High-risk Patients Have Lower Mortality Rates at Major Teaching Hospitals
The 30-day mortality rate for these high-risk patients was 15.9% at major teaching hospitals, compared with 18.2% at non-teaching hospitals, according to researchers at Penn Medicine, who examined the medical records of 350,000 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent general, vascular or orthopedic surgery at 2,780 hospitals across the country, including 340 major teaching hospitals.
Report Focuses on Risk to Patients From ED Errors
The study, titled Emergency Department Risks: Through the Lens of Liability Claims, is the latest in a series of reports that explores the increased risk and liability brought on by several patient safety issues in healthcare, and offers suggestions on how to improve.
MGH Data Breach Affects 9,900 People
The breach affecting as many as 9,900 people occurred between June 10 and June 16 at the renown Boston-based hospital’s Department of Neurology, and was traced to two computer applications used its research programs.
How to Manage Malpractice Risk in Your Emergency Department
Emergency departments are a crucial frontline healthcare setting, with more than 138 million visits to emergency rooms annually. EDs are the fourth most common healthcare setting for malpractice claims.
Primary Care Report Highlights Liability Risk From Treatment, Med Errors
This new report analyzed 1,800 closed primary care–related medical professional liability claims at Coverys across a five-year period from 2013 to 2017. A previous report explored radiology claims data.
Healthcare Facilities Look to Step Up Patient Safety Efforts
Patient safety remains a top concern of healthcare organizations, according to the 2019 Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare Industry Outlook Survey. While 40% of the 228 respondents said their organization was already very strong in-patient safety, a full 90% said there is room for improvement.
Utilization and Communication are key elements to a successful UVC disinfection program
By: Alice Brewer In order to have a successful UVC disinfection program, several steps must be taken to ensure that a hospital maximizes its investment in the infection prevention technology. Among those include a bundled approach to infection prevention, a comprehensive program with buy in from all departments, communication and education as well as monitoring … Continued
AAMC: Doc Shortage Will Cause Changes in Safety, Analytics, and Risk Management
The need for physicians is driven by many factors; among them, 10,000 baby boomers are reaching the age of 65 every day, and millions of new patients now insured under the Affordable Care Act are starting to make appointments to see the doctor.
Balanced IV Fluids Seem to be Safer than Saline in ICU
Giving balanced crystalloids led to a lower rate of composite outcome of death from any cause.
OhioHealth Sepsis Effort ‘Saved About 250 Lives’
A systemwide initiative involving physicians, nurses, laboratory operations, and pharmacists has helped the nonprofit reduce its sepsis mortality rate.