telehealth after the coronavirus pandemic has passed. The following is a lightly edited transcript of that conversation.
Stroke Benchmarks During COVID: HFAP Releases Latest Report
HFAP, a brand of the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), issued its annual benchmarking report on stroke programs recently, which demonstrated COVID-19’s impact on these programs. HFAP collected data to help healthcare professionals expand their knowledge of the risks, triggers, and variations of stroke, with findings that took a year of pandemic challenges into account.
Making Smart IV Pumps Smarter: Steps to Increase IV Infusion Safety
Despite their ubiquity, smart pumps continue to exhibit design flaws that contribute to patient safety risks. Commonly reported problems with smart pumps include software bugs and errors, human factors (e.g., errors related to user interface issues), broken components, battery failure, alarm failure, and over- or under-infusion.
Mass Vaccine Rollout Showcases Healthcare Agility
A multitude of providers responded to the new challenges of the pandemic with incredible nimbleness and delivered an array of successful patient outcomes. From treating COVID-19 patients, to setting up testing sites, to rolling out vaccinations, many private and public health entities displayed an unprecedented ability to plan, react, and change over accelerated timelines.
Need to Lower Overhead Costs? Try a Space Management Plan
Healthcare leaders are investigating options for reducing overhead costs. In addition, social distancing requirements for patient and staff safety are forcing hospitals to devise strategies on how to approach space use. In unprecedented times like these, healthcare organizations should consider space management strategies to reduce overhead costs.
DNV to Return to Unannounced Surveys September 7
DNV Healthcare-accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals, and psychiatric hospitals should be aware that the accreditation organization is returning to unannounced, onsite surveys as of September 7.
More OSHA Scrutiny on Healthcare Organizations, Expanded Whistleblower Protections
In March, OSHA issued its Updated Interim Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The updates extend existing OSHA protections for workplace safety whistleblowers, explicitly stating those protections apply to those who report COVID-19 related violations at the workplace by creating a National Emphasis Program (NEP).