Joint Commission issues new Quick Safety on psychosocial well-being of healthcare staff during crises
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 10 issued a new Quick Safety: “Promoting psychosocial well-being of healthcare staff during crisis.” The Joint Commission says it’s critical that healthcare organizations have systems in place to support institutional and individual resilience to mitigate and respond to the psychological toll of crises…
Psychological distress, loneliness up during COVID-19 pandemic
Editor's Note A new survey from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health finds that the number of Americans with severe psychological distress and loneliness are up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing results of this April 2020 survey with a similar survey in 2018, the researchers found that: symptoms…
Impact of COVID-19 on spine surgeons
Editor's Note This study of spine surgeons around the world found they are experiencing the effects of COVID-19, including canceled procedures, changes in clinical roles, anxiety, and risk of exposure to the disease itself because of insufficient protective equipment. Researchers evaluated survey responses from 902 spine surgeons with membership in…
Provider burnout, fatigue during COVID-19 pandemic
Editor's Note This article from Houston Methodist Hospital and Texas A&M University researchers shares the lessons learned by an interdisciplinary team of ICU healthcare providers and their experiences of occupational fatigue and burnout as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers documented four major areas of stress with the…
Pandemic has altered perceptions of healthcare industry
Although COVID-19 cases are still emerging in many parts of the country, some businesses have reopened and some elective procedures are once again being performed. Many events that did not take place in the spring will be held in the fall, including the annual OR Manager Conference, September 30 to…
Implementing safety huddles to improve patient outcomes
The fast-paced environment in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) requires meticulous handoffs, and daily huddles—brief (10 to 20 minute) stand-up meetings—can raise awareness of any potential safety issues. That has been the experience at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, Iowa, and some of what we learned might help others improve…
Strong culture sustains healthcare staff in 'good and bad' times
Traditional patient care challenges have risen to a whole new level in the wake of COVID-19. Healthcare providers have assumed new roles and performed tasks they never imagined doing. With conditions and expectations changing daily if not hourly, one thing that hasn’t changed is the need to provide safe patient…
CDC: Characteristics of healthcare workers with COVID-10
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on April 14 released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on the characteristics of healthcare workers (HCW) with COVID-19 in the US. From February 12 to April 9, 2020, there were 9,282 cases of COVID-19 reported among HCWs. The median…
FDA updates actions taken in response to COVID-19
Editor's Note Among the actions announced April 15 by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are: Issuance of two new emergency use authorizations (EUAs) for serology tests, to detect for presence of coronavirus antibodies, to Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc, and Chembio Diagnostic systems, Inc. Issuance…
ANA launches Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses
Editor's Note The American Nurses Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), has launched the Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses, enabling the public to demonstrate their support and thank nurses. The fund will address identified, emerging needs of nurses by: providing direct assistance to nurses serving on…
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