A major academic medical center in Pennsylvania recently announced a new initiative to combat the shortage of PPE stemming from Covid-19. Allegheny Health Network (AHN), an integrated healthcare delivery system based in Pittsburgh, announced that it has been testing the ability of its hospital staff to use elastomeric masks as an alternative to the high-demand […]
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
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
Joint Commission Resumes Inspections, Incorporates Remote Surveys Read More »
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
OSHA Issues Guidance For N95 Mask Sterilization Read More »
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
What Patients Are Looking For Before Undergoing A Scope Procedure Read More »
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.
Multiple Studies Point To Steam Sterilization Potential For N95 Masks Read More »
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
Are Endoscopy Caseload Pressures Compromising Patient Safety? Read More »
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
FDA Issues Emergency Order Allowing Up To 4 Million Decontaminated N95 Masks Per Day Read More »
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
Pittsburgh-Based Healthcare System Announces Program To Support N95 Mask Sterilization Read More »
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