Statewide campaign slashes VAP rates

VAP initiative reduces pneumonia cases by 175, or 57% over 15 months, according to hospital association. Proper hand hygiene, IHI ventilator bundles, good oral care are keys to successful reduction of VAP incidents. Participating hospitals share successes and challenges, strengthening each others' efforts.     

Blood glucose monitoring slashes mortality rates

Gaining buy-in of intensive care unit nurses was critical to the success of the initiative. Complex diabetes treatment issues required leaving some decisions to bedside nurses. Projects success leads to implementation in hospital's special care unit.     

Pilot slashes ED visits by Medicaid recipients

Medicaid recipients in a pilot project at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, reduced their emergency department visits significantly. Working with primary care physicians, the hospital staff drew up care plans for each patient and entered them into the medical record so they would be available to the emergency department staff. Participating Medicaid Managed Care Plans embedded case managers in primary care offices to educate the patients on appropriate use of the emergency department. The pilot has ended but the hospital and managed care plans continue to collaborate on managing patient care.     

Court slashes damage award in dental discrimination case

The New York State Supreme Court's Appellate Division reduced a damage award in an HIV discrimination suit against dentist Daniel R. Cerio. Dr. Cerio was accused of overcharging a patient for a routine cleaning, scheduling his appointments at the end of the day, and improperly draping surfaces in the room where the patient was treated. The dentist claimed the draping was necessary as a protective barrier. He said appointments were scheduled at the end of the day because they took longer. The New York State Division of Human Rights had supported the allegations in findings of fact and assessed damages of $7,500 against the dentist. The appeals court partially agreed with the dentist but reduced the finding to $1,000 for overcharging the patient.