Aug 18, 2007
Medicare Says It Won't Cover Hospital Errors - In a significant policy change, Bush administration officials say that Medicare will no longer pay the extra costs of treating preventable errors, injuries and infections that occur in hospitals, a move they say could save lives and millions of dollars. (The New York Times) Read More...

Aug 21, 2007
Editorial: Not Paying for Medical Errors (The New York Times)
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August 19, 2007
Doctors try new word: Sorry. Admitting mistakes not just right thing to do, medical community finds it may prevent malpractice suits (Judith Graham, Chicago Tribune)
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July 22, 2007
Sizing up your hospital; Online data reveal how its practices rate (Chicago Sun-Times)
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Medicare Ends Coverage for Hospital Errors Read More...

Study: Disinfectant cuts down on MSRA
A study of the disinfectant Byotrol at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in Scotland shows that the disinfectant cut down on the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by 75 percent.
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Repairing the Rift Between Hospitals and Doctors: Elliott Fisher, Bob Berenson, Gail Wilensky Debate the Policy Options. Read the debate.

Nine Steps to Move Forward From Error

Persisting problems in disclosing medical error. Banja JD. Harvard Health Policy Review 2004;5:14-20.
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July 17, 2007
A new study suggests that despite tons of positive press, EMRs may not always improve patient care.
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Alexian Brothers Hospital Network policy for Color-Coded Patient Wristbands (First Draft)
Missouri campaign "Banding Together - For Patient Safety" - Download toolkit

July 3, 2007
University of Chicago: Police probe whether patients got insulin overdoses The investigation includes federal and local agencies and interviewing countless employees of the hospital. Over the last two months, staff became suspicious about unexplained levels of insulin in two patients. Those patients have since died. CPSF Executive Director Leonard Lamkin was interviewed. (ABC News)
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June 2, 2007
Patient Safety is measured on quality of care web sites. Compare how Chicago area hospitals are doing. 
www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov
(Offers statistics comparing more than 5,000 hospitals)
www.qualitycheck.org
(Information from the Joint Commission that accredits most U.S. hospitals)
www.leapfroggroup.org
(Analyzes 30 different practices at over 1,300 hospitals)

June 5, 2007
HB1254, creating the Illinois Health Information Network (ILHIN), passes in both Houses.

Nursing home drug errors remain hidden
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Senator Grassley proposes "watch list" for nursing homes
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Illinois Hospitals have been recognized by HealthGrades for patient safety
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Despite promising efforts over the past 5 years to improve patient safety, the American public does not feel safer
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