There has been a lot of discussion lately about the number of days a flexible endoscope can safely be in storage before another cleaning is required. Different medical societies like SGNA, ASGE, AORN and APIC have come out with guidance on what the appropriate hang-time limits are. Some hospitals that we’ve talked to have listened […]
How To Make Your Scopes Tell You When They Need To Be Washed Read More »
A recent incident in the Philadelphia area reminds us of the dangers that can result from improperly trained staff in the endoscopy area of a hospital. In the incident, an elderly patient undergoing a surgical procedure had an improperly cleaned endoscope used on them during their procedure. The incident occurred at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, outside
The Risk Of Improperly Trained Staff In The Endoscopy Suite Read More »
A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that mortality of patients during Joint Commission surveys was reduced by 6% compared to before and after the surveys. The study, authored by Andrew Olenski, Michael Barnett and Anupam Jena, attributed the improved patient outcomes to the “Hawthorne Effect.” The “Hawthorne Effect” suggests that people actively
Why Patient Outcomes Improve During Joint Commission Surveys Read More »
In hospitals, endoscopy, perioperative, sterile processing and infection control teams have done a wonderful job of teaming up together to implement solutions for effective flexible endoscope management. This area has been one of the biggest, if not the biggest, area of scrutiny by Joint Commission and other surveying agencies in the past 1.5 years. We
Are You Able To Inspect What You Expect? Read More »
Recently, the Joint Commission (TJC) released its recommendations on how to create a culture of safety within healthcare organizations. As hospitals work to create safer environments for their staff and patients, a culture of safety has become tantamount to reaching their operational goals. A culture of safety can have several positive effects at a healthcare
Joint Commission’s Recommendations on Creating a Culture of Safety Read More »
Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) continue to be a focus area for hospital departments such as infection control and sterile processing departments. Infection control has been a key area of focus by many US hospitals due to the huge financial and reputational risk that exists when an outbreak of a superbug occurs in a hospital. Biomedical
How Biomedical Engineering Can Help In The Fight Against Hospital Acquired Infections Read More »
Hospitals continue to pursue patient safety initiatives as part of the overall shift in US Healthcare from volume to value. After all, hospital acquired infections (HAIs) quickly increase the cost of a procedure and will directly affect your bottom-line. This is on top of any damage to your hospital’s reputation that may occur from an
4 Steps To Increase Patient Safety In Your Hospital Read More »
I recently had a chance to sit down with Damien Berg. Damien is the Manager of Sterile Processing at St. Anthony Hospital in Colorado, and he is running for IAHCSMM President-Elect in this year’s election. As the election is already underway, I wanted to sit down with Damien to understand his platform and interest in
Interview with Damien Berg – Sterile Processing Expert, Candidate for IAHCSMM President Read More »
In recent surveys, The Joint Commission has scrutinized the entire endoscope management process. Everyone understands this is because of the serious patient safety concerns and media attention, as well as the manufacturers of scopes and reprocessors having their own product challenges. So why is The Joint Commission so hung up on how scopes are hung
Why The Joint Commission Is Hung Up On Scopes Read More »
In working with various hospitals across the country, particularly with their scope management practice, we are seeing that all caregivers absolutely have the intention of delivering at the highest level of quality and safety. As organization leaders, it is our job to help our team members meet these important goals. In working with these provider
Is Your Endoscope Management Practice Accountable? Read More »