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Patient access departments need to prepare for a great increase in the volume of patients who are eligible not only for Medicaid, but also private insurance policies, as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) according to Luis Guerrero, director of patient access services at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center in New Orleans.
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Your patient access department already might have a discount policy in place, but this policy doesnt do anything to help a patient unless he or she is aware of it.
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It's time to revamp your chemical safety training. An updated Hazard Communication Standard will change labels and safety data sheets on everything from cleaning products and sterilizing agents to hazardous drugs. And it requires employers to train workers on the new system before Dec. 1, 2013.
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A federal advisory panel endorsed an "employer requirement" for health care facilities that fail to vaccinate 90% of their health care workers against influenza but gave employers a wide berth to interpret what type of requirements they might set.
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In a typical shift, nurses perform dozens of small actions that could put them at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome: pushing the plunger of syringes, pressing blood pressure bulbs, tapping into keyboards. Nurses are among the workers with the highest levels of overexertion injuries, and occupational health researchers are seeking interventions that could reduce that risk.
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One hundred thousand nurses may soon be part of an effort that could lead to a safer health care workplace.
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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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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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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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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.
