February/March 2025 Issue of Becker’s Clinical Leadership & Infection Control
ON THE COVER
Healthcare job cuts fall 11.9% year over year
The healthcare sector, including hospitals, healthcare providers and manufacturers of health-related products, saw a decrease in job cuts in 2024 compared to the year prior, according to one new analysis.
7 long COVID study findings to know
Women and patients with multiple COVID-19 infections face an increased risk of developing long COVID, recent studies suggest.
The fastest-growing healthcare roles in 8 US cities
Infusion nurses and anesthesiologists are among the fastest-growing healthcare roles in major U.S. cities, according to a Jan. 29 LinkedIn news post.
Access tops list of Americans’ healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings
A quarter of Americans rank healthcare access and affordability as the top public health priority they want government leaders to focus on, according to poll findings from Gallup and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.
Hospitals can scale back hand hygiene monitoring: 4 study notes
Some evidence shows hospital infection preventionists may be able to spend less time monitoring hand hygiene, according to a study published Dec. 19 in the American Journal of Infection Control.
To build trust in AI, involve nurses early, leaders say
As AI-powered platforms enter healthcare, industry leaders told Becker’s that involving nurses early in AI implementation discussions can help alleviate concerns and build trust.
A group mentoring blueprint for nurses
Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver is expanding its nurse group mentoring program after it helped raise the retention rate of new nurses to 97%.
The case for vaccine hesitancy questionnaires
Asking patients to complete a brief vaccine hesitancy questionnaire before a checkup could help physicians quickly understand concerns and address them effectively during appointments, MIT Technology Review reported Jan. 31.
‘Stop the line’: How 1 Inova hospital has decreased infections
Susan Carroll since 2021 has served as president of Inova Loudoun Hospital, one of only 12 in the U.S. to achieve 26 consecutive “A” grades from Leapfrog Safety Group.
Pennsylvania hospitals’ maternal health ‘action plan’
Pennsylvania hospitals aim to tackle maternal health challenges with a new action plan from the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.
The system doing root cause analysis of root cause analyses
UChicago Medicine is one of 12 hospitals in the nation with a 26-year, Leapfrog straight-“A” streak and Stephen Weber, MD, said the secret is to never be satisfied.
What happens next to DEI at health systems?
Many hospitals and health systems have integrated diversity, equity and inclusion into their workforce and patient care strategies.
INFECTION CONTROL
Hospitals can scale back hand hygiene monitoring: 4 study notes
Some evidence shows hospital infection preventionists may be able to spend less time monitoring hand hygiene, according to a study published Dec. 19 in the American Journal of Infection Control.
The fine line between virus, heart symptoms
Virus season can prompt confusion for heart patients, as symptoms of serious cardiovascular conditions often mirror those of respiratory illnesses, according to New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System.
7 long COVID study findings to know
Women and patients with multiple COVID-19 infections face an increased risk of developing long COVID, recent studies suggest.
The case for vaccine hesitancy questionnaires
Asking patients to complete a brief vaccine hesitancy questionnaire before a checkup could help physicians quickly understand concerns and address them effectively during appointments, MIT Technology Review reported Jan. 31. Flu visits reach highest levels since 2009 pandemic: 7 virus updates
Outpatient visits have surged to their highest levels since the peak of the 2009 swine flu pandemic, with influenza-related emergency department visits remaining very high across the U.S.
PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES
CDC panel backs proposed mask guidance
A CDC advisory committee convened last week to revisit the agency’s draft infection control guidelines for healthcare facilities, voting in favor of recommendations that remain largely unchanged despite ongoing criticism.
CDC restores some purged healthcare files
The CDC has begun restoring some of the files it had recently purged from its website, following some criticism from the medical community and the public, The New York Times reported Feb. 3.
Kaiser, Tufts lead network to promote food’s medicinal benefits
Boston-based Tufts University and Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente have partnered to form the Food Is Medicine National Network of Excellence, a national network focused on addressing food insecurity and improving community health.
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
What happens next to DEI at health systems?
Many hospitals and health systems have integrated diversity, equity and inclusion into their workforce and patient care strategies.
NCLEX pass rates slightly improve
In 2024, 73.26% of registered nurses who took the National Council Licensure Examination passed the test — a slight increase from 2023’s average of 69.66%.
Healthcare job cuts fall 11.9% year over year
The healthcare sector, including hospitals, healthcare providers and manufacturers of health-related products, saw a decrease in job cuts in 2024 compared to the year prior, according to one new analysis.
3 in 5 healthcare workers skeptical of AI’s role in career growth: Survey
Healthcare workers were the least likely to agree that artificial intelligence skills are necessary for career advancement, according to a Jan. 30 LinkedIn News post.
What unlimited PTO needs to succeed
Unlimited paid time off is becoming more common at U.S. organizations, but its benefits for employees depend largely on workplace culture, The Wall Street Journal reported Jan. 22.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT
Pennsylvania hospitals’ maternal health ‘action plan’
Pennsylvania hospitals aim to tackle maternal health challenges with a new action plan from the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.
‘Stop the line’: How 1 Inova hospital has decreased infections
Susan Carroll since 2021 has served as president of Inova Loudoun Hospital, one of only 12 in the U.S. to achieve 26 consecutive “A” grades from Leapfrog Safety Group.
Understaffing at HCA Mission led to harmful medication errors: Report
Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Hospital has lacked adequate pharmacy staffing for years, resulting in harmful medication errors, according to the Asheville Watchdog.
The system doing root cause analysis of root cause analyses
UChicago Medicine is one of 12 hospitals in the nation with a 26-year, Leapfrog straight-“A” streak and Stephen Weber, MD, said the secret is to never be satisfied.
Access tops list of Americans’ healthcare concerns: 4 survey findings
A quarter of Americans rank healthcare access and affordability as the top public health priority they want government leaders to focus on, according to poll findings from Gallup and Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.
NURSING SPOTLIGHT
To build trust in AI, involve nurses early, leaders say
As AI-powered platforms enter healthcare, industry leaders told Becker’s that involving nurses early in AI implementation discussions can help alleviate concerns and build trust.
UConn nursing program gets $50M gift
Mansfield-based University of Connecticut School of Nursing received $50 million — the largest gift in the school’s history — from an alumna.
A group mentoring blueprint for nurses
Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver is expanding its nurse group mentoring program after it helped raise the retention rate of new nurses to 97%.
Nurse staffing lags at hospitals with more Black patients: Study
A recent study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia found that nurse staffing rates are worse in hospitals with the highest percentage of Black patients.
