Patient Safety & Outcomes

Ketamine, an increasingly popular depression treatment, affects the brain like fentanyl and oxycodone, according to a study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry.

Central Maine Medical Center and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, both in Lewiston, Maine, are pledging to revise policies and increase staff education after turning away mental health patients from the emergency room, which is a form of patient dumping…

Bon Secours Richmond (Va.) Community Hospital was forced into lockdown for seven hours Aug. 29 due to a "viable threat" of a shooting, according to a WRIC news report.

Meadville (Pa.) Medical Center delayed some elective surgeries at the hospital's Grove Street building Aug. 14 due to a nearby water main burst, according to Meadville Tribune.

Glens Falls (N.Y.) Hospital is implementing new safety guidelines to manage visitors, although the hospital said there is no security threat to the hospital, according to The Post Star.

Star Ratings are critical to Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans. Achieving a 4-star rating or better ensures a five percent bonus payment; and plans with higher Star Ratings often enroll a higher percentage of members. Plus, a higher rating strengthens…

To overcome the disconnect between clinicians prescribing opioids and patients dying from opioid overdoses, researchers at Los Angeles-based University of Southern California aim to make the opioid epidemic more personal for physicians, according to a study published Aug. 10 in…

In a recent blog post, The Greeley Company discusses pain points for hospitals and physician practices within the context of the opioid epidemic. 

Police confirmed two people were found dead from an apparent murder-suicide at Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center Aug. 8, CBS 2 New York reports.

A patient reportedly brought a suspicious package to the emergency room of Greenville, S.C.-based St. Francis Eastside Aug. 7, causing authorities to halt all traffic surrounding the hospital, according to the Greenville News.