More than 800,000 patients became infected with MRSA last year while in the hospital, according to a study by the Association of Professionals in Infection Control. Tired of such statistics, grieving families across the country held a vigil in memory last week for those who have died as a result of hospital-acquired infections.
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.
In five studies conducted in the United Kingdom, doctors did not discuss more problems, prescribe more drugs, run more tests, make more referrals, or do more examinations when they spent more time with patients. The patients in the five studies did not feel more satisfied with their care when they were able to consult longer with their doctors, according to researchers. However, in each study consultation times were only slightly longer than usual, and might have not been enough extra time to make a difference in the doctors' routine or the patients' satisfaction, the researchers write.