Study: Busy Surgeons Pose a Risk to Patient Safety
The report from Coverys takes a look at five years of closed medical malpractice claims data from 2014–2018 to provide insight into the root causes of surgery-related claims and evidence-based recommendations to help mitigate future risks in the delivery of care.
Protect Medical Devices From a Cybersecurity Threat
A recent survey of approximately 60 C-level healthcare executives from CynergisTek brings the issue into sharper focus. Though about one-third of executives considered medical device security one of the top five risks facing healthcare, most reported they lack an effective strategy to assess the risks posed by medical devices.
Coronavirus: Infectious Disease Expert Shares Lessons Learned From Other Recent Outbreaks
The swine flu pandemic hit the United States in 2009 and 2010, with about 12,500 deaths and an estimated 60.8 million cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak, 11 people were treated for the viral disease in the United States, with two deaths.
4 Ways You Haven’t Thought About Using Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Almost overnight, telehealth providers reported an upswing in demand as key barriers to widespread telehealth usage vanished, including consumer awareness and physician and consumer acceptance. To quell the spread of disease and direct patients to the most appropriate setting, the CMS changed access requirements and reimbursement restrictions, and many other payers have followed suit.
Despite Federal COVID-19 Stimulus, Many Hospitals Could Face Layoffs Within Two Months
Nearly all hospitals would lose an average of $2,800 per COVID-19 patient case if reimbursement rates aren’t raised, according to Strata, with some losing between $8,000 to $10,000 per case.
The study concluded that without a 35% reimbursement rate hike, many hospitals will exhaust cash flows within 60 to 90 days.
Problem-Solving in Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Older People
Health literacy plays a key role in the management, control, and prevention of disease in general. However, it is of particular importance in diabetes, due to both the disease’s chronicity and its effect on quality of life. Effectively, health literacy levels directly influence overall quality of life, especially in the elderly population.
Coronavirus: Tiered Staffing Recommended to Bolster Critical Care
To address the anticipated shortage of ICU staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, SCCM is proposing that U.S. hospitals adopt a tiered staffing model that integrates experience ICU personnel with reassigned hospital staff members. The integrated ICU personnel would be used to staff non-traditional ICUs created in repurposed hospital spaces such as post-anesthesia care units.
Human Performance Limitations in Medicine: A Cognitive Focus (Part 2)
In this case study, with nearly 600 medication labels prepared per day, the atmosphere was rife for potential error. Many drugs have similar-sounding names, and during the labeling process the technician is likely to be multitasking, under time pressure, and subject to multiple interruptions (not to mention a consistently noisy environment).
COVID-19 Crisis Puts Spotlight on PPE at Healthcare Facilities
Concern about the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in a high demand for both surgical masks and N95 respirators. Decreases in exports from countries such as China, India, and Taiwan, along with increased worldwide demand due to the outbreak, has resulted in an increased volume of orders and challenges in meeting demands, PPE manufacturers have reported.
CMS Rolls Out Recommendations for Elective Surgeries
The guidelines also address dental procedures, warning that they use PPE and “have one of the highest risks of transmission due to the close proximity of the healthcare provider to the patient.” CMS recommends that all non-essential dental exams and procedures be postponed until further notice.”