Jeff Ferenc

Leveraging Technology, Care Delivery, Leveraging Technology

On the road to fight lung cancer

Carolinas HealthCare System’s Levine Cancer Institute last month launched the first-ever mobile unit with a CT scanner as part of the health system’s effort to address lung cancer diagnoses, treatment and education for rural residents across the Carolinas.

The mobile lung unit is among the first to link those in rural areas to lung cancer education and treatment interventions through integrated mobile technology, traditional treatment facilities and medical staff.

Operational Excellence

Hospitals consider active-shooter plans

Foresight and planning by a Florida hospital prevented a random shooting from escalating even further. Patient Cynthia Zingsheim, 92, and health care aide Carrie Rouzer, 36, were shot and killed July 17 for no apparent reason by an armed man who entered Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla.

Care Delivery, Workforce

Hand hygiene still a challenge

Health care leaders across the nation have instituted hand-hygiene policies to prevent the spread of infections by staff. Compliance with these policies, however, falls woefully short in many facilities.

Case in point: In summer 2014, researchers from the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Health Department conducted a cross-sectional study of 15 outpatient facilities in that state. Medical student interviews with staff indicated that 93 percent of policies recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were in place in the facilities.

Operational Excellence, Workforce

Partnership works out for hospital, disabled individuals

It’s the proverbial match made in heaven for Northwest Community Hospital, northwest of Chicago in Arlington Heights, Ill., and Little City Foundation in nearby Palatine. For the past 20 years, the hospital has hired residents with disabilities from Little City to fill jobs in environmental services, laundry and other departments at the hospital.