The state of Michigan has released a report of quick-hitters detailing a serious disease: Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is a vaccine preventable liver disease caused by a virus, which causes health issues ranging from weeks of discomfort to premature death. The document concerns the spread and symptoms of Hep. A, as well as at-risk groups and treatment of the highly …
A randomized clinical trial conducted on a study group of over 3,300 Clinicians, who in total recorded almost 4.5 million order sessions, discovered a causative behavior between the number of patient records open at a time and the number of wrong-patient order errors incurred. Clinicians were placed in one of two groups. The first could only have one record open …
Discharge to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is common in patients with heart failure. SNFs are often used as a transition from hospital to home to regain strength, function, and independence, particularly for medically complex patients. Discharge home from SNF is often the ultimate goal, as the vast majority of these patients were residing at home prior to hospitalization. However, these …
The AHRQ’s healthcare-associated infections program funds programs and systems to aid frontline health care staff and prevent HAIs by enhancing and refining patient care methods. AHRQ’s system of grants and contracts focuses on research that improves clinicians’ ability to fight HAIs. This research makes the application of proven care methods safer for all. As a result of this research, AHRQ …
A good night of undisturbed sleep is one of the most important services we can give our residents. By eliminating or minimizing night-time interruptions, we can encourage more of the restorative sleep our residents need to maintain and enhance their quality of life. Two years ago, Great Plains Quality Innovation Network gave some presentation on exactly that topic. Recording of …
As the US health care system moves toward value-based reimbursement, NH administrators need to hold medical directors accountable to metrics. According to an article in Annals of Long Term Care, facilities will be sitting down with their medical director outlining specific requirements and then later with a score card of how they performed. Success for NHs will require a knowledgeable …
Acetaminophen is one of the most widely used analgesic drugs today. It is judged safe by the scientific community at large, but is also one of the most commonly overdosed drugs and the most common cause for drug‐induced hepatic failure. In order to challenge the results of recent studies that have suggested a relationship between therapeutic dosage of acetaminophen and …
For many seniors with mobility challenges, jumping in the car and driving to a clinic is simply not an option. This means they either have to find someone to take them, use public transit, or call for an ambulance. A lack of transportation options can often leave seniors feeling like a burden on their loved ones or on the system, …
A study by Kaiser Health News and Fortune Magazine collaborated on a three month investigation into electronic health records in America. Here are the 5 key takeaways: Patient harm: Electronic health records have created a host of risks to patient safety. Alarming reports of deaths, serious injuries and near misses — thousands of them — tied to software glitches, user errors …
