PA Hospital Investigates Waterborne Bacteria as Cause of Three Infant Deaths
Geisinger is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the outbreak and ensure that the bacteria has been eliminated.
Top 10 Medical Technology Hazards for 2020 Announced
Surgical staples, point-of-care ultrasound, and infection risks from sterile processing top ECRI’s list of medical technology hazards for 2020.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Tied to Severe Allergic Reactions
Researchers from Alberta Health Services and the University of Calgary began the study after reports emerged of serious adverse events following PICC insertions, including hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis reactions.
What Keeps Black Women Nurses Out of Leadership Roles?
According to the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity’s 2015 benchmarking study, Diversity and Disparities: A Benchmarking Study of U.S. Hospitals in 2015, “minorities comprise only 14% of hospital board members, 11% of executive leadership positions, and 19% of first- and mid-level managers.”
Two New Protocols for Respirator Fit Testing from OSHA
The new protocols are variations of an existing OSHA-approved method, the ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter (CNC) quantitative fit testing protocol, often referred to as the “PortaCount® protocol.”
Screen Patients for Social Determinants of Health With This 4-Part Tool
Social needs such as housing and food security can have a crucial effect on patient health. By making direct investments in initiatives designed to address social determinants of health and working with community partners, healthcare organizations can help patients achieve positive health outcomes in ways beyond the traditional provision of medical services.
Study: Most Healthcare Workers Ignore Policy, Work While Ill
Researchers conducted active surveillance at a 120-bed long-term care facility from December 2015 to April 2016 looking for respiratory viral infections among residents and healthcare providers.
USP Delays Revised Chapters; USP <800> to be ‘Informational’ Only
USP <800> will still take effect on December 1. The Healthcare Quality and Safety team at USP explained that it would only be “informational and not compendially applicable.”
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 2020 PSQH Contest Committee, in conjunction with the PSQH administrative team, will select one case study to highlight in an upcoming issue of PSQH.
Joint Commission Releases Quality Dashboard Reports for ASCs
Available to Joint Commission surveyors and accredited ASCs, the reports are designed to help spur conversations about data, performance measures, and quality improvement in the survey process.