Taking a DNA “Time Out” to Ensure Accuracy

By Andrew S. Kenler, MD

According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States. In fact, it accounts for nearly one in three cancers diagnosed in U.S. women (2012).

Team Training

Shared Learning for True Teamwork

By Tom Hanson, MA

Commitment, not compliance, is the goal. Today’s healthcare organizations seem to be shifting from a command-and-control style to one of increased collaboration among all levels of the hospital. Interdepartmental collaboration, too, has taken center stage as the importance of service lines and managing populations becomes apparent. Today’s healthcare professionals desire and need to be involved in the continuum of the patient experience, which may extend beyond their traditional departmental duties.

ISMP

That’s the way we do things around here!

By The Institute for Safe Medication Practices

Studies have long supported that an organization’s safety culture is the most critical, underlying predictor of accomplishments related to safety (Clarke, 1999; Randell, 2003; Zohar, 1980; Carroll et al., 2002; Scott et al., 2003). A multitude of definitions of safety culture exist, but none are more telling than “that’s the way we do things around here” (Wakefield et al., 2010).

Hand Hygiene

Compliance Improvement through Technology

By Tom Inglesby

According to The World Health Organization (WHO; 2010), at least 7 of every 100 hospitalized patients in developed countries—and 10 out of 100 in developing countries—will experience a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). To reduce the risk, WHO recommends specific hand hygiene methods involving soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer.

Editor’s Notebook

Summer Reading

By Susan Carr

These days, summer schedules seldom deviate from the hectic pace most of us maintain during the rest of the year, but some delightful seasonal traditions persist—summer reading, for example. I have been catching up on some reading this summer, and there are three books I’d like to share.