Articles Tagged With:
-
Untwisting the Myths: A Medicolegal Review of Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion (TT) is a urologic emergency with potentially devastating consequences and costs for providers and patients alike. With an annual incidence of approximately 4.5 per 100,000 males aged 1-25 years, TT is an uncommon medical condition, yet is the third most common cause of medical malpractice suit in this demographic. Because of varying presentations and physical exam findings, along with diagnostic imaging subject to individual interpretation, ED providers may miss this time-sensitive diagnosis.
-
Once on Leadership Track, Registrars Remain on Team
The chance for growth within patient access gives employees a sense of loyalty and ownership. This makes it more likely they will stay in the department.
-
Offer Growth to High Performers or Risk Losing Them
Patient access departments need creative ways to encourage their best employees to become future leaders. High-performers are given specific goals to reach, put in charge of special projects, and invited on a multi-day retreat.
-
Establish ‘No Meeting’ Days to Create Time for Patient Access Staff
Patient access leaders at Novant Health eliminated meetings one day each week, and use the time to make in-person rounds. The department reports higher employee engagement scores, better use of non-productive time spent in meetings, and valuable feedback from employees.
-
Careful Screening Needed for Cross-trained ED Registrars
About 25 of 150 registration associates at Albany (NY) Medical Center are cross-trained to work in multiple registration areas, including the ED. This helps the ED cope with sudden volume surges, but some employees ask to be cross-trained just because they want overtime.
-
Hand Hygiene: Just Do It
Healthcare workers who ignore the constant admonition to wash their hands between patients may inadvertently spread multidrug-resistant superbugs while drawing a citation from a visiting Joint Commission surveyor.
-
Nursing Group Calls for National Action on Shootings
Gun violence has blurred the line between healthcare concerns and public health, as recurrent mass shootings now have a nursing group calling for national action to prevent the attacks.
-
Flu Vaccine Myths and Conspiracies
In another falsehood pushed by antivaccine advocates, there has been an erroneous claim on the internet that the flu vaccine has somehow “caused” the current severe influenza season.
-
Fast-paced, Unpredictable ED Registration Not for Everyone
Patient access often struggles to find registrars well-suited to the hectic and tense ED setting. To weed out poor fits for this role, inform prospective candidates that patients are disruptive and occasionally violent, they’ll be on their feet throughout the shift, and they must keep track of patients waiting and those arriving by ambulance.
-
Emerging Infections Threaten Healthcare Workers
In another grim reminder that healthcare workers are on the frontlines against emerging infections, an outbreak of Lassa viral hemorrhagic fever in Nigeria has infected 14 medical staff and killed four of them.