#patient safety

[heardatmedschool]

“NEVER make a decision based on an EKG that doesn’t have name, date and hour.”

Y’know, for safety reasons.

[wat3rm370n]

Public comment to CDC HICPAC committee November 2024

Infection control in healthcare.

My public comment to the CDC HICPAC Committee.

Direct link to my comment in the stream.

Direct link to the start of the whole comment period.

Day 2 of the meeting link, with another session of public comments then the vote.

I’m Chloe Humbert. Semmelweis is known for his campaign for hand washing standards. He was attacked by contrarians until his death. Today he is vindicated yet respiratory hygiene is the science denier flavour of the day.  It’s not okay that doctors and nurses are maskless and breathing directly on patients who then get infected. Now is the chance for those in positions to do so to set a precedent for deserved protection of worker and patient safety. To be on record giving evidence based practitioners something to hang onto.  We are going back.   The only question is how far back people in medical leadership are willing to sign onto. The announced incoming department of defense secretary is someone who said on national tv that he doesn’t wash his hands. We know what can happen because of what has happened before.  In the 1850s Florence Nightingale went to the Crimean War - a hospital in Constantinople. That's Istanbul now, and that situation was no Turkish delight on a moonlit night. She arrived at a British military base ATOP a cesspool where patients lay in their own feces among rodents and more soldiers died from infectious diseases than injuries in battle. Under Nightingale the place was scrubbed and she reduced the facility’s death rate by two thirds. We might go back further.  The Dark Ages was called that because society moved backwards from the technological advances that had come before. The fall of the Roman Eempire was marked by elites who only cared about the status quo; they could’ve developed a steam engine as far back as Heron in 15 BC but didn’t bother.  Going forward is a choice.  In an article in the Journal of Infectious Diseases & Preventive Medicine there’s a description of what happened back then. “In medieval times, hospitals were hazardous places, Epidemic infections killed large numbers of hospital patients during this period. Hospital infection and death rates were high. When a sick person entered a hospital, his or her property was disposed of, and in some regions, a requiem mass was held, as if he or she had already died.” Going backward is a choice.  We know better now. We use surgical gloves, autoclaves, disinfectants, checklists and yes, respirator masks exist. But big healthcare corporations don't wanna pay for that, they lock up PPE, force nurses to work without sick leave at hospitals, and make patients beg for reasonable accommodation.  Going forward is a choice.  Let this not be a case of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. But a time when serious healthcare professional leadership takes a stand for sanitary conditions in healthcare, and makes respirator masks and the precautionary principle the standard of care instead doing with masks what would be like calculating whether you should wash your hands after the toilet based on age or health status.

[breads-voice]

Unless you have been the sole nurse on a unit (whilst your one colleague is on break) finding a patient with no heart beat, call the crash team and initiate a CPR/resus attempt alone: you do not get to say the NHS has enough nurses.

At the moment, this is a scenario most NHS nurses worry about whilst going to work every day.

For each extra patient a nurse has outside the safe ratio of care, mortality for those patients raises 7%.

Steve Barclay, the Health Secretary’s, solution is that nurses should work harder. We’re already doing the work of 4 nurses, 2 assistants, the cleaner and cook. We are already exhausted.

Patients do not deserve to be treated by exhausted nurses.

Nurses deserve to be able to treat their patients whilst not compromising on self care.

[alwaysbewoke]

[olderandweirder]

My wife’s nurse manager said that it was important that they stop talking about “maximum staffing ratios” because it’s “unrealistic” to assume that hospitals can provide safe staffing ratios. The same nurse manager said that the nursing unit was “unproductive.”

This is a barefaced lie. Hospitals can easily provide good ratios and good work environments if they choose to do it.

Furthermore — is nursing supposed to be “productive?” It’s a human service, not an assembly line. The real irony here is that a nurse manager, the proximal end of a line of completely unproductive middle managers, seems to think that the problem is bedside nurses, not the ecosystem of useless sycophants that defines the chain of command in the average American hospital.

American Healthcare is unbelievably broken.

[ensurembs]

Shattered Chains: Breaking the Silence on Patient Rights and the Liberation of HIPAA Statements

HIPPA Compliance is a culture that that mandatory for healthcare organizations to implement in business to protect the patient rights, security, privacy, and integrity of protected health information. It is a culture that requires the full participation of staff members and staff commitment to ensure the safety of patients. So, it takes abatement measures to encounter the need for more teamwork, patient-centered focus, and positive communication between healthcare providers and patients. HIPAA is essential for healthcare organizations to avoid legal and financial penalties. “Breaking the Silence on Patient Rights and the Liberation of HIPAA Statements” is a phrase or concept that links with patients’ rights and interpretation of protected information under The health insurance portability and accountability act. The article highlights the information related to it that may help. Read More…

For further details and daily updates, Follow us on LinkedIn or Visit.

[next-crisis]

Also, this applies in the US, but not in most other anglophone countries.

If you need this sort of help after treatment in a UK NHS hospital, PALS are the department to speak to (there's usually an office of theirs within each hospital). If you have problems with a GP surgery or dental practice, the first line of inquiry there should be the practice manager.

I can't speak to racial and ethnic marginalisation specifically, being marginalised in other ways, but in general PALS are much less hostile than if you go straight to a given doctor with whom you have problems.

(Edit: As with many things, the NHS is still a postcode lottery. PALS works well in most regions, but not all, so taking a third-party peer advocate along with you is still a good idea, if you can.)

I don't know how it'll work for any further countries, can people please add to this?

i think a LOT of you with chronic conditions should learn this one magical phrase to get your hospital doctor to shit his entire pants, which is leaving the room and saying "im going to go discuss your behavior with the ethics committee, i think you might need a reminder of what your job is"

[affordableseniorcarellc]

Caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or dementia requires thoughtful planning to ensure a safe and comfortable home environment. When considering essential safety measures, follow these practical tips to make daily living safer for everyone.

[aghealth]

Proper medication management is essential for seniors, particularly those with chronic conditions or multiple prescriptions. At AG Healthcare, Inc., we understand the complexities and importance of this task. Our home care agency in Takoma Park, Maryland offers skilled nursing assistance to ensure that patients adhere to their medication regimens effectively and safely.

[heardatmedschool]

“I’ll be going to the bathroom to cry for a bit.”

OR nurse after the scrub tech opened the third (3rd!) contaminated osteosynthesis box of the morning.

[rebeccananorpersonalcarehome]

Transitioning a loved one to a personal care home can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can become a positive experience. Here are essential steps to prepare your loved one for this change.

[prideandliving]

Family gatherings bring joy and togetherness, but they also present specific safety challenges, especially for seniors. Creating a safe and comfortable environment is essential for seniors to enjoy this season. Here’s how to make sure they stay safe, comfortable, and engaged throughout the gathering:

[advancedhealthcareinstitute]

In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, effective medication management is essential for patient safety and quality care. Our healthcare training program in Tamarac, Florida, equips aspiring medication technicians with the necessary skills to excel in this critical role.

[1-800medivan]

Public spaces play a vital role in creating an inclusive society, yet many remain difficult to access for individuals who use wheelchairs. Improving accessibility ensures that everyone can navigate these environments safely and comfortably.

[aramokomedicalllc]

Keeping up with preventative care is essential for maintaining long-term health, and telehealth makes it more accessible than ever. Through virtual appointments, patients can connect with healthcare providers from a trusted medical clinic in Oxon Hill, Maryland, making routine health checks and screenings simple and stress-free.

[bewell-pharmacy]

When it comes to managing health, having access to quality medical inventory is essential. Poor-quality products can compromise safety and effectiveness, making it vital to prioritize high standards in what you use. In a pharmacy in Stockton, California, customers should trust that the medical goods they purchase are reliable and safe. Quality products help ensure that treatments work as intended, leading to better health outcomes for individuals and communities.