Medline Media Room

Medline Spotlight

Pressure Ulcer Litigation

March 11, 2010

Performance Under Pressure: The Legal Side of Pressure Ulcer Prevention

The Federal Register states that pressure ulcers can “reasonably be prevented through the application of evidence-based guidelines.” While “reasonably preventable” does not mean “always preventable,” the statement carries potentially significant legal implications. In this article, Kevin W. Yankowsky, JD, a partner in the Health Law–Health Litigation department of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP and Caroline Fife, MD, CWS, Director of Clinical Research at the Memorial Hermann Center for Wound Healing and Associate Professor–Division of Cardiology at the University of Texas Health Science Center show how the outcome of a medical litigation is highly dependent on the words written and used in a care setting.

Northern Michigan Regional Health System

February 24, 2010

Economic Pressure Opens Door to Improve Supply Chain Functions, Reduce Cost at Northern Michigan Regional Health System

Needing to reign in costs and redesign processes to gain maximum efficiencies, Northern Michigan Regional Health System signed a strategic distribution partnership that has helped the system save approximately $500,000 in acquisition costs and supply chain expenses since 2006.

Dr. Andy Kramer

February 3, 2010

Survey Smarts - An Interview with Dr. Andy Kramer on QIS Facts and Myths

The transformation of the long-term care survey process is under way, with more than 3,100 nursing facilities in 14 states having experienced at least one Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) review. QIS developer Dr. Andrew Kramer, who is also the Principal Investigator in support of CMS to refine the QIS process and to conduct the training of State Survey Agencies, discusses how the QIS is affecting the long-term survey process.

Dr. Didier Pittet

January 15, 2010

Show Me the Evidence: A Conversation with Two Hand Hygiene Experts

Recent news stories such as President Barack Obama declaring the H1N1 Influenza outbreak a national emergency have brought infection control into a leading role in healthcare. As the number one defense against healthcare-acquired infections, hand hygiene plays a critical role. ABC News contributor John Nance recently sat down with world–renowned experts Dr. Didier Pittet and Dr. Günter Kampf to discuss the updated WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care and their recommendations for alcohol-based handrub formulations.

Winter Hand Discontent

December 4, 2009

Avoiding a Winter of Skin Discontent

Winter means drier skin from the reduced humidity, as well as from dry winds outside and central heating inside. Marty Visscher, Ph.D., Director, Skin Sciences Institute at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center discusses how winter affects hand hygiene regimens, healthcare workers’ skin and offers some skincare advice.

Pink Glove Dance

November 19, 2009

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Gets ‘Down’ with Pink Gloves for Breast Cancer Awareness

More than 200 employees of Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon recently went beyond simply wearing new pink gloves to spread the word about breast cancer awareness – they danced in them. And now their fun and touching video – “The Pink Glove Dance” – has become a hit on YouTube with more than 75,000 views within just a few days of posting.

Hospital Storage

October 23, 2009

Four Ways Eliminating Inventory Holding Costs Helped Solus Management Service Manage Supplies More Efficiently and Reduce Costs

Looking for ways to reduce costs in their day-to-day operations and improve cash flow, Solus Management Services partnered with Medline to implement a supply management program that eliminated their inventory holding costs while allowing them to maintain access to their supplies.

Recent Press Releases

Multimedia

5 Minutes With

Five Minutes with...Kevin W. Yankowsky, JD, Partner, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

Subject:
Assessing the Legal Implications of Pressure Ulcers
Date:
February 12, 2010

Cauti Prevention Today

Guidelines and Recommendations for CAUTI Prevention

Guest:
Kathleen Arias, MS
CIC Director, Arias Infection Control Consulting

Social Practice and its Role in Prevention Education and Training

Guest:
Trent Haywood, MD, JD
Sr. Vice President of Clinical Performance, Chief Medical Officer, VHA, Inc.

Breaking the Routine: An Alternative to Catheterization

Guest:
Alan Rothfeld, MD
Vice President of Medical Quality, Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Chief Medical Officer, Queens Care Family Clinics

What Works: Implementing CAUTI Reduction Strategies within a Healthcare System

Guest:
Deborah Burton, PhD, RN, CNAA
Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Providence Health & Services

Publications and Studies

Back to the Basics: Proper hand Hygiene techniques for Infection Control

Subject:
Hand Hygiene Compliance
Authors:
Lorri Downs, RN, BSN, MS, CIC
Date:
January 2010

Effect of topical treatments on irritant hand dermatitis in health care workers

Subject:
Hand Hygiene Compliance
Authors:
Marty Visscher, PhD, Jennifer Davis, BS, and Randy Wickett, PhD
Date:
December 2009

Can a Rigid Container System be Greener and Safer at the Same Time

Subject:
Central Sterile Management
Authors:
Rose Seavey, RN, BS, MBA, CNOR, CRCST, CSPDT
Date:
November 2009

All Hands on Deck

Subject:
Hand Hygiene Compliance
Authors:
Lorri Downs, RN, BSN, MS, CIC
Date:
October 2009

CAUTI Reduction Strategy

Subject:
CAUTI Reduction Strategy
Authors:
Alecia Cooper, RN, BS, MBA, CNOR
Date:
September 2009

White Paper | Legal Issues in the Care of Pressure Ulcer Patients

Subject:
Pressure Ulcers
Authors:
  • Elizabeth A. Ayello, PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, ETN, FAPWCA, FAAN
  • Kathleen Leask Capitulo, DNSC, RN, FAAN
  • Caroline E. Fife, MD CWS
  • Evonne Fowler, MSN, RN, CWON
  • Diane L. Krasner, PhD, RN, CWCN, CWS, BCLNC, FAAN
  • Gerit Mulder, DPM, MS
  • R. Gary Sibbald, MD MEd, FRCPC, MACP, FAAD,FAPWCA
  • Kevin W. Yankowsky, JD
Date:
June 22, 2009

Selecting Exam Gloves that Fit Your Needs

Subject:
Exam Gloves
Authors:
Brian Palmer
Date:
June 2009

Overcoming Barriers to Hand Hygiene Compliance

Subject:
Hand Hygiene
Authors:
Marty Visscher, PhD
Date:
May 2009

Promoting Energy Efficiency and “Green” Practices in the Laundry Process

Subject:
Green laundry solutions
Author:
Mark Whitaker
Date:
March 2009