Joint Commission warns: Suicide risk extends outside the ER and psych wards
A new Sentinel Event Alert from the Joint Commission warns health care providers that non-psychiatric patients are committing suicide in a variety of inpatient units. The alert points out that 25% of...
View ArticleJoint Commission warns against fatigue’s role in adverse events
Longer shifts aren’t just a pain for doctors and nurses — they’re putting patients at risk. That’s the warning from a recent Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert (downloadable pdf). While fatigue...
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Joint Commission names 620 hospitals as top performers
The Joint Commission recently released its annual report and named 620 hospitals as Top Performers at using evidence-based care processes linked to positive patient outcomes. The list of Top...
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Stop workplace bullying in hospitals
Do you know if your hospital has a problem with workplace bullying among staff? If you think not, you may be surprised, given the results of a recent survey. Much has been reported about bullying and...
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Misuse of vials: Joint Commission’s recommendations to prevent infections
In spite of the numerous infection control practices the healthcare industry has implemented, there have been at least 49 outbreaks due to the mishandling of injectable medical products, according to...
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New guidance for patient safety
In the current healthcare climate, patient safety is at the forefront of almost every hospital executive’s mind. The Joint Commission just released new safety guidelines that can help hospitals survive...
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Cutting clutter: One hospital’s approach
With all the focus on boosting the quality of care in hospitals, other problems may fall through the cracks – such as clutter that creates obstructions in entryways and hallways. Ignoring this issue...
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New for 2016: Joint Commission updates alarm guidelines
The Joint Commission has updated the standards hospitals must follow for their patient alarm systems in 2016. And your facility will need to know the details on the new guidelines to stay in compliance...
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What hospitals should do to prevent patient suicide
Suicide is a significant problem in the U.S. And the Joint Commission wants hospitals to do a better job at identifying patients who are at risk of harming themselves and referring them to the...
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Changes proposed to hospital pain management
To curb the growing trend of prescription drug abuse in the U.S., hospitals are being challenged to change the way they assess and treat patients’ pain. Some groups are even pressuring the feds to...
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Joint Commission updates guidance on catheter-associated urinary tract...
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a significant problem for hospitals, and the feds are taking notice. In fact, the Joint Commission recently revised its hospital guidelines for...
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Joint Commission: Providers shouldn’t use texts to submit patient orders
Secure text messaging is becoming more common in hospitals, but not all information concerning patients’ health should be transmitted using this method of communication. The Joint Commission just...
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Joint Commission: New maternal infectious disease requirements coming for...
Hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission will soon have new requirements for infectious diseases transmittable by birth. Any organization with a labor and delivery unit will need to implement three...
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