Category: Patient Safety & Outcomes

Defense Department funds 'Havana syndrome' research in animals

The Defense Department is funding animal research to study whether radio frequency waves could cause symptoms consistent with “Havana syndrome,” a mysterious illness that has afflicted hundreds of U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers, Politico repo…

1 patient, 3 crew members survive Erlanger helicopter crash

Four people are alive after a medical transport helicopter on its way to an Erlanger Health System location crashed on a road in North Carolina on March 9. 

California health system at risk of losing funding restores compliance

Just weeks ago, Santa Clara Valley Healthcare in San Jose, Calif., was at risk of losing Medicare reimbursements due to patient safety concerns. Now, after an investigation by the California Department of Public Health, the health system is reportedly …

46 university students hospitalized after TikTok challenge

A new viral TikTok drinking challenge dubbed “blackout rage gallons” — “borg” for short — led to the hospitalization of 46 University of Massachusetts students in Boston, CBS News reported. 

Large study links COVID-19 to lingering gastrointestinal issues

A large new study published in Nature Communications found COVID-19 patients are much more likely to experience gastrointestinal problems a year after infection than those who haven’t had COVID-19. 

Childhood respiratory infections increases adults' mortality risk: Study

U.K. researchers found adults who had a lower respiratory tract infection before age 2 are at higher risk of dying prematurely from respiratory disease.

Staffing ratio changes at Confluence Health hurt care quality nurses say

The Washington State Nurses Association says that staffing changes made by Wenatchee, Wash.-based Confluence Health in December 2022 “lowered the quality of care” for patients. 

Tampa General opens burn center, ICU

Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital opened a newly renovated burn center that includes a specialized intensive care unit on March 6. 

Wildfires threaten California's inpatient capacity: Study

More than half of California’s inpatient beds are located within less than a mile of high fire danger areas, a new study revealed.

HCA Florida Northwest Hospital using 1st-of-its-kind robotics in hysterectomies

HCA Florida Northwest Hospital in Margate announced Feb. 23 that it is the first in Broward County to offer robotic technology for minimally invasive hysterectomies.