Articles Tagged With:
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U.S. Hospitals Prepare as Ebola Outbreak Continues
As an Ebola virus outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo, healthcare workers in the United States remain at risk of an infected traveler presenting to their ED for care.
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New CDC Tuberculosis Guidelines May End Annual Testing of HCWs
The revisions come as TB testing and treatment have improved, while the routine risk of healthcare workers acquiring TB at work has steadily declined.
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Investigators Find Patient Frustration With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The results of a new study suggest that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often are dissatisfied with their encounters in the emergency setting. In fact, investigators reported that many of these patients decline to seek care in the ED because they believe their symptoms will be dismissed as psychosomatic. However, the study also shed light on the most common reason why patients with CFS visit the ED.
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Epidemiologists See a Milder Flu Season, Warn Danger Remains for High-Risk Groups
This year’s flu season is not overwhelming EDs like last year’s record-breaking season. However, the circulating viruses remain dangerous, particularly to groups most at risk. By mid-February, the CDC reported there had been 41 flu-related pediatric deaths, with flu activity still on the rise across the country. To help frontline providers, the CDC is offering new tools to help them keep track of flu activity and severity. Further, there is a new antiviral medication that has been approved by the FDA.
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Polar Vortex Creates New Challenges for Hospitals, EDs
While the Midwest is accustomed to cold weather, the bone-chilling blast of freezing temperatures that swept through the heartland at the end of January provided added challenges to hospitals and EDs in the region. -
ASCA Continues Working With Congress on Colorectal Cancer Screening Legislation
The Removing Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening Act of 2017 would waive Medicare coinsurance requirements involving colorectal cancer screening tests, regardless of whether the code billed was for a diagnosis or procedure.
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Tidbits, Tips, and Tricks
This month's column touches on hiring and contract best practices.
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Follow These Tips to Ensure All Loaned Instrument Tray Processes Are Up to Date
With technology continually evolving and new manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU) to follow, ASC staff might need a refresher course on best practices in cleaning and sterilizing loaned instrument trays.
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Tips to Improve Informed Consent Process
ASCs can ensure best practices in the informed consent process through knowing state laws and ensuring patients fully understand the procedure, along with its risks and expected outcomes.
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When Obtaining Informed Consent, Focus on Everyone’s Role in the Process
Obtaining patients’ informed consent is the physician’s responsibility, but the process is more than just a signature on a page.