Hospitals already employ a number of infection control practices, with additional measures being implemented regularly. According to a recent online survey conducted by Perception Solutions, Inc., hand hygiene and the use of gloves that feature effective barrier protection rank highest on the list of preventative measures.
Kansas hospitals will no longer be paid for claims involving avoidable medical errors, as several of the state's largest insurers - including Preferred Health Systems and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas - join Medicare in adopting new "never event" rules that go into effect October 1.
The Joint Commission has issued a warning that patient safety can be compromised by hostile behavior among medical staff. Starting next year, hospitals will be required to implement a code of conduct that defines such behavior, and also includes procedures for managing it.
Research has found that P4P programs have nearly no impact on the quality of healthcare. Some believe that reform is necessary to reward recommended care, while others say leaders must take a closer look into how such programs are implemented and carried through.
The Patient Safety Authority of Pennsylvania continues its push for hospitals to join the state's Wristband Standardization Project to "Band Together for Patient Safety." The program is meant to alert medical staff to individual patient issues, including allergies and do-not-resuscitate orders.
According to researchers, statistics show that only about 50% of patients continue taking medications as directed a year after being prescribed. The Aetna Foundation is sponsoring a research study at the University of Pennsylvania to determine if a daily lottery of cash prizes will improve patients' medication adherence.