Studies of hospitalized patients have found higher rates of errors and poorer outcomes for those treated at night or on the weekend compared with the day shift. Here are some suggestions offered by experts to help patients and families protect themselves.
HHS Inspector General faults drug companies for aggressively—and illegally—marketing these products to doctors for treatment of dementia and other off-label uses.
Some primary-care practitioners are bringing their black bags directly to home or office, in some cases for as little as $30 to $35 a visit.
Investigation concluded that Seattle Children’s transport nurses appeared to be confused about what they were allowed to do and whether they could administer medications without a doctor’s order–Seattle Times reports.
“Kimberly Hiatt made a mathematical error that led to the tragic death of an infant patient. Firing her simply absolved the hospital from their share of the blame,” Dr. Kevin Pho writes. “Instead, she should have been involved with the subsequent improvement process to prevent future errors.”
Under the new rules nurses must document: that they have engaged in 531 hours of active nursing practice within the previous three years, completed 45 hours of continuing education, and conducted self-assessment of their practice to identify their strengths as well as opportunities for new learning.
Report says nurses should take on a larger and more independent role in providing health care in America, something many doctors oppose, citing safety concerns.
Website provides one-stop shop for doctors, nurses, dentists, vets and other health workers wanting to volunteer for emergency response efforts.
But some doctors argue say nurse practitioners are unqualified to provide primary care without supervision.
Dean of the UW School of Nursing blogs on the Future of Nursing
“Nursing, even in hard times, was thought to be recession-proof.” By Chris Linden and Melissa Suran, Medill News Service It wasn’t supposed to be this hard. Nursing student Barbara Lopez had been told for a long time that she would have an easy time finding a job. But it took her five months—starting before she [...]
Allow Seattle Children’s to expand, says Seattle Times The Seattle City Council should reverse ruling of a hearing examiner who has rejected Seattle Children’s expansion plans, says Seattle Times argues in an editorial today’s paper. The hearing examiner found that hospital’s planned expansion, which would add 1.5 million square feet of space on its Lauralhurst campus, [...]
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Seattle Times Health News
Experts divided over recommendation to screen children for cholesterol
Some clinicians say universal screening is an important tool to help identify children who are genetically predisposed to high cholesterol and to pinpoint others who could benefit from treatment. Others express concerns that screening may do more harm than good.
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Peeking in on your doctor’s notes
Although federal law guarantees patients the right to examine and get copies of their medical records, providers haven’t always made it easy to do so. But the movement to give patients direct access to their health information has picked up steam, and policymakers have encouraged it as a way to empower patients to help manage their health and their medical care.
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