Safe Patient Project: Pennsylvania

Demonstrating Return on Investment for Infection Prevention and Control

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:12:42 -0600

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority has produced a report outlining the need for investment in infection prevention.

What You Need to Know Before Having an MRI Scan

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:08:19 -0600

The magnetic field of the MRI scanner may exert forces on certain implanted objects that are susceptible to the effects of the magnetic field, potentially causing the object to move within the body, which could result in serious harm. Learn how you can help protect yourself.

What You Can Do to Prevent Wrong-Site Surgery

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:04:49 -0600

Know what steps you can take to prevent a wrong-site surgery from happening to you or a loved one.

Preventing the Retention of Foreign Objects during Interventional Radiology Procedures

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:58:42 -0600

Patient injury reports indicate that it is important to use radiopaque sponges during any IR procedure in order to prevent the retention of foreign objects following IR procedures.

Safety in the MR Environment: MR Screening Practices

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:47:18 -0600

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority received approximately 150 reports describing events in which the magnetic resonance (MR) clinical screening process was inadequate and, in some cases, erroneously permitted patients with implanted pacemakers and other ferromagnetic objects into the MRI scanner room.

Medication Errors Occurring in the Radiologic Services Department

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:38:04 -0600

Nearly 1,000 event reports submitted to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority specifically mentioned medication errors that occurred in care areas providing radiologic services.

Why Not The Best? Comparative Reports on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:48:34 -0600

Users of WhyNotTheBest.org can now search for and compare data from more than 900 hospitals on the incidence of central line�associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)�one of the most lethal hospital-acquired complications. The data show wide variation in CLABSI incidence, in spite of strong evidence on how to prevent them. This data is made possible through a partnership among The Commonwealth Fund, The Leapfrog Group, and Consumers Union.

Pennsylvania 2009 Report: Healthcare-Associated Infections

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:38:47 -0600

Overtreatment

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:03:26 -0600

Surgeries, procedures or medications you thought were unnecessary?

State Plans to Address Healthcare-Associated Infections

Thu, 27 May 2010 13:35:28 -0600

Plans about what the states are supposed to be doing to eliminate hospital acquired infections.

Antimicrobial Resistance State Fact Sheets Map

Thu, 13 May 2010 17:12:19 -0600

Link to map that highlights antimicrobial resistance issues at the state level.

Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority 2009 Annual Report

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:41:52 -0600

PA annual report on state activities relating to hospital infections and medical errors.

Clostridium Difficile Infections in Nursing Homes Mandatory reporting of healthcare-acquired infections began in Pennsylvania nursing homes in June 2009 and this report is based on preliminary data from July-September 2009. The Authority is not yet releas

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:24:44 -0600

Mandatory reporting of healthcare-acquired infections began in Pennsylvania nursing homes in June 2009 and this report is based on preliminary data from July-September 2009. The Authority is not yet releasing the data by facility.

Meet the new super bug: C. diff

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:38:57 -0600

"A new Duke University study shows rates of infection from the bacterium C. diff (Clostridium difficile) are overtaking those associated with MRSA infections in community hospitals. " C-diff is an antibiotic reisistant intestinal bacteria that can become more virulant if a patient is taking anitbiotics to treat other types infections.

Medical Error Survey for Patients

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:16:20 -0600

This survey was created for patients who have experienced medical harm, their loved ones and their advocates. This survey was created by the Empowered Patient Coalition and we have jointly published this survey on our websites. This survey is designed to answer questions that are important to patients. This is a way for patients to report their experience as they have lived it, and to know that their report will be counted.The Empowered Patient Coalition will be entering the events annonymously on a map so you can see your error and others in your state by clciking on the map.