Patient Safety Monitor Journal, October 2017

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How to prevent maternal mortality

Maternal mortality is a measure of how many mothers die from pregnancy-related complications while carrying or within 42 days after birth. And in most of the developed world, this number has fallen to historic lows. But not in the U.S., where the maternal mortality rate (MMR) has grown 2.7% between 2000 and 2015. Annually, there are 700–900 maternity deaths, 60% of which are preventable. An additional 65,000 people nearly die due to pregnancy complications.

How to spot suicide and ligature risks in your facility

The handles on the box springs of patient beds in residential areas. The caulking along the wall of otherwise-solid grab bars in showers. Any loops that might hold mattresses onto a bed frame. All of those and more have been cited as potential ligature risks by The Joint Commission and CMS surveyors in the last few months as they have stepped up inspections in the physical environment for suicide hazards in hospitals.

Service animals in the ER

Balancing the need to keep medical settings safe and clean against the rights of patients with disabilities to bring service animals with them isn’t always easy. Applying the law correctly and consistently requires a significant amount of pre-work and communication, both within the organization and with the public.

Study says hospital room floors may need more attention in infection control

A study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) found that hospital room floors may be an overlooked source of infection.

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