In 2009, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published two randomized, controlled studies that found percutaneous vertebroplasty in the treatment of painful, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCF) was no more effective than a placebo procedure.  The purpose of this program is to help clinicians-both those who perform the procedure and those who refer patients to specialists-better understand the studies' findings and how best to apply those results to everyday practice.

In the early 2000s, IV pumps became available with dose error reduction systems (DERS), complete with comprehensive libraries, standard concentrations and dose limits. These "smart" IV pumps have quickly become a standard as an important element of comprehensive medication safety programs. This webcast focuses on compliance with the use of the DERS.

Mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) is usually guided by arterial blood gases, and the parameters used to maintain these blood gases are limited by standards for lung protective ventilation.Airway pressures and tidal volume are minimized for lung protection despite evidence that they may be inadequate surrogates for lung stress and strain. Transpulmonary Pressure (Ptp) represents true lung pressure and physiologically, is ≥ 0 cmH2O at end-exhalation.

During the past decade there has been a steady increase in the safety features of infusion pumps. In this program, nurses and pharmacists who have been involved in designing drug libraries and interpreting CQI data will share key lessons learned. Real examples will be used to illustrate creative solutions to reducing nuisance alerts, improve the “fit” between current and best practices, identify specific safety “guardrails” that may not be used consistently, and point out potential library design issues that can impact safety. This program is approved for 1.5 hours of nursing and pharmacy credit.

Complete the evaluation for credit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012april27webinar

Unless pharmaceutical waste is properly managed, it poses serious risks-not only to the environment but also to hospitals and their bottom line. The EPA requires that pharmaceutical waste be managed safely from the moment it is generated to when it is appropriately disposed. This continuing education self study activity for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will discuss proper pharmaceutical waste management. This program is approved for 1.0 hours of pharmacy education. Complete the evaluation for credit.

Safe and effective sedation of ICU patients requires a team approach to assess sedation level, establish therapeutic endpoints, choose the appropriate medications, manage pain and delirium, and recognize and prevent sedation-induced complications. Our expert faculty includes Dr. Michael Ramsay (Ramsay Sedation Scale), Anne Pohlman (ICU Sedation Vacation) and Dr. John Devlin (SCCM Sedation guidelines). Objectives include: review ordering, assessing, and monitoring of ICU sedation including a review of sedation, administration safety and new data from smart pumps.

Dr. David Classen and Dr. Carlos Nunez, Chief Medical Officer at CareFusion, will discuss how HIT impacts patient safety. In this webcasts, they will identify the current state of HIT and safety, describe major findings of the new IOM report, review the IOM recommendations and discuss the implications of the recommendations for healthcare organizations.

Achieving glucose control by using intensive insulin therapy has become a mainstay of therapy for intensive care patients. The publication of the NICE-SUGAR trial from Australia has added to the evidence to support the value of this intervention, but it also raised concern regarding its safe execution. This webcast reviews the Australian study and the impact the findings have had on the US practices.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to examine policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. In 2000, the IOM report raised awareness about medical errors and accelerated existing efforts to prevent such errors. Their publication of To Err is Human was a tipping point for patient safety. The IOM process, its recent reports on quality and safety and how this report fits in the series will be presented in this webcast.

In December 2008, the Joint Commission issued Sentinel Event Alert 42 titled, "Safely Implementing Health Information and Converging Technologies". Of all the technologies discussed, automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) had the largest installed base with 83% of U.S. hospitals having ADCs. This webcast will help address Joint Commission concerns, use of the ISMP's guidance document, and identifying areas of ADC practice that can lead to safety issues.