May / June Clinical Leadership & Infection Control Issue

May / June Clinical Leadership & Infection Control Issue

Quality.JPG

May / June Clinical Leadership & Infection Control Issue

 

INFECTION CONTROL

Multidrug-resistant infections cost hospitals $2.4B annually

Hospitals spend more than $2 billion annually to treat patients with multidrug-resistant infections, according to a study published in Health Services Research. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How some hospitals, nursing homes are teaming up against antibiotic-resistant infections

Hospitals and nursing homes in Illinois and California are bathing patients in the antibacterial soap ch­lorhexidine as part of two CDC-funded studies to decrease antibiotic-resistant infections, reported NPR. CLICK TO CONTINUE

HAIs decreased in 2017, CDC report finds

Healthcare-associated infections decreased in the U.S.between 2016 and 2017, ac­cording to the CDC’s National and State HAI Progress Report. CLICK TO CONTINUE

NIH researchers call for more research into rare, polio-like illness

More research must be done to better under­stand acute flaccid my­elitis, three researchers from the National Institutes of Health wrote in an op-ed published in Clinical Science and Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

There are 4 types of anti-vaccine messages, study finds

A study published in Vaccine found that anti-vaccination discourse doesn’t always center on autism, and instead has four distinct themes. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Instagram, GoFundMe crack down on anti-vaccine content

Instagram and GoFundMe are among the latest social media companies to address anti-vaccine content online. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Undiagnosed, untreated HIV patients responsible for 81% of new transmissions

Individuals who didn’t know they had HIV or knew but were not receiving care accounted for 81 percent of HIV transmissions in 2016, according to CDC data released March 18. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How Mount Sinai increased hand hygiene compliance by 20%

New York City-based Mount Sinai Health System im­proved hand hygiene compliance 20 percent after implementing The Joint Commission’s Targeted Solu­tions Tool for Hand Hygiene, according to a blog post on the accrediting body’s website. CLICK TO CONTINUE

WHO's recommendations for 2019-20 flu vaccine: 3 notes

The World Health Organization finalized its recom­mendations for the composition of the 2019-20 flu vaccine March 21. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Delaying flu shots until October could prevent 22K illnesses, study finds

Fall is the best time to start vaccinat­ing people against the flu, accord­ing to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Kentucky governor says he purposely exposed children to chickenpox

Kentucky Gov.Matt Bevin said during a radio interview March 19 that he in­tentionally exposed his nine children to the chickenpox virus so they would contract the disease and gain immunity, according to the Courier-Journal. CLICK TO CONTINUE

NIH launches 1st clinical trial of universal flu vaccine

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, started the first clinical trial of a new universal influenza vaccine candidate. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Physicians ‘terrorized into silence’ by anti-vaccine groups online

Many physicians face online harass­ment when posting about vaccines on their practices’ social media pages, which can often scare them into silence, reported the Los Angeles Times. CLICK TO CONTINUE

50%+ of hospital trainees work while experiencing flu-like illness

Working while sick with influenza-like illness may be common in training programs at hos­pitals, according to a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Measles uptick may be ‘new normal,’ says CDC leader

The U.S.will more regularly see measles outbreaks in pockets of unvaccinated individuals, health experts told STAT. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Rates of stethoscope cleaning, hand hygiene practices ‘lower than expected’ in ED, study says

A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control exam­ined stethoscope cleaning and hand hygiene in an emergency department setting. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Flu shot, spray OK for next season, says American Academy of Pediatrics

Both the flu shot and nasal spray vaccine are acceptable for children during the 2019-20 flu season, the American Academy of Pediatrics announced March 14. CLICK TO CONTINUE

AMA calls on tech CEOs to address anti-vaccine content

The American Medical Association is calling on major technology companies to ensure their users have access to accurate information on vaccines. CLICK TO CONTINUE

From national security to hospital safety: How SSM Health’s Chief Quality Officer Dr. Alexander Garza is tackling HAIs

Alexander Garza, MD, chief quality officer at St. Louis-based SSM Health, is no stranger to infectious disease prevention and response. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Nearly 40% of healthcare workers make errors when removing personal protective equipment

Mistakes in putting on or taking off personal pro­tective equipment put healthcare workers at risk of contamination with multidrug-resistant organ­isms, according to a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CDC: 119,000+ US residents contracted staph in 2017, as progress to stem it slows

Bloodstream Staphylococcus aureus infections are still a threat in the U.S., and after early success in reducing serious staph infection rates, progress has slowed, according to a Vital Signs report released by the CDC. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How NorthShore University HealthSystem keeps CAUTI rates low

Evanston, Ill.-based NorthShore University HealthSystem significantly reduced its rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections between 2012 and 2015, according to a case study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Matching subsidies for infection control effective at lowering HAI levels

Incentivizing infection control via subsidies could help encourage regional spending on healthcare infection control activities, according to a paper pub­lished in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. CLICK TO CONTINUE

WHO head: Next flu pandemic is matter of when, not if

A global flu pandemic is a realistic threat the world must prepare for, the World Health Organization said March 11. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Measles cases hit highest level since 2000

The CDC reported 764 measles cases as of May 3, which marks the highest annual total since U.S. health officials declared the dis­ease eradicated in 2000. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Algorithm identifies patients at higher risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia

A new data-driven algorithm can identify patients at an increased risk for hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia and describe characteristics of carbapenem resistance in this population, a study published in CHEST Journal found. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Electronic hand hygiene system fails to improve ICU staff satisfaction

A study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control examined the effect of introduc­ing an electronic hand hygiene surveillance and intervention system into an intensive care unit. CLICK TO CONTINUE

14% of new hospital patients harbor superbugs: 4 study findings

Some hospital patients contain antibiotic-resistant bacteria on their hands or nostrils at the start of a hospital stay, which highlights the need for patient hand-hygiene programs, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Daily antiseptic bath cuts infections 31% for patients with indwelling devices, study finds

A bacterial decolonization strategy involving daily bathing with an antiseptic soap can significantly reduce bloodstream infections in patients with catheters or lumbar drains, according to a study published in The Lancet. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Delaying flu shots until October could prevent 22K illnesses

Fall is the best time to start vaccinating people against the flu, according to a study published in the Ameri­can Journal of Preventive Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

State-mandated reporting laws may lower time spent on infection control activities

A study published in the American Journal of Infec­tion Control examined the perceived impact of state-mandated healthcare-associated infection laws on infection prevention and control departments. CLICK TO CONTINUE

 

PATIENT SAFETY

Safety issues spur Pennsylvania hospital to create new exec position

Lancaster (Pa.) General Hospital created a new executive position to oversee clinical operations after a patient left the hospital wearing staff scrubs and was found wandering across town last fall, ac­cording to LancasterOnline. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Missouri hospital retains Medicare contract after colonoscopy death investigation

Harrisonville, Mo.-based Cass Regional Medical Center is no longer at risk of losing its Medicare contract, according to The Kansas City Star. CLICK TO CONTINUE

E-prescribing systems could increase medication error risk

Implementing electronic prescribing and medi­cation administration systems in hospitals could increase overall medication risk, according to a study published in BMC Health Services Research. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Stop calling physicians ‘second victim’ of medical errors, patient advocates say

The medical community should stop referring to physicians as the “second victim” of a medical error, four patient safety advocates wrote in an editorial for The BMJ. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Johns Hopkins All Children’s dodges millions of dollars in fines for safety issues

State regulators could’ve fined St.Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital millions of dollars for failing to report numerous incidents of patient harm.Instead, they slapped the hospital with a $4,500 fine, reported the Tampa Bay Times. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Study: Longer resident shifts don’t threaten patient safety

A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine examined whether long shifts during medical residencies adversely affect patient safety. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CMS updates immediate jeopardy citation guidelines

CMS revised its guidance for survey­ors related to identifying immediate jeopardy cases in March. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Overlapping surgery is safe, except for high-risk patients: 4 study findings

Concurrent surgeries in which a surgeon runs two operations at once are not significantly associated with higher patient mortality or complication rates for most patients, according to a study published Feb.26 in JAMA. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Employee engagement is crucial for patient-centered care, says Press Ganey

Employee alignment and engage­ment is crucial for health systems seeking to build an organization­al structure that supports patient-cen­tered care, according to Press Ganey’s 2019 Strategic Insights report, titled “Accelerating Transformation: Translat­ing Strategy Into Action.” CLICK TO CONTINUE

Mount Carmel: 5 patients who died under former physician’s care may have lived if given right treatment

At least five patients who died under the care of a former physician at Co­lumbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System may have survived if they had received the correct treatment, health system officials told The Columbus Dispatch. CLICK TO CONTINUE

48 Mount Carmel nurses, pharmacists under review amid patient deaths

Forty-eight former and current employees at Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System are under review as part of an internal investigation after allegations that a physician ordered fatal doses of pain medication for nearly three dozen patients. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Serious medical errors rise in Minnesota: 4 findings

Minnesota hospitals and licensed surgery centers reported 384 medical errors in 2018, marking an increase from the 342 errors tallied a year prior, according to the state health department’s 15th annual adverse event report published March 1. CLICK TO CONTINUE

U of Illinois at Chicago overlooked serious issues with clinical trial, documents show

University of Illinois at Chicago has publicly denied its failure to oversee a troubled clinical trial involving adoles­cents, but newly obtained documents show the university did acknowledge some shortfalls to federal investigators, according to an investiga­tive report from ProPublica Illinois. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Internal FDA database hides dangerous device malfunctions from physicians, KHN report finds

The FDA permits some devicemakers to file reports on device-re­lated injuries and malfunctions in a discreet database that is not accessible to physicians or the general public, according to an investigation from Kaiser Health News. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Retained guidewires still a ‘significant patient safety issue’

A study published in The Joint Commis­sion Journal on Quality and Patient Safety examined reports of uninten­tionally retained guidewires to ascertain the threat to patient safety. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CMS faults New Jersey nursing home for outbreak that killed 11 kids

State health inspectors initially blamed poor hygiene for an adenovirus outbreak that killed 11 kids at a Wa­naque, N.J., nursing home and rehab center last fall, but a CMS report found the bigger problem was that the facility’s leaders didn’t respond fast enough when the outbreak hit, according to northjersey.com. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Study: Diagnostic accuracy improves with ‘collective intelligence’

When diagnoses from a group of physicians are combined, they are more accurate than a single diagnosis — even when the group may not have specialty expertise, according to a study published March 1 in JAMA. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Patient dies after fight at Florida healthcare facility

Police are investigating the death of an elderly man who died after getting into a fight with another patient at a long-term care facility in Florida, reported News4Jax. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Vanderbilt hit with $25.5M suit over wrong-site surgery

A Tennessee woman filed a lawsuit against Nashville-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center March 19, claiming surgeons operated on her wrong kidney, reported The Tennessean. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Surgical staplers linked to 41,000 injury, malfunction reports, FDA says

The FDA is warning healthcare providers about the risk of serious injury, malfunction and death associated with surgical staplers and implantable surgical staples. CLICK TO CONTINUE

10 most common sentinel events of 2018

Patient falls were the most frequently reported sentinel event in 2018, according to a March 13 report from The Joint Commission. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Clinicians delayed CPR on patient who died at New Jersey hospital, CMS finds

A CMS investigation revealed clinicians at Winslow Township, N.J.-based Ancora Psychiatric Hos­pital failed to start CPR for eight minutes on an unconscious patient who ultimately died, according to the Courier Post. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Customized drug alerts protect patients from medication errors, study finds

Researchers from Memphis, Tenn.-based St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital used a comprehensive method to reduce drug interaction alerts clinicians receive, improving EHRs to lower alert fatigue and boost patient safety, according to a study published in Pediatrics. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CDC's secrecy of drug-resistant outbreaks in hospitals sparks patient safety debate

Hospitals and federal agencies often keep out­breaks of drug-resistant infections quiet from the public, which could pose a threat to patient safety, reported The New York Times. CLICK TO CONTINUE

10 top patient safety concerns for 2019, ranked by ECRI Institute

Using EHRs to communicate diagnoses and manage test results earned the No. 1 spot on ECRI Institute’s list of the Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2019. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Baylor St. Luke’s pledges reforms after medical error leads to patient death

A CMS inspection revealed staff at Houston-based Baylor St.Luke’s Medical Center made more than 100 mistakes in labeling blood during a four-month period, according to the Houston Chronicle. CLICK TO CONTINUE

FDA warns against robotic surgery for cancer due to safety concerns

The FDA on Feb.28 issued a warning for providers regarding the use of robotically-assisted surgical devices for mastectomies and other cancer surgeries. CLICK TO CONTINUE

 

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE & STEWARDSHIP

Facility type affects antibiotic stewardship guideline adherence

A study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control found that lower complexity facilities continue antibiotic therapy longer than guidelines recommend. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Drug-resistant infections to kill 1,328% more people annually by 2050, UN warns

Drug-resistant infections will kill 10 million people annually by 2050 if the world does not take more action to address antibiotic resistance now, the United Nations said in a report released April 29. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Researchers pinpoint mechanism that makes bacteria resistant to antibiotics

Physicists at McMaster University in Ontar­io, Canada, identified a simple mechanism deadly bacteria use to fend off antibiotics, a study published in Nature Communications Biology found. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Over 5-year period, antimicrobial stewardship programs saved US hospitals $732 per patient

A study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control examined the economic and clinical impact of antimicrobial stewardship programs. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Antibiotic, PPI use may increase pediatric C. diff risk

Children using antibiotics and/or proton pump inhibitors face a higher risk of developing Clostridioides difficile infection, according to a study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Shorter mechanical ventilation duration linked to timely antibiotic prescription in pediatric ICU

A study published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine examined the effect of prescribing antibiotics at the onset of mechanical ventilation on clinical outcomes. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Antibacterial consumer products are fueling antibiotic resistance, study finds

The use of consumer products that contain the chemical triclosan is fueling antibiotic resistance, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Decision tree, risk score methods effective predictors of drug-resistant infections

A study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology compared the use of logistic regression-derived risk scores and machine learning-derived decision trees for predict­ing multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Researchers develop system to map out areas of antibiotic resistance

University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy researchers designed a system that can map out antibiotic trends across the state. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Physicians more likely to receive antibiotic prescription training than nurses, pharmacists

Training and support related to antibiotic prescribing is lower among nurses and pharmacists than physicians, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Tufts launches antimicrobial resistance research center

Boston-based Tufts Medical Center and Medford, Mass.-based Tufts University created a center dedicated to fighting antimicrobial resistance, the entities announced March 7. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Pediatric telemedicine visits may lead to uptick in antibiotic overprescribing

Pediatric patients were more often prescribed antibiotics during direct-to-consumer telemedicine visits than during in-person urgent care or primary care appointments, ac­cording to research published in Pediatrics. CLICK TO CONTINUE

5 ways bedside nurses can improve antibiotic stewardship

Ensuring bedside nurses are integrated into antibiotic stewardship activities can help those activities be successful, according to a study pub­lished in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Patient privacy curtains often contaminated with superbugs, study finds

Contamination of patient privacy curtains with multidrug-resistant organisms is common, according to a study presented at the Europe­an Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases meeting in Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 13 through April 16. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Nearly 70% of pediatric caregivers work around programs to cut antibiotic resistance, survey finds

While most providers believe that programs aiming to reduce the threat of antimicrobial resistance can improve pediatric care, many admit they use workarounds from time to time, according to survey results published in Infection Con­trol & Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Highly resistant E. coli strain found in NYC hospital patients

EResearchers identified a highly resistant strain of E. coli in four patients at a hospital in New York City, according to a study published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. CLICK TO CONTINUE

54% of children with community-associated C. diff recently used antibiotics, study shows

A study published in Epidemiology & Infection found recent antibiotic use was strongly linked to the onset of community-associated Clostridioides difficile infections in young children. CLICK TO CONTINUE

 

PATIENT EXPERIENCE

Physician viewpoint: How pizza and coffee helped me see patients in new light

Understanding that patients have chal­lenges that make it hard to prioritize health can help physicians connect with them and provide better care, a physi­cian wrote in a piece on Philly.com. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Viewpoint: Why physicians should embrace tears

Crying is often seen as an “extreme emotional behavior” that is frowned upon in the medical world, according to Jalal Baig, MD, a hematology/ oncology physician at the University of Illinois at Chicago. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Immersive VR experience helps calm pediatric ICU patients, study finds

A fully immersive virtual entertainment experience can help calm patients in the pediatric intensive care unit, according to a study published in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

3 tips for talking to terminal patients about end-of-life care

Oncologists should have open conversations with terminal cancer patients about their prognosis and end-of-life care to help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to an edi­torial published in JAMA Oncology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How noncompete clauses can sever patient-provider relationships

Noncompete clauses, which are becoming more common in healthcare, can often drive a wedge between providers and their patients, reported The New York Times. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Why this Boston physician gives his cellphone number to patients

Clement Bottino, MD, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital, has given his cellphone number to patients since he started his practice in 2009. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Viewpoint: How to tell patients AI is part of their care

A s artificial intelligence use ex­pands in the healthcare space, physicians must be aware of how to properly explain the role of AI to patients and address ethical concerns that arise, a commentary published in the American Medical Association’s Journal of Ethics said. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Illinois nurses canoe to hospice patients' homes amid flooding

Some Illinois nurses waded through floodwaters and canoed to hospice patients’ homes in April after the Mississippi River flooded some areas of the Quad Cities, reported WQAD News 8. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Banner Health launches podcast featuring medical stories

Phoenix-based Banner Health has launched a pod­cast called “Bedside Stories” to give listeners the opportunity to hear some of the most engaging stories of patients and clinicians at the system. CLICK TO CONTINUE

AI teaches physicians to be more empathetic

Hospitals are now adopting artificial intelligence tools to teach physicians and staff to be more empathetic toward patients and families, according to The Wall Street Journal. CLICK TO CONTINUE

AHRQ launches app to improve patient engagement

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality debuted a mobile application that helps patients prepare for medical visits. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Airbnb expands medical stay program: 4 things to know

Airbnb expanded its Open Homes program for medi­cal stays through two new partnerships, the company announced March 26. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Having a medical professional in the family ups likelihood of hitting 80

Having a nurse or physician in your family can result in a longer life, among other benefits, according to a working paper released by the Na­tional Bureau of Economic Research and authored by researchers from Stanford (Calif.) Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Viewpoint: When families don’t respect nurses, patient care can suffer

Patients and their families often place more weight on a physician’s words than a nurse’s, which can threaten care quality, a registered nurse of 14 years wrote in an article for Healthline’s Anonymous Nurse column. CLICK TO CONTINUE

3 factors affecting patient handoff communication

A study published in Journal of General Internal Medicine examined complex interactions and communication norms that shape face-to-face patient handoffs. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Costly, aggressive treatments often used on end-stage cancer patients

Many patients with late-stage cancers pursue aggressive treatment options instead of end-of-life care, according to a study published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum. CLICK TO CONTINUE

1st-year physicians spend more time interacting with EHRs than patients

First-year physicians spend, on average, 43 percent of the day interacting with patients' EHRs, according to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Physician viewpoint: Lack of EHR sharing prevents patient care

Patients suffer treatment delays and are sometimes forced to undergo medical tests they have already completed when they switch providers, infectious diseases specialist Pranay Sinha, MD, wrote in WBUR. CLICK TO CONTINUE

 

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT

Steal this idea: How a ‘D’ grade redefined the role of quality teams at Piedmont Health

Leigh Hamby, MD, CMO of Atlan­ta-based Piedmont Health, thought his system was effectively executing quality initiatives when a surprising Leap­frog rating shook the status quo. Suddenly, he realized his team needed to reexamine their understanding of quality. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Ohio lawmakers call for stricter hospital regulations after Mount Carmel deaths

Some Ohio lawmakers are calling for increased hospital oversight in the wake of a patient death investigation at Mount Carmel West hospital in Columbus, Ohio, reported The Columbus Dispatch. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Leapfrog CEO: CMS’ readmission reduction program is imperfect, but effective

Critics of CMS’ Hospital Readmission Reduc­tion Program are often quick to point out its flaws. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Patient gratitude can positively affect care team performance

Gratitude from patients has a significantly positive effect on the performance of a medical team, according to a study pub­lished in Pediatrics. CLICK TO CONTINUE

5 most challenging Joint Commission requirements for hospitals in 2018

The Joint Commission listed the maintenance of fire protection systems as the requirement most often identified as “not com­pliant” during surveys and reviews at hospitals in 2018. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Flu vaccine may help lower death risk among heart failure patients, study finds

A study published in Open Forum Infec­tious Diseases found that the influenza vaccine could affect mortality rates among patients with heart failure. CLICK TO CONTINUE

NAHQ creates framework for healthcare quality teams: 3 things to know

The National Association for Healthcare Quality created a framework outlining key competencies for healthcare quality teams. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Surgical outcomes vary across health systems with top hospitals, study finds

Surgical outcomes vary significantly across health systems that include some of the country’s highest-rat­ed hospitals, according to a study pub­lished March 13 in JAMA Surgery. CLICK TO CONTINUE

AHA weighs in on proposed star ratings changes: 4 things to know

The American Hospital Association offered input on potential changes to CMS’ Overall Hospital Star Ratings mythology in a March 27 comment letter to Kate Goodrich, MD, CMO of CMS. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CMS push to curb HACs dings level 1 trauma centers, says Carilion’s quality chief

CMS’ Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program offers a narrow view into the quality and safety at level 1 trauma centers, Jonathan Gleason, MD, chief quality officer for Roanoke, Va.-based Carilion Clinic, told WDBJ 7. CLICK TO CONTINUE

CMS star ratings don’t account for surgical volumes, study finds

CMS does not adequately assess the effect of surgery volume when cal­culating its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, according to a study published in JBJS Open Access. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Hospital-associated sepsis on decline, but treatment costs climb by $1.5B

While hospitals are doing a better job of preventing and treating sepsis, patients who develop the infection are becoming sicker. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Colorado 2nd state to enact law on surgical smoke in OR

Colorado is the second state in the U.S.to adopt a surgical smoke evacuation law to pro­tect perioperative nurses and surgical team members. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Accounting for social risk factors can help safety-net hospitals avoid readmission penalties

Social risk factors, such as poverty, can affect readmissions to safety-net hos­pitals, thereby affecting federal pen­alties for readmission rates, according to a study published in Health Services Research. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Nurses’ work environments affect patient outcomes, study finds

The state of a nurse’s work environment can affect nurs­ing care quality, job satisfaction and patient outcomes, according to a study published in Medical Care. CLICK TO CONTINUE

100+ hospitals have childbirth complication rates 2 times above norm, USA Today investigation finds

At least 120 hospitals nationwide have child­birth complication rates that are two times higher than other hospitals, according to an investigative report from USA Today. CLICK TO CONTINUE

San Antonio hospital makes changes to heart program after low Society of Thoracic Surgeons score

After being ranked as one of the lowest performing hospitals in the country for adult heart surgeries in August 2018, University Hospital in San Antonio is retooling its heart care program, according to San Antonio Express-News. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Better hospital care cannot prevent most sepsis deaths, study finds

Sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals, but im­proved hospital care alone may not be enough to prevent the deadly condition, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Stricter rules for accrediting bodies met with industry debate

Healthcare organizations are split on whether the White House should impose stricter regulations on healthcare accreditation bodies to limit con­flicts of interest, reported The Wall Street Journal. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How Barnes-Jewish Hospital cut unnecessary UTI testing in half

A simple change to St.Louis-based Barnes-Jewish Hospital’s electronic ordering system helped cut the number of unnecessary urine culture tests or­dered for suspected urinary tract infections nearly in half, according to a study published Feb.21 in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. CLICK TO CONTINUE

The universal rule on how much time hospitals should spend on quality in board meetings

Board engagement is crucial for healthcare organizations seeking to create cultures of safety and quality. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Nurse navigators linked to fewer readmissions, deaths among heart attack patients

A program in which nurse navigators help heart attack patients transition from hospital to out­patient care can help lower readmission and mortality rates, according to research presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Cardiovascular Summit in Orlando. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Patient deaths after colorectal surgery declined from 2008-17

The rate of adults who died within 30 days of colorec­tal surgery dropped from 4.3 percent in 2008 to 2.9 percent in 2017, according to the Agency for Health­care Research and Quality’s Patient Safety Chartbook. CLICK TO CONTINUE

How Kaiser Permanente used new assessment criteria to reduce admissions

Emergency physicians at Oakland, Ca­lif.-based Kaiser Permanente hospitals reduced admissions and cardiac stress testing by using new criteria to assess chest pain patients’ risk for subsequent cardiac events, according to an article published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Text message system may improve patient outcomes after surgery, study finds

For patients who had a total hip or knee arthroplasty proce­dure, using a text-messaging service bot for patient education may improve clinical outcomes, a study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found. CLICK TO CONTINUE

Physician viewpoint: Why are we still using stethoscopes?

The stethoscope — invented in 1816 — is long overdue for a redesign, ac­cording to Davinder Ramsingh, MD, an anesthesiologist at Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center. CLICK TO CONTINUE

 

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