Category: Patient Safety & Outcomes

38% of surgeries involve adverse events, study suggests

Among 1,009 patients who underwent surgery in a Massachusetts hospital in 2018, 38% experienced an adverse event — of which 26% were potentially preventable, according to a study published Nov. 13 in BMJ. 

Top US hospitals and unnecessary back surgeries: How they stack up

In the last three years, U.S. hospitals performed more than 200,000 unnecessary back surgeries on Medicare beneficiaries, according to a Nov. 14 report by the Lown Institute Hospital Index.

Joint Commission urges hospital disaster planning: 4 notes

The Joint Commission issued a sentinel event alert Nov. 13, urging hospitals to ensure they have sufficient plans in place to protect patients and staff during weather- and climate-related emergencies.

Duke LifePoint hospital has immediate jeopardy warning removed

CMS has removed immediate jeopardy status from Wilson (N.C.) Medical Center, The Wilson Times reported Nov. 11.

Ochsner improves postpartum BP metrics virtually

New Orleans-based Ochsner Health is improving pregnancy blood pressure metrics through a virtual platform, Joseph Biggio, MD, system chair and service line leader for women’s services and chair of maternal-fetal medicine at Ochsner Health, told the Ame…

Diabetes prevalence rises among US adults: CDC

The prevalence of adult diabetes cases, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, has continued to grow over the last two decades, according to the CDC.

Joint Commission outlines quality reporting changes for 2025: 5 key points

The Joint Commission has outlined new Oryx reporting requirements that will take effect Jan. 1 for all accredited hospitals. 

HAI rates improve, 1 worsens in hospitals: CDC report

Each day, about 1 in 32 U.S. patients contracts at least one healthcare-associated infection, according to the CDC. 

Removing PA supervision does not affect patient care, report finds

Raising physician assistants’ scope of practice to align with that of nurse practitioners does not worsen patient outcomes, according to a report from New Hampshire legislators. 

What systems can learn from Florida hospitals: 5 emergency-prep ideas to steal

Florida is known for many things, among them, hurricanes. Every year, Florida hospitals face devastating winds and storm surges, but these yearly disasters have helped them become some of the greatest experts on hospital emergency management.