HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement articles from December 2004

HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement archives from December 2004

Flu vaccine shortage creates ethical issues, safety challenges: quality managers on interdisciplinary committees make hard choices.
December 1, 2004... Key Points * Decisions may have to be made as to whether staff or patients get priority. * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines help ease choices when it comes to inoculating workers. * Quality professionals...

Longitudinal records enable instant QI changes: big difference in meds-related patient safety.
December 1, 2004... Key Points * The system will save the hospital an estimated $10 million per year. * Computerized physician order entry is integrated with other electronic records at the facility. * A done-deal attitude by leadership gets staff on...

Survey a launching pad for wide-ranging improvement: despite buy-in, opportunities to improve identified.
December 1, 2004... Key Points * Frontline employees were solicited for recommendations for improvement opportunities. * Several teams were formed, with coaches and team leaders receiving training before starting projects. * Project outlines and...

Strong collaboration sets QI program apart: top performer bases compensation on quality.
December 1, 2004... Key Points * Quality initiatives are not viewed in silos, but in a global, hospitalwide framework. * All new physicians must learn the computer system--and treat nurses with respect. * Facility participates in as many state,...

ED crisis presents a new set of quality challenges: patient harm, delays in care major consequences.
December 1, 2004... Key Points * Emergency department (ED) coverage crisis may affect not only specialist care but basic emergency services. * Finances and lifestyle issues keep many specialists from covering the ED. * Fee-for-service programs and...

CBO: jury still out on disease management.(Congressional Budget Office)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... Insufficient evidence exists to prove that disease management programs can lower overall health care costs, concluded the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) in an Oct. 13, 2004, press release. The CBO based its analysis, conducted at the...

Practice strategies don't affect diabetes care.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... A Harvard Medical School study has found that current practice management strategies and financial arrangements have a limited impact on the quality of care for patients with diabetes. Led by Nancy L. Keating, MD, researchers reviewed medical...

New fall prevention web resources available.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The Safety Institute of Premier Inc. has launched a publicly accessible, web-based clearinghouse of resources and tools for fall prevention to define and measure falls, identify risks, and target prevention strategies among patients and...

WHO starts global patient safety group.(World Health Organization)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2004... The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched Partners in the World Alliance for Patient Safety, an international partnership aimed at improving patient safety globally. The new partnership, which will include the U.S. Department of...