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Patients experience fewer postoperative complications when a surgical safety checklist is used by their surgical team, reports the first large-scale review on the subject published in the June issue of Anesthesiology. By following a simple checklist, healthcare providers can minimize the most common postoperative risks such as wound infection and blood loss.
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A surgery center increased its collections 47% from a four-month period in 2012 to the same period in 2013 by collecting copays and deductibles up front. Less than 1% of patients have cancelled.
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A study in the July issue of Anesthesiology revealed that patients who receive a simple, multicolor, standardized medication instruction sheet before surgery are more likely to comply with their physicians instructions and experience a significantly shorter postop stay in recovery.
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Proving that less really is more, five specific tests or procedures commonly performed in anesthesiology that might not be necessary and, in some cases should be avoided, was published online June 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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The aftermath of a needlestick is fraught with anxiety, but thanks to advances in HIV testing and treatment, health care workers can get swift and clear post-exposure guidance. A new drug regimen lowers the risk of contracting HIV, with fewer side effects.
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Hospital employee health directors often find it difficult to quantify a return on investment (ROI) for hospital leadership because much of their departments value cannot be measured.
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Occupational back injuries are an ongoing hazard in health care, particularly among nurses who have to move patients and perform other tasks that could cause injury.
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Hospitals have long been at the forefront of hiring salaried and hourly staff from other continents. This trend becomes more apparent during periods of nursing and physician labor shortages.
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Health care workers are more stressed than workers in any other industry, a recent survey found.
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A majority of U.S. hospitals has achieved the Healthy People 2020 goal of vaccinating at least 90% of their employees against influenza, but they have struggled to track the vaccinations of doctors, advanced practice nurses and physician assistants.