| Right Care. Right Now. |  |
- Helicopter halves the time needed to reach NICU patients
 The NICU Transport Squad at Mercy Hospital is able to reach families in rural parts of Oklahoma more quickly than ever, thanks to a new helicopter. Only a few hospitals in the state have Level III neonatal intensive care units, and they are often hours away by ambulance. For Mercy, even using a fixed-wing plane took too long, as it required an airfield and ambulance transfers. "Our time to be able to get to them has been cut in half," said NICU nurse Stacy Webb. KOKH-TV (Oklahoma City)
(11/18)     
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Survey Results: The Role of Mobility Strategies in Healthcare
Nearly 300 healthcare organizations were surveyed to better understand how hospitals are implementing mobility strategies and what topics they identify as important to consider. Read report. |
| Medicine in the News |  |  |
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- Joint Commission names 3 comprehensive stroke centers
The Joint Commission has awarded its "comprehensive" stroke center designation to three hospitals: Stanford Hospital & Clinics in Palo Alto, Calif., OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill., and Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pa. The designation, which indicates that the centers are capable of handling the most complex cases, could lead to new paramedic protocols that divert some stroke patients from other hospitals. HealthLeaders Media
(11/19)
- Hospitals take steps to reduce noise so patients can sleep
Study data show hospital patients are easily disturbed by electronic noises and conversations, so the new Rush University Medical Center in Chicago built patient rooms that are more soundproof and have lights that automatically dim at night to remind nurses to lower noise volumes. Sleep specialist David Kuhlmann of Bothwell Regional Health Center in Missouri said for some patients "poor sleep can be the difference between having a good day or a not-good day and hospitals need to take this into account." USA Today
(11/18)
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Do you feel your organization and colleagues promote a good sense of interdisciplinary teamwork?
Check out the results of this poll in next month's Critical Care SmartBrief Best Of 2012 report.
 | Yes, all professionals in my group are treated with respect and work closely to optimize patient care. |
| No, we have a lot of work to do to make sure everyone is valued and heard. |
| Sometimes we pull together as a team and sometimes the process breaks down. |
| I don't know. |
| Trends and Technology | | |
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- Shortages remain despite regulatory, industry actions
Drug shortages have prompted a presidential order, congressional hearings and promises of improved communication from makers of generic drugs. About 150 new shortages have been prevented, according to the FDA. "We're seeing real change in the number of shortages that we're able to recognize early," FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said. However, the shortages are not going away because a drug tends to remain scarce once it becomes scarce, said Erin Fox, who tracks drug supplies at the University of Utah. The New York Times (tiered subscription model)
(11/16)
- Poll examines physicians' response to ethical dilemmas
A Medscape survey revealed variation in doctors' responses on ethical issues surrounding defensive medicine, end-of-life care and health care resources. The survey found 32% of physicians said they would dismiss a nonadherent or resource over-using patient, while 33% said they would not. Modern Physician (free registration)
(11/19)
| Editor's Note | | |
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SmartBrief will not publish Friday
In observance of Thanksgiving in the U.S., Critical Care SmartBrief will not be published Friday, Nov. 23.
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | A good man with a good conscience doesn't walk so fast."
--Georg Büchner,
German writer
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