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More than half of IPs given no additional resources
More than a year out from the emergence of Ebola, many infection preventionists report they received no additional resources to deal with the crisis, still lack adequate supplies of personal protective equipment, and remain uncertain about how frequently healthcare workers need to be trained to ensure they are donning and doffing personal protective equipmentcorrectly.
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Lack of PPE training leads to frequent contamination
A major factor in contamination problems when removing personal protective equipment appears to be the fundamental issue of PPE training — or lack thereof.
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CDC, FDA warn of surgical infections caused by heater-cooler units
An increase in nontuberculous mycobacteria infections in post-surgical patients has been linked to contaminated water emitted from heater-cooler devices used in surgery. Infection preventionists and their clinical colleagues should immediately review cleaning and disinfection procedures for the devices and ensure only sterile water is used in them, public health agencies advise. -
How Much Is Too Much?
While healthcare workers often contaminate themselves doffing personal protective equipment, there’s interest in scaling back contact precautions.
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Failure to diagnose cervical cancer leads to $9.6 million liability for medical center
In 2011, a 61-year-old woman was informed she had stage 3 cervical cancer. She was told this news at the same medical center from which she had received her last three yearly vaginal examinations. In each of her prior three examinations, the woman complained of pain, but she was informed her Pap smears were negative for cancer.
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State malpractice cap shelters healthcare facility from paying $3.5 million of $7.5 million jury award
In 2010, a woman had a section of her colon removed and believed there was a cancerous mass on the removed section. The remainder of her colon was stitched together by a surgeon at a medical center. The woman became increasingly ill over the next couple of months and received follow-up care from a physician at the same healthcare facility where the surgeon performed the original procedure.
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Hospitals sued for excessive fees to obtain medical records
Two plaintiffs are suing two Washington, DC, hospitals for what they say are excessive and illegal charges for providing copies of their electronic medical records.
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Boston hospital pays record amount for drug diversion allegations
In the largest settlement of its kind involving allegations of drug diversion at a hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston has agreed to pay the United States $2.3 million to resolve allegations that lax controls enabled MGH employees to divert controlled substances for personal use.
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Whistleblower revealed in $70 million fraud case
Federal officials have revealed the identity of a Fort Lauderdale, FL, orthopedic surgeon who blew the whistle on a hospital system that ended up paying nearly $70 million to settle charges of healthcare fraud.
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Medication errors happen in about half of surgeries
A recent study indicates that medication errors occur in about half of all surgeries, possibly because patient safety policies and procedures are relaxed in the operating room.