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After several monthly reviews of reported adverse drug events, hypoglycemia ranked highest for the hospital. Upon further review, the majority of hypoglycemic events were associated with the use of insulin, a high-alert medication. In fall 2011, a multidisciplinary team was created to develop a…
As the United States becomes increasingly diverse and as individuals choose to be more acculturated than assimilated, the 'American' workplace faces many challenges. Communication is one of the most significant hurdle to achieving cultural competence. Thus language differences become an immediate…
The need for cultural competence among physician providers is widely recognized by accrediting bodies, national organizations and quasi governmental entities. Guidelines for inclusion of cultural competency training within a medical school curriculum are available; however successful implementation…
Examples of and the rationale for strategies used to foster critical consciousness in the work of health equity at Barnes-Jewish Hospital:
Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, a division of Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc., is a Catholic, not-for-profit organization with more than 100 sites in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, more than 12,000 employees and approximately 1,578,298 patients served in fiscal year 2011. Their associates, leaders…
Transforming organizations, such as academic health centers or teaching hospitals, toward creating a culture of inclusion is challenging. The way a health care professional thinks, including their delivery of services, practices or engagement, is not only influenced by personal beliefs and values,…
In order to deliver the highest quality and most appropriate health care, Georgia Health Sciences University sought to improve the cultural competency of their workforce and student body. The study describes the process that was experienced in order to provide cultural competency training to all…
Approximately 24 million people--8.5 percent of the U.S. population--are defined as having Limited English Proficiency. Research suggests that among those who experience medical errors, LEP patients are more likely to be harmed, the harm is more likely to be serious, and the cause of harm is more…
Neighborhood and environment are important determinants of health in addition to individual characteristics and contributions of the health care system. Individuals living in poor neighborhoods are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Little is known about how neighborhood perceptions are…
There is often a lack of coordination among the various health and social systems that provide initial orientation to newly arrived refugees. Ineffective coordination across critical systems can be detrimental, putting providers who are less-resourced at a disadvantage in their efforts to provide…