Hospital Peer Review – February 1, 2009
February 1, 2009
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Latest sentinel event alert focuses on technology-related errors
The Joint Commission's latest sentinel event alert urges caution and foresight in dealing with the safety risks and preventable adverse events associated with technology-related errors, "as health information technology (HIT) and 'converging technologies' the interrelationship between medical devices and HIT are increasingly adopted by health care organizations." -
An evolutionary tale: EMR system at VA hospitals
In perhaps a perfect illustration of the risks associated with technology, Hospital Peer Review spoke with the VA hospital system about its home-grown electronic medical record (EMR) system, VistA, initiated in 1982. -
Tips for implementing technology at your hospital
If you're thinking of purchasing health informatics technology, you have to do a lot of work on the front end before you seal the deal, says Grena Porto, RN, ARM, CPHRM, principal of QRS Healthcare Consulting Inc. in Hockessin, DE. -
How a real-time locating system can work for you
When two-time recipient of Most Wired's Innovator award Columbus Regional Hospital decided to move toward real-time locating. While IT staff at the 225-bed hospital did not want to add to the workflow of an already busy clinical staff, they did want to offer real-time information on where staff were located, and they were able to do it. -
Joint Commission moves closer to CMS CoPs
The Joint Commission has a lot going on these days. Besides issuing five sentinel event alerts in 2008 and the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals and standards, in January the organization released an addendum to its accreditation standards. -
Incidents of pressure ulcers on the rise
According to a recent report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, pressure ulcers, or decubitus ulcers, are increasing. -
How to prevent crises during transitions in care
Discharge planners can prevent many problems that might occur during a patient's transition from the hospital to home care by focusing on communication with staff from the home care agency or other post-acute setting.