Surgical Scars: Prevalence and Importance of Prevention

Each year in the US more than 50 million surgeries are performed.1 Treatment of resulting surgical scars has driven decades of research, and it is estimated that in the US $20 billion per year is spent on scar treatment and management.2 Patients have made it clear that they are highly concerned about scarring after surgery…

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MARSI Guidelines on Safe Adhesive Removal

Since the “pay for performance” era began, hospital acquired conditions (HAC) have deservedly received a great deal of attention from hospitals, healthcare providers, payors, patients and families. For critical medical devices that pose danger to patients if they are dislodged [like vascular access devices, (VADs)], safety requires proper securement. Poor securement of VADs increases the…

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Getting Ahead of HAIs: Quick Observation Tools for HAI Prevention

In October of 2018, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) working together with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a series of Quick Observation Tools (QUOTs) to assist healthcare facilities in their infection prevention initiatives.[1] The tools, available for free download here, enable rapid assessment and remediation…

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Turning Point for Hospital Quality Reporting?

Eloquest Healthcare is excited to welcome back Jo Ann Brooks PhD, RN, FAAN, FCCP to the Eloquest Healthcare Blog! Jo Ann is the former System Vice President for Safety and Quality at Indiana University Health (a 16 hospital system) based in Indianapolis, IN. She lectures frequently on quality and CMS pay for performance measures and presently serves…

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Quality Improvement Initiative Findings: Vascular Access Device Dressing Adhesion and Infection Rates

Vascular Access Devices and Dressing Adherence The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) agree that vascular access device (VAD) dressing integrity is a critical factor for the prevention of hospital‐ acquired infection. [1,2] In fact, dressing disruption is a major risk factor for central line‐associated bloodstream infections…

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“Stressing the Dressing: Reducing Vascular Access Device Complications”

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The Infusion Nurses Society (INS) agree that vascular access device (VAD) dressing integrity is a critical factor for the prevention of hospital-acquired infection.1,2 Russell Nassof, JD, founder of RiskNomics, discusses the importance of common sense in evidenced-based medicine, the issue of dressing disruption, the prominence…

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Evidence-Based Decision Making for the Prevention of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections and Medical Adhesive-Related Skin Injuries

While catheters provide numerous benefits to their users, there can be a health burden associated with their use, as they may promote catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI*) and medical adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSIs). A publication reviewing the qualitative and quantitative evidence supporting the use of Detachol® Liquid Adhesive for the reduction of CRBSI and MARSI can…

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