May/June 2025 Issue of Becker’s Clinical Leadership & Infection Control
ON THE COVER
Measles could become endemic within 2 decades: 5 things to know
The U.S. is facing its second-largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 884 confirmed cases reported, according to the latest CDC data.
Why rounding is a leadership priority at RWJBarnabasRounding is a core part of the culture at West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health — and a key driver behind its real-time approach to improving the patient experience.
5 nursing positions, ranked by annual wageNurse anesthetists are the top paid nursing position in 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
90% of sepsis patients may be overtreated: StudyA recent study found that up to 90% of sepsis patients may be overtreated.
AI tool captures all-cause deteriorations, lowers risk of death by 35%
An AI tool that analyzes nurses’ notes for subtle clinical changes helped reduce patient risk of death by 35.6%, length of stay by 11.2% and sepsis risk by 7.5%, according to research published April 2 in Nature.
Where the US excels — and lags — in older adult careThe U.S. excels in some aspects of older adult care but falls short in others, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey published April 9.
Miscommunication tied to 1 in 10 hospital patient safety events: StudyAt least 10% of patient safety events stem from poor communication among healthcare workers, patients and caregivers, according to a meta-analysis published April 14 in Annals of Internal Medicine.
How HHS may shift on vaccine development under RFK Jr.: 6 notesHHS and the National Institutes of Health are developing a project that involves producing vaccines from chemically inactivated whole viruses with the goal of making “universal” vaccines that protect against multiple strains of a virus at once.
CMS weighs dropping some quality measures: What to knowCMS is proposing to modify several hospital quality measures and remove four others, including those focused on health equity and social drivers of health.
Where are Leapfrog’s 11 straight-A hospitals?Eleven U.S. hospitals have earned consecutive “A” safety grades from The Leapfrog Group since 2012.
UPMC creates hospital outbreak detection platformPittsburgh-based UPMC infection preventionists and University of Pittsburgh scientists have collaborated to create an infectious disease detection platform to reduce infections.
Top 5 future-proof care delivery models, per chief nursing officersTraditional care delivery models are splintering under the weight of chronic workforce shortages and increasing healthcare needs, according to a Wolters Kluwer survey of nursing leaders.
16 hospital executives’ thank-you notes to nursesIn honor of National Nurses Month in May and National Nurses Week (May 6-12), hospitals and health systems are recognizing the difference nurses make in their organizations.
Why systems must ‘deeply understand’ today’s evolving workforceAs health systems continue to grapple with ongoing workforce challenges, healthcare leaders like Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO for Mercy Health – Loraine & Youngstown (Ohio), and her team have worked to cultivate a resilient and engaged workforce.
INFECTION CONTROL
How HHS may shift on vaccine development under RFK Jr.: 6 notesHHS and the National Institutes of Health are developing a project that involves producing vaccines from chemically inactivated whole viruses with the goal of making “universal” vaccines that protect against multiple strains of a virus at once.
Measles could become endemic within 2 decades: 5 things to know
The U.S. is facing its second-largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 884 confirmed cases reported, according to the latest CDC data.
UPMC creates hospital outbreak detection platformPittsburgh-based UPMC infection preventionists and University of Pittsburgh scientists have collaborated to create an infectious disease detection platform to reduce infections.
Leapfrog, APIC urge infection control investmentIn a May 28 message to health system CEOs, two national healthcare safety organizations compared cutting infection control jobs to “dismantling the fire department during wildfire season.”
What will replace HICPAC? 7 groups reactThe CDC ended its healthcare infection control practices advisory committee on May 8, and healthcare associations and groups are decrying the decision.
PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES
Top 5 future-proof care delivery models, per chief nursing officersTraditional care delivery models are splintering under the weight of chronic workforce shortages and increasing healthcare needs, according to a Wolters Kluwer survey of nursing leaders.
AI tool captures all-cause deteriorations, lowers risk of death by 35%
An AI tool that analyzes nurses’ notes for subtle clinical changes helped reduce patient risk of death by 35.6%, length of stay by 11.2% and sepsis risk by 7.5%, according to research published April 2 in Nature.
Where are Leapfrog’s 11 straight-A hospitals?Eleven U.S. hospitals have earned consecutive “A” safety grades from The Leapfrog Group since 2012.
Where the US excels — and lags — in older adult careThe U.S. excels in some aspects of older adult care but falls short in others, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey published April 9.
Miscommunication tied to 1 in 10 hospital patient safety events: StudyAt least 10% of patient safety events stem from poor communication among healthcare workers, patients and caregivers, according to a meta-analysis published April 14 in Annals of Internal Medicine.
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
Why systems must ‘deeply understand’ today’s evolving workforceAs health systems continue to grapple with ongoing workforce challenges, healthcare leaders like Stacie Call, MSN, RN, CNO for Mercy Health – Loraine & Youngstown (Ohio), and her team have worked to cultivate a resilient and engaged workforce.
Younger adults increasingly bypass clinicians for medical advice: 4 report findingsAdults younger than 35 are increasingly seeking medical advice from family, friends and the internet instead of healthcare professionals, according to an April 24 report from Edelman.
Why rounding is a leadership priority at RWJBarnabasRounding is a core part of the culture at West Orange, N.J.-based RWJBarnabas Health — and a key driver behind its real-time approach to improving the patient experience.
Healthcare employee turnover, by roleGeneration Z workers are leaving healthcare at a 38% turnover rate, followed by a 22% rate among millennials, 14% among Generation X and 19% among baby boomers, according to a Press Ganey report.
Workplace, community violence costs hospitals $18B annually: AHAA report from the American Hospital Association highlights hospital spending on workplace and community violence.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT
2 systems cut clinical variation, boost outcomesTwo leading health systems are taking markedly different approaches to cutting clinical variation, which can hinder care quality and drive up costs when left unchecked.
How systems can use their EHR to identify patients with housing insecurityThe number of times a patient’s address changes in the electronic health record is associated with homelessness and diagnoses, a Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine study found.
CMS weighs dropping some quality measures: What to knowCMS is proposing to modify several hospital quality measures and remove four others, including those focused on health equity and social drivers of health.
Leapfrog creates new resource for hospitals caring for high share of low-income patientsThe Leapfrog Group has created a learning collaborative program to provide resources and guidance to hospitals that serve a disproportionately high share of low-income and uninsured patients.
NURSING SPOTLIGHT
5 nursing positions, ranked by annual wageNurse anesthetists are the top paid nursing position in 2024, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The secret behind 1 Maryland system’s nursing successThe University of Maryland Medical System’s award-winning nursing culture is the result of one vital factor, according to Peggy Norton-Rosko, DNP, RN.
16 hospital executives’ thank-you notes to nursesIn honor of National Nurses Month in May and National Nurses Week (May 6-12), hospitals and health systems are recognizing the difference nurses make in their organizations.
The care ‘sweet spot’ nursing leaders seek amid changesThe nursing industry has been changing rapidly since the pandemic with workforce trends shifting, new technology rising to the surface and another generation coming into practice.
