Study: Healthcare-acquired infections down but still a problem

Inpatient infection rates are down, but there is still more work to be done. In a report released Friday, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council said 21,319 of the 1.89 million patients admitted to Pennsylvania hospitals in 2010 acquired an infection. That is a rate of 1.13 percent, down from 1.20 percent the previous…

Why Not Keep Supplies in EVS Closets

The key is that sanitation, safety, and quality cannot be assured for items – particularly paper, textile products such as mops and cloths, and chemicals – that are kept in janitor/housekeeping, soiled utility, and other such areas.  When it comes to soiled utility rooms, it might be good for the EVS profession to stop using…

CMS issues final value-based purchasing rule

On April 29, 2011 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today issued a final rule (42 CFR Parts 422 and 480) that sets forth its policies for the hospital value-based purchasing program. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the VBP program will pay hospitals based on their actual performance on quality measures,…