Hospital Peer Review 2009-01-01

Are rapid response teams saving lives? A new study says no

While a rapid response is important in trying to save lives and prevent in-hospital deaths from cardiac arrest, the vehicle for that response is now called into question.

Outlying benefits of RRTs, can we discount those?

Earlier intervention, a second pair of hands, and nurses love them these are all reasons why experts Hospital Peer Review spoke with are in favor of continuing the use of rapid response teams.

To collaborate or not? Does it make a real difference?

The intervention is membership in a group collaborative. The five measures relate to antimicrobial prophylaxis in surgical patients. The endpoint: Did being part of the collaborative help facilities comply with the measures? The conclusion: No.

Methods to improve your surgical antibiotic prophylaxis

With high scores on Hospital Compare to back her up, Indun Whetsell, RN, CPHQ, director of quality management at The Regional Medical Center (TRMC) in Orangeburg, SC, says her surgical antibiotic prophylaxis initiatives have paid off in a big way.

Disclosing MRSA rates: What should you say?

A recent article in The Seattle Times tells the tale of a woman who inadvertently learned she had methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) while in the hospital from a nurse making an offhand comment. Since then, that woman, Jeanine Thomas, has been pushing for further disclosure from hospitals on MRSA.

Could TJC's antibiotic standard get you sued?

An elderly man comes to your ED and is admitted to the hospital with severe dehydration and fever of unknown origin. Two days later, an X-ray reveals pneumonia.

Matching nurses, skill sets spells ED success

Although EDstat, a new eight-bed area that was added to the ED at Reston (VA) Hospital Center about a year ago, is only open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., it has helped to improve the performance of the entire ED. For example, in early spring 2007, before the new area opened, the percentage of patients who left the ED before treatment ranged from 2%-2.5% (statistics were measured monthly). Today, that has been reduced to 0.3%-0.4%.

Network helps EDs reduce redundant test orders

A pilot program that allows EDs and health care systems across Milwaukee to share patient information is expected to save thousands of dollars by eliminating redundant testing, while improving patient care.

2008 Salary Survey Results: Within the growing role of QI, technology playing a big part

With the advent of pay for performance (P4P), what quality improvement professionals track and trend now could affect hospital reimbursement more than ever.

Hospital Peer Review – January 1, 2009

January 1, 2009