Coronavirus Care Rationing: ‘It’s Not Just About Ventilators’
There have been several reports of ventilator rationing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Italy and China. Last month, Manhattan, New York–based Northwell Health issued a memo that provided a guideline for clinicians to ration ventilators to COVID-19 patients who were most likely to benefit from the intervention.
Introduction of Wireless Buzzer to Improve Efficiency in Gynecology Triage
There is increased nursing frustration due to students re-asking questions that patients already answered during nurse triage. Students interview fewer patients and often interrupt nurses due to not knowing the optimal time to arrive at patient triage. This leads to frustration and hindered learning for students while disrupting nurse and resident workflow.
5 Guidelines for Transferring Nursing Home Residents to Hospitals During the Coronavirus Pandemic
People who are at least 65 and people living in nursing homes are at high risk of serious illness during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nursing home residents face high risk because the facilities have a “congregate nature” and serve older adults with chronic medical conditions.
CMS Emergency Waivers Now Include Some Testing, Inspections
The blanket waiver was announced April 29 among several updates to previous waivers. While the waivers will help lighten the load somewhat, the most critical and often the most time- and money-consuming of the ITM requirements are not part of the waiver.
Cognitive Overload Among Nurses: Exploring Causes, Risks and Solutions
By Rhonda Collins, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer, Vocera Every year around Nurses Week, May 6 to May 12, I write a CNO Perspective Report in which I examine a topic I think is important to nurse leaders. Last year, the report explored cognitive overload and its impact on nurse well-being and patient safety. … Continued
How Intelligent Document Automation Can Improve Clinical Communications
The easiest way to transfer records between incompatible systems is to generate those records in document format. To send those documents, most providers still resort to using an antiquated piece of technology that is found in almost all medical offices: the fax machine.
Study Puts U.S. COVID-19 Infection Fatality Rate at 1.3%
Using GitHub data from the Johns Hopkins Repository and data from The New York Times, the researchers looked at 116 counties in 33 states and found 40,835 confirmed cases and 1,620 confirmed deaths through April 20.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 2 – Communicating With Patients and Families
On episode 2 of PSQH: The Podcast, host Jay Kumar talks to Patricia A. McGaffigan, RN, MS, CPPS, vice president of safety programs at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, about communicating with patients and families during a pandemic.
Avoid Lawsuits During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This past month, a nurses union in New York state filed lawsuits against Montefiore Medical Center and Westchester Medical Center due to lack of personal protective equipment and training. Doctors and other medical professionals are also feeling the threat of malpractice lawsuits during the pandemic, and have been lobbying for protection against these lawsuits.
Hospital Visit Declines May Have Bottomed Out
Outpatient hospital visit volumes rose approximately 4% between the weeks of April 5-11 and April 12-18, which was the first increase seen in visit volumes in the time since COVID-19 was labeled a pandemic.