Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs
April 12, 2011—Doctors, nurses and other health care providers in America work incredibly hard every day to deliver the best care possible to their patients. Unfortunately, an alarming number of patients are harmed by medical mistakes in the health care system and far too many die prematurely as a result. The Obama Administration has launched the Partnership for Patients: Better Care, Lower Costs, a new public-private partnership that will help improve the quality, safety and affordability of health care for all Americans.
Ekahau Extends RTLS Beyond the Building Using Wi-Fi Enabled iPhones and Android Phones
Cepheid Extends Rapid Molecular Diagnostics’ Leadership with FDA Clearance of Xpert Clostridium difficile/Epi
Sunnyvale, California, April 11, 2011—Cepheid announced that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its Xpert(R) C. difficile/Epi test. Cepheid’s first Xpert C. difficile test has been available in the United States since July 2009.
Alarm Management Showcase
Alarm Management Showcase:
Being Everywhere at Once
Caregivers can’t be everywhere, but with integrated alarm notification systems, they can respond quickly when needed.
Until you know there is a problem, it’s much harder to respond to it. For patients, alarm notification systems can undoubtedly be lifesaving. But with the right core technology, they can also be early warning systems that help to prevent patients from deteriorating to a critical point.
Patient Mobilization
Patient Mobilization
Best practices improve health outcomes and ensure safety for patients and staff alike.
As research supports the critical need for mobilizing hospitalized patients, the adage “If you don’t use it, you will lose it” sums up the weakness and loss of functional status seen with prolonged bed rest. In the hospital setting, patients often depend on their caregivers for mobilization.
Safer PCA Therapy
Safer PCA Therapy
Patient Safety Benefits of Continuous Respiratory Rate and End Tidal Monitoring
The following interviews were adapted from a November 12, 2010, webcast, “Safer PCA Therapy,” that explored the application of continuous monitoring for patients receiving opioids, most typically using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).
Rapid Implementation of an Anesthesiology Information Management System
Rapid Implementation of an Anesthesiology Information Management System
Careful planning allows a public hospital in California to reap patient safety
and financial benefits from technology on the fast track.
At most hospitals, it takes a significant time to bring in new information technology systems. Indeed, the wheels move slowly as these organizations attempt to get new technology approved, purchased—and finally implemented.
Team Training in Obstetrics: Improving Care by Learning to Work Together
Team Training in Obstetrics: Improving Care by Learning to Work Together
Communication gaps and breakdowns are a significant cause of medical errors within the healthcare system. According to data collected by the Joint Commission (2005), communication gaps are the primary root cause of two thirds of sentinel events.
Reducing Alarm Hazards: Selection and Implementation of Alarm Notification Systems
Reducing Alarm Hazards: Selection and Implementation of Alarm Notification Systems
Few threats to patient safety have existed for as long or been as thoroughly studied as alarm fatigue (Healthcare Technology Foundation). In December 2010, ECRI Institute listed “Alarm Hazards” as the second highest technology hazard of 2011.