Last month in BOJ, we began our discussion of a number of key memos CMS has released impacting hospitals this year. Let's continue our analysis by examining luer misconnections, new Interpretive Guidelines, and changes to reporting adverse events.
A new collaborative is bringing the meaningful use of checklists to the ambulatory and outpatient setting. The goal is to establish "zero harm," and a key effort in this is to effectively implement safe surgery checklists that include both clinical and safety culture...
A new player has entered the field for hospital accreditation: The Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) has received deeming authority from CMS for acute care hospitals. CIHQ joins The Joint Commission, DNV, Inc., and the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) in this...
As of March 2013, more than 85% of eligible hospitals are participating in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs, and more than 75% have received incentive payments for meaningfully using EHR technology. EHRs are the future, surely and...
The hospital is a large, multifaceted organism with thousands of moving parts within dozens of units that are often separated by wings, streets, and buildings. The physical barriers, however, are nearly unmatched by the cultural ones-different techniques, opinions, and views of...
Everyone in healthcare knows about the struggles of medication reconciliation and its impact on patient safety and care. The Joint Commission takes notice, building standards and safety goals around safe use of medication, and every facility must take the time to look at its policies and...
The hospital is a large, multifaceted organism with thousands of moving parts within dozens of units that are often separated by wings, streets, and buildings. The physical barriers, however, are nearly unmatched by the cultural ones-different techniques, opinions, and views of...
Too many hospitals and healthcare leaders currently experience serious safety failures as routine and inevitable parts of daily work, according to an article published last week in The Milbank Quarterly. In the article, authors Mark R. Chassin, MD, FACP, MPP, MPH, president and CEO of The Joint...