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 […]
Protected Health Information Disclosed by Website Technology
Certain website technologies may be at risk of sharing protected health information. The Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a bulletin warning that certain website tracking technologies may violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Tracking technologies include but are not limited to cookies, […]
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 […]
Cybersecurity Threats to Health Systems
Cybersecurity threats against healthcare systems have increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic due to the adoption of new health technologies. During 2020, cyberattacks against health systems increased by forty-seven percent. Adopting stronger security measures will be essential to protecting patient data moving forward. Causes of Increased Cybersecurity Threats Healthcare providers faced a number […]
New Sexual Harassment Law Enacted
On December 7th, 2022, President Biden signed a new law protecting victims of sexual harassment. The bipartisan bill, known as the Speak Out Act, passed the House of Representatives by a 315-109 vote and cleared the Senate unanimously. The law grants survivors the right to come forward with their experiences of workplace misconduct when they […]
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 […]
Universal Masking Lifted
The Center for Disease Control has recently changed their universal COVID-19 masking protocol in hospitals and other facilities. Now, unless healthcare providers work in areas with high COVID-19 levels or have other specific circumstances, they do not need to wear masks at work. This change is a result of increased vaccination rates and decreased infection […]