CMS Clarifies Which Doors Must Be Inspected Annually
After pushback, federal officials backed away from their claim that smoke barrier doors must be inspected and tested annually.
Ready For A Disaster? If Not, It Will Cost You.
Orlando Health’s corporate manager of emergency preparedness talks about his experience with the Pulse nightclub shooting and how healthcare leaders can better prepare their organizations to handle disasters.
Transitional Care Gets a Room of Its Own
As emergency rooms see long lines and post-discharge patients roam hallways, dedicated space for transitional care is once again on the minds of many care quality advocates.
Hospital Successfully Fends Off OSHA Citation
More than 18 months after being cited by OSHA for allegedly failing to guard adequately against workplace violence, one of the largest public hospitals in the United States is claiming victory. Bergen Regional Medical Center (BRMC) in Paramus, N.J., defended its program and recently reached an agreement with federal officials, who dismissed the citation.
Selecting the Ideal Healthcare Disinfectant: Balancing Efficacy & Surface Compatibility
In healthcare facilities, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces is essential for reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Surfaces, equipment and medical devices found throughout the environment are prone to contamination with healthcare-associated pathogens, many of which can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods and contribute to transmission.
Looking At The Biggest Problems With PPE
PPE protects workers from infection and harm and it also plays a key role in patient safety: It keeps employees from accidentally exposing patients to harmful chemicals and bacteria from around the facility.
FDA Warns Battery-Powered Mobile Medical Carts Are A Potential Fire Hazard
Reports of explosions, fires, and overheating in medical carts have forced some hospitals to evacuate, according to the FDA.
Safety for All: Integrated Design for Inpatient Units
By James M. Hunt, AIA, NCARB: and David M. Sine, DrBE, CSP, ARM, CPHRM The concept of integrated healthcare – treating the whole person and all of his or her diagnoses, including mental illness, in one location with one team of clinicians—has gained considerable traction in the literature (U.S. Department of Health & Human … Continued
The Safety Culture Issue
The following is a guest article by Dan Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, a Laboratory Safety Officer for Sentara Healthcare, a multi-hospital system in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Editor’s Note: This piece originally appeared on HCPro’s OSHA Healthcare Advisor. On which side of the aisle do you stand on the subject of change? Things change … Continued
Alarm Management Compliance Shifts into Second Gear
In the second phase of The Joint Commission’s alarm management NPSG, hospitals aim to put policy into practice For the last two years, healthcare organizations have been working to comply with the first phase of The Joint Commission’s alarm management National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG). As of January 1, 2016, they’ll have to contend with … Continued