If you want to practice in the state of Colorado - You need to and act on this important information prior to April 1st Colorado is now one of about six U.S. states requiring the registration and licensing of surgical technologists and surgical assistants. The new law, effective April 1, 2011, will help ensure hospitals and surgery centers do not inadvertently hire surgical technologists with a criminal background or with a history of jeopardizing patient safety. Additionally, the legislation will allow employers to share information with other potential healthcare employers concerning impaired work function, drug diversion, patient abuse and violent crimes. The legislation is significant, said State Representatives Debbie Benefield and Sara Gagliardi, drafters of the new law. "Our bill will require surgical technicians to be registered with the state before working with patients. Employers must verify with the state that a prospective employee's [surgical technologists and technicians, surg assistants] registration is in good standing before he/she can start working in an operating room. Additionally, if a surgical technologist or assistant is fired or disciplined, the employer must report this information to the state within two weeks," lawmakers told DenverPost.com when drafting their bill. If you have [+]

Without the ability to effectively communicate with under-served minorities, healthy patient outcomes are in peril, say experts at the Pennsylvania Patient Authority. Their agency reported about 232 incidents over a six year period at Keystone State healthcare facilities involving accidents and near accidents that might have been prevented with video interpreters. Risk-related incidents included patient falls from not understanding care instructions, unwanted circumcisions and surgeon/patient disconnects. In some cases, language barriers made it difficult to obtain patient consent, delaying treatment and jeopardizing outcomes. Video interpretation services rely on a portable two-way video monitor system easily transported to the ER, bedside or visitor waiting area.  At a cost of about $0.80 to $1.00 a minute, the caregiver or registered nurse simply selects a language and the system conferences in an interpreter live via satellite almost immediately. For healthcare employers serving large urban communities, video interpretation systems are a godsend.  They alleviate high costs associated with on-site interpreters and enable better patient care through improved communication with Limited English Proficient, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing patients. For career nurses on the front lines, a video interpreter means they no longer have to wait for a live [+]