May/June 2022 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control
ON THE COVER
The exodus of young nurses
The U.S. nursing workforce fell by more than 100,000 in 2021, primarily driven by nurses under age 35 leaving hospital-based jobs, according to an analysis published April 13 in Health Affairs.
10 executives on quality improvement measures deserving more attention
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused quality leaders to seek innovative solutions to not only maintain but reinvigorate quality efforts, with renewed attention on maintaining measures as hospitalizations have dwindled since the omicron surge.
The value of wearing a mask when others don't
A federal judge's rejection of the nation's mask mandate for travelers taking public transportation set off a flurry of responses.
Dr. Vineet Arora: Female physicians are not immune to the 'she-cession'
Women, including female physicians, were hit hard during the pandemic, as they juggled their careers and a plethora of caregiving responsibilities, according to Vinnet Arora, MD, speaking on a March 21 American Medical Association podcast.
Where are the 22 Leapfrog straight-'A' hospitals?
The Leapfrog Group released its spring 2022 Hospital Safety Grades on May 10, assigning "A" through "F" letter grades to nearly 3,000 general acute care hospitals in the U.S. for patient safety performance.
Top 5 most challenging requirements in 2021: Joint Commission
Reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections was the most challenging compliance standard for hospitals in 2021, according to The Joint Commission.
Is it time for more nurse CEOs?
With nearly one-third of registered nurses considering leaving their current roles amid historic workforce shortages, healthcare executives nationwide are scrambling to better understand and meet nurses' needs. This task may come easier for hospital and health system CEOs with hands-on nursing experience, but so-called "nurse CEOs" are few and far between.
A 5-letter fix for medication errors
RaDonda Vaught's conviction for a fatal medication error is drawing newfound attention to the technological vulnerabilities of electronic medication cabinets, Kaiser Health News reported April 29.
The top-rated hospitals for patient experience, state by state: 2022
Becker's has compiled a list of the best hospitals for patient experience in each state using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores from CMS.
Unclear link between physician burnout, care quality: Study
A study involving physician surveys and Medicare claims data found no consistent relationship between burnout and patient outcomes, according to findings published in the April edition of Health Affairs.
Cedars-Sinai's new division is trailblazing AI to improve patient care
Cedars-Sinai is working to fill in the gaps in mechanisms, diagnostics, risk assessment and therapeutics of major human disease conditions using artificial intelligence.
Rudeness: A care quality issue
For many people, rude behavior is no more than an unwelcome nuisance. But for those in healthcare, the consequences can be far more detrimental.
What made baby-boomer nurses work through the pandemic?
From novices to seasoned experts, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all nurses in different ways. Facing a time of unprecedented turbulence in their careers, some baby-boomer nurses took the opportunity to retire early.
Nurse practitioner average annual wage in 50 states
Nurse practitioners in the U.S. make an average of $118,040 annually, according to the latest data released March 31 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
INFECTION CONTROL
The value of wearing a mask when others don't
A federal judge's rejection of the nation's mask mandate for travelers taking public transportation set off a flurry of responses.
Aerosolized hydrogen peroxide cuts C. diff infection risk
Adding aerosolized hydrogen peroxide to infection prevention protocols reduces the risk of Clostridioides difficile infections in healthcare settings, according to a study published March 17 in the American Journal of Infection Control.
Michigan reports US' 1st known COVID-19 'spillover' cases
Health officials believe four Michigan residents infected with a coronavirus strain linked to minks are the first known animal to-human COVID-19 cases in the U.S., the Detroit Free Press reported April 17.
CDC mask guidelines spur confusion among hospitals
Healthcare facilities nationwide are grappling with conflicting CDC guidelines on masking amid the pandemic, resulting in a patchwork of policies and practices, Politico reported April 5.
Routine vaccinations dipped amid COVID-19, CDC finds
Routine childhood vaccinations fell nationwide amid the pandemic and are below target levels, the CDC reported April 22.
PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES
Inflammation, not coronavirus, may be behind loss of smell: Johns Hopkins
Loss of smell from COVID-19 may be a consequence of inflammation caused by the infection, versus a direct outcome from the virus itself, according to a study published April 11 in JAMA Neurology.
3 in 5 Americans worry for the safety of loved ones in hospitals, survey says
Almost 60 percent of Americans are concerned for the safety and security of their loved ones in hospitals, afraid of the harm someone else may inflict upon them, according to a March 7 report from Global Healthcare Exchange, a healthcare automation company.
Why 'park prescriptions' are gaining popularity
Physicians are increasingly prescribing a free, effective therapy for patients with various conditions: more time in nature, Time reported April 27.
Kaiser, Prime Healthcare receive Eisenberg patient safety, quality awards
The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum selected Prime Healthcare Services and Kaiser Permanente Northern California as recipients of their John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards in two categories.
How Jefferson Health is treating loss of smell from COVID-19
Once a month at Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, some COVID-19 patients who have lost their sense of smell have their plasma extracted and inserted high up in their nose using a sponge, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported April 4.
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
6 patient experience leaders share their 2022 goals
From reviving the human experience for patients and care teams to increasing digital access, hospitals and health systems around the U.S. are continuing to elevate patient experience initiatives heading into the new year.
1 in 4 older adults of color report discrimination in US healthcare, study finds
Older Americans are experiencing racial and ethnic discrimination that is taking a toll on their health, according to an analysis released April 21 by the Commonwealth Fund.
Teens' mental health suffered amid COVID-19, CDC warns
New CDC data shows teenagers' mental health took a significant hit during the pandemic, with 44 percent reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness in the past year.
How many physicians have exited Mission since HCA took over? Watchdog says 200+
Asheville Watchdog says at least 223 physicians have exited Mission Health since HCA Healthcare took over the health system in 2019. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare has declined to say how many physicians have left.
The top-rated hospitals for patient experience, state by state: 2022
Becker's has compiled a list of the best hospitals for patient experience in each state using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems scores from CMS.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT
Biden's plan for long COVID-19: 4 notes
President Joe Biden on April 5 issued a memorandum directing HHS to coordinate a governmentwide plan to address long COVID-19, estimated to affect 7 million to 23 million Americans.
Unclear link between physician burnout, care quality: Study
A study involving physician surveys and Medicare claims data found no consistent relationship between burnout and patient outcomes, according to findings published in the April edition of Health Affairs.
Health systems that gave the most, least charity care compared to their tax exemptions: Lown Institute
Health systems across the U.S. made Lown Institute's new rankings lists for organizations where charity care and community investment spending was less or more than the value of their tax exemption.
Vanderbilt developing cloud-based tool to track health equity programs
Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center announced plans to develop a cloud-based tool to track community-based activities that help address health inequities.
US states ranked by suicide rate
Wyoming has the highest rate of suicides among U.S. states, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
NURSING SPOTLIGHT
What made baby-boomer nurses work through the pandemic?
From novices to seasoned experts, the COVID-19 pandemic challenged all nurses in different ways. Facing a time of unprecedented turbulence in their careers, some baby-boomer nurses took the opportunity to retire early.
Number of nurse practitioners licensed in US hits new record
More than 355,000 nurse practitioners are licensed to practice in the U.S., up 9 percent from the estimated 325,000 reported in May 2021, according to an estimate the American Association of Nurse Practitioners released April 7.
More nurses plan to leave jobs than other clinicians, KLAS survey finds
Compared to other clinicians, nurses are the most likely to have plans to leave their organization in the next year, according to a KLAS report.
10 best nursing schools for master's and DNPs, as ranked by US News
Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins University has the No. 1 nursing school for a master's degree and a doctor of nursing practice degree, according to U.S. News and World Report's list of best nursing schools for 2023, released March 29.
Why nearly 750 Minnesota nurses left bedside care positions
Nearly 750 surveyed nurses in Minnesota have identified poor hospital management and chronic short staffing as the top issues causing them to leave bedside care positions, according to a report released March 31 by the Minnesota Nurses Association.