White House Announces Funding for Patient Safety Demonstration Projects
New EMS Law
Peer Assistance Program Established for PA Nurses
Prescription Privileges Granted to Physician Assistants
Leaderships' Focus on Medical Errors Latest Joint Commission Sentinel Alert Message
JCR Challenges Hospitals to Increase Health Care Worker Vaccinations
Retaining Experienced Nurses
ANA Program Addresses Health and Safety Concerns Among Health Care Workers
Health Careers Week - November 9-13, 2009
PA House Bill 883 of 2008 relating to the follow-up of 22 additional newborn metabolic screening tests by the Department of Health Bureau of Newborn Metabolic Screening becomes effective July 1, 2009.
The PA DOH has released an updated procedure they will be implementing related to their responsibility for follow up activities for abnormal test results. (See attachment). Hospitals are responsible for collecting only the mandated 6 newborn metabolic screening tests and a newborn hearing screening test on all newborns with the exception of those whose religious beliefs do not approve of such testing.
The two state contracted laboratories that process newborn metabolic screening tests currently report additional information regarding newborn screening results to the hospital. Through Act 36, the laboratories now will be providing the screening results to hospitals, the designated primary provider and the DOH.
The Employee Free Choice Act
This act would amend the National Labor Relations Act by requiring employers to recognize a labor union solely through the "card check" process, thus permitting unions to avoid secret elections where employees make decisions free from interference. Under the card check approach, union authorization cards are signed in the presence of an interested party; for example, a union organizer or a pro-union co-worker. The cards are then presented as representing the true intent of the workers. This legislation would strip away federal safeguards and leave workers unprotected from outside influence and pressure.
Hospitals Asked to Consider Standardized Colors for Alert Wristbands
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking all hospitals to consider using three standardized colors for alert wristbands to improve patient safety. All hospitals are invited to attend one of two AHA informational calls on the topic scheduled for Sept. 19 and 23. In a Sept. 4 advisory, AHA said, "Standardizing the colors that hospitals use to alert staff to certain patient risks is a common-sense approach to improving patient safety. Many physicians and nurses work in multiple hospitals within their communities and even across state lines. In states that have adopted the consensus wristband colors, caregivers have welcomed the standardization and report reduced confusion caused by the numerous previous variations." The AHA Quality Center also offers information on implementing standardized colored wristbands, including existing toolkits and resources developed by state hospital associations.
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