Both researchers and policy-making organizations have identified electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems as a means to improve quality in healthcare delivery. However, there are documented risks involved in integrating such clinical systems into healthcare processes. These risks generally fall into two categories. First, new technologies may not accomplish what they are designed to do. S...

Healthcare providers worldwide are facing an increasingly competitive environment and, in response, are downsizing to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Providers that are unable or unwilling to become more efficient will close. To stay in business, healthcare institutions must consider the cost of medical equipment and plan accordingly. Policies based on sound principles and experience preve...

Globally, surveillance systems showed an increasein norovirus activity in late 2012. Molecular datashared through the NoroNet network suggest thatthis increase is related to the emergence of a newnorovirus genotype II.4 variant, termed Sydney 2012.Healthcare institutions are advised to be prepared fora severe norovirus season.

Introduction Poor quality of care remains key constraint to safe motherhood especially for women from poor families in a context of rapid expansion of maternity healthcare services. In India, deliveries at healthcare institutions have increased in last three years. There is evidence that oxytocin is a drug is often misused to speed labours (childbirth) in overcrowded labour wards or even in hom...

Dr. Mitchell is chairperson, Department of Biomedical Ethics, School of Graduate Medical Education, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ. He is also director, Institute for Ethics, a division of the Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey. I n 1999 the Institute for Ethics, a division of the Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey, launched a program to assist institutional ethic...

Wireless networks have become a key element in healthcare institutions for streamlining access to clinical information. With the advent of wireless technology, handheld devices such as PDAs, pagers and Pocket PCs are now being deployed into modern hospital systems. However, putting confidential data on the airwaves using wireless technology introduces significant risk and adds a new level of th...

Prior to 2004, only two states, Pennsylvania and Illinois, had enacted legislation requiring healthcare facilities to collect nosocomial or healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data intended for public disclosure. In 2004, two additional states, Missouri and Florida, passed disclosure laws. Currently, several other states are considering similar legislation. In California, Senate Bill 1487 req...

As valuable members of the oncology team, acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) are in the perfect position to deliver high-quality palliative care. They are instrumental in coordinating the palliative care needs of their patients. Through proper training, ACNPs are able to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate palliative care interventions. Along with oncology-certified nurses, ACNPs help the...

Wireless networks have become a key element in healthcare institutions for streamlining access to clinical information. With the advent of wireless technology, handheld devices such as PDAs, pagers and Pocket PCs are now being deployed into modern hospital systems. However, putting confidential data on the airwaves using wireless technology introduces significant risk and adds a new level of th...

Twelve providers (eight institutions) participating in a Gender and Sex Diversity Fertility Working Group completed a survey assessing their hospital's transgender, disorders/differences of sex development (DSD), and fertility healthcare teams. Participants also prioritized the development of a: (1) Provider Assessment Tool (questionnaire assessing knowledge/feelings about future fertility), or...