September/October 2021 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control
ON THE COVER
Physician lives at Tennessee hospital to be available around the clock
Big South Fork Medical Center in Oneida, Tenn., is one of dozens of rural hospitals across the country struggling to keep its doors open.
6 notes on long COVID-19 in children
While many studies have focused on the prevalence of long COVID-19 among adults, with estimates indicating between 10 percent and 30 percent of COVID-19 patients affected by lingering symptoms, not as much research has focused on how it affects children who have had the virus.
When a nursing shortage and COVID-19 collide: How 4 CNOs are responding
Ask any nursing leader about their greatest challenge and they'll likely point to staffing. If hospitals weren't already feeling the effects of a severe nursing shortage, a nationwide rise in hospitalizations fueled by the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant has made the effects of it unmistakable.
New OSHA standard puts healthcare on same page, 'makes our staff safer,' Stanford, Geisinger say
During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. hospitals and health systems have focused on protocols to keep workers safe. Now, new federal COVID-19 workplace safety rules have set a protection standard industrywide.
How Henry Ford Health System is handling pushback on vaccine mandate
As more hospitals and health systems make COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for employees, they are addressing concerns from unvaccinated workers, while navigating the pandemic's trajectory and a delta variant that is spreading. Here, Bob Riney, president of healthcare operations and COO of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System, discusses how the system is approaching its mandate and offers advice to peers related to enforcement.
Nurse practitioners most recruited providers for first time in 28 years, report finds
Nurse practitioners have replaced physicians at the top of Merritt Hawkins' list of most recruited providers.
Don't let the term 'elective' fool you, physicians urge the public
As a growing number of hospitals pressed for resources due to the COVID-19 surge suspend elective surgeries, some healthcare professionals want the public to know exactly how important an "elective" procedure can be.
Heal first, then vaccinate: How 9 systems are connecting COVID-19 survivors with the vaccine
Anecdotal reports from physicians on the front lines of the latest COVID-19 surge suggest disbelief, shame and fear are common emotions among many unvaccinated patients who contract the virus and need to be hospitalized.
HHS slates $103M to address healthcare workers' mental well-being
Healthcare organizations have until Aug. 30 to apply for American Rescue Plan funding intended to reduce burnout and promote mental health among healthcare workers, HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration said July 16.
3 areas where hospitals can improve patient experience: Leapfrog
Many adult patients may not fully understand their care plans after they are discharged from the hospital, according to The Leapfrog Group's Patient Experience Report released July 8.
7 stats on physician burnout amid COVID-19
Sixty-one percent of physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2021, up from 40 percent in 2018, according to a small survey the Physicians Foundation released Aug. 4.
The No. 1 hospital in each state for 2021-22
U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2021-22 rankings for the top hospitals in the U.S.
Most nurses vaccinated, support mandates: 8 ANA survey findings
About 88 percent of surveyed U.S. nurses are vaccinated against COVID-19, or plan to be vaccinated, according to survey findings from the American Nurses Association published Aug. 18.
37 states where nurses can earn a multistate license
Thirty-seven states have joined the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows registered nurses and licensed practical/vocational nurses to practice in person or via telehealth in all participating states under one multistate license.
INFECTION CONTROL
Arizona man diagnosed with the plague after 1 month of symptoms, CDC report finds
A 67-year-old man experiencing symptoms for one month was later diagnosed with septicemic plague, according to the CDC's Aug. 6 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report.
Michigan warns clinicians of 569% jump in Legionnaires' cases
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging healthcare providers in the state to remain vigilant amid a significant spike in Legionnaires' cases this summer.
Georgia hospital deploys UV light disinfection robots
Elbert Memorial Hospital has tapped two sanitizing robots to help disinfect its facilities, the organization said Aug. 17.
Visiting physician's office after a flu patient raises risk of catching it, study finds
Patients who had an appointment at their physician's office after a flu patient had visited the same practice were 31.8 percent more likely to catch the illness than unexposed patients, according to research published in the August edition of Health Affairs.
OSHA cites 2 New Jersey providers over mask protocols
Two providers in New Jersey were cited by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an investigation determined they didn't ensure nurses safely used respirators while administering flu shots and COVID-19 tests.
PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES
CDC examines adverse reactions to J&J shot: 7 things to know
The CDC published new findings about individuals who reported adverse reactions after receiving Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine.
Don't let the term 'elective' fool you, physicians urge the public
As a growing number of hospitals pressed for resources due to the COVID-19 surge suspend elective surgeries, some healthcare professionals want the public to know exactly how important an "elective" procedure can be.
Thousands of patients received heart pump with known safety issues, ProPublica finds
A heart pump with a history of manufacturing and quality issues was implanted into thousands of patients even after the FDA was aware the device did not meet federal standards, according to an investigative report ProPublica published Aug. 5.
COVID-19 vaccine not tied to miscarriage, updated CDC guidance says
CDC released new data Aug. 11 regarding the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant people and is recommending all people 12 and older get the COVID-19 vaccine.
6 notes on long COVID-19 in children
While many studies have focused on the prevalence of long COVID-19 among adults, with estimates indicating between 10 percent and 30 percent of COVID-19 patients affected by lingering symptoms, not as much research has focused on how it affects children who have had the virus.
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
Larger share of LGBT patients report negative provider experience than non-LGBT people, survey finds
More than one-third of LGBT patients said they had a negative provider experience in the last two years, compared to 22 percent of non-LGBT people, according to recent survey findings from Kaiser Family Foundation.
Louisiana offers child care help for hospital workers amid staffing shortages
Louisiana public health and education officials are opening a child care assistance program for critical hospital workers in response to staffing shortages during the COVID-19 surge, the officials said Aug. 16.
HHS slates $103M to address healthcare workers' mental well-being
Healthcare organizations have until Aug. 30 to apply for American Rescue Plan funding intended to reduce burnout and promote mental health among healthcare workers, HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration said July 16.
3 areas where hospitals can improve patient experience: Leapfrog
Many adult patients may not fully understand their care plans after they are discharged from the hospital, according to The Leapfrog Group's Patient Experience Report released July 8.
Employee badges to identify vaccination status a hit, Wisconsin health system says
About 8,000 Marshfield (Wis.) Clinic Health System employees have requested black ID badge reels to indicate they are fully vaccinated, the health system told Becker's Aug. 11.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT
Cleveland's University Hospitals changes organ transplant protocol after kidney mix-up
University Hospitals in Cleveland is strengthening its organ transplant procedures after a patient received a kidney meant for another patient, Cleveland.com reports.
Yale New Haven wins quality award from American Hospital Association
Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health is the 2021 recipient of the American Hospital Association's Quest for Quality Prize, the association said July 26.
Memorial Health develops online tool to assess health equity for hospitals: 4 things to know
Springfield, Ill.-based Memorial Health System is launching an assessment tool to gauge race- and income-based health disparities for hospitals, according to The State Journal-Register.
The No. 1 hospital in each state for 2021-22
U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2021-22 rankings for the top hospitals in the U.S.
American College of Surgeons launches surgical quality program for hospitals
The American College of Surgeons has created a standardized method to measure and improve surgical quality in hospitals, the organization said July 12.
NURSING SPOTLIGHT
State of the nursing shortage: 7 notes
Perhaps more than any other point in the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across the U.S. are feeling the effects of a severe nursing shortage. At the same time, hospitalizations are rising, with some states including Florida and Louisiana recording their highest numbers of COVID-19 hospitalizations yet.
Most nurses vaccinated, support mandates: 8 ANA survey findings
About 88 percent of surveyed U.S. nurses are vaccinated against COVID-19, or plan to be vaccinated, according to survey findings from the American Nurses Association published Aug. 18.
Delaware grants full practice authority for APRNs
Delaware Gov. John Carney signed a bill into law Aug. 4 granting full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses in the state.
Nurse practitioners most recruited providers for first time in 28 years, report finds
Nurse practitioners have replaced physicians at the top of Merritt Hawkins' list of most recruited providers.
American Society of Anesthesiologists condemns AANA name change
A new name debuted by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is confusing for patients, creates discord in the healthcare setting and amounts to medical title misappropriation, the American Society of Anesthesiologists said Aug. 14.