ED Management – March 1, 2011
March 1, 2011
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What is the best weapon against MRSA? You might be surprised
According to a recent study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine, thorough hand washing might be the most cost-effective way to reduce the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the ED. -
Smartphone app speeds registration
More and more, it seems, EDs are harnessing the power of the digital world to make their operations more efficient and to enhance patient services. -
Radiation detector passes big test
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh has successfully tested the Emergency Department Notification System (EDNS) by Waltham, MA-based Thermo Fisher Scientific, which a member of the ED staff describes as "novel technology" for radiation detection. -
'Pull to full' speeds up flow
It's always an honor to win an excellence award, but the EDs in the Carolinas Healthcare System that recently were recognized for service excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Distinguished Hospital Program also can point to specific areas in which they stood out. J.D. Power says it bases the award on five drivers: speed and efficiency; dignity and respect; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support. -
Special unit not a 'drunk tank'
Like many EDs, the one at Norwalk (CT) Hospital has an isolated room to the rear of the department where intoxicated people are brought to sober up. But don't you dare call it a "drunk tank." -
Use interventions, curb unnecessary imaging
While experts might differ regarding the extent of risk posed by radiation exposure from computed tomography (CT) scans and other imaging procedures, there is broad consensus that this risk should be minimized, especially in young patients.