Safety - November 2013
Tool kit available for antimicrobial stewardship
Kit contains resources on planning, implementing and sustaining an antibiotic stewardship program for C. diff reduction
11/27/2013
Isolation linked to patient dissatisfaction
Infection precautions create negative perception of care
11/25/2013
Hidden cameras are finding their way into long-term care facilities after discoveries of abuse
Three states permit residents in long-term care facilities to maintain surveillance cameras in their rooms
11/22/2013
UK health board facing legal action over hospital asbestos
Asbestos found in plant room at Glasgow hospital, three other sites
11/21/2013
Healthcare can learn from Homeland Security
Risk management never ends. New cyber threats, vulnerabilities and consequences require the constant modification of strategy
11/21/2013
Some Illinois hospitals reducing infection, study shows
The hospital association report showed that 843 instances of patient harm were avoided, saving $18 million in health care costs
11/20/2013
USB management in healthcare can be complicated
Storage capacity and portability make them efficient, useful and vulnerable
11/20/2013
Hospital reviews policies after TB infection death
Investigation showed Las Vegas facility did not follow proper visitor, protection guidelines
11/19/2013
Demonstrating the business case for infection control
The key reason for making the business case is the decision by the CMS not reimburse hospitals for potentially preventable events
11/19/2013
ES must partner with nursing and infection control
Working together in a mutually supportive workplace culture is key to reducing risk
11/19/2013
Researchers evaluate several aggressive chemistries for reduction of C. diff
Chlorinated lime and peracetic acid were statistically superior to acidified bleach and the non-antimicrobial handwash, according to the study
11/18/2013
Hospitals should evaluate infection-prevention policies, survey suggests
The survey questions addressed policies including placement and maintenance of devices, evaluation of healthcare workers' competencies and outcomes evaluation
11/18/2013
Elevator safety controls 'overridden' in fatal Alabama hospital accident
Decatur Morgan Hospital employee killed when freight elevator falls on him
11/18/2013
Four tips for infection prevention and quality assurance
To motivate staff to stay on track, expert suggests designating someone as an infection preventionist who conducts quarterly infection control assessments and evaluations
11/15/2013
Topeka reduces in-hospital infections with statewide push
Stormont-Vail and St. Francis Health have taken measures to reduce a range of infections acquired during treatment
11/15/2013
Safety violations cited in fatal Indian hospital fire
One doctor died in recent fire at the Gokul Hospital, a private hospital in Mumbai that had no fire alarm
11/14/2013
Quarter of Portugal's patients who died in 2011 had hospital bug
According to the national health board, it is not known how many actually died from the bug
11/14/2013
St Louis hospital gets 'Storm Ready' status
The SSM St. Clare Health Center has been declared a Storm Ready supporter by the St. Louis National Weather Service
11/14/2013
Abington Memorial Hospital wins patient safety award
Pennsylvania hospital went 365 consecutive days without a serious safety event
11/14/2013
South Carolina Hospital ranked among world's safest
Baptist Easley Hospital was awarded the Program of Distinction Certification from the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety
11/13/2013
Radiology suite equipment failure results in patient death
A UK hospital patient bled to death during an operation after medics accidentally hit an emergency power off button with a cart
11/13/2013
UK hospital trust in court over safety charge
Prosecution was brought after a Blackpool Victoria Hospital worker broke his arm in two places at the hospital's laundry department
11/12/2013
Hospitals must make infection control part of the culture, expert says
Facilities must set clear expectations about safety behaviors; provide staff with education, skills and tools; and hold everyone accountable
11/12/2013
Canadian official says hospital infection control good, but can be better
Alberta's auditor general says while no patient is in immediate danger, the province can do a better job on infection control in healthcare facilities
11/11/2013
Parkland Hospital in Dallas designed to eliminate security, safety problems
The $1.2 billion replacement facility is being built across the street from the original hospital and is designed to eliminate some of the biggest concerns.
11/8/2013
Pathogens on soft surfaces often overlooked
Studies have shown that bacteria, viruses, and fungi can thrive on soft surfaces for extended periods of time
11/6/2013
Impact of education, information on hand hygiene compliance studied
Rhode Island Hospital study showed compliance improve from 60 percent to 89 percent
11/5/2013
Study shows Veteran's Affairs MRSA initiative continues to make gains
A initiative required participating hospitals to implement a set of best practices, including nasal surveillance for MRSA, improved hand hygiene protocols and contact precautions
11/5/2013
Upgrading video image quality for healthcare surveillance
Staff, sick patients, visitors, newborns, long-term care patients all must be protected
11/4/2013
Hospitals lack culture of safety of high-reliability industries
Paper offers a 14-component framework based on what works for commercial aviation and nuclear power
11/4/2013
Evaluating infection prevention policies can reveal improvement opportunities
Majority of hospitals have policies for hand hygiene, fewer for antimicrobial restrictions
11/4/2013
Environmental services earning respect for quality outcomes
ES has developed into a science that no self-respecting infection-prevention program should be without
11/1/2013
Four steps to ensure infection prevention programs meet ASC survey requirements
Experts offers advice on crafting an effective infection prevention program
11/1/2013