| Transforming Health Care from the Inside Out |  |
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- AORN recommends medication safety practices
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses has issued recommendations on medication safety practices for all perioperative team members. The recommendations cover best practices in procuring, prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering and monitoring medications. Nurse.com
(1/15)     
- Lower complication risk for mid-career surgeons, study says
Surgeons ages 35 to 50 perform safer procedures than those who are younger or older, according to University of Lyon researchers who analyzed complication rates for more than 3,500 thyroid operations. The report in the British Medical Journal said that surgeons with 20 or more years of experience had a higher risk of several surgical complications regardless of case complexity and that the reasons for poor performance need additional study. BBC
(1/10), Google/The Press Association (U.K.)
(1/11)
- 6 provider-based ACOs receive early-adopter status
Six health groups, including Billings Clinic in Montana and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, have achieved early-adopter status under the National Committee for Quality Assurance's program to certify accountable care organizations. The groups have agreed to undergo an NCQA review from March 1 to Dec. 31 of this year to assess their ACO readiness. Healthcare IT News
(1/13)
| Practice Management | | |
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| E-Health Watch | | |
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- 4 HIE trends that will affect health groups in 2012
Colin Barry, CEO of MEDfx, has identified four key trends that hospitals and health systems should keep an eye on this year as they work to build or participate in health information exchanges. They include increased adoption of the Nationwide Health Information Network standards for secure data exchanges and the growing need to boost access to test results. BeckersHospitalReview.com
(1/12)
- CMS reminds providers of approaching MU deadlines
The CMS has issued important reminders for providers participating in the Medicare EHR incentive program. Eligible providers seeking to qualify for the 2011 incentives have until Feb. 29 of this year to enroll and report on meaningful use compliance as well as submit all Medicare Part B claims needed to meet the $24,000 MU threshold, the CMS said in a statement. Health Data Management
(1/13)
| Products & Innovation | | |
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- Physicians find tablet computers offer practice benefits
Physicians are buying tablet computers for professional use, a trend an industry consultant said may be driven by the lighter weight and longer battery life the device offers. A survey by NPD Group showed 76% of small to midsize physician and dental practices planned to purchase tablets in the coming year and some hospitals are offering remote read-only access to their internal systems for those who have them. American Medical News (subscription required)
(1/16)
| Policy & Reform Spotlight | | |
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- SGR repeal could lead to higher Medicare Part B premiums
A study from the Congressional Research Service shows repealing the sustainable growth rate formula for physician reimbursement pits Medicare beneficiaries against taxpayers because one must take the financial hit. Adding more money for reimbursements could force an increase in Medicare Part B premiums unless lawmakers add a "premium hold-harmless" provision, which would then raise the cost of the SGR repeal to $375 billion. Medscape (free registration)
(1/11)
| SmartQuote | | |
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 | Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills."
--Minna Antrim,
American writer
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This news roundup is provided as a timely update to ACC members and partners interested in quality health care topics in the news media.
Links to articles are provided for the convenience of the health care professionals who may find them of use in discussions with patients or
colleagues. Opinions expressed in ACC Quality First SmartBrief are those of the identified authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions
or policies of the American College of Cardiology. On occasion, media articles may include or imply incorrect information about the ACC and
its policies, positions, or relationships. For clarification on ACC positions and policies, we refer you to
http://www.CardioSource.org.
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External Resources are not a part of the CardioSource.org website. ACC is not responsible for the content of sites that are external to the ACC.
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