The Joint Commission, the accrediting agency for most US healthcare facilities, is continuing to consolidate its standards. In late 2022, the Joint Commission announced the elimination of roughly 14 percent of its standards to consolidate and reformulate processes in a way that is more helpful to healthcare providers across the country.  In July of this … Continued

Updated recommendations for treating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in acute-care hospitals have been released. MRSA is a dangerous form of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (or Staph) which is commonly found on the skin.  MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant form of the bacteria that is found in both community and in healthcare settings.  Community-associated (CA-MRSA) MRSA is … Continued

Diagnostic error is common and dangerous.  Recent studies look at diagnosis in the Emergency Department (ED), and what factors can influence misdiagnosis. According to a recent statement from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), overall accuracy of diagnosis is fairly high in the US.  Responding to criticism of a recent agency study, AHRQ … Continued

Accurate Emergency Department (ED) diagnosis can literally be a matter of life and death. Initial research explored the use of ChatGPT in emergency treatment settings. Chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) continues to be tried and tested in settings and for services throughout industry.  In healthcare, as we have discussed, the technology is making steps in … Continued

A new report to the White House from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) underscores the urgent need for patient safety and a reduction in the adverse events that injure and kill patients each year. The report urges the administration to create leadership around patient safety in the US. The report … Continued

A recent study underscores the danger to pediatric patients from a missed diagnosis. Accurate and timely diagnosis is a priority in any area of healthcare.  For the youngest patients, a missed or inaccurate diagnosis can lead to worsening symptoms, needless complications, lengthened treatment or hospitalization—and the possibility of an outcome of disability or death.  While … Continued

Electronic medical records (EMRs) could be a hazard to your health. In 2009, then-President Bush mandated the use of electronic medical records through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).  The aim was to incentivize the healthcare industry to digitize medical records within a decade.  The goals of adoption of EMRs … Continued

Research points to eight relatively simple habits that could add decades to your life depending on when you adopt them. As the saying goes “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”  With the expense and error associated with some medical care—incorporating healthy habits may increase your lifespan—and your quality of life. New research gleaned … Continued

Recent research underscores the use of a drug that helps the blood clot in women who suffer post-partum hemorrhage. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug, that is, a drug that helps blood clot during episodes of bleeding.  During and after childbirth, episodes of bleeding called post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) can occur which are dangerous—and sometimes … Continued

The debate continues about how to reduce the dangers of preterm birth.  A new study suggests an injection of magnesium sulfate to mothers at risk of preterm birth may help reduce risk of cerebral palsy. Does it work? A birth prior to 37 weeks is considered “preterm.” Along with maternal and child morbidity, the US … Continued