More than 100 complaints were made the Maryland Board of Pharmacy last year about patients who received either the wrong medication from a pharmacy or the wrong dosage. Officials say more such cases occur statewide, but just how many is unclear as pharmacies are not required to report them.
Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno, CA, has suspended open-heart surgeries after a state report found that the facility was not protecting patients "amid an outbreak of infections" that began last year and continued through May. The hospital now plans to bring in auditors from Michigan-based Trinity Health, its corporate parent; an outside agency will also review Saint Agnes' cardiac-surgery program.
A recent study by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center shows that patients receive better care when hospitals employ more nurses. However, shortages in nursing staff is a nationwide issue, and researchers say that mandating certain staff levels could ultimately force facilities to cut back services. This could, in turn, have a negative impact on patient care.
An increasing number of hospitals are using Web-based scheduling systems for their nurses and other shift employees. Statistics show at least 300 hospitals across the country are using them, and hundreds more are likely to start within the next year or two. Hospitals using the systems say one of the biggest benefits of the Internet-scheduling system, both in money saved and quality of service, has been a sharp reduction in the hospitals' use of outside nurses.
The University of Kansas Hospital has implemented an electronic medical records system in its emergency department, giving doctors access to information such as tests and medications patients have received at KU Hospital and at KU Med West. The ER installation marks the latest phase of KU Hospital's three-year implementation of a $50 million electronic medical records system. The hospital already has installed the system in its inpatient rooms and recently expanded the system to its outpatient care facility at KU Med West.
St. Louis-based Missouri Baptist Medical Center has announced it will lay off about 40 employees including administrative workers, members of the management team and other staff. Hospital representatives said an "unanticipated softening of diagnostic testing and elective procedures" was one reason for the cutbacks. Hospital representatives added that as the economy has weakened, some patients may have have delayed receiving care.