AHRQ releases new tool to reduce CAUTI
Building on its Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently released a new toolkit aimed at reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in hospitals. Released in October 2015, the toolkit consists of three modules: implementation, sustainability, and resources. Hospitals can use … Continued
FDA: Top Three Duodenoscope Makers Release Updated Instructions
On February 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that reprocessing instructions for Pentax duodenoscopes had been validated and approved by the agency. The announcement means that scopes from the three major manufactures, Olympus, Fujifilm, and Pentax, are now safe to use with their updated instructions. Five months ago, the FDA issued safety warning … Continued
Nurse Renewal Rooms Benefit Patients, Too
By Jennifer Thew, HealthLeaders Media This article originally appeared in HealthLeaders Media. Hoping to counter stress and compassion fatigue, one hospital has created private spaces for its nurses to process their emotions before returning to their patients, refocused. At least one study links better nursing environments to better patient outcomes. Crying at work is traditionally … Continued
Viewpoint: Let’s Fix One Real Problem with Patient Safety
By Annie Callanan and Frank Mazza, MD
Measurement has proven foundational to advancing individual and collective performance in every business endeavor, vocational pursuit, professional sport, and recreational hobby. People do not always appreciate being measured, and some fear the implication more than others. But every successful advancement over the past century has been aided, and ultimately affirmed, by metrics that authenticate comparative achievement.
Measurements serve as foundational pillars underlying performance in every facet of our lives. They form the basis of compensation structures, bragging rights, passions, and failures. Measurements define individuals for whom they are and how they evolve and progress. A systematic approach to measurement has even permeated 21st-century philanthropy, thanks in no small part to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which counts deep inroads toward the ultimate elimination of malaria as a victory of actionable assessment (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 2010; What we do, n.d.).
Patient Safety Experts Highlight Key Concerns for 2016
For many healthcare facilities, a new year means new goals. As we say goodbye to 2015, patient safety experts from around the country share their focus areas for the coming year. Improving EHR systems After spending the last several years implementing, launching, and optimizing a system-wide electronic medical record (EMR) system, Henry Ford Health System … Continued
CMS Announces Standardized Quality Measures
CMS and America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released seven quality measures yesterday that aim to reduce the cost of measuring clinical quality while supporting multi-payer alignment on core measures for physician quality programs. The new measure sets will improve informed consumer decision-making, reduce variability in measure selection, collection burden, and cost, according to CMS. “In … Continued
PSQH Applies for BPA Worldwide Business Publication Membership
Danvers, MA February 2016 – Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (www.psqh.com) has applied for business publication membership in BPA Worldwide. The magazine is published by BLR (Danvers, MA). BPA Worldwide will track circulation for Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare (PSQH) based on business/distribution, demographics and geographic coverage. The magazine will have 12 months to complete … Continued
Patient Safety News Roundup
CMS penalizes 758 hospitals for patient safety infractions The CMS has fined 758 hospitals across the country for high rates of patient safety incidents including infections, sepsis, and hip fractures. More than half of the hospitals that were fined in 2015 also received fines the previous year, according to Kaiser Health News. Hospitals will pay … Continued
New Tool Simplifies the Process of Patient Safety Improvement
A new tool offers a straightforward approach to improvement A new tool endorsed by the National Patient Safety Foundation aims to streamline patient safety and quality improvement efforts using a simple, evidence-based model. “The Healthcare Adventures Graphic Gameplan for Patient Safety,” released in October 2015, offers a standardized approach both leaders and clinicians can use … Continued
Study: Poor Communication Leads to Malpractice, Death
Poor communication in healthcare has tangible, measurable effects. A new study released by CRICO Strategies found that communications failures were a factor in 30% of malpractice cases between 2009 to 2013, including 1,744 deaths. The reports estimate that both the deaths and $1.7 billion in malpractice costs could have been avoided with better communication between patients and physicians.