NPSF in the News
Medical Dealer, September 1, 2011
Putting Patient Safety First
Despite detailed guidelines and recommendations by the Joint Commission, CDC and the WHO, patient safety risks during surgery have not significantly diminished in the last few years. The chief OR nurse can be an excellent advocate for patient safety, however a team effort is needed for conditions to improve considerably. More…
Hospitals & Health Systems, September 2011
‘This is About Changing the Way We Lead’
Gary Kaplan, MD, has a clear vision of what it takes to make dramatic improvements in the quality and safety of patient care. It’s about creating a culture that thrives on transparency and continuous improvement. And that culture change, he says, has to start at the top. More…
Hospitals & Health Networks, August 16, 2011
How to Fundamentally Improve Performance (Without Harming Patients)
Clinical competency requires lots of practice. Learning on a live patient however, is not without its risks. For that reason, many hospitals and schools are beginning to use medical simulation as an advanced training tool, finding that it offers many opportunities for learning without compromising the quality of patient care. More…
Chicago Tribune, LA Times, July 8, 2011
Hey, Doc, Are You Listening?
Effective medical care depends on more than just the competency of the staff. For patients to be at their healthiest—and safest—good communication with providers is key. More…
ADVANCE for Nurses, June 30, 2011
The Work of Patient Safety
One of the greatest achievements of the patient safety movement has been establishing patient safety and healthcare quality as a legitimate discipline within healthcare and related fields. In order to help healthcare professionals achieve recognition in this field and remain knowledgeable about patient safety issues, NPSF established the American Society of Professionals in Patient Safety. Diane Pinakiewicz, president of NPSF, explains the mission and work of ASPPS. More…
Hospitals & Health Systems, June 7, 2011
Three Questions Hospital Staff Should Ask the CEO
Many hospital staffers, in both clinical and nonclinical roles, feel overworked and undervalued. Leaders need to encourage their employees to speak up about both disruptive behavior and new ideas. More…
Hospitals & Health Networks, May 31, 2011
Truth Telling: Can Your Hospital Handle it?
It is clear that hospitals are under more pressure than ever to provide the public with transparency. What’s not clear is what form this transparency will take, and if hospitals will be able to handle disclosing information that is potentially unflattering without losing the trust of patients and their families. More…
AP, May 29, 2011
VA infection issue leads to 113,000 veterans’ tests
Despite clear protocols for hand washing and equipment sterilization, the biggest obstacle to prevention of hospital-acquired infections is noncompliance with infection-control procedures. More…
Hospitals & Health Networks
‘The Vise is Tightening’ On Patient Safety
Large-scale change in the realm of patient safety is not coming as quickly as hoped. Some feel that many safety errors are not preventable, but Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital shows that drastic, measurable change is possible. More…
WebMD, May 27, 2011
Drug Labeling Overload
A new study reports that prescription drugs list an average of 70 possible side effects. Labeling regulations aim to protect consumers and help them make informed choices, but is extensive labeling doing more harm than good? More…
Hospitals & Health Networks, May 26, 2011
Leadership that Will Not Blink
Disruptive personnel are more than just a nuisance to their coworkers. Employees who ignore guidelines or are disrespectful to staff and patients can be dangerous, increasing the risk of medical errors and malpractice claims. Coworkers can help enforce codes of conduct, but it takes leadership at all levels to promote a culture of respect. More…
CNN.com, April 28, 2011
Patients, beware of wrong-side surgeries
Wrong-site surgeries are a frightening and too frequent occurrence. Hospital protocols can reduce the risk, but there are things patients can do to minimize it even further and catch mistakes made by others. More…
American Medical News, April 25, 2011
$1 billion patient safety effort relies on physician outreach
The AMA and others in organized medicine have joined the HHS Partnership for Patients, which focuses on reducing hospital-acquired illnesses and readmissions. More…
Philadelphia Enquirer, April 25, 2011
Taking on Medical Mistakes
The Partnership for Patients program seeks to unify the efforts of health care providers, the government and consumers in order to further the patient safety mission. More…
Los Angeles Times, April 18, 2011
Doctors could learn something about medical handoffs from the Navy
Medical handoffs—a change of care from one doctor to another—create a high potential for miscommunication and error which can be harmful, even deadly. For techniques to improve these handoffs and keep patients safer, physicians may have to look outside of the healthcare field. More…
WebMD, April 7, 2011
Hospital Errors May Be More Common Than Thought
A new study suggests that as many as 1 in 3 patients experience a medical error during a visit. Regardless of the exact numbers, patients should insist on a few things in order to keep themselves safe. More…
Hospitals & Health Systems, March 28, 2011
Improving Communication in the OR
In this video Scott Ellner, Director of Surgical Quality for Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, discusses his project to improve OR communication. More…
New York Times, January 25, 2011
As Doctors Age, Worries About Their Ability Grow
A fifth of the nation’s physicians are over 65, and that proportion is expected to rise. Many doctors retain their skills and sharpness of mind into their 70s and beyond. But physicians are hardly immune to dementia, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other ills of aging. And some experts warn that there are too few safeguards to protect patients against those who should no longer be practicing. More…
Hospitals & Health Systems, November 2008
The Nurse and Patient Safety
As the primary caregivers in hospitals, nurses are best positioned to improve quality and patient safety. However, they are often pulled away from the bedside to conduct tasks that have nothing to do with actually taking care of patients. More…
