On February 24, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Robert Califf, MD, as the new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner. The Senate vote in Califf’s favor was 89-4, ending a yearlong debate over his suitability.
There were 1,089 patient suicides logged into the Joint Commission’s Sentinel Event Database between 2010 and 2014; overall, suicides were the 10th leading cause of death in America in 2013, resulting in 41,149 deaths.
For the last several years, there has been a startling mortality trend emerging in the United States: Each year, middle-aged white Americans are dying at a faster clip than any of their counterparts in different age groups, ethnicities, or countries.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 26, Issue 3
ECRI Institute has revealed its top 10 list of health technology hazards for 2016, and for those of us working in patient safety and quality, few if any should come as a surprise.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 26, Issue 3
For the last two years, healthcare organizations have been working to comply with the first phase of The Joint Commission's alarm management National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG). As of January 1, 2016, they'll have to contend with the second phase as well.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 26, Issue 3
In 2012, The Joint Commission's tobacco cessation performance measure set took effect, encouraging hospitals to improve their efforts to convince patients to stop smoking. Used in the accreditor's ORYX performance measurement program, the measures are part of an industrywide...
One of the duodenoscope manufacturers at the center of a series of infectious outbreaks dating back to 2012 has announced plans to recall its current model and replace it with a new FDA-approved design.
Briefings on Accreditation & Quality - Volume 26, Issue 3
A good job is its own reward, but that doesn't mean recognition isn't appreciated. Last year, 1,043 hospitals (31.5% of those analyzed) were recognized by The Joint Commission's Top Performer on Key Quality Measures® program. Inclusion on the top performers' list is a huge...
For the last several years, there has been a startling mortality trend emerging in the United States: Each year, middle-aged white Americans are dying at a faster clip than any of their counterparts in different age groups, ethnicities, or countries.