First Disposable Duodenoscope Takes Major Step Forward With Clearance For CMS Reimbursement

June 11, 2020 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

The Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the first fully disposable duodenoscope on the market for reimbursement. Boston Scientific announced that its EXALT Model D disposable duodenoscope, which received FDA clearance in December 2019, was granted approval for reimbursement in outpatient settings under the Medicare hospital outpatient prospective payment system. The disposable […]

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Joint Commission Resumes Inspections, Incorporates Remote Surveys

June 4, 2020 / Clinical Documentation, Hospital Management, Joint Commission, Patient Safety, Regulatory Compliance, The Business of Surgery /

The Joint Commission (TJC) has indicated that it will resume its quality surveys in the month of June. Hospitals require successful TJC inspections in order to receive funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a major source of revenue for almost every hospital. As the initial threat of Covid-19 has passed, TJC

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How To Reduce Costs With A Vocera Battery Tracking System

October 12, 2021 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital IT, Operational Efficiency, The Business of Surgery /

With the constant need for urgent communications, many hospitals have implemented the Vocera platform to improve connectivity among staff. A common source of frustration for department managers has been the inability to track Vocera badge batteries to users, resulting in an excess of loss and replacements. The extra costs for replacement batteries can amount to

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OSHA Issues Guidance For N95 Mask Sterilization

May 21, 2020 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Based on strong demand from hospitals and other healthcare organizations, the Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) issued guidance for the reuse of N95 respirators. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this gives additional credibility to the idea of reusing sterilized N95 masks

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What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure

October 12, 2021 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Joint Commission, Managing Endoscopes, Patient Safety /

As reports continue to come out regarding superbug outbreaks potentially linked to endoscope-related procedures, patients may find themselves questioning the safety of undergoing procedures that use an endoscope. The mainstream media has started to coach patients on how to evaluate the value of undergoing an endoscope-related procedure and how to select a hospital that’s right

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Multiple Studies Point To Steam Sterilization Potential For N95 Masks

May 7, 2020 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Two recent studies have shown that simple steam sterilization could prove effective at eliminating Covid-19 on personal protective equipment (PPE) worn at hospitals. As many hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this may be a promising development as hospitals continue to prepare for further waves of Covid-19 patients.

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Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety?

April 30, 2020 / Hospital Management, Infection Control, Managing Endoscopes, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety /

Due to various, well-publicized episodes over the last decade, endoscopic procedures continue to be scrutinized as a potential source of superbug outbreaks within hospitals. In the current environment, where patient safety and infection control are at the forefront of most hospital administrators, endoscopy may receive a closer look to see what can be done to

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FDA Issues Emergency Order Allowing Up To 4 Million Decontaminated N95 Masks Per Day

April 24, 2020 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency order that allows hospitals and health systems to decontaminate N95 respirator masks up to 10 times before they are to be disposed. As hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be a welcome piece of

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Pittsburgh-Based Healthcare System Announces Program To Support N95 Mask Sterilization

April 16, 2020 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Allegheny Health Network (AHN), an integrated healthcare delivery system based in Western Pennsylvania, announced that it has begun sterilizing N95 masks so they can be worn multiple times by hospital workers. As hospitals are facing an extreme shortage of PPE due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many are now implementing systems that will help them reprocess

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Mobile Aspects Announces System To Track Reprocessed Personal Protective Equipment Including N95 Masks

April 9, 2020 / Cost Reduction, Hospital Finance, Hospital Management, Infection Control, Operational Efficiency, Patient Safety, Supply Chain, The Business of Surgery /

Mobile Aspects, a leading provider of software for supply and asset tracking systems in hospitals, has announced a new product to help in the ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The company is building off of its 20-year history of delivering systems that help hospitals automate the tracking and documentation of supplies and assets within

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