Earlier this year, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) cited two hospitals for actions it said involved Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) acting beyond the scope of their certification. The CDPH recently issued guidance on this matter that has gained national attention. Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are specialized healthcare providers who have attained a … Continued

The Change Healthcare data breach in February of this year was the largest healthcare data breach to date. The fallout continues. Change Healthcare acts as a medical claim clearinghouse for approximately 15 billion medical and prescription claims each year.  Change Healthcare is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.  The CEO of UnitedHealth Group, CEO Andrew Witty, … Continued

A new antibiotic appears to deliver long-hoped-for support in killing or reducing dangerous antibiotic-resistant germs, while at the same time sparing helpful microbes living within the gut. Antibiotic resistance, or antimicrobial resistance (AR) is a pressing medical concern.  Antibiotics were once touted as miracle drugs, sparing the limbs and lives of patients who would otherwise … Continued

A new study suggests Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be helpful in identifying Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). For hospitalized patients, the risk of healthcare goes beyond surviving a disease or complicated surgery.  HAIs are endemic to healthcare settings and can result in serious complications and set-backs for patients struggling to regain their health.  The Centers for Disease … Continued

The Joint Commission, the accrediting agency for most US healthcare facilities, is continuing to consolidate its standards. In late 2022, the Joint Commission announced the elimination of roughly 14 percent of its standards to consolidate and reformulate processes in a way that is more helpful to healthcare providers across the country.  In July of this … Continued

Updated recommendations for treating Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in acute-care hospitals have been released. MRSA is a dangerous form of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (or Staph) which is commonly found on the skin.  MRSA is an antibiotic-resistant form of the bacteria that is found in both community and in healthcare settings.  Community-associated (CA-MRSA) MRSA is … Continued

Diagnostic error is common and dangerous.  Recent studies look at diagnosis in the Emergency Department (ED), and what factors can influence misdiagnosis. According to a recent statement from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), overall accuracy of diagnosis is fairly high in the US.  Responding to criticism of a recent agency study, AHRQ … Continued

Accurate Emergency Department (ED) diagnosis can literally be a matter of life and death. Initial research explored the use of ChatGPT in emergency treatment settings. Chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) continues to be tried and tested in settings and for services throughout industry.  In healthcare, as we have discussed, the technology is making steps in … Continued

A new report to the White House from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) underscores the urgent need for patient safety and a reduction in the adverse events that injure and kill patients each year. The report urges the administration to create leadership around patient safety in the US. The report … Continued

A recent study underscores the danger to pediatric patients from a missed diagnosis. Accurate and timely diagnosis is a priority in any area of healthcare.  For the youngest patients, a missed or inaccurate diagnosis can lead to worsening symptoms, needless complications, lengthened treatment or hospitalization—and the possibility of an outcome of disability or death.  While … Continued