NCQA’s Quality Compass Helps Plans and Consumers Compare Clinical Performance
Database features quality information for approximately 104 million insured lives. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has released its latest version of Quality Compass 2015: Commercial. This comprehensive database of health plan performance compiles data from 400 publicly reporting commercial plan products, offering information on clinical performance and patient experience for approximately 104 million … Continued
Comment Through Oct 16 on ISMP’s Guidelines for Communication of Medication Information in Electronic Systems
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) invites healthcare practitioners to comment on its Draft Guidelines for the Safe Electronic Communication of Medication Information. To view and comment on the guidelines, visit www.ismp.org/tools/guidelines/SCEMI. Suggestions also can be submitted via email to ismpinfo@ismp.org. ISMP observes, “Health information technology vendors and users currently do not have a … Continued
AHA Advisory Group Issues Report on Interoperability
In a report released in July, the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Interoperability Advisory Group (IAG) calls on health systems and hospitals, developers and vendors of electronic devices and information systems, and government and regulatory agencies to work together to improve the interoperability of healthcare data. In Achieving Interoperability that Supports Care Transformation, the group observes … Continued
Shulkin Confirmed as Under Secretary of Health for US Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Senate has confirmed David J. Shulkin, MD, as the Under Secretary of Health for Veterans Affairs. As the chief executive of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Shulkin will lead the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system with more than 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million veterans each year. VHA is also the nation’s … Continued
ABMRS Administers First Exam for MR Safety Certification
On Wednesday, June 24, 2015, the American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety (ABMRS) administered the first examination to certify individuals with the credentials MR Medical Director/Physician (MRMD) and MR Safety Officer (MRSO). More than 100 radiologists, technologists, and medical physicists took the exam for either the MRMD or MRSO. Only licensed physicians may sit for … Continued
Shulkin Confirmed as Under Secretary of Health for US Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Senate has confirmed David J. Shulkin, MD, as the Under Secretary of Health for Veterans Affairs. As the chief executive of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Shulkin will lead the nation’s largest integrated healthcare system with more than 1,700 sites of care, serving 8.76 million veterans each year. VHA is also the nation’s … Continued
Press Ganey Introduces Program to Help Provider Organizations Prepare for OAS CAHPS
Press Ganey has announced the launch of its Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Early Adopter Program.
New Sentinel Event Alert Examines Safe Use of Health Information Technology
Safe use of health information technology (health IT) is the focus of a new Sentinel Event Alert recently released by The Joint Commission.
Obama Administration Releases National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Despite antibiotics’ powerful ability to save millions of lives each year, drug resistant bacteria are a growing problem, making the treatment and prevention of diseases more difficult.
PDI Announces Call for Entries for Delivering the Difference Contest
PDI, a leader in infection prevention products and solutions, has launched Delivering the Difference, a contest recognizing industry professionals who display excellence in building collaborative relationships between infection prevention and environmental services teams in healthcare facilities.