Joint Commission announces new performance measure for newborns
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 31 announced a new performance measure, “PC-06 Unexpected Complications in Term Newborns,” effective January 1, 2019. The new measure will be added to the five measures already required for accredited hospitals with at least 300 live births per year. PC-06 requires hospitals to…
Relationship between nursing specialty certification and SSIs
Editor's Note This study, which examined the relationship between nursing specialty certification and surgical site infections (SSIs), found that only Magnet status was associated with lower SSI rates. Analyzing data from 69 hospitals, 346 units, and 6,585 RNs, along with SSI data on 22,188 patients after colon and abdominal hysterectomy…
Joint Commission: DDS platform available for 2018 eCQM data submission
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on July 25 that its Direct Data Submission (DDS) platform is now available for submission of CY 2018 electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) data and future submissions. For CY 2018, there are now two eCQM data submission methods for accredited hospitals with ORYX eCQM…
FDA issues update on wearable cardioverter defibrillator
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 25 issued an update for the Zoll LifeVest 4000 wearable cardioverter defibrillator. The update provides information on efforts by Zoll to remedy the potential hazard of the device failing to deliver a life-saving shock if not replaced soon after displaying…
Spillover effect of postop opioid prescribing
Editor's Note After opioid prescribing recommendations were implemented for a single surgical procedure, laparoscopic gall bladder removal, opioid prescribing decreased for four other surgical procedures in this study. The analysis involved 1,158 patients, 558 who had surgery before the opioid recommendations were implemented and 600 after implementation. Opioid prescription size…
Joint Commission, AHA offer cardiovascular certification program
Editor's Note The Joint Commission and American Heart Association (AHA) on July 25 announced a new jointly offered hospital cardiovascular certification program. The “Advanced Certification for Heart Failure” program is the first of multiple, jointly offered cardiac certifications that will be available to hospitals. Organizations must meet the following criteria:…
ECRI Institute’s Partnership for Health IT Patient Safety releases new recommendations
Editor's Note The Partnership for Health IT Patient Safety, a collaborative operated by ECRI Institute, released a new report on July 26 that identifies ways technology can reduce and eliminate diagnostic testing and medication errors. The report, “Health IT Safe Practices for Closing the Loop,” is based on events reported…
Two QI programs lead to fewer postop complications
Editor's Note After implementing two presurgery checklists from the American College of Surgeons Strong for Surgery (S4S) program, most diabetic patients met blood sugar control recommendations, and many patients quit smoking before surgery. Use of the checklists along with an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach resulted in decreased length…
US House votes to kill medical device tax
Editor's Note A bill that would repeal the medical device tax cleared the House of Representatives on July 24 in a 283-132 vote. the July 24 The Hill reports. The tax provided part of the funding for the Affordable Care Act. Rep Erik Paulsen (R-Minn), the bill sponsor, says the…
Hip fracture patients recover faster with ERAS program
Editor's Note In high-risk hip fracture patients, an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program lowers mortality rates, reduces hospital stays, and results in fewer complications, finds this study presented July 23 at the American College of Surgeons 2018 Quality and Safety Conference in Orlando, Florida. Results showed that ERAS: cut…