In The News: The Omicron Surge is Slowing but Half of Hospital Workers Report Feeling Defeated

It is estimated that 73% of Americans are, for now, immune to omicron, the dominant COVID variant that dramatically drove case counts up this winter.

This news provides some relief for healthcare providers across the country as experts agree that the prevalence of immunity should help prevent or shorten new illnesses in protected people, as well as reduce the amount of virus circulating overall which will ultimately tamper down new waves.

In short, hospitals could get a much-needed break — however, it’s important to note that health systems have already been stretched to the brink and the long-term effects of the pandemic will likely linger on for the foreseeable future.

In this month’s news roundup, we take a closer look at current trends in the healthcare industry amidst ongoing COVID challenges, including how effective inventory management can help improve hospitals’ operational decisions as well as quality of care. Plus, we explore the critical role that BMETs play when it comes to patient safety as well as equipment workflows.

About half of healthcare workers report feeling defeated during pandemic: poll

Becker’s Hospital Review

When asked how they’ve felt about work during the COVID-19 pandemic, about half of over a thousand surveyed healthcare workers said they’ve felt defeated by their job demands, according to a February report from Morning Consult and Axios.

How Digital Transformation Can Improve Hospitals’ Operational Decisions

Harvard Business Review

In the United States, hospitals spent an average of $11.9 million each on medical and surgical supplies, accounting for up to one third of total operating expenses at some. Despite this, improving supply chain and inventory management is often not considered a high priority for hospitals, where providers tend to focus more on the processes surrounding direct patient care. Yet, having these supplies is necessary for delivering high-quality care. Find out why.

Solving Supply Chain Strain: Healthcare and Hospitals Can Use Tech to Help

HealthTech Magazine

Once a relatively unknown facet of organizational operations, supply chain issues are now in the spotlight. Public interest in how and when goods make it from point A to point B has skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic.

Not surprisingly, healthcare organizations have been at the forefront of these disruptions. Initial issues with the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) gave way to challenges with vaccine supply and distribution. While recent pandemic pressures seem less disruptive to healthcare supply chains, questions remain: What does the new normal for healthcare supply chain management look like, and how do healthcare organizations reduce the risk of similar disruptions moving forward?

Effective Maintenance Plans Save Lives and BMETs Are a Vital Component for Success

AAMI

From logbooks to cloud-based computerized maintenance management systems (CMMSs), the history of medical device compliance includes an evolution in the way biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) document maintenance practices. Although technology, including the use of barcodes to categorize and record results, has made the process of capturing real-time data more efficient and accurate, other important factors must not be ignored.

In fact, overlooking the role of the BMET in accurately documenting preventive maintenance, checks, and services can lead to devastating consequences for patients and providers.