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Emergency Preparedness
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Emergency Preparedness Planning: Key Considerations for the Healthcare Supply Chain
Preparedness can reduce the impact of adverse events on the healthcare supply chain. Planning can also improve efficiency and help first responders address challenges.
3/2007
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Infection Control Issues
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Facemasks & Hand Sanitizers: CDC Updates H1N1 Flu Guidance
New guidance from the CDC outlines steps healthcare facilities can take to utilize hand hygiene products and personal protective equipment such as sanitizers and masks to improve infection control during the H1N1 influenza pandemic.
11/09
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Seasonal Flu Administration Reimbursement Rate Increases in 2009
Each year 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with seasonal influenza, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Flu vaccination can prevent or mitigate the illness in the majority of healthy people. An increase in flu vaccination reimbursement rates from Jan. 1, 2009–Dec. 31, 2009 can help healthcare providers in their vaccination efforts.
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Detecting Bacterial Vaginosis and Trichomoniasis
Proactive screening and treatment for sexually-transmitted infections and microbial abnormalities such as bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis can protect patients from complications and also lower the risk in women of infections that are associated with late miscarriage, prematurity, and intrauterine conditions.
2/2009
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Detecting Respiratory Illness Early
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common respiratory infection in infancy and childhood. A viral disease, it causes more than 125,000 hospitalizations annually in infants.
9/2008
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Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections
An estimated 1.7 million patients develop healthcare-associated infections annually. CMS plans to stop reimbursing hospitals and health facilities for treatment costs associated with certain infections by 2009.
7/2008
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Accredited Programs Required to Give Flu Vaccine to Staff
A new rule from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) affects hospitals, long-term care facilities, and others.
1/2007
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Implementing an Effective Flu Program
Recent updates raise the total number of Americans who are advised to get the flu shot. Pre-planning can help providers develop a vaccination protocol for all groups.
10/2006
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New CDC Guidelines Expand List of Flu Vaccine Recipients (PDF)
The CDC recommends new groups be routinely tested for the flu. The change impacts 16.7 million people.
7/2006
Click here for accompanying powerpoint presentation.
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Diagnosing Influenza: Improving Care Through Early Detection
Influenza is a common and highly contagious respiratory infection that affects millions of people each year, according to the CDC. Prepared physicians can better protect their patients with help from rapid point-of-care influenza tests that aid in the diagnosis and qualitative detection of Influenza Type A and B antigens.
12/2005
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Nursing Homes Required to Give Flu Shots
"Improving immunization is the key element of our quality improvement strategy—a strategy that is focused on preventing illness and complications in the first place."
—Mark B. McClellan, M.D.,
Ph.D., Administrator of CMS
10/2005
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Best Practices for Steam Sterilization Process
Approximately 27,000,000 surgical procedures and an even larger number of invasive medical procedures each year occur in the United States. Each procedure can introduce infection if careful sterilization protocols are not followed.
11/2003
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Language Barrier: Communicating the Clinical Considerations that Guide Glove Choice
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health advises that appropriate behavior protection is necessary when handling infectious materials.
10/2003
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Hard Surface Disinfection: Breaking the Chain of Cross-Contamination & Infection
The CDC recommends hospitals and alternate care sites clean and disinfect environmental hard surfaces in order to protect patients and clinical staff from contact with blood and other potentially infectious materials.
2/2003
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CDC Guidelines: Multidisciplinary Care Prevents CRBSIs
The CDC estimates an annual total of 250,000 cases of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBAIs) occur annual in hospitals, with a 12%–25% mortality rate and a cost of $25,000 per episode.
12/2002
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The Right Glove for the Right Job
Gloves have become a necessity, and hardly any activity can take place without them.
9/2002
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CDC Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
A clinical need for more than soap and water.
9/2002
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Point-of-Care Testing
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Systematic Anticoagulation Management and the Positive Impact on your Practice (PDF)
Systematic anticoagulation management is point-of-care testing by a healthcare provider in a clinic or office or by the patient himself. The value of point-of-care testing includes more accurate PT/INR monitoring and reporting, a higher instance of patient counseling and evaluation, and increased efficiency—both in time and dollars—for the entire process of anticoagulation therapy.
10/2010 |
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FOBT Screening: Defending Against Colorectal Cancer (PDF)
When CRC is diagnosed at an early stage, the relative five-year survival rate is 90%.
2/2008
Click here for accompanying powerpoint presentation.
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Point-of-Care Testing: Helps Improve HbA1c Results (PDF)
Hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing is an integral part of diabetes management. Historically, HbA1c testing has been performed in the central laboratory. Now, testing volume is gradually shifting to the point-of-care.
4/2005
Click here for accompanying powerpoint presentation.
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Point-of-Care PT/INR Testing: Improving Therapy and Advancing Patient Care (PDF)
New Point-of-Care PT/INR tests are accurate, easy to use, and can help physicians meet CMS guidelines for patient treatment.
12/2005
Click here for accompanying powerpoint presentation.
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Flu Administration Reimbursement Increases in 2003
Influenza kills approximately 36,000 people in the United States each year. Proper vaccination prevents the illness in 70%–90% of healthy people.
7/2005
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Prehypertension
Cardiovascular disease and stroke due to hypertension and other risk factors costs the American healthcare system more than $351 billion each year.
8/2003
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Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Physicians play the most important role in helping save lives.
12/2002
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Regulations & Legislation
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Complying with CDC Guidelines for Personal Protective Equipment
Preparation, administration, and disposal of hazardous drugs (HDs) may expose pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and other health care workers to potentially significant workplace levels of these chemicals. PPE provides a line of defense that protects employees from injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. USP<797> provides guidelines to protect healthcare workers who come in contact with, dispense, or prepare compounded sterile preparations.
10/2010 |
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HIPAA Privacy Basics
The HIPAA Privacy Rule mandates that private health information only be used for treatment purposes, to obtain payment for services, for healthcare operators, and for research.
4/2003
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HIPAA: A Legal Primer
What HIDA members need to know about the law.
4/2003
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HIPAA: A Call to Action
Three complex regulations authorized by HIPAA soon will greatly alter how providers transmit, store, or access protected health information (PHI).
8/2002
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Safety Issues
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Protecting Patients from Unsafe Injections: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know
In the last decade, more than 125,000 patients in the United States were advised to get tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV due to the reuse of syringes and misuse of medication vials. Data from a survey of U.S. healthcare workers who provide medication through injection indicate that some healthcare personnel are unaware of, do not understand, or do not adhere to basic principles of infection control and aseptic, or infection prevention, techniques.
10/2010 |
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Government Steps Up Enforcement of Needlestick Safety Law
New study showing compelling evidence on effectiveness of safety-engineered devices supports new efforts by government to drive compliance.
6/2003
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Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act - Overview and Enforcement Fact Sheet
Sets forth in greater detail requirements for employers to identify, evaluate, and implement safety-engineered medical devices. Ensure compliance and protect your staff.
3/2002
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Safe Needles: Its the Law
The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act went into effect April 18, 2001. The new requirements on employee solicitation and recordkeeping became effective July 18, 2001.
11/2001
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Miscellaneous
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The Advantages of Point-of-Care Testing
A growing field of fast, reliable in-office testing offers new ways to meet diverse patient needs in one place.
11/2005
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Hospital Procurement Study: Cost Saving Opportunities Through Distributor Relationships
While direct orders cost five times as much as distributor orders, the typical hospital purchases only one-fourth of its medical-surgical spend through distributors.
9/2005
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Revised Guidelines for Incontinence Care (PDF)
CMS has revised the Surveyor Guidance for Incontinence and Catheters. The implementation date is June 27, 2005.
7/2005
Click here for accompanying powerpoint presentation.
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What Are PVC & DEHP?
Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) is a hard, brittle opaque material. When combined with another chemical called a ‘plasticizer,’ the PVC is formed into a wide range of consumer and medical products.
1/2005
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Establishing a Respiratory Etiquette Strategy
Coughing? Fever? Ask for a mask! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing a face mask when coughing or running a fever.
8/2004
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Common Signs of Poor Nutritional Health
Unintended weight loss, Dehydration, Pressure ulcers, Tube feeding complications
2/2002
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Medical-Surgical Supply Formulary by Disaster Scenario
Planning and coordinating medical/surgical supplies for hospitals through the U.S. during a large scale CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) or Natural disaster.
12/2002
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