Coping with Dental Staffing Shortages
The dental industry, much like the healthcare industry as a whole, is facing severe staffing shortages. There are many reasons this shortage has become so acute, and it is taking a toll on medical staff and patients alike. Dental healthcare providers are facing increased workloads, which can create excessive work stress. Ensuring your dental healthcare […]
EEOC Protects Nurse from Retaliation
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) protects employees in the United States from many forms of discrimination. One type the EEOC protects workers from is retaliation, which describes when a workplace punishes an employee for reporting instances of discrimination, typically sexual harassment. EEOC Protecting Employees from Retaliation The EEOC recently sued a pediatric medical […]
Security Strengthened at Medical Facilities
Healthcare facilities around the nation are strengthening security protocols. Meritus Medical Center, a hospital in Maryland, has implemented weapon detectors at all entrances to the facility. Why are Stronger Security Protocols Needed? The heightened safety protocols come in response to the epidemic of violence in medical facilities. Healthcare workers are the primary targets of this […]
Telehealth Increases Productivity
The rise of telehealth has improved patient access to care along with increased provider productivity. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted business as usual for healthcare providers and patients. Those needing routine care were reluctant to seek it for fear of exposing themselves to the virus. Patients with chronic conditions or illnesses were not seen by healthcare […]
Dental Waterlines Found to Contain Bacteria
A number of dental waterlines have been found to contain waterborne bacteria, infecting children with nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). This caused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a health advisory on bacteria in the pipes of dental facilities. Dental Waterlines and Infections Biofilms containing bacteria can easily develop in dental waterlines. This […]
Restoring Physician-Patient Trust
Physician-patient trust has been deteriorating for years. There are different reasons for reduced levels of trust between patients and doctors. However, ensuring patients have confidence in their care providers and that doctors feel safe at work will be critical in recentering trust moving forward so patients can receive the highest possible level of care. Causes […]
Preventing Healthcare-associated Infections
As health systems continue to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, they must brace for a new threat: the rising rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). For example, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia (which is resistant to many antibiotics) is infecting an increasing number of patients in healthcare facilities. Tackling the increased rate of HAIs is […]
Physician Burnout is Rising
Physician burnout is on the rise, and the increase is sharpest among younger primary doctors. A new study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that over half of medical practitioners under the age of 55 have reported feeling burned out or stressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the rise in stressed doctors. Physicians report […]
Healthcare Worker Violence Increases
Healthcare worker violence is increasing at an alarming rate, making providers’ jobs of looking after patients incredibly challenging. The pandemic has largely fueled this increase in violence. The uptick in healthcare worker violence has been substantial and affects all types of care providers. Of registered nurses, 44% reported being victims of physical violence, while 68% […]
Doctor Burnout Levels Increasing as a Result of the Pandemic
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an influx of doctor burnout. A recent study published in the medical journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that physician burnout increased during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic following a six-year drop that ended in 2020. Helping Doctors Through Extensive Burnout In a press release, American […]
Expansion of COVID-Era Telehealth Services
On July 27th, 2022, the House implemented a bill to further expand Telehealth services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, most medical providers transitioned into online consultations with patients using Telehealth with the help of Medicare. In an effort to continue the policies, the introduction of this bill will support these services to provide accessible care through […]
Getting Your Flu Shot This Year
Medical experts are proposing that a noticeable increase in flu cases could occur in the United States this year. This means that getting a flu shot this year is extremely important. Flu season has been different from its usual patterns due to COVID-19, meaning this year’s season is likely to be unpredictable. Influenza rates were […]