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In a typical informed consent process, the researcher assures subjects at the outset of a study that their information will be kept confidential and the issue may never come up again.
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A researcher and pediatric physician who has studied insurance and immigration issues related to medical care has found that several myths create an emotional response that complicates the medical and political issue of who should pay for health care for undocumented immigrants.
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An effective and simple discharge checklist is the ideal tool for hospital nurses and others who handle the patient discharge process.
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Needlestick injuries were a hot topic in years past, when the health care industry took notice of the risk posed by exposure to hepatitis and HIV in the workplace, but now it is easy to assume that you've taken all the right precautions and lowered the risk as much as possible. But have you really?
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Once administrators at Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL, discovered that a nurse had exposed patients to serious infections by reusing disposable tubing and IV bags, the hospital acted quickly to notify those affected and arrange testing.
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Particulate respirators - a controversial step beyond common surgical masks - are now mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect health care workers from acquiring H1N1 pandemic influenza A from patients. With respirator shortages feared, "good-faith efforts" by health care employers will be recognized by OSHA, which nevertheless is warning that citations and fines may result from inspections that will be primarily prompted by employee complaints.
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Employers can have an impact on employee's lifestyle choices through a variety of workplace interventions. Here are some identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its LEAN Works program:
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The nation's rising rate of obesity has required hospitals to rethink patient care, including different beds and lift equipment. But obesity also poses issues for hospitals as employers.
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With the Obama administration offering up to $19 billion in incentives as part of the federal stimulus package for medical providers to go digital, and the goal for every American to have an electronic health record by 2014, the potential for data breaches dramatically increases.
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Data are everywhere these days, and you can put it to work for you. Health care providers accumulate huge volumes of data, and some risk managers are learning that the strategic use of that information can improve patient safety, reduce costs, and reduce liability risks.