HealthLeaders Media QualityLeaders - February 7, 2008 | Get Me Some Sleep!


Get Me Some Sleep! Maureen Larkin, Senior Editor-Quality When's the last time you got a good night's sleep? For most of us, missing a few hours of sleep means that we're just a bit grumpier in the morning, but a strong cup of coffee will usually get us back to our usual selves. But for those in the hospital--particularly the ICU--sleep is crucial, and an article in USA Today this week tells us that being a patient in the ICU isn't particularly restful. [Read More]
		Feb. 7, 2008

Editor's Picks

Quality of care is better at 'top' hospitals
HealthGrades says patients that seek care at the top-rated hospitals in the United States have a 27% lower risk of dying than those admitted to other hospitals in the country. The healthcare ratings organization says patients who have surgery at top hospitals have a 5% lower risk of complications. Is this just another way to convince hospitals to pay for HealthGrades' ratings service or is the disparity of care a reality? [Read More]

HHS secretary seeks expanded use of electronic records
In last week's column, I talked about the government's progress toward implementing nationwide health records by 2014. Just a few days after my column appeared, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt proposed a $150 million incentive plan to extend use of electronic records. [Read More]

Pay for performance pays off
Last week, Premier Healthcare, an alliance of non-profit hospitals and purchasing network, announced that Pay for Performance initiatives are not only improving quality at hospitals, but also driving costs and mortality rates down. The report says that 70,000 lives could be saved nationwide if all hospitals were to achieve the three-year cost and quality improvements found at the 250 hospitals that participated in the analysis. [Read More]

Can personal records make patients healthier?
New software programs that allow patients to keep personal health records are popping up every day. Allowing patients to keep track of their own medical histories will keep them more engaged in their own healthcare, but will it actually make them healthier? A new study from the Medical College of Georgia may give us the answer. [Read More]

This Week's Headlines

Seattle-area healthcare 'checkup' finds room for improvement
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - February 1, 2008

A string of hospital errors: When harm is done, usually several errors have slipped by staff
The Baltimore Sun - January 31, 2008

Medicare sees need to improve at South Florida hospitals
Miami Herald - February 7, 2008

Bill aims to protect patients from paying for errors
Bangor Daily News - February 5, 2008

Harbor-UCLA ER patients are in jeopardy, California inspectors say
Los Angeles Times - February 6, 2008

Review hints at scope of error plan in Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Inquirer - February 6, 2008

Headlines Sponsored by AT&T

Enabling Healthcare after a Disaster: AT&T enables healthcare after a disaster.

Implementing a Wireless LAN: Successful WLAN implementation is all about balance.

IP Networks Boost Secure Health Communications: AT&T provides secure communication to keep healthcare moving forward.

Optical Networks: Closing the gap between patient and caregiver.

Q&A: Critical Steps in Ensuring Business Continuity: Consult this guide to learn how your company can ensure continuity.

Transition to Digital: More and more hospitals are going paperless.

Trend Report--Dialing Long Distance for Healthcare: Telemedicine makes care accessible when and where it's needed.

HealthLeaders Media
Products & Resources

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From HealthLeaders Magazine

Why Is The ED Such A Pain?

The emergency department has a culture all its own with a unique set of challenges to match. It's also your hospital's window to the community. So you'd better make it work. [Read More]

Are you a Health Leader?


	Leaders Forum Data collection needs to bring about change Don't waste your time collecting data unless it's part of a closed control loop that leads to changes in your hospital. From Quality Improvement Report February 2008 (this is a pay-per-view article). [Read More]



	Audio Feature Mike Reno, vice president of operations, and Andrew Eller, clinical educator in the emergency department, of St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital describe how the Lean method improved quality and efficiency in the emergency department.


	Sponsor QualityLeaders Contact Lisa Brown, Director of Integrated Sales, at lbrown@healthleadersmedia.com or call 781.639.1872.

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