February 2012 Issue of Becker's Clinical Quality & Infection Control Supplement

10 Top Patient Safety Issues in 2012

Linda Homan, BSN, CIC, clinical and professional services for Ecolab, Jan Davidson, RN, MSN, the AORN perioperative education specialist focusing on ambulatory surgery centers, and Anne Dean of The ADA Group share 10 top patient safety issues that will impact healthcare facilities in 2012. Click to continue »

11 Strategies to Address Physician and Staff Resistance to Complying With Infection Control Guidelines

Carol Hiatt, RN, LHRM, CASC, a licensed risk manager in Florida, AAAHC surveyor and consultant for Healthcare Consultants International, a subsidiary of AAAHC, shares 11 strategies to help surgery centers overcome physician and staff resistance to complying with infection control guidelines and policies. Click to continue »

10 Leaders in the Area of Clinical Quality

Clinical quality in healthcare encompasses a vast spectrum of issues including patient safety, infection control, patient-centered care, management and cost. Click to continue »

12 Questions to Ask to Ensure an Effective Hand Hygiene Program

Bernard McDonnell, DO, a retired physician and current surveyor for Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, identifies 12 critical questions ambulatory surgery centers and other providers need to ask themselves to help ensure an effective hand hygiene program in their institution. Click to continue »

Treating Patients With MRSA in an ASC: Q&A With Regina Dolsen of Blue Chip Surgical Partners

Regina E. Dolsen, RN, BSN, MA, is vice president of operations for Blue Chip Surgical Center Partners. Click to continue »

10 Things I Would Do Now If I Were Preparing for a Survey

The following is written by Sheldon S. Sones, RPh, FASCP, President, Sheldon S. Sones and Associates. Click to continue »

Preventing Bloodborne Pathogen Violations in the ASC: Q&A With AORN’s Mary Ogg

In a recent report, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration listed the most frequently cited bloodborne pathogen violations in surgery centers. Click to continue »

Sterile Processing of Eye Instruments: Q&A With Nancy Jo Vinson

Nancy Jo Vinson, RN, BA, CASC, of Healthcare Consultants International (a subsidiary of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care) and NJM Consulting, addresses four reader questions relating to sterile processing of eye instruments. Click to continue »

Healthcare Hotspots: Top Places to Protect Against Pathogens

Infection preventionists and environmental services professionals are stationed on the frontlines of the infection prevention battleground and they understand that environmental surface disinfection is a key defense strategy against healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). Click to continue »

Bacteria on Healthcare Workers’ Uniforms: Q&A With APIC President Russell Olmsted

A study published in the Sept. issue of the American Journal of Infection Control indicated more than 60 percent of hospital nurses' and doctors' uniforms tested positive for potentially dangerous bacteria. Click to continue »

10 Essentials for an Infection Control Program at Spine Centers

Valerie Maxam-Moore, RN, MN, Vice President, ASC Operations & Quality at Laser Spine Institute, discusses 10 critical components of strong infection prevention programs at spine centers. Click to continue »

6 Quality Measures GI Centers Should Track

Medicare and Medicaid will soon start requiring that ambulatory surgery centers report on various quality measures such as burns, transfers to hospitals and patient falls. Click to continue »

5 ‘Cs’ for Addressing Infection Control in Design & Construction

The commitment of time and resources to design and construction of healthcare facilities can provide value in creating larger and more aesthetically-pleasing facilities, which may help attract patients, retain employees and accommodate new equipment. Click to continue »