2014-03-17Many hospitals have been considering a new technology that is often referred to as RFID (radio frequency identification). The technology can be used to track the location of medical devices needed for inspections or repairs, and it can also be used to find equipment needed for clinical procedures.

Despite focused, collaborative national and regional efforts to improve the quality of healthcare delivered in the United States, the number of patients who do not receive appropriate treatment remains high. In fact, for certain services, recommended care is delivered only about half the time.

Anyone who has been the victim of identity theft is most likely very familiar with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). First enacted in 1970 and amended at least 17 times since then, the FCRA codifies in federal law all the rights and privileges of consumers that impact their personal credit histories.

In recent years, with technology advancing alongside heightening patient safety concerns, the real and potential applications of medical simulation learning have become easier to appreciate.

Few, if any, hospitals have been able to sidestep the many challenges arising from the continued shortage of qualified nurses across the United States. From the large sign-on bonuses many hospitals opt to pay new nurse hires, to the constant use of temporary and registry nurses to balance shifts, the shortage has had a daunting impact on the financial health of the institutions.

Previous studies have demonstrated that hospitalized patients often experience significant adverse events during their hospital stays because of the hospital staff’s failure to recognize or respond to early signs of clinical deterioration (Devita, et al., 2006).

Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, Texas, includes 10 acute care hospitals with more than 3,000 licensed beds. The medical staff totals more than 5,300 physicians, and the system’s workforce consists of 18,000 employees.

WakeMed Health & Hospitals has its sights set on being a leader in patient safety and quality care. And, like any leader, WakeMed is continuously looking for innovative systems and workflow solutions that give clinicians the information they need to provide high quality, evidence-based care.

Spurred by reports from the Institute of Medicine (IOM, 2000) and other sources, virtually every healthcare institution has programs in place to measure and improve the safety and quality of the care patients receive.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century (2001) and To Err Is Human (2000) were tipping points in patient safety.