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Biomedical subjects

P Spath

Publications and source records attributed to P Spath.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

How case managers can help reduce medical errors.

Although mistakes are inevitable, even in the best-run organizations, the tools used for care coordination--such as clinical pathways, standing order sets, algorithms, and other "point of care" reminders--are among the most important weapons in the fight against medical errors in hospitals. For example, establish maximum doses for high-risk drugs, and incorporate these criteria into pathways or standing orders. Preprinted order sets and protocols allow staff to focus their attention on relevant patient care issues, rather than spending time rewriting orders and possibly introducing errors into the system. Case managers can be particularly effective in helping other caregivers catch and correct mistakes before the patient is harmed.

Case Management↗
PubMed1999

Here is what you can do to protect patient privacy.

Although the free exchange of information is a necessary part of patient care, it's important to ensure that data aren't inadvertently shared with the wrong people. To avoid inappropriate disclosure, save patient-specific conversations for private areas, not hospital hallways or elevators. It's also important to take steps to keep case management forms secure, double-check requests for provider-to-provider faxes, and make sure post-discharge requests for information are routed through the health information management department. Case management departments also should have a confidentiality policy that defines how computerized files are maintained to prevent security breaches, how information releases are handled, and other aspects of information management.

Case Management↗
PubMed1999

Small hospitals benefit from program investments.

Hospitals with fewer than 100 beds may find it challenging to get a return on clinical paths or case management program investments. That is why it so important to consider the hospital's managed care goals before embarking on the development of any program designed to improve care coordination. To achieve these goals, the small hospital has several different action plan choices, including: improve preadmission planning, more closely monitor the appropriateness of admissions and continued stays, expand discharge planning, design preprinted physicians' orders or protocols, expand community health services, and expand community-based case management. Most importantly, involvement is needed from physicians, managers, and staff who "own" the clinical process involved.

Budgets↗
PubMed1998

How to measure age-specific competencies.

According to standards issued by the Oakbrook Terrace, IL-based Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, age-specific competencies must be defined for all caregivers who assess, treat, or provide care to patients of different ages. Case managers must know the principles of growth and development over the life span, be able to assess clinical data relative to patient age, and interpret information needed to identify patient needs relative to age-specific needs. With written standards and policies that reflect age-specific care, the organization has a means to measure case managers' performance and criteria that serve as a foundation for competency determinations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Pathways can improve perioperative process.

With today's emphasis on horizontal and vertical integration of patient care services, caregivers are turning to clinical pathways to more effectively manage perioperative patients. Often, such pathways are generic (covering, for instance, all orthopedic or all vascular procedures). Such paths are especially helpful for organizations wishing to use the path for documentation purposes. In developing perioperative pathways, identify the specific patient care outcomes to be achieved; review patient records, nursing practice standards, and other materials to identify the common elements of care; and decide upon a process for reporting variances.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗