Medication Safety: The Right Stuff
Generally speaking, the term “decision support” refers to the functionality in computer systems that analyzes data and provides recommendations based on agreed-upon protocols.
View From The Hill: The Election Results and State Influences on Patient Safety
The American electorate has spoken, and the new 110th Congress has taken office with Democrats in charge of both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate.
Ethics Toolbox: The Moral Hazard Undermining Healthcare
In recent years, front-page articles about the escalating “healthcare crisis” have been a consistent staple of news reporting.
Editor’s Notebook: The TransForum* Experience
The simple trick of using colored paper — even mediocre blue reminiscent of faded school hand-outs — worked to get my attention.
Empowering Care through Communications Technology
Nearly 600 attendees participated in Partners Telemedicine’s 3rd Annual Connected Health Symposium.
Care Management: Patient Safety and Quality Healthcare Measure, Compare, and Improve
At an early morning department meeting in the fall of 2005, the physicians and nurses of the Critical Care Committee at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital in Texas gathered over coffee and bagels to review the latest data from the hospital practice.
5 Million Lives: IHI Launches National Campaign to Reduce Medical Harm
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) has announced, with the support of prominent leaders in American healthcare, a national campaign to dramatically reduce incidents of medical harm in U.S. hospitals.
Technology and Quality: Anti-doping of Clinical IT
After a magnificent ride up l’Alpe d’Huez, Floyd Landis came within 89 seconds of the leader Oscar Pereiro after the 15th Stage of the 2006 Tour de France. During Stage 16, another steep ride, Landis “bonked” and fell an insurmountable 8 minutes behind Pereiro.
Trends in RFID: Asset Tracking and Beyond
Radio frequency identification — RFID — is a well-tested technology in many industries. Major companies, such as Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense (DoD) have mandated the application of RFID to track shipments.
Using Clinical Decision Support to Improve Medication Reconciliation
What is the most common denominator in medication errors? Poor communication about prescribed medicines at key transition points of the medication use and reconciliation process: admission, transfers between care settings, and discharge.