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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (vap) is nosocomial pneumonia occurring in a mechanically ventilated patient > 48 hours after intubation. It is categorized as early-onset (defined by most experts as 48-96 hours after intubation) and late-onset (> 2-96 hours after intubation): these differ with respect to responsible bacterial agents as well as outcomes. With an estimated incidence of 8-28% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, or 13-35 cases per 1000 ventilator-days, VAP is common.
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This meta-analysis of clinical trials of steroids in septic shock demonstrates that whereas short-term, high-dose administration actually worsens survival, giving lower doses for a longer period hastens shock resolution and improves survival.
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Outpatient surgery patients can find out what questions to ask about their surgery, their medication, and the day of surgery at a web site (www.smarterpatient.com) sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Cincinnati.
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A draft of a South Carolina state health plan includes a one-year moratorium on new ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and expansion of existing ASCs.
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You can save your program a substantial amount of money by examining your business contracts, such as phone service (long distance), and compare prices, suggests Jerry W. Henderson, RN, MBA, CNOR, CASC, executive director of the SurgiCenter of Baltimore in Owings Mills, MD.
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Should I have full-time staff or a mix of full time and per diem? Should I buy equipment or lease? Can our surgeons approach our hospital (a not-for-profit facility) and buy into it? Should I outsource billing or do it in-house? Should my facility undergo physical expansion or expand hours of operation? Should I offer salary increases or profit sharing? Should I allow new investors vs. a closed shop? Should the administrator of an ASC be an RN or business manager?
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In this second part of a two-part series on outsourcing your coding, billing, and collections, we discuss billing benchmarks and tips for how to get paid by the insurance company. In last months issue, we discussed how to determine whether to outsource.
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Celebrities, such as Today show weatherman Al Roker, tout the dramatic impact that plastic surgery has had on their lives. So-called reality television programs show people who say plastic surgery has changed their lives forever.
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In this second part of a two-part series on cost savings in ambulatory surgery, we discuss how to save money on occupancy costs and telecommunications. Last month, we discussed cost-efficiency in administrative support, employee benefits, salaries, and services.
