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A physician complained to the chief of staff and hospital management that surgical equipment is not being sterilized properly and a patient died as a result. In another case, two doctors reported overcrowding in the emergency department that compromised patient care. In another, the physician reported an unlicensed therapy program.
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An 85-year-old woman underwent surgery for an aortofemoral bypass at a local medical center in 2004. In the four years following the surgery, the patient suffered from periodic severe abdominal and back pain, a foul odor coming from her body, weakness, lightheadedness, dizziness, loss of appetite, and nausea.
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Memorial Health System in Springfield, IL, provides this statement regarding the physician who claims he was placed on leave for failing to adequately adapt to the system's new electronic medical record (EMR):
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The link between healthcare worker fatigue and adverse events is well documented, prompting The Joint Commission to issue a new Sentinel Event Alert: Health care worker fatigue and patient safety. The alert urges greater attention to preventing fatigue among healthcare workers and suggests specific actions for organizations to mitigate the risks.
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The Joint Commission provides instruction for hospital staff on how to create a more welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients and their families in a new field guide.
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The holidays finally are over, and most of us have nothing really important to do this month. OK, maybe four of you have something really important to do at work this month, but for the rest of us
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Sherman Hospital in Elgin, IL, takes a proactive approach to ensuring that surgical patients are placed in the proper inpatient or observation status by asking physicians to fill out a surgical reservation form before the surgery is scheduled.
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The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) has announced the results for its annual salary survey of perioperative nurses. Survey participants included staff nurses, managers, (i.e., nurse managers/supervisors/coordinators/team leaders/business managers) high-level managers (vice presidents, directors, assistant directors, and hospital/facility administrators), educators, RN first assistants (RNFAs), and clinical nurse specialists.
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Providing interpreter services is not enough to ensure good communication between patients, family members, and clinicians. It is important to make sure staff understands when to access interpreters, what services are available, and how to use the resources.