July/August 2011 Issue of Becker's OR Clinical Quality Supplement

6 Ways to Decrease Sharps Injuries and Needle Sticks in the OR

Sharps injuries and needle sticks are a significant hazard in the operating room, and providers who don't comply with prevention practices can endanger themselves, their colleagues and their patients. Click to continue »

Hand Hygiene Checklist: 5 Suggestions for Process Improvement

Despite significant changes in infection prevention practices since the introduction of the CMS Conditions for Coverage requirements, hand hygiene practices continue to be inconsistent and fall short of infection prevention expectations, says Phenelle Segal, RN CIC, president of Infection Control Consulting Services based in Blue Bell, Pa. Click to continue »

10 Steps for Preventing C. Diff Outbreaks

An outbreak of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) in a healthcare facility can cause higher death rates, increased length of stay and add stress on lab testing services. Click to continue »

Peer Review: 10 Things to Know

The following article is written by Daren Smith, RN, director of clinical services, for Surgical Management Professionals. Click to continue »

14 Questions to Ask to Ensure Effective Patient Identification

Bernard McDonnell, DO, a retired physician and current surveyor for Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program. Click to continue »

10 Good Ideas for Great Quality Improvement Studies

Are you in charge of coming up with meaningful quality improvement studies for your facility? Has the idea well run dry? QI studies can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make them. Sometimes it just takes a spark to start the fire and positively impact quality of care or efficiency of your center. Click to continue »

Hand Cream Use in Instrument Reprocessing Department

Sharon A. Van Wicklin, MSN, RN, CNOR/CRNFA, CPSN, PLNC, is perioperative nursing specialist with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses. Click to continue »

8 Ways for Surgery Centers to Reduce Look-Alike/Sound-Alike Drug Errors

Blue Chip Surgical Partners Vice President of Operations Regina E. Dolsen, RN, BSN, MA, outlines eight steps ambulatory surgery centers can take to reduce the likelihood of errors with look-alike/sound-alike drugs. Click to continue »