In the week ending Oct. 20, 42 states reported sporadic influenza activity; four states reported local flu activity; and four states reported no activity, according to the CDC's most recent FluView report. 

Healthcare workers who have a higher work-life balance reported a better safety culture and less burnout, a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety found.

Nurses who graduate with bachelor's degrees report being very prepared in more quality and safety measures than their peers with associate degrees, a study published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety found.

For patients entering the emergency department with chest pain, higher ED volume was associated with lower death rates for acute coronary syndrome at 30 days and one year, a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes found.

A study published in Vaccine examined the effect of having paid sick leave benefits and use of sick days on influenza vaccination status.

The use of biocidal copper oxide-impregnated linens significantly reduced certain healthcare-associated infections, including infections caused by Clostridium difficile, according to a study published in Journal of Hospital Infection.

Three new medical schools are coming to Texas and Oklahoma — one of which will be formed through a first-of-its-kind partnership.

New Jersey health officials will launch an infection control and prevention campaign at three New Jersey pediatric specialty hospitals that care for medically fragile patients, similar to those affected by a recent adenovirus outbreak at a rehabilitation center in the…

Phoebe Hospital, part of Albany, Ga.-based Phoebe Putney Health System, created a patient safety index that allows hospital leaders to measure care quality, according to WFXL.

After launching EMR-based interventions, Boston Medical Center reduced unneeded diagnostic testing and labs ordered — two markers of high quality care — a study published in the Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety found.