Safety - January 2014
SF General makes security changes after missing patient's death
Federally ordered changes have been made at San Francisco General Hospital following the death of a patient who was found in a stairwell at the hospital last October
1/31/2014
New CDC website to support long-term care infection control
Facilities can use the site to access the infection tracking system for long-term care facilities in the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network
1/31/2014
N.C. healthcare facility's burst pipes cause ceiling to fall in patient's room
Three lines in the sprinkler system of the Huntington Health and Rehabilitation facility ruptured
1/30/2014
Controlling hazardous material circulation in healthcare facilities
Five key things health care professionals should keep in mind when dealing with variables such as hazardous and sterile materials
1/30/2014
Australian Capital Territory hospital patients needlessly contracting infections, expert says
Medical school professor says the number of cases could be cut by half by boosting infection control procedures
1/30/2014
Discovery of worker's body in nursing facility raises security questions
Co-worker discovered corpse after men's bathroom goes unchecked, uncleaned for two days
1/29/2014
Minnesota lawmakers support reconstruction of hospital to increase security
Ongoing safety issues include a murder of a Minnesota Security Hospital patient by another patient in the facility.
1/29/2014
N.H. House backs bill requiring drug testing at healthcare facilities
The bill requires all licensed healthcare facilities in the state to implement drug-free workplace policies and must test employees where a 'reasonable suspicion exists'
1/29/2014
Hot water unnecessary for handwashing, study says
Water as cold as 40 degrees Fahrenheit reduced bacteria on hands just as well as warmer water, according to a report
1/29/2014
Integrated pest management key to keeping healthcare facilities safe
Pests particularly dangerous in a healthcare environment filled with patients with weakened immune systems
1/29/2014
Dozens feared dead after Quebec nursing home fire
Five people were confirmed dead and 31 were missing after a fire at Canadian nursing home built out of wood
1/28/2014
Behaviors, tools key to hospital safety
Florida hospital has adopted error-prevention tools and behaviors from commercial aviation and nuclear power, high-risk ventures that have implemented highly successful safety standards
1/28/2014
Up-to-date infection control technology, vigilance are musts for dental facility
When looking at the technology for a dental facility. it's important to consider what's most effective in the the sterilization area
1/28/2014
Infection control needs relationship between clinicians and environmental services
Infection control team and the environmental services/housekeeping team have recognized the importance of sharing their expertise for the benefit of all
1/28/2014
Minnesota reporting system cuts hospital errors, study said.
Deaths and other harm to patients from preventable errors such as falls and surgical mistakes have dropped in the 10 years since Minnesota started requiring hospitals and other care centers to report them
1/28/2014
AHRQ releases report on HAIs and design
'Understanding the Role of Facility Design In the Acquisition and Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections,' provides in-depth analysis on design and HAIs from industry and university experts
1/27/2014
Infection control accreditation program launched in Indian state
Maharashtra became the third state in the country to launch the NABH-Safe-ITSM Infection Control accreditation program for hospitals
1/24/2014
OneTogether takes aim at HAIs with small actions
New initiative aims to reduce the incidence of healthcare-acquired infections by increasing awareness of how the small, individual actions of every healthcare worker can have an influence on patient health and safety
1/23/2014
Falls prevention program produces encouraging results
A combination of technology and personal attention is helping prevent patient falls at Greenwich Hospital
1/23/2014
Hand hygiene stressed at Philippines symposium
Efforts underway to increase patient safety as cases of measles are on the rise
1/23/2014
Fire safety improvement linked to codes and enforcement
With one exception, the number of fires has dropped continuously each year from 6,830 in 2003 to 5,540 in 2010
1/22/2014
Unlocking the code of visual and audible fire alarms
EP4 is another Element of Performance with a high number of individual devices that need to be listed as part of an inventory. As with other EPs in this standard, complete documentation is key to demonstrating compliance with the standard.
1/22/2014
'Smart beds' can improve safety
New beds help patients stay safe, while 'smart' capabilities help nurses analyze information and improve patient care
1/22/2014
Healthcare facilities need a 21st century continuity plan
Business continuity plan must be an integral part of strategic operations, involving all levels of the organization
1/22/2014
Fort Wayne hospital wants own police force
Indiana bill calls for security officers to have full police powers while on hospital grounds
1/21/2014
Hospitals and med tech companies join patient safety movement
Group pledges to work to reduce preventable patient deaths to zero by 2020
1/21/2014
Unlocking the code of fire safety initiating devices
Creating a complete inventory of all initiating devices is a mandatory requirement and an essential first step in the process
1/21/2014
Hospital cuts alarm fatigue by decreasing noise
Boston Medical Center reduces audible alarms as a way to combat alarm fatigue and improve patient safety
1/20/2014
OSHA releases new resources to protect hospital workers and enhance patient safety
Website includes information to help hospitals prevent worker injuries, assess workplace safety needs, enhance safe patient handling programs, and implement safety and health management systems
1/20/2014
Unlocking the code to fire safety equipment compliance
To ensure compliance with this standard, hospital facility directors should be familiar with the related code requirements themselves and knowledgeable about their interpretation
1/20/2014
Ohio health system tries high-tech tool for infection prevention
Radio frequency identification technology used to monitor hand-washing station at one OhioHealth's hospitals in Columbus
1/17/2014
Tips on sprinklers for water curtains
Advice for navigating the Life Safety Code on sprinkler placement for water curtains
1/17/2014
Some hospital safety showers found to be faulty
Showers designed to minimize microbial contamination have been shown to raise the risk of spraying contamination over hospital patients
1/17/2014
U.S. News hospital rankings to give patient safety more weight
In 12 specialties, the weight given to patient safety will double to 10% of the overall score. Reputation's weight will drop from 32.5% to 27.5%
1/17/2014
Wi-Fi can help secure an OB unit
Ability to see the infant anywhere covered by Wi-Fi expands the range of possibilities for using infant protection solutions
1/16/2014
FDA bed rail guidelines leave long-term care in gray area
Nursing home beds may not be subject to Food and Drug Administration regulation, and aftermarket products that might be used on a medical or hospital style bed are sold without FDA scrutiny
1/16/2014
Union seeks answers on 180 worker-safety complaints at hospital
Covenant HealthCare Nutrition Services can provide nutritionally evaluated meals for discharged patients with special diets
1/15/2014
MRSA infection rates drop in VA long-term care facilities
Four years after implementing a national initiative, MRSA infections have declined
1/15/2014
APIC publishes new guide on long-term care infection prevention
Infection preventionists in long-term care facilities face unique challenges due to the nature of the care setting and an aging resident population
1/14/2014
Facility Guidelines Institute update reflects the times, CEO says
FGI 2014 guidelines includes new language on safety risk assessments and increased requirements for commissioning infrastructure systems
1/14/2014
Website aims to reduce hospital injuries
NoInjuries.com will offer healthcare providers news, educational materials, tips, tools and resources to use throughout the workplace
1/14/2014
Reducing the risk of HAIs through effective environmental cleaning processes
Multiple studies have shown that less than 50 percent of hospital room surfaces tested were cleaned effectively upon terminal room cleaning, despite having the appearance of being cleaned and prepared for the next patient admission
1/13/2014
Joint Commission 2014 National Patient Safety Goals released
The first phase calls for hospitals to establish alarm safety as an organizational priority
1/13/2014
Study says hand hygiene prior to gloves is unnecessary
Using an alcohol-based cleanser before putting on gloves did not significantly change total bacterial colony counts
1/13/2014
Pennsylvania city considers protester-free zones around healthcare facility doors
York City ordinance would ban protesters from a 30-foot 'buffer zone' around the entrances and exits of York City healthcare facilities
1/10/2014
Hospital-acquired infections take toll on patients, bottom line
One in 20 patients acquire infections while receiving care at U.S. hospitals, according to the CDC
1/9/2014
Tougher emergency preparedness rules proposed for long-term care facilities
CMS guidelines would make long-term care facilities subject to similar requirements as hospitals
1/9/2014
Medical waste found in Pennsylvania landfill
Blood bags, surgical sponges and what might be human tissue keep turning up at a Monroeville landfill
1/7/2014
Study says evaluation of infection prevention policies can reveal opportunities for improvement
American Journal of Infection Control survey says identifying gaps in infection prevention practices can improved patient safety
1/7/2014
Illinois hospital drill strives for failure
Harrisburg Medical Center tests emergency procedures to find weak spots
1/6/2014
Patient transmission causes minority of ICU S. aureus acquisitions
Data from whole-genome sequencing suggest that few Staphylococcus aureus acquisitions in the ICU are the result of patient-to-patient transmission
1/6/2014
Hospital installs safeguards to protect medical devices from cyber-attacks
Methodist Hospital of Southern California invests in an integrated systems management program, which reduces vulnerability of its more than 6,000 devices
1/3/2014
UK infirmary kiosks to help in the fight against infection
Three new handwashing kiosks have been installed in the main entrance to Hull Royal Infirmary
1/3/2014
Study shows healthcare staff contaminated with C. diff after routine care
Nearly 1 in 4 healthcare workers' hands were contaminated with Clostridium difficile spores after routine care of patients infected with the bacteria
1/2/2014