Queensland Health’s Post

A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Colorado paused heart surgeries for 13 months, and its leaders failed to inform higher-ups. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General found that the VA medical center in Aurora, Colorado, paused cardiac surgeries for over a year in 2022-2023. The leadership cultivated a "culture of fear" at the hospital, leading to the departure of critical nursing staff. The pauses in heart surgeries were not directly linked to patient harm, but the toxic work environment jeopardized patient safety. The facility was forced to pause heart surgeries again two months later after continued efforts to attract permanent personnel failed. During the second pause, the hospital's entire cardiac surgical staff left. The hospital was able to resume procedures only 13 months later after it contracted with the University of Colorado to provide surgical teams. This incident highlights the importance of effective leadership, staff retention, and transparent communication within healthcare organizations. It underscores the need for a positive work culture that prioritizes patient safety and well-being. #VAhealthcare #PatientSafety #LeadershipFailure #CultureofFear #StaffRetention #HealthcareManagement

This post, and the insights it summarizes, is profoundly important but widely ignored. Hospitals could make their facilities safer and friendlier, and reduce turnover of staff, by embracing these principles

If an ED visit/surgery was unavoidable, what is the best weekday for it? Ask someone you know (outside healthcare) this question. They might find it odd. Now, try to ask an ED nurse this question, and they would not be surprised. Why? Because on particular weekdays, hospital wards are full and EDs are overloaded with boarders (people who wait for a hospital bed to be admitted). I discussed this issue over 10(!) years ago in my WSJ Op-Ed “Don’t get your operation on a Thursday” - https://lnkd.in/etE4Wn4M. The reason is that the hospital gets full on Thursday, patients might be placed not in the adequate ward  (such as a different subspecialty’s ward, or a ward where the number of patients per nurse is greater than it is clinically advisable https://lnkd.in/e6Mk9RpC). This leads to an increased risk to patient safety (mortality) and quality of care as well as an increase in nurse overload and burnout. The tragic story of the teenager Lewis Blackman - https://lnkd.in/dCEQPdm (please scroll down to the Prologue) illustrates this. On Friday, hospitals are trying to discharge as many patients as possible (https://lnkd.in/eDZBchpf) to free up beds for the following week, when everything starts all over again. Why does this happen? A recent publication (https://lnkd.in/ewdi5TXw) about 1.6 million hospital admissions NY statewide explains why – because of inadequate scheduling of elective admissions resulting in manmade peaks in hospital bed occupancy. Such modus operandi results in patient mortality, overcrowded EDs and nurse burnout. As it typically happens with mismanaged operations, if a problem is not addressed, the situation is getting worse and worse leading to nurse exodus from hospitals and worsening quality of care. As stated here (https://lnkd.in/eEP3vvER), the situation will not improve until the root cause of these problems (inadequate scheduling of elective admissions) is addressed. If ignored by hospital leadership, this problem would lead to some extreme measures like truncating their own salaries: https://lnkd.in/e-bNnMNa.  #patientsafety #hospitalovercrowding #nurseburnout #physicianburnout #healthcare #nurseburnout #qualityofcare #healthcarestaffing #staffingshortages #burnoutprevention #patientmortality #patientcare #patientexperience #healthcareleadership #nurse #hospital #hhs #cms #nhs #ministryofhealth #hospitalmanagement #emergencydepartment #nursestaffing #nursingshortage #cnn #msnbc #healthcarejournalism #journalism #investigativereporting #newyorktimes #washingtonpost

In the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), the following standards typically apply regarding limited authorized personnel and transfer requirements: 1. Authorised Personnel-Only qualified healthcare providers, such as anesthesiologists, surgeons, and PACU nurses, should be allowed in the PACU. These individuals are trained to monitor patients recovering from anesthesia and manage any complications. 2.Patient Transfer Requirements- - Stability Assessment-Patients must be stable before transfer. This includes monitoring vital signs, consciousness level, and pain management. - Documentation-Complete documentation of the patient’s condition, surgical details, and anesthesia used is essential. - Communication-Effective handoff communication to the receiving unit is crucial, ensuring continuity of care. Family Presence-Policies may vary regarding family access during recovery, typically requiring priorty 3. Emergency Protocols-Clear protocols should be in place for emergencies, including immediate access to resuscitation equipment. 4.Compliance with Regulations-All activities must comply with hospital policies, state regulations, and accreditation standards, such as those from The Joint Commission. These standards help ensure patient safety and effective recovery post-surgery. be in place for emergencies, including immediate access to resuscitation equipment. 4. Compliance with Regulations-All activities must comply with hospital policies, state regulations, and accreditation standards, such as those from The Joint Commission. These standards help ensure patient safety and effective recovery post-surgery. AACI standards #Sugical care #stanadards #patient safety #communication

One Body, Many Physicians? My mom has spent the last ten days in the hospital. She was having heart complications, and unknown at the time, suffering from a bone infection in her hand. What we assumed would be a quick visit to the cardiologist has turned into a continuing stay, tests, scans, and surgery. In our lengthy visit at the Texas Presbyterian “Resort” of Dallas, my mom has seen a plethora of doctors that we’ve consulted with each day. There is a cardiologist, vascular surgeon, infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, hand surgeon, plastic surgeon, hospitalist, nurse practitioner, primary care physician, and a host of capable and attentive nurses. Each one has done a great job, and we are thankful for their expertise. As the hospital stay has lengthened, three observations keep surfacing in my mind. ·        What if this vast team of medical professionals all demanded to be the Sous Chef but none of them were willing to be the Chef De Partie (That’s Head Chef vs. Attending Chef for all you non-French speakers or La Madeleine Bakery eaters)? We would quickly notice the tension, become increasingly concerned, and my mom won’t get well. (Note: They may have had disagreements behind closed doors, but we never knew.) ·        Not a single time have I asked any of the physicians where they attended medical school, any of the nurses where they attended nursing school, or what research articles they have published in medical journals. I have one sole concern—can you help my sweet mom? ·        Each physician (and nurse) has come by to check daily progress and help us understand the next steps. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul describes a similar dynamic when he said, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV) Only this time, it’s not one (human) body, many physicians, but one (spiritual) body, many parts.   Every member of the body (church) serves a purpose. We cannot assume, and we certainly cannot communicate, that we don’t need each other. And yet, hospital observations translate into everyday life. ·        In Kingdom work, we cannot demand to be the boss. There’s only one head, Jesus Christ. If we publicly compete or argue, the world will quickly notice our tension, become increasingly uncomfortable, and nothing will be accomplished. ·        People really don’t care about our credentials, degrees, or financial status. They have one sole concern—can you help me? ·        As we mentor others in following Jesus, we must check on their progress, see how they are doing, and help them understand the next steps. I’m grateful for excellent medical care. But at the end of time, no one will seek medical professionals. They will, however, long for God’s mercy, and be forever indebted to the person (or people) who helped them find a Savior. My friend, you don’t have to be a doctor or nurse to save a life, but you must have the courage to speak the truth. 

The journey to recovery after surgery is crucial. This article offers a comprehensive overview of postoperative care for surgical patients, emphasising the essential role of nurses in ensuring patient safety and recovery. 📋 Detailed handover: Before transferring patients back to the ward, a thorough handover from the PACU practitioner to ward staff is vital. This includes details about the procedure, the patient’s condition, and specific care instructions. 🛡️ Recognising complications: Nurses need to be vigilant about potential postoperative complications such as airway issues, hypothermia, hemorrhage, pain, dehydration, and infections. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing adverse outcomes. 💊 Comprehensive care: Postoperative care involves managing pain, encouraging mobility, monitoring fluid balance, and providing patient education on wound care and recovery. 👩⚕️ Nurse's role: Nurses play a critical role in minimising risks and promoting rapid recovery, contributing significantly to the patient’s return to normal functioning. Read the full article. Link in the comments. 👇 #PostoperativeCare #Nursing #PatientSafety #BJNinform

🚨 NEW ARTICLE 🚨 Better ways to protect interventional teams have not kept pace with the rise in #cathlab scatter radiation. "Doctors, nurses, technicians, and other cath lab staff have been increasingly exposed to scatter radiation, but many still use the same outdated heavy-lead apparel they always have. Thankfully, this is beginning to improve as the medical device industry responds to the growing call for more and better caregiver protection." #LightenTheLoad Prof. AVISHAG LAISH-FARKASH, MD, heads the electrophysiology unit at Samson Assuta Ashdod Public Hospital in #Israel and conducted the first #Radiaction system bench test in a live clinical environment. She found Radiaction to reduce overall radiation in the room and reduce exposure to the treating physician's head, neck, and face. #BlockRadiationAtTheSource #NowYouAreProtected Read more in Med Journal 360™ >> https://loom.ly/sMLvWtM #cardiology #medicaldevices #medtech #physicians #nurses #radiographer #technologists #healthcare #hospitals #radiationsafety

Excited to Support the Development of UIC's New CRNA Training Program! We recently had the pleasure of hosting an exploratory visit with the program leaders from the University of Illinois Chicago's new CRNA training program. It was an inspiring and productive meeting, and I was thrilled to reconnect with Susan Krawczyk, CRNA —my colleague from our Loyola days many moons ago—and Mary Ann Zervakis Brent, CRNA. With the ongoing shortage of anesthesia providers, the need for more CRNAs and anesthesiologists has never been more critical. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), the demand for anesthesia professionals is projected to grow by 31% by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for initiatives like UIC's CRNA training program. This shortage is particularly impactful for Ambulatory Surgery Centers, where efficient and safe anesthesia services are essential for patient care. By supporting programs like UIC's, we are investing in the future of healthcare and ensuring that we can continue to provide top-notch care to our patients. Many thanks to Jason Anderson for connecting us and providing enterprise support! #HealthcareLeadership #CRNA #AnesthesiaProviders #ASC #HealthcareEducation #UIC #Collaboration #FutureOfHealthcare #NurseAnesthesia #HealthcareShortage #InvestingInCare

🌟Embracing the Challenges of Open-Heart ICU Nursing 🌟 Working in the ICU for open-heart surgery has been an intense, rewarding journey. Every day, I’m reminded of the resilience of the human heart—both physically and emotionally. In this high-stakes environment, every second counts, and precision is everything. 🔹 Expertise in Critical Care: My experience in the ICU, specifically in open-heart surgery, has honed my skills in emergency response, patient monitoring, and providing specialized post-surgical care. This role has taught me the importance of being both compassionate and detail-oriented. 🔹 Commitment to Excellence: I am always looking for ways to improve and stay updated with the latest practices. Passing the DHA exam is just one step in my journey to elevate my knowledge and deliver top-tier care to my patients. 🔹 Cultural Insight: Working in a diverse environment has enriched my approach to care, as I continue to learn from professionals with different backgrounds and experiences. As I continue in this field, my goal remains the same: to provide exceptional care and make a difference in every patient's life. Here’s to everyone who works tirelessly in critical care, making each heartbeat count. 💙💪 #ICUNurse #OpenHeartSurgery #CriticalCare #PatientCare #Healthcare #Dubai

Singapore Journal of Nursing Research ISSN- 27374637 Singapore Journal of Nursing Research (SJNR) is a monthly peer-reviewed, open access online journal, published by Larix International Pte Ltd, Singapore. It publishes Research Articles, Short communications and Review Articles in all areas of Nursing and Health Care. This Journal publishes original research work that contributes significantly to further the scientific knowledge in Assessment, BSN, Care, Case, Clinical, Communicate, Compassion, Health, License, Maintain, Management, Medical, Monitor, Needs, Nursing, Patient, Provide, Records, RN, Team, Pharmaceuticals, First Aid, Surgery. The Journal publishes original research work either as a Full Research Paper or as a Short Communication. Review Articles on a current topic in the Mentioned fields are also considered for publication by the Journal. Reach us at Email: info@larixjournals.com WhatsApp: +6585151080 #larix_international #journals #larix_publication #nursing_journals