Metro Hospitals Agree to Standardized Surgical Site Marking Protocol
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- "Safest in America," a consortium of 10 metropolitan hospitals and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, is implementing standardized surgical site marking protocols for 10 hospital systems in the Twin Cities. Currently, hundreds of Twin Cities' surgeons practice at multiple facilities in the metropolitan area, each with separate procedures for surgical site marking.
Reaching an agreement on a single standard in the Twin Cities is an important step in reducing possible confusion and reducing opportunities for medical errors (i.e., "wrong site" surgery).
Scheduled to appear at a news conference on Monday are CEOs from Allina Hospitals and Clinics, Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Fairview Health Services, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, HealthEast, Hennepin County Medical Center, Methodist Hospital/Park Nicollet Health Services, and Regions Hospital/HealthPartners.
Source: Safest in America
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.
