Environment and Facilities
Patients 46% Less Likely to Experience Patient Safety Incident at Top-Rated Hospitals, Study Finds
Denver, March 9, 2011—A study released by HealthGrades found that patients have a 46% lower risk of experiencing a patient safety incident at a top-rated hospital compared to a poorly rated hospital.
Infection Control
Infections in ICUs Plummeting, Too Many Remain in Hospitals and Dialysis Clinics
March 8, 2011—The number of bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients with central lines decreased by 58 percent in 2009 compared to 2001, according to a new CDC Vital Signs report.
Accreditation & Regulation
New Product is the Only FDA-Cleared Wound Debridement and Cleansing Solution Containing Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Atlanta, Georgia, March 7, 2011—Hospitals finally have an alternative to saline irrigation with the introduction of IrriSept®, the first and only FDA-cleared wound debridement and cleansing system containing chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).
Technology
Indiana Health Information Exchange’s Quality Program Reaches 1,500 Physicians, Over 1 Million Patients
Indianapolis, Indiana, March 2, 2011—The Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE) announced that its Quality Health First Program has enrolled over 1,500 physicians in over 50 communities throughout Indiana to help improve screenings rates and to support the management of medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and breast cancer for nearly one million Hoosiers.
Medication Safety
AliMed Releases EZRock Patient Shifter
Dedham, Massachusetts, February 28, 2011—AliMed has announced the release of EZRock, a state-of-the-art patient shifter that allows for easy transfers between bed and chair (or bed and commode), with no lifting.
Patient Safety
Patient Satisfaction Scores Drop During Winter Months
South Bend, Indiana, February 28, 2011—The “winter blues” affect many people, and hospital patients are not immune. A recent study by Press Ganey found that patient satisfaction scores for hospitals are considerably lower during the winter months and that a significant factor for the decline in patient satisfaction is the “winter blues.”
Infection Control
Use of a Simple Three-Step Process and Prevention Algorithm to Protect Skin Shown to Reduce Pressure Ulcers
Skillman, New Jersey, February 25, 2011—ConvaTec, a world-leading developer and marketer of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, announced the introduction of a new national campaign to help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in hospital and post-acute care settings.
Technology
Medical Simulation Corporation Partners with HealthStream to Distribute SimSuite Online Courseware
Denver, February 25, 2011—Medical Simulation Corporation (MSC) announces a new partnership with HealthStream (NASDAQ: HSTM) to distribute a selection of SimSuite online courseware through the HealthStream Learning Center™.
Patient Safety
AHA-NPSF Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship
Apply now for 2011–2012.
Now entering its 10th year, the AHA-NPSF Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship is a year-long transformative learning experience for clinical and administrative leaders dedicated to improving quality and patient safety.
Technology
Maimonides Medical Center Selects Radio Frequency Detection Technology to Aid in Prevention of Retained Surgical Items
Brooklyn, February 23, 2011—Maimonides Medical Center has proven itself as a front runner in patient safety technology in the New York metro area by adopting the RF Surgical Detection System in its surgical suites.