‘Citizen Jury’ Recommends Ways to Improve Diagnosis
The Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM), the Jefferson Center, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University are working with healthcare consumers to develop a list of the ways patients can reduce diagnostic error. The project is using a process developed by the Jefferson Center’s founder, Ned Crosby, PhD, … Continued
Winners of the Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award Announced
The National Quality Forum (NQF) and The Joint Commission announced the 2015 winners of the John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Award, last Friday. The award, named after the former head of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, recognizes those who have made great achievements in the arena of patient safety and quality. … Continued
I-PASS and SBAR Handoff Tools Have Proven Benefits
Communication failures continue to plague patient care. Experts weigh in on why nearly one-third of malpractice claims involve a communication failure, leading to significant patient harm For nearly two decades, communication failures have been frequently attributed to harmful events in healthcare. Judging by a new report looking at malpractice claims, those problems aren’t getting any … Continued
Department of Homeland Security Issues Ransomware Warning to Hospitals
In response to a series of ransomware attacks that crippled healthcare systems across the country, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), and the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) released a warning on specific types of ransomware used in recent attacks. The warning is directed at all organizations … Continued
Mercy Selects Datix Patient Safety and Risk Managment Solution
Mercy, the seventh largest Catholic health care system, has selected patient safety and risk management software from Datix to give a comprehensive view of incidents, complaints and claims across the organization. After a thorough evaluation, Datix was selected as a result of its ability to aggregate patient safety data in real time. Datix’s powerful dashboards … Continued
AORN Guideline Updates Focus on Counting, Communication to Prevent RSIs
Using a new evidence review model, AORN highlights key safety concerns, while one expert calls for more emphasis on human error.
Using a new evidence review model, updated guidelines released by one of the nation’s leading surgical associations underscore the importance of clear communication and strong counting procedures to prevent the occurrence of retained surgical items (RSI).
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) released updates to its Guideline for Prevention of Retained Surgical Items effective January 15, 2016. The updated guidelines take the place of previous recommendations released in 2012.
Hospitals continue to struggle with RSIs. In January, The Joint Commission released a “Quick Safety” report building on its 2013 Sentinel Event Alert on unintended retained foreign objects (URFO). The Joint Commission reported that URFOs accounted for 115 of the sentinel events reported in 2015 and 112 in 2014, up from 102 in 2013.
Safety Issues Dominate Joint Commission List of Most-Cited Standards of 2015
The Joint Commission’s latest list of most-cited standards was dominated by safety issues. Following a multi-year trend, eight of the top 10 cited standards came from the Environment of Care, Life Safety or Infection Control chapters, with most of them merely swapping places within the top 10. The standards are those most frequently found not … Continued
Readmissions Dip 47% When Some Patients Self-Administer IV Antibiotics
By: Alexandra Wilson Pecci, HealthLeaders Media Uninsured patients requiring prolonged courses of treatment with intravenous antibiotics can be trained to treat themselves at home and achieve outcomes comparable to patients who receive treatment in traditional settings, data shows. Teaching uninsured patients how to self-administer IV antibiotics for outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) has … Continued
Innovations in Nursing
Innovations in nursing run the gamut from emergence of nurseled protocols to improved communication practices to various technological advances, including telehealth and virtual simulation. “The emergence of nurse-led protocols has been critical to increasing patient safety,” says Milisa Manojlovich, PhD, RN, CCRN, associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. “Nurses are being … Continued
Exploring the Intersection of Concurrent Surgeries and False Claims Enforcement
Renewed focus on concurrent surgeries underscores patient safety concerns. Newspaper investigation has thrust issue into national spotlight, prompting American College of Surgeon Updates
The practice of concurrent surgeries has become a top concern for hospitals across the country following a Boston Globe investigation into the practices of a reputable Massachusetts hospital.
In October, the Globe published a lengthy exposé into the practice of “concurrent” or “double-booking” surgeries at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), ranked as the top hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report in 2015-2016. The Globe’s investigation revealed an ongoing battle within the health system that pitted one long-time surgeon against the hospital’s top brass in his quest to eliminate concurrent surgeries. The investigation also described specific incidents in which patients were harmed or even paralyzed during double-booked procedures.
The Globe investigation has pushed the issues of concurrent surgeries – a common practice among many academic medical systems across the country – to the surface, drawing criticisms from patient safety advocates and prompting organizations like the American College of Surgeons (ACS) to review current policies on concurrent or overlapping surgeries.