Healthcare facilities aim to provide high-quality care to patients in an environment that is safe for workers. One of the ways facilities can ensure their staff’s safety is through a comprehensive sharps injury prevention program.
Effective July 1, 2024, The Joint Commission (TJC) approved new and revised requirements for the Infection Prevention and Control (IC) chapter for hospitals and critical access hospitals. The chapter underwent a full rewrite, focusing on the structures that support quality and safety. It will...
A while back (I can’t really say how long ago, but certainly before COVID), there was a fair amount of survey focus on environmental considerations for performing bronchoscopy procedures. In general, the expectation was that routine bronchs would be done under negative pressure and if you had to...
Healthcare facilities aim to provide high-quality care to patients in an environment that is safe for workers. One of the ways facilities can ensure their staff’s safety is through a comprehensive sharps injury prevention program.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still fresh in people’s minds, the CDC released updated recommendations for respiratory virus protection on March 1. The guidance recommends vaccinations, hygiene, and good air quality to help prevent respiratory viruses. It also tells readers when a sick person can...
In Part 2 of this interview with Rosie Bartel and Linda McKinley, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, they talk about the positive changes they have seen in healthcare-acquired infections when you get patients involved in the process.
Review and update hospital policies and procedures now that The Joint Commission (TJC) has overhauled and even pared down its Infection Prevention and Control (IC) chapter—with one notable new requirement.
Recently, the good folks at ECRI revealed their report on the Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns for 2024. I don’t know that anyone would be surprised at what made the list, though I am surprised that one consideration did not show up (more on that in a moment).
Over time, I’ve spoken a fair amount about the work of Matt Freje and the folks at HCInfo in improving the approaches to the management of risks associated with water systems. They’ve been leading the charge in this area for as long as I can remember, and they...
The lab manager reported to me that an employee had a body fluid splash to the mouth, and the manager and the employee both wanted to know if it should be reported. At this point, the story breaks down into two pathways of discussion, one about lab exposures and one about the safety culture....
