Category: Patient Safety & Outcomes

Olympic gold medalist's death speaks volumes about maternal health crisis: Report

The recent death of track and field star Tori Bowie is yet another example of how the U.S. is failing to keep up with other developed nations in terms of maternal health, according to a Wall Street Journal report June 15. Such perilous outcomes are par…

Trans individuals' ER visits more likely to result in admittance: Report

Transgender individuals’ emergency department visits are 52.4 percent more likely to result in hospital admittance, and they are often more ill when they show up to ERs than their cisgender counterparts, according to researchers at the University of Mi…

Patient shoots self in Florida hospital

A patient suffered a nonfatal self-inflicted firearm injury in HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce on June 14, according to local authorities. 

Probe into California hospital unearths patient safety concerns

Investigators from the California Department of Public Health unearthed several patient safety concerns at Inglewood, Calif.-based Centinela Hospital Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reported June 15. 

AMA to physicians: Lessen focus on BMI

The American Medical Association is expected to release more information on a new policy that encourages physicians to focus less on body mass index when evaluating patients for obesity and overall health, ABC News reported June 14.

Home care critical to improving SDOH: Optum's chief nursing officer

Home visits enable providers to identify and address patient needs that might not be addressed in a traditional visit to a healthcare facility, Optum Health’s chief nursing officer told NEJM Catalyst in a recent discussion. 

60% of COVID patients lose smell, taste — but most recover it

Loss of smell and taste — two of the earliest known, defining COVID-19 symptoms at the pandemic’s onset — are now known to be common in 60.5 percent of diagnosed cases, according to new research from Mass General Brigham published June 2 in The Laryngo…

IDSA's revises clinician guidance for 4 drug-resistant pathogens

The Infectious Diseases Society of America has revised its guidance on clinician treatment of antimicrobial resistant infections.

Joint Commission: 3 things to prioritize during surgical Time Outs

While wrong site surgeries only happen in about 1 of 112,000 surgical procedures, that one instance is what The Joint Commission hopes to help clinicians prevent. Engaging surgical staff in the Time Out safety procedure prior to first incision is vital…

2 more deaths confirmed in Virginia Mason bacterial outbreak

 Two more individuals who contracted Klebsiella pneumoniae at Seattle-based Virginia Mason Medical Center have died, bringing the total to nine patient deaths, the hospital said June 7.