The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) has set new rules for hospitals concerning patient's pain.
Doctors and nurses need to start paying more attention to pain or their hospitals face loosing accreditation.
As of January1, JCAHO requires hospitals to access, monitor, and manage pain in all patients regularly. Advocates for the dying and terminally ill have argued for such a ruling for many years, saying medical professionals often ignore pain. This adds unnecessary suffering, only worsening a patient's life.
Healthcare officials will also be required to educate staff, patients, and relatives about managing pain.
The new regulations were published a year ago by JCAHO, allowing hospitals time to adjust to the policy. Surveys show 90% of accredited hospitals are already complying with the new standards.
Information from www.washingtonpost.com
Second Strain of Bird Flu Found in US Dairy Cows: What It Means for Infection Prevention and Control
February 7th 2025A new H5N1 strain was found in Nevada dairy cows, challenging earlier transmission theories. This raises concerns about animal vulnerability, human health risks, and food safety. Experts emphasize the need for improved surveillance, biosecurity, and cross-sector collaboration to contain the virus spread.
Fungal Infections: The Silent Epidemic Threatening Global Health
February 6th 2025Fungal infections are a rising global threat, with antifungal resistance complicating treatment. Neil J. Clancy, MD, emphasizes the urgent need for research, better diagnostics, and stronger infection prevention strategies.
Hiding in Plain Sight: The Most Harmful and Costly Hospital-Acquired Infection
February 5th 2025Nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) is a deadly, overlooked infection impacting patient outcomes. With new diagnostic tools and prevention strategies, hospitals must prioritize oral hygiene to reduce risk.
Breaking Barriers: The Future of HIV Prevention and the Fight for Widespread PrEP Access
January 31st 2025Despite medical advances, HIV prevention faces roadblocks—low PrEP adoption, stigma, and accessibility issues threaten progress. Experts push for innovative, long-acting solutions to end the epidemic.
Clean Hospitals With Alexandra Peters, PhD: The Double-Edged Sword of High-Tech
January 30th 2025Despite revolutionary advancements like alcohol-based hand rubs, infection prevention still faces major hurdles. Poor adherence to hygiene, overreliance on technology, and understaffed environmental services create perfect storm conditions for deadly outbreaks.