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Avoid the Common Mistakes That Encourage Patients to Sue

Much of risk management is focused on avoiding liability and discouraging lawsuits, but what really makes a patient or family decide to sue? Much of the motivation comes from how they feel after interactions with physicians and staff — or the lack thereof. The biggest factor in a patient or family filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is the patient-physician relationship.

CDC: Vaccinate Dialysis Patients, Staff for SARS-CoV-2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is undertaking a major emphasis program to immunize patients and staff at dialysis centers nationally against COVID-19.

Long COVID May Mimic Myalgic Encephalitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease known as COVID-19, is producing a pandemic as it presents within a spectrum of symptoms from asymptomatic to mild to severe disease.

OSHA, CMS Step Up Hospital Inspections

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued a National Emphasis Program to ensure that employees in high-hazard industries, such as healthcare, are protected from contracting SARS-CoV-2.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bugs Do Not Sleep During the Pandemic

Outbreaks with antibiotic-resistant pathogens are occurring in hospital COVID-19 units, primarily caused by multidrug-resistant organisms that are hard to eradicate from the patient environment, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigator reports.

Landmark California Law Requires Stocks of PPE

On April 1, 2021, a new California law went into effect that requires hospitals to maintain a supply of personal protective equipment sufficient for 90 days of patient care.

Origin of SARS-CoV-2 Remains a Mystery, WHO Investigation Ruling Nothing Out

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic most likely arose from horseshoe bats in caves in South China, transferring into humans from an unknown intermediate animal source, according to a World Health Organization report that raised four distinct scenarios and rules out none of them.

Rapid Intermittent Bolus of Hypertonic Saline May Be a Better Way to Correct Symptomatic Hyponatremia

In this randomized clinical trial, hypertonic saline given via rapid intermittent bolus therapy was as effective and safe as slow continuous infusion, and was associated with a lower rate of recorrecting treatment and higher efficacy in achieving goal sodium within one hour.

Using Procalcitonin to Limit Antibiotic Treatment for Sepsis Reduces Infection-Related Adverse Events

By shortening the duration of antibiotic therapy, a procalcitonin-guided protocol decreased the rate of infection-associated adverse effects, decreased costs, and reduced mortality in patient with sepsis.

Post-COVID-19: The Crisis After the Crisis

Critical care physicians have the opportunity to optimize long-term function and quality of life for COVID-19 survivors. It is paramount to prevent, recognize, and treat post-COVID-19 symptoms.