COVID-19 Fears and Frustration Add to Recruiting Challenges for Hospitals
For the past several months, the federal government has tried a variety of measures aimed at helping workers and families cope during the pandemic. But government measures apparently aren’t going far enough in the healthcare sector, where thousands of nurses have reportedly left the profession due to fears and concerns around the pandemic.
CMS Interim Rule on Vaccinations Supersedes State or Local Orders
The CMS interim final rule (IFR) applies to individuals working in Medicare- and Medicaid-participating facilities, as well as individuals working in other settings involving face-to-face interactions with patients. The IFR requires all clinical and non-clinical personnel to have received at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by December 5, 2021, and complete the vaccine course by January 4, 2022.
Nurse Practitioners Celebrate National NP Week
The work of nurse practitioners (NP) is being heralded with proclamations and certificates by U.S. governors as they and healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients join the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® in celebrating National NP Week this week, November 7-13, 2021.
Patient Characteristics Play Key Role in Success of Video Telemedicine Visits, Study Says
The new research article, which was published by JAMA Network Open, examines the results of a quality improvement study of more than 130,000 scheduled video visits at an academic health system between March 1 and Dec. 31, 2020. Video visits were considered a success if the service was completed. Video visits were considered a failure if they were converted to a telephone visit.
PSQH: The Podcast Episode 40 – Improving Maternal Health In Childbirth
On episode 40 of PSQH: The Podcast, Dr. Alana McGolrick, chief nursing officer of PeriGen, talks about using technology to improve maternal health in childbirth.
OSHA Issues COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing ETS
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) November 4 issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) requiring employers with 100 or more employees to implement a program of COVID-19 vaccination or regular testing and face coverings to protect unvaccinated workers but not requiring employers to pay for testing.
New Chief Physician Executive Shares Keys to Leadership Success
Jeff Ciaramita, MD, was promoted to senior vice president and chief physician executive of Mercy Clinic in October. Mercy Clinic is a large medical group with more than 4,000 providers. The Mercy health system is based in Chesterfield, Missouri, and operates more than 40 hospitals in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
Huddles, Handoffs, and Heedfulness are Key to Preventing Harm to Patients
Englewood (Florida) Community Hospital has received 18 consecutive “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, a national distinction recognizing achievements protecting patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections. Leapfrog is an industry standard for safety, quality of care, and patient experience, particularly for insurance agencies that check grades before recommending facilities to their clientele. Englewood is one of only 41 “Straight A” hospitals to be awarded an “A” in every grading cycle since 2012.
OSHA Cites Nursing Facility Under COVID-19 ETS
The agency’s June 21 COVID-19 ETS only applies to healthcare facilities and healthcare support services where employees may be exposed to COVID-19. Under the ETS, healthcare facilities must conduct a hazard assessment and develop a written plan to mitigate virus spread through methods such as erecting barriers and implementing control measures to maintain 6 feet of distancing between employees at entry points and nursing stations, as well as control staff and patient access to quarantine zones.
ATA Seeks Telehealth PHE Measures ‘At Least Through 2022’
In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, American Telemedicine Association CEO Ann Mond Johnson said the PHE created “flexibilities that have allowed clinicians across the country to provide all Americans high-quality virtual care at a time of great need.”