ED Management – October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023
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Despite Some Progress, Pediatric Readiness Continues to Lag in Many EDs
EDs showed improvement on five of the six domains evaluated in the survey-based assessment, completed by the National Pediatric Readiness Project. However, there was a significant decline from the 2013 assessment regarding administration and coordination, a heavily weighted domain.
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More Support Needed for Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators
Considering professional organizations view the pediatric emergency care coordinator role as essential to pediatric readiness in U.S. EDs, there is concern about health system commitment to the role, based on the results of a survey of the physicians and nurses serving in those positions.
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Attorneys Will Scrutinize ED Preparedness for Pediatric Emergencies
Litigation will center on training, experience, and facility resources.
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Legal, Safety, and Regulatory Risks if Cyberattack Forces ED to Shut Down
Experts offer early warning signs of a possible attack, along with mitigation tactics and tips for leaders on how to properly train staff in security principles.
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Did Your Department Close Unexpectedly? Here’s How to Mitigate Risks
In the event of a diversion caused by a cyberattack, EDs need to mitigate any adverse effects on patient care. Maintaining paper order forms and manual backup plans for otherwise computer-dependent operations is essential. Leaders must immediately notify surrounding hospitals and ambulance agencies of the situation, along with the expected resolution time.
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More Patients Are Suing Hospitals for Data Breaches
Plaintiffs argue medical providers should be held accountable for ignoring security risks. Lawsuits allege hospitals are taking a lax approach to protecting highly sensitive and confidential patient information. Three factors could affect the outcome of these suits: the types of information compromised, allegations of injuries, and similar data breach jurisprudence in a given jurisdiction.
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An Admissions Unit Accelerates ED Flow, Helping Upper Floors Better Manage Incoming Patients
Administrators at a Wisconsin hospital created a separate unit where ED patients destined for admission could be placed while waiting for an inpatient bed upstairs. The new unit is staffed by float pool nurses who initiate care while the patients are waiting and help ensure they are directed to the right unit and the right level of care.
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Beware of Risks Regarding Medication Noncompliance
The key lies in ensuring the discharge plan is complete, understandable, and achievable.
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Plaintiff Attorney May Decline to Pursue Claim if Patient Was Noncompliant
If a patient does not follow discharge instructions, and a bad outcome happens, the patient or family may decide to sue the emergency care provider. However, it may be difficult finding a lawyer to take the case.
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Lawsuits Allege Delays, Failure to Treat with Mechanical Thrombectomy
Malpractice claims involving intravenous thrombolytic therapy to treat acute ischemic stroke patients are more likely to allege failure to treat than to allege complications related to therapy. A group of researchers wanted to know if the same was true regarding mechanical thrombectomy.