HAI's Increase Hospital Readmission Rates

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Category: Infection Control

Monday, June 11 2012

Written by Stephanie Monk

In previous posts we’ve written about hospitals incorporating new infection control strategies, like dedicating a disposable blood pressure cuff to a patient during their stay, largely to help reduce operational costs.The goal of the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) of 2010 is to reduce healthcare costs while improving the quality of patient care. Even though reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) is a top priority at hospitals nationwide, the new healthcare law is also financially incentivizing hospitals to lower readmission rates. Starting in October 2012, hospitals with the highest readmission rates face up to a 1% cut in Medicare pay. By October 2014, hospitals with the highest readmission rates can lose up to 3% of their Medicare reimbursements.

Beat Down Blood Pressure Video Challenge

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Category: BP Measurement

Tuesday, May 15 2012

Written by Kenny Andersen

With May being High Blood Pressure Awareness month, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) in partnership with Million Hearts (an HHS initiative) are holding a video challenge where folks share how they are using technology to help achieve and manage blood pressure control.

Contestants are asked to create short (<2 minutes long), compelling videos that illustrate how they are using health IT or other e-health tools to measure their BP, take their BP medications as prescribed and to maintain a healthy lifestyle that helps keep their blood pressure in control.

For more information, to submit your own video entry or to vote for your favorite, please visit:

http://bloodpressure.challenge.gov/

Study Shows Off-Roading Can Improve Blood Pressure

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Category: Hypertension

Thursday, May 03 2012

Written by Kent Lupino

Looking for a good excuse for some outdoor adventure? A clinical study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that regularly riding motorized off-road vehicles, like ATV's and dirt bikes, can improve health-related fitness, improve quality of life, and even reduce blood pressure. It goes without saying that for speed-crazed gearheads, tearing around the countryside like a banshee is fun. But who knew that it could also be so...well...healthy? As for me, I think a new ATV is just what the doctor ordered. Happy trails, everyone!

You’re Doing It Wrong: New Study on BP Measurement

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Category: BP Measurement

Wednesday, April 25 2012

Written by Kenny Andersen

A new study¹ published in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension has reached the conclusion that when it comes to proper blood pressure (BP) measurement technique, most clinicians just aren’t very good at it. According to the authors, Minor et al, the purpose of the study was to “assess BP measurement accuracy and the level of adherence to recommended techniques throughout a large academic health science center.” As it turns out, the results were poor on both fronts and their statistical analysis indicates that technique does indeed impact accuracy.

BP Differences Between Arms Could be an Early Indicator of Serious Health Risks Ahead

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Category: BP Measurement

Wednesday, April 11 2012

Written by Lindsay Sloan

SunTech has blogged on the importance of BP measurement in both arms before (see: Has My Physician Measured My BP in Both Arms?) and research articles continue to be published on this issue. But now, two new studies have been published showing that the benefits of BP measurement in both right and left arms could be a life saving step in routine care.

Top 7 Reasons You Should Be Using Automated Blood Pressure for Cardiac Stress Testing

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Category: Cardiac Stress BP

Tuesday, March 27 2012

Written by Denise Witman

As any cardiologist will tell you, a cardiac stress test is a fundamental step to diagnosing a multitude of heart conditions and is a necessary tool for any cardiac care facility.  The average cardiac stress test lab contains ECG stress systems, Echocardiogram machines, treadmills, ergometers and …. manual blood pressure gauges?  With all of this automated equipment that allows us to remove variability and minimize inherent patient risk, why are we still trying to take blood pressures manually during a stress test?!

5 Myths About Vital Signs Automation and EHR's

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Category: BP Measurement

Monday, March 19 2012

Written by Kent Lupino

Anyone who has been a patient in a doctor’s office knows what it’s like to get their blood pressure (“hold still while I inflate this cuff”), body temperature (“put this under your tongue”), and weight (“don’t worry, I’m sure your clothes add a few pounds”) measured. Historically, the nurse would write all of the measurements down on a paper chart for the doctor to review, and the chart would later go into the patient’s permanent file. But really, paper and pen are so 20th Century. Aren’t they?

10 Things To Look For When Purchasing Disposable Cuffs

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Category: Infection Control

Monday, February 27 2012

Written by Stephanie Monk

With the passing of the new healthcare law in 2010, more emphasis has been placed on reducing Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) throughout acute-care hospitals. Not only does this new healthcare law have financial penalties for hospitals with the highest rates of HAIs, this law also requires mandatory public reporting of HAI rates for all hospitals in the United States.

Hospitals are currently implementing more stringent Infection Control Policies to reduce the spread of HAIs. Our current e-book details the 7 reasons why disposable cuffs should be a part of an effective infection control program and our Disposable Cuff ROI Calculator shows the potential cost savings of using disposable cuffs over reusable cuffs. So even though you know your healthcare facility needs to use to disposable cuffs, what should you look for when selecting and purchasing these cuffs?

3 Things to Consider When Measuring Your BP at a Kiosk

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Category: BP Measurement

Tuesday, February 14 2012

Written by Tony Francisco

This Valentine's Day, when you are out making a mad dash to your local pharmacy for the perfect card, you may consider checking your blood pressure at the pharmacy's kiosk. We'd like to whisper sweet nothings in your ear about 3 things to consider while having your BP measurement taken at a kiosk.

Determining BP Device Accuracy: Who Has It Right?

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Category: BP Measurement

Tuesday, January 24 2012

Written by Kenny Andersen

All caregivers need to trust the accuracy of automated blood pressure (BP) devices they use to make clinical decisions. But when considering one specific BP device versus another, how does one establish that trust? Well, an automated BP device that’s used to guide patient treatment is legally considered a medical device, and therefore must adhere to the regulatory guidelines for the markets in which it is sold.