Glucose meters and opportunities for in-hospital transmission of infection: Quantitative assessment and management with and without patient assignment.

Background: Increasing use of glucose meters in hospitals has increased opportunities for infection transmission that have not been quantitatively assessed or managed.

Methods: Before-and-after study of the effects of augmentation of glucose meter inventory and of assignment of glucose meters to individual patients on the sequential use of glucose meters on different patients in a 214-bed hospital.

Results: During October 2008, 11,665 measurements were performed using 38 glucose meters on 803 patients.

Perspectives of nurse executives: lessons learned in Haiti.

As 3 nursing administrators, we relinquished our executive roles and participated in a medical mission trip to Haiti. We found ourselves returning to basic nursing skills, appreciating the importance of teamwork, and valuing the significance of a shared mission to achieve goals. In the end, many lessons were learned that have been important once we returned to the United States.