Development and evaluation of a high-fidelity, multi-disciplinary simulation training course for high-consequence infectious diseases using fluorescence visualization.

Background: High-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) include contact-transmissible viral haemorrhagic fevers and airborne-transmissible infections such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome. Assessing suspected HCID cases requires specialized infection control measures including patient isolation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination. There is need for an accessible course for NHS staff to improve confidence and competence in using HCID PPE outside specialist HCID centres.

Dealing with self-pay patients--compassionately.

Efforts to collect money should start at the beginning--in preregistration and registration. Hospitals should be firm, but compassionate, about communicating payment responsibilities to self-pay patients. Involving all revenue cycle employees in improving the collection process will gain valuable input and ensure their buy-in.