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Norovirus is the organism most likely to trigger a shutdown of units in your hospital. And according to a recent survey of infection preventionists, it is responsible for more outbreaks than some deadlier organisms, such as Clostridium difficile and Staphylococcus aureus.
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In a "call to action," sharps safety experts are targeting gaps in needlestick prevention and seeking to spur a new commitment to make improvements.
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It will take a culture shift for doctors, nurses and other health care workers to consider fatigue as a major factor in patient and employee safety. But that moment may be a step closer with new guidance on fatigue management in the workplace.
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Trying to protect a patient from a fall may be one of the most dangerous things your employees do. They will put themselves at risk to cushion a patient. And often, that results in a serious musculoskeletal injury.
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The question of gown use when entering patient isolation rooms is a recurrent one, so it is worth noting that this is the current thinking of the Joint Commission on the subject:
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Infections from Clostridium difficile have skyrocketed, more than doubling from 2000 to 2009. While most cases (75%) originate in nursing homes, doctors' offices or other health care settings, many of those C. diff patients will end up in hospitals. A hypervirulent, resistant strain of C. diff requires greater vigilance.
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One hospital's survey experience suggests Joint Commission surveyors will remain highly interested in infection control even if your health care associated infection (HAI) rate is low.
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Night shift nurses aren't the only ones fighting sleepiness during work. Even day shift nurses suffer from sleep deprivation from getting too little sleep at night. A recent study in Michigan found that a comprehensive fatigue management program can improve alertness and prevent fatigue-related errors in nurses regardless of their shift.
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To be a "star" in the eyes of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers must invite inspectors to take a close look at their employee health and safety program. In the 30 years of the program, not many hospitals have been willing to do that.
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One hundred thousand nurses may soon be part of an effort that could lead to a safer health care workplace.
