Case Analysis Examines Vulnerabilities in Diagnostic Process
Understanding a problem is prerequisite to fixing it. For a newly released report, CRICO Strategies analyzed more than 4,700 malpractice cases related to diagnosis to determine patterns of error, where problems are most likely to occur, and how to most effectively improve diagnosis.
Companies Plan to Create Model for System-wide Outcomes Improvement
Allina Health and Health Catalyst have signed a definitive agreement valued at over $100 million to combine technologies, clinical content, and front-line personnel in an unprecedented effort to improve the quality and lower the cost of care for Allina’s patients and to serve as a model for outcomes improvement nationwide.
Tru-D SmartUVC LLC and Premier, Inc. Contract Improves Infection Prevention
Tru-D SmartUVC LLC has been awarded a group purchasing agreement with the Premier, Inc., for room equipment infection prevention products.
CareFusion Launches App to Help Clinicians Improve Patient Care for Mechanically Ventilated Patients
CareFusion, a global medical technology company, has announced the availability of a new capability on the CareFusion Respiratory Knowledge Portal to help clinicians improve patient care for ventilated patients.
New Toolkits Ease the Transition from Pediatric to Adult Healthcare
For young adults who have been diagnosed with a chronic condition like Type 1 diabetes or growth hormone deficiency, health concerns can add a degree of difficulty to transitions like leaving for college or living alone for the first time. The new Transitions of Care initiative spearheaded by the Endocrine Society provides interactive toolkits to help young adults who have hormone conditions navigate the shift from a pediatric to an adult healthcare team.
Report: Changes to Graduate Medical Education Needed for Future of Physician Workforce
Since the creation of the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965, the public has provided tens of billions of dollars to fund graduate medical education (GME), the period of residency and fellowship that is provided to physicians after they receive a medical degree.
Quality Initiative Focuses on Cellulitis and the Problem of Diagnostic Error
Cellulitis is a common infection that affects the skin and subcutaneous tissues and results in significant morbidity and associated healthcare costs. In fact, more than $3.7 billion were spent on 240,000 inpatient admissions for cellulitis in the United States in 2004 (Solucient, 2006). In addition to these costs, more than 14.5 million individuals were treated in offices, hospital outpatient clinics, and emergency departments for skin infections in 2005 (Hersh, Chambers, Maselli, & Gonzales, 2008).
Improving Safety and Quality with Best Practices: Focus on Central Venous Access
A recent CDC report found that 1 in 25 hospital patients develop healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). According to the report, about 75,000 of these patients die during their hospital stay.
Why So Little Coverage of Improvement?
On May 7, the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported on the effects of federal efforts to decrease the rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and readmissions. These efforts, implemented through a system of Hospital Engagement Networks (HENs), have been supported with funding from the Affordable Care Act (ACA), starting with grants to the HENs in October 2011.
New HHS Data Show Quality Improvements
The Department of Health and Human Services announced that new preliminary data show an overall nine percent decrease in hospital acquired conditions nationally during 2011 and 2012. National reductions in adverse drug events, falls, infections, and other forms of hospital-induced harm are estimated to have prevented nearly 15,000 deaths in hospitals, avoided 560,000 patient injuries, and approximately $4 billion in health spending over the same period.