Share Your Innovative Quality Improvement Ideas
Any professional who is currently involved in patient safety or quality improvement is welcome to submit a case study application. The 2021 PSQH Contest Committee, in conjunction with the PSQH administrative team, will select one case study to highlight on PSQH.
CMS Launches New Hospital-at-Home Program
As part of the Acute Hospital Care At Home program, CMS has established an online portal to expedite waivers of the Hospital Conditions of Participation statute. The statute includes several requirements for inpatient-level care, including the 24/7 availability of nursing services on the premises of a hospital-level care setting.
OSHA Let Employers Decide Whether to Report Healthcare Worker Deaths. Many Didn’t.
Workplace safety regulators have taken a lenient stance toward employers during the pandemic, giving them broad discretion to decide internally whether to report worker deaths. As a result, scores of deaths were not reported to occupational safety officials from the earliest days of the pandemic through late October.
CMS ‘Flexibilities’ Aim to Expand Hospital Capacity
Six health systems have been approved for the new waivers and include Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Huntsman Cancer Institute; Massachusetts General Hospital; Mount Sinai Health System; Presbyterian Healthcare Services; and UnityPoint Health. CMS expects new applications to be submitted.
HHS is Looking for Your Pandemic Success Stories
CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has published a request for information on “Effective and Innovative Approaches/Best Practices in Health Care in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
How to Address Interprofessional Conflicts Involving Female Surgeons
Earlier research has shown female surgeons experience less achievement, more dissatisfaction, and higher levels of burnout compared to male surgeons. Interprofessional conflict has been associated with workplace dissatisfaction and stress, and earlier research indicates women are more likely than men to experience interprofessional conflict.
Coronavirus Survey: Primary Care Practices Face Ongoing Strain During Pandemic
The new survey, which was conducted by the Primary Care Collaborative, The Larry A. Green Center, and 3rd Conversation, features information collected from more than 580 primary care clinicians in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam. The survey was conducted from Oct. 16 to Oct. 19.
Docs Say Telehealth Provides Effective Access During Pandemic
The 48-question survey was conducted between July 13 and August 15. Most respondents (87%) were medical doctors and 13% were nurse practitioners, psychologists, physician assistants, and social workers.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 16 – The Challenges of PPE Use and Improving Worker Communication
On episode 16 of PSQH: The Podcast, host Jay Kumar talks to Dr. Benjamin Kanter about the challenges of PPE use and how technology can help improve communication with frontline workers dealing with COVID-19 patients. This episode is in partnership with Vocera.
AMA Sets New Policies on Bullying Prevention in Healthcare and Racism
According to The Joint Commission, intimidating and disruptive behavior in healthcare settings is associated with medical errors, poor patient satisfaction, and preventable adverse outcomes. In June, the AMA Board of Trustees recognized the health consequences of violent police interactions and called racism an urgent threat to public health.