Dear Subscriber,

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has developed initiatives to improve healthcare in the United States. One initiative, the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs), consists of four components: appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics, appropriate hair removal, maintenance of perioperative glucose control, and maintenance of perioperative normothermia.

A preoperative screening for risk factors for SSIs is also essential. Assess patients for the following:

• FAQs about SSIs INFECTION CONTROL: SSIs: What Are The Host Factors? Infection Control: Preventing Infections Is Easy As 1, 2, 3 WOUND CARE MANAGEMENT: Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections PROTECTING PATIENTS FROM HARM: Improving Hospital Care For Surgical Patients INFECTION CONTROL: Best Practices To Reduce Infections

  Preexisting infection or medical condition
• Nasal bacterial colonization
• Malnutrition
• Advancing age
• Diabetes mellitus
• Nicotine use
• Immunosuppression
• Obesity

Read more on this topic by exploring the articles in NursingCenter’s "More Resources." Also, challenge yourself with our newest puzzle, IHI says prevent SSI.

Don’t miss our next issue about pressure ulcer prevention, plus new articles and CEs.

Lisa Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Clinical Editor

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New Open Heart Clinical Resource Program
Read articles on developments in open-heart and critical care programs and even earn Free CE when you visit this new resource page. Current topics include: rapid treatment approach to cardiogenic shock (CE), quality of life following elective open-heart surgery, updates on inotropes and vasopressors, ECG challenges, and more.

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Several studies have demonstrated the benefits of laughter, such as the following:

• Decreased pain
• Increased effectiveness of pain management
• Lower stress
• Improved perceptions of physical health
• A boost in immunity

Learn how to embrace humor as an intervention by reading STUDENT EXTRA: Lighten Up!

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The Older Adult, Dementia, and Assisted Bathing
With planning and a process customized to address each person’s unique needs, or a person-centered approach, older adults with dementia can be spared a negative experience. The video outlines cutting-edge research and presents best practices in bathing from researchers and practitioners, as well as guidance from the perspective of a state regulatory agency on what actually constitutes compliance with relevant standards of care.

View the Webcast! for more details.

Smart infusion pumps were developed to avoid potentially harmful medication errors. The smart pump is programmed to remember hospital-defined dosing limits and other clinical advisories and then to apply those “rules” during pump programming to warn clinicians about potentially unsafe drug therapy. The important thing to remember when using this technology is to actually use it and not bypass any of the predefined rules.

See more drug updates.