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Comments recorded on cell phone — Patient says staff was mocking him

A patient who underwent a colonoscopy says he inadvertently left his phone recording during the procedure after he taped postoperative instructions. He reported hearing staff making many inappropriate comments and filed suit.

Implement protocol for `sterile OR’

Surgical teams have seen successful reductions in distractions and improved workflow after implementing a `sterile cockpit protocol during critical phases of operations, says Michelle Feil, MSN, RN, senior patient safety analyst at the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

TeamSTEPPS offers help with distractions

The TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) program offers two steps to prevent and handle OR distractions, says Michelle Feil, MSN, RN, senior patient safety analyst at the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Huddles getting popular, but use them correctly

Huddles are used by many providers to improve safety, but there are few guides for how to conduct them. A specific format will improve the results of the huddle.

Reprocessing included in top 10 patient safety list

In 2013, letters were sent to more than 450 patients who had received colonoscopies at an Atlanta surgery center since 2011 warning them that they might be at risk for several diseases because staff werent soaking the instruments in high-level disinfectant.

Tool helps predict respiratory failure

A new prediction tool can help doctors better identify patients who are at highest risk for respiratory failure after surgery and therefore prevent the often deadly condition, suggest data from a large multi-center study published in the May issue of Anesthesiology.

Protect yourself and your patients

I have always been fearful of making a big mistake that is going to cause pain or injury to others. Ive had nightmares about it. As a nurse, a CRNA, and a consultant in the wonderful world of healthcare, my fear is probably not pathologically paranoid, but perhaps it is just a healthy fear of screwing up something that will hurt others.

Claims allege failure to monitor surgical patients

Common allegations in malpractice claims involving surgical patients are failure to obtain a proper medical history, failure to perform a preoperative examination, and failure to monitor patients postoperatively.

Want better outcomes? Establish culture of safety

Would you like to have better care, teamwork, communication, workflow, and staff/ patient satisfaction, along with fewer frustrations? These outcomes can be achieved with a culture of safety, says Ann Shimek, MSN, RN, CASC, senior vice president, clinical operations at United Surgical Partners International in Addison TX.

Study says ASCs more efficient setting

Ambulatory centers perform surgery more efficiently than hospitals and could offer a viable way for the nation keep to pace with a growing demand for outpatient procedures, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.

Requirement removed for radiologist on staff

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has removed the provision in the Conditions for Coverage (CfCs) requiring ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) to have a radiologist on the medical staff, according to the ASC Association (ASCA). CMS estimates that the change will save ASCs $41 million annually.

First week after surgery, need for acute care grows

You probably know that among ambulatory surgery center (ASC) patients, its rare for patients to need to be transferred to a hospital at the time of discharge. However, you might not know that in the first week afterward, the need for hospital-based acute care is nearly 30-fold greater, according to recently published research.

Same-Day Surgery – July 1, 2014

July 1, 2014