Revisiting the Perinatal Adverse Outcome Index
Revisiting the Perinatal Adverse Outcome Index
The challenge of sorting through copious amounts of data to find the essential information is not new. Over the years, various professions have developed key markers to highlight the essential. For example, clinicians use vital signs, accountants have bottom lines, and journalists pen pithy headlines.
Central Line Infections: Targeting Zero on an Oncology Unit
Central Line Infections: Targeting Zero on an Oncology Unit
A physician commented that he was concerned about central line care for his patients. While this is a common concern in many organizations, it was not acceptable in one that aspired to achieve performance at best practice levels.
Hand Hygiene Measurement and Education
Hand Hygiene Measurement and Education
Compliance improvement can be successful, sustained, and cost effective.
Hand hygiene (HH) is one of the most effective practices that all individuals in a healthcare facility who deliver healthcare services and have direct contact with the patient (healthcare worker, or HCW) can perform to help prevent the spread of infection among patients.
Viewpoint: A Supplier’s Pledge
Viewpoint
A Supplier’s Pledge
As I kicked off the 2011 Quest Patient Safety Summit, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. We had assembled a group of 50 patient safety advocates and thought leaders from around the country for a day of dialog and collaboration.
READY View ™ Arrives to Streamline Image Processing for Clinicians
GE Healthcare announced FDA clearance of READY View, a new MR advanced visualization platform to help clinicians process and analyze images anytime and anywhere.
Health & IT Quality: Watson, come here. I need you!
Health & IT Quality
Watson, come here. I need you!
Although a call for Watson brings to mind Alexander Graham Bell’s first words on the telephone or Sherlock Holmes’s greeting to his physician companion, The New York Times heralded another Watson on its February 17, 2011, front page.
ISMP: Measuring Up to Medication Safety
ISMP
Measuring Up to Medication Safety
Medications are among the most common interventions used to improve health. So it should come as no surprise that adverse drug events—injuries caused by the use of medications—are a substantial source of preventable harm to hospitalized patients. Measuring the level of safety is fundamental to improvement.
Corporate Compliance: Federal Initiatives to Drive Quality of Care: What Patient Safety Officers Need to Know
Corporate Compliance
Federal Initiatives to Drive Quality of Care: What Patient Safety Officers Need to Know
Under the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), every healthcare provider participating in Medicare or Medicaid must now have a corporate compliance program in place. Medicare is seeking transparency, quality, and accountability from healthcare providers.
Editor’s Notebook: On Being Wrong (and Human)
Editor’s Notebook
On Being Wrong (and Human)
I’ve developed a soft spot for error—not for the stubbornness and denial that too often accompany error, nor of course for the harm that can result from it. I’ve been charmed recently by people who are comfortable admitting error and who accept that being wrong is part of being human.
Atlantic Health Quality & Patient Safety Learning Collaborative Unveiled
Charlottetown, May 11, 2011—The Atlantic Health Quality & Patient Safety Collaborative signals the beginning of a new era of cooperation and partnership among the Atlantic Provinces in their efforts to deliver safe care.