-
With persistent outbreaks but milder-than-expected disease severity, novel H1N1 posed a unique dilemma for hospitals. They first needed to assuage fear, then to prevent against complacency. They needed to monitor employee illnesses and provide adequate precautions, yet encountered varying guidance.
-
Amid uncertainties about the novel H1N1 virus (swine flu), there's one clear edict: Vaccinate early and often for seasonal influenza.
-
Think of the outbreak of a novel H1N1 virus this spring as a colossal pandemic preparedness drill - either for a future virus or for a stronger resurgence of the strain later this year. So, how did hospitals do in their mission to protect health care workers, including providing appropriate protective equipment, training, and communication?
-
If you want your employees to report to work during a pandemic, make sure you have plenty of antiviral medications. Let them know how you'll help them manage the unique work-life balance issues of an emergency, such as child care when schools are closed. And underscore how important they are to the organization - even if their duties are clerical or custodial.
-
As the Food and Drug Administration approves new drugs for new uses, the list of potential occupational hazards grows.
-
A new political climate and a growing roster of state laws have given new life to efforts to mandate safe patient handling in the nation's health care system.
-
Be sure to include home care services in any pandemic response plans. Fortunately, more than half (53%) of the nation's home medical equipment and service providers have formal plans to respond to a pandemic flu, and another 23% have stockpiled N95 masks or other supplies related to a flu pandemic, according to a survey of 1,500 providers conducted at the beginning of the most recent flu scare.
-
The nation's most recent scare with the H1N1 flu virus showed both the good and the bad of health care providers' preparations for a serious pandemic, and the assessments are largely positive.
-
The reporting of critical test results and lab values is the kind of process that makes a risk manager nervous if you think about it too much. How do you really know if your organization is reporting test results promptly, efficiently, and effectively, every single time?
-
After an instance of wrong-site surgery that still defies explanation, officials at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence agreed to conduct an extensive examination of safety procedures in the surgery department.
