HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement articles from May 2003

HealthCare Benchmarks and Quality Improvement archives from May 2003

Integrate benchmarking with your PI efforts for long-term success: seamlessness keeps initiatives alive and vibrant, aiding compliance.
May 1, 2003... Key Points * Persistence and consistency are hallmarks of a strong program. * Consider benchmarking just one of many performance improvement tools. * Tools, structure, and accountability form the foundation of benchmarking. ...

Closed-circuit TV wins fans in children's hospital: all can participate via interactive programming.
May 1, 2003... Key Points Programming eases sense of isolation, promotes family bonding. * Patients can watch in rooms, clinics, emergency department, and intensive care unit. * Child Life specialists help normalize stay, relieve pre-procedure...

Alliance evaluate clinical excellence: outcomes, customer service measured together.(alliance between Healthgrades Inc. and J.D. Power and Associates)
May 1, 2003... Key Points * Intent is to provide organizationwide, measurable goals for hospitals. * All 5,000 hospitals in the United States are being rated on clinical outcomes. * Evaluations will examine 20 procedures in six different...

Leapfrog finalizing new incentive plans: will offset some of additional costs of compliance.(The Leapfrog Group)
May 1, 2003... Key Points * Incentives to be realigned for facilities meeting recommendations. * Each practice brings different potential savings and costs, based on payer mix. * Leapfrog will provide hospitals with a formula for calculating...

Simple `PUSH' spells improved senior health: basic exercise significantly reduces falls, fractures.(Project Urging Senior Health)
May 1, 2003... Key Points * Seniors can achieve significant gains in strength and balance in weeks. * Even the researchers find the results surprising. * Study finds connections between mental state and physical performance. One out of...

AHA toolkit fosters evidence-based medicine.(American Hospital Association )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Chicago-based American Hospital Association (AHA) has mailed all hospitals in the United States a patient safety and quality toolkit designed to help hospitals and their medical staffs practice evidence-based medicine. The kit,...

CDC stresses smallpox vaccination site care.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... The Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a report highlighting the importance of proper care of the place on the arm where the smallpox vaccine is administered. The report details adverse reactions...

St. Louis hospitals sign preparedness agreement.(emergency planning among hospitals and medical volunteers )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... St. Louis area hospitals have unveiled an agreement to assist each other with volunteer medical professionals and supplies in the event of a disaster involving mass casualties. "At a time of uncertainty in our world, this agreement provides...

HHS seeks safer smallpox vaccines.(Department of Health and Human Services )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy Thompson announced HHS has awarded two contracts totaling up to $20 million in first-year funding to develop safer smallpox vaccines. "To protect ourselves from the remote...