ICE STORM TESTS KY HOSPITALS’ METTLE by John Commins, HealthLeaders Media, March 11, 2009 If you weren’t living in Kentucky in the last week of January, the ice storm that crippled the Bluegrass State wasn’t much more than a lead item on CNN – something regrettable that happened to somebody else. You watched the coverage….
I hope there is some relief in the activity at your institution now that we have made it through another heavy viral season. Not that there really is a slow season in health care anymore, just a less busy one. So, welcome to the less busy season, when there is time to think and plan….
Following the ‘Six Aims’ By Tina L. Cermignano, CHESP There has been a lot of media attention about the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM) report “To Err is Human,” especially over outbreaks of community-based Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, we should concentrate on the second report from the IOM, “Crossing the Quality Chasm,” which provides a…
A new study has concluded the U.S. hospitals are beginning to embrace Lean and Six Sigma business management strategies to cut costs and boost productivity, despite there currently being little evidence as of yet that these strategies are effective. Lean management focuses on removing waste from companies and processes, while delivering added value to customers….
Chasing the numbers I spent a good part of the day writing performance evaluations. I find it somewhat refreshing to think about a staff member and write wonderful words that reflect their performance during the last year. Of course not every word is, glowing, but for the most part all my staff are good, hard…
Sit back and enjoy this short video on the history of today’s MRSA.
What is MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that causes serious infections that are resistant to many of the strongest antibiotics, including methicillin and other more commonly used antibiotics (including penicillin and amoxicillin). (1) MRSA occurs most frequently among patients who undergo invasive medical procedures or who have weakened immune systems…
Suggestions for Infection control procedures for free-standing imaging centers and hospital radiology departments The cleanliness of free-standing imaging centers and hospital radiology departments is crucial for reducing the spread of MRSA and other acquired infections. The following are 11 simple procedures to implement that can prevent the spread of these infections. 1. Have a written…
By now, everyone should know that patient satisfaction data is no longer public. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) developed the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems or HCAHPS for short, to increase accountability and transparency of healthcare delivery practices. It is the first public, and nationwide standardized survey that provides…
Never mix chemicals. Always wear gloves. Always wear protective eye wear or glasses when pouring chemicals or working overhead. Always wash your hands after chemical use and before eating. If a potentially harmful chemical comes in contact with your skin or eyes, flush with water immediately and call your supervisor. If n doubt about proper…