Best practices in drug safety. Expert advice on proper medication storage, security and labeling.

A better way to eliminate retained surgical items. Accounting, not counting, will ensure no sponges are left behind.

MH drills can be a real life saver. My son is alive today because the surgical team did everything right.

New thoughts on radiation safety. A review of the literature adds clarity to the big picture.

The Constant Quest for Zero - Staff & Patient Safety - October, 2015

Patients give thumbs-up to online post-op visits. Surgeons agree: Virtual consultations can be just as effective as in-person visits.

What to make of these Bair Hugger lawsuits. Should you be concerned that forced-air warmers could cause SSIs?

Hospital: No infections found in children treated with dirty iurgical instruments. The Seattle Children's Hospital says 2,000 of the 12,000 patients at risk have been tested and cleared so far.

New law tightens regulation of California surgical centers. Legislation calls for unannounced accreditation inspections, mandatory 2-year physician peer reviews and more sharing of information.

Florida health system settles Stark Law, False Claims allegations for $69.5 million. Broward Health allegedly rewarded physicians for referrals and penalized them for accepting charity cases.

Hospital terminates medical assistant, citing surgical wound as infection risk. Court rules hospital's "ambiguous" infection control policy not enough to terminate employee.

When patients have to pay the difference, they choose less expensive ASCs for care. Study shows the value of reference-based insurance.

UnitedHealthcare settles underpayment lawsuit. Improper rates stiffed California's out-of-network ASCs.

Wireless sensor in implants may help battle against SSIs. Device would detect presence of pathogenic antigens.

Alzheimer's may be transmissible, study finds. Prion proteins related to Alzheimer's stick tightly to metal surfaces and can survive extreme sterilization procedures.

Here are Outpatient Surgery Magazine's best of the best in surgery. These 7 facilities exemplify teamwork and collaboration in the OR.

Avoid the icy mess of a Cryo/Cuff ice wrap with this Idea That Works from Portland, Maine.

Pentax, hospital targeted in duodenoscope-related suit. Family of woman who died in 2013 claims wrongful death.

Relieve some of the stress of a busy OR day with this Idea That Works from San Diego, California.

Microlaparoscopy: A shortcut to better outcomes. It's time to think small when it comes to certain procedures.