Patient Safety

EHR mayhem may pose risk to patient data

Jim Anderson, PA-C, ATC April 19, 2012

As more patient data becomes available online thanks to EHRs, states have scrambled to put security measures in place.

How medication shortages affect day-to-day clinician decisions

David Bunnell, MSHS, PA-C March 27, 2012

Drug shortages have affected clinicians in all specialties, not just cardiothoracic surgery. The author examines how the crisis has impacted the everyday decisions of PAs.

Health care:  The quality  chasm 10 years later

QCWG, the Quality Care Work Group at the AAPA March 09, 2012

We have made progress in some of the six areas identified for improvement by the Institute of Medicine in 2001, but we have fallen short in others.

Hasta la vista, baby

Alexandra Godfrey, MS, PA-C February 20, 2012

Mistakes are a very human trait. We are unlikely to eradicate them entirely from medicine, but with self-monitoring and teamwork, we can reduce the risk.

Quality improvement:  Tobacco use, diabetes, and vaccines

CHAC, the Clinical and Health Affairs Commission of the AAPA May 10, 2011

The latest NCQA State of Health Care Quality report shows progress but also indicates room for improvement in three key areas.

In my last blog post, I suggested that I needed better evidence, and soon, regarding the risks of chronic opioid therapy. Last week, I heard about a JAMA article, Association Between Opioid Prescribing Patterns and Opioid Overdose-Related Deaths, by Bohnert and colleagues. The article looked like it might be relevant, so I read it.

How the medication review can help to reduce risk of falls in older patients

Danielle M. Kelly, MPAS, PA-C, Ellen M. Frick, MS, MPAS, PA-C; LaDonna S. Hale, PharmD April 01, 2011

Falling need not be an inevitable part of advancing age but rather is a largely preventable consequence of having certain modifiable risk factors.

Iatrogenic retention of surgical objects: Risk factors and prevention strategies

Torry Grantham Cobb, MPH, MHS, PA-C December 13, 2010

Recent changes in government payment policy may make this serious and costly medical  error even more expensive. Most prevention strategies appear to be cost-effective.

Tendinopathy resulting from the use of fluoroquinolones: Managing risks

Heidi E. Doyle, PA-C December 01, 2010

Although well-tolerated by most patients, fluoroquinolones can produce this serious  condition.

Is it ethical to provide enteral tube feedings for patients with dementia?

Zachary Hartsell, MPAS, PA-C, Jennifer S. Williams, MMS, PA-C October 01, 2010

Research does not offer any clear support for or against this practice, making this a difficult decision for both the patient's family and the clinician.

Is banning direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) consistent with bioethical principles?

Kevin Michael O'Hara, MMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS August 11, 2010

The impact of DTCA on patients' expectations and PAs' responsibility to provide bioethical treatment are reviewed.

Are you using checklists? Check!

From QCC, the Quality Care Committee of the AAPA July 21, 2010

A checklist is a simple tool that can enhance clinical practice and ensure patient safety in many clinical settings.

Is it ethically permissible to mandate influenza vaccination for health care workers?

Ralph Rice, MPAS, PA-C June 09, 2010

Patient autonomy does not always transcend to health care workers. The author makes a case for patient safety to be an overruling factor.

Apathy toward patient safety: Has 10 years made a difference?

From QCC, the Quality Care Committee of the AAPA February 09, 2010

Almost 100,000 Americans die each year of preventable medical mistakes -- a number equivalent to a 747 jet crashing every day. Where is the public outrage?