Recently, I was queried about the efficacy of having a single individual be responsible for the pre-construction risk assessment (PCRA) process based on anecdotal evidence of others doing the same. Personally, I am not familiar with any organizations (and I’m familiar with a fair number of them, though, unlike Johnny Cash, I haven’t been everywhere … yet!) who task this process to a single individual.

In its Respiratory Disease Season Outlook, the CDC expects the 2023-2024 season will look similar to last year. Last year’s hospitalizations were higher than experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic, in which severe disease was caused primarily by the influenza virus and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Determining how your facility addresses requests for information about how it complies with CMS’ Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Conditions of Participation (CoP) while protecting sensitive patient safety details is a task for leadership and the hospital attorney.

The whole purpose of the building tour is to determine if your facility is in compliance with the Life Safety Code® (LSC). The surveyor will most likely start at the top of your building inspecting mechanical rooms and the roof.

In the world of hospital laboratories, where precision and accuracy are non-negotiable, the culture of safety forms the bedrock of daily operations. It is within this critical context that Daniel J. Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ), who has over 30 years of experience as a certified medical laboratory scientist and runs Dan the Lab Safety Man Inc., offers his seasoned perspective on sculpting an environment where safety is not just a policy, but a deeply ingrained habit.