Publications & Resources

The FDA updates physicians about adverse events associated with surgical staplers and implantable surgical staples and provides recommendations for improving patient safety.

A cornerstone of the quality of care provided at any healthcare organization is a culture that provides for the safety of patients and promotes an environment where staff and providers feel comfortable in raising issues or concerns.

MLMIC encourages all our insured facilities and providers to examine the safety of their organizations and practices and utilize available resources to assist in developing, evaluating or expanding plans for addressing the potential of workplace violence.

Infection transmission in healthcare facilities is strongly associated with poor hand hygiene. Starting this year, CMS surveyors will issue citations when they observe any ambulatory surgery center employee failing to follow proper hand hygiene protocol.

New York State requires all narcotic prescribers to attend three hours of continuing medical education (CME) that address specifically designated aspects of prescribing controlled substances. These CMEs must be completed prior to July 1, 2017.

Effective January 18, 2017, the FDA has banned the use of powdered gloves in healthcare. MLMIC recommends that all insureds protect their patients and ensure their practices are in compliance.

Hospitals should be aware that provider-based urgent care centers that are held out to the public as such will likely meet the definition of a “dedicated emergency department” and will be subject to full EMTALA compliance.

The Joint Commission (JC) issued a clarification reversing its position on the texting of medical orders: “The use of secure text orders is not permitted at this time.”

HHS has issued an alert that a phishing scam email is being circulated on mock HHS departmental letterhead. This email, which appears to be an official government communication to HIPAA covered entities, prompts recipients to click a link regarding possible inclusion in the HIPAA audit program.

While NOACs are considered to have certain advantages to warfarin, they also have disadvantages. MLMIC believes it is important for providers to be aware of the potential risks of prescribing any medication.