Tag: Safety

Joint Commission: Quick Safety on daily safety briefings

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 28 posted a Quick Safety on daily safety briefings--a hallmark of high reliability organizations. Safety briefings--also called safety huddles, daily check-ins, or daily safety calls--are used to give keep frontline staff and leadership informed. The briefings can be used to: share issues that…

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By: Judy Mathias
June 29, 2017
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Researchers call for end to legal mandates for MRSA, VRE contact precautions

Editor's Note Despite widespread adoption of contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), there is no strong clinical trial evidence to support the mandated use of these precautions, three noted infection prevention researchers say. Without the support of evidence, policy makers from 2000 to 2010 passed…

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By: Judy Mathias
June 26, 2017
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Trauma centers with ACS verification have fewer complications

Editor's Note Trauma centers verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT) have fewer complications among pediatric, elderly, and severely injured patients, finds this study. The odds of experiencing any major complication were more than 3.0 times greater for elderly patients in trauma centers without ASC-COT verification…

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By: Judy Mathias
June 6, 2017
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Joint Commission posts addendums for radiation risks of diagnostic imaging

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on May 30 posted addendums to its Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 47: Radiation risks of diagnostic imaging. Risks associated with ionizing radiation in diagnostic imaging included cancer, burns, and other injuries. The addendums update broken links, resources, and references. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 47: Radiation…

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By: Judy Mathias
May 31, 2017
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Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2017

Healthcare is striving to become an industry of high-reliability organizations, and part of being a high-reliability industry means staying vigilant and identifying problems proactively. ECRI Institute’s annual Top 10 list helps organizations identify looming patient safety challenges and offers suggestions and resources for addressing them. ECRI Institute relied on event…

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By: OR Manager
May 17, 2017
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Choose the right linen service to match supply with demand

Linens and textiles may not be as exciting as the latest spinal device or miracle drug, but they are a mainstay of every healthcare setting. Quality matters, and costs associated with these high-use items can make a difference in a facility’s overall expenses. It’s essential to evaluate the best way…

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By: Paula DeJohn
May 17, 2017
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Joint Commission creates new SAFER Matrix resources portal

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on May 3 announced the creation of a new SAFER [Survey Analysis for Evaluating Risk] Matrix web portal for information and resources on the scoring methodology that went into effect on January 1. Among the portal features: A webinar and slide deck that discusses the…

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By: Judy Mathias
May 4, 2017
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Can infrared sensors reliably measure OR traffic?

The incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) is estimated to exceed 290,000 cases per year, and costs can range from $11,874 to $34,670 for inpatient hospital services. Studies have demonstrated a link between SSI rates and airborne bacterial counts in the OR. Some facilities have used trained observers to monitor…

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By: OR Manager
April 21, 2017
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Joint Commission launches Medication Compounding Certification

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on February 21 launched a Medication Compounding Certification that addresses new medication compounding laws and regulations. The certification, which is awarded for a 2-year period, was developed in collaboration with the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) to help healthcare organizations ensure compliance with Joint Commission…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 22, 2017
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Boston hospital stops OR intruder posing as surgical resident

Editor's Note A middle-aged woman pretending to be a surgical resident was able to gain access to 5 ORs over 2 days at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital without an identification badge before she was stopped, the February 5 Boston Globe reports. For several days the woman walked the halls…

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By: Judy Mathias
February 8, 2017
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