How Cedars-Sinai Built ‘COVID Line Team’ for Busy ICUs
During coronavirus patient surges, hospital ICUs often become inundated with severely ill patients. The COVID Line Team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has increased the efficiency of placing central and arterial lines in coronavirus patients and freed up precious time for the dedicated ICU clinical staffs.
The Skills CNOs Need to Advance Their Careers During a Pandemic
Senior-level opportunities are available despite an ongoing registered nurse (RN) shortage that, according to the United States Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card and Shortage Forecast: A Revisit published in the May/June 2018 issue of the American Journal of Medical Quality, is projected to spread across the country between 2016 and 2030.
CMS Updates Accrediting Organizations on When to Pause Surveys
CMS’ Quality, Safety & Oversight Group promised new guidance to AOs on when to suspend surveys as part of an announcement on January 20 that the agency was temporarily suspending or limiting on-site surveys because of the COVID-19 patient surge. CMS told its own state survey agencies in January it was putting a general hold on hospital surveys, except for those dealing with immediate jeopardy situations, for at least 30 days, in recognition of growing COVID-19 patient surges in many areas.
Joint Commission Issues Alert to Help Nurses, Healthcare Workers With COVID-19 Crisis
The document is first in a series of Joint Commission alerts that address healthcare workers’ concerns and provide guidance on how to respond to crisis, preparing them for the often-overwhelming circumstances of caring for patients during a pandemic. One Iowa nurse quoted in the publication explained in stark terms how the continuing onslaught of COVID-19 is pushing nurses and other frontline healthcare workers beyond physical exhaustion and inflicting emotional damage on those who care for patients.
HHS Says It Will Give 60 Days’ Notice Before Ending PHE
Providers will have at least 60 days’ notice before the blanket waivers of certain Medicare Conditions of Participation and Conditions of Coverage will no longer be in effect. And you will have at least that much time to come into compliance. But you will still have to be in compliance when those waivers, which have allowed providers certain flexibilities to put resources and energy into meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 patient surges, end along with the PHE.
OSHA Releases New, Stronger Guidance on COVID-19
Key measures offered in the guidance for limiting the spread of COVID-19 include separating and sending home infected or potentially infected people in the workplace, implementing physical distancing, installing barriers where physical distancing cannot be maintained, and using face coverings.
Being Creative, and the Importance of ‘Thinking Inside the Box’
Electrical and HVAC updates are of particular importance to support new technology, which typically requires additional power and generates additional heat. Other important renovations include installing wireless systems and components used for collecting data or interacting with electronic medical records. This article offers insights into the challenges, solutions, and key considerations addressing infrastructure challenges posed by smaller, targeted healthcare projects.
Study of Telehealth Use and In-Person Visits During Pandemic Provides Insight on Deferred Care
At the beginning of the pandemic, use of telemedicine surged as many clinicians turned to the technology to continue to see patients in a safe manner. Despite the uptick in telemedicine use, overall medical visits dropped substantially, which raises concern about deferred care, the new research article says.
Solving Healthcare’s Unique Cybersecurity Risks
The risks of cyberattacks on hospitals and other healthcare settings was already high pre-pandemic, as these institutions work with sensitive data, like patient information. But attackers never let an opportunity go to waste, and they’ve already targeted the manufacturing and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines—including a known attack on Pfizer.
When Face-to-Face Isn’t an Option
For many organizations, this has meant a shift to telehealth. This technology has been available for some time, of course, but was not nearly as widely used as it is today. How can providers make sure they have the know-how to help their patients maintain their care, live healthy lives, and get the medications and treatments they need, all while working with them remotely?