Using performance tasks employing IOM patient safety competencies to introduce quality improvement processes in medical laboratory science education.

In order to contribute to improved healthcare quality through patient-centered care, laboratory professionals at all levels of practice must be able to recognize the connection between non-analytical factors and laboratory analysis, in the context of patient outcomes and quality improvement. These practices require qualities such as critical thinking (CT), teamwork skills, and familiarity with the quality improvement process, which will be essential for the development of evidence-based laboratory science practice. Performance tasks (PT) are an educational strategy which can be used to teach and assess CT and teamwork, while introducing Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) students at both baccalaureate and advanced-practice levels to the concepts of quality improvement processes and patient outcomes research.

Improving patient safety and healthcare quality in the 21st century--competencies required of future medical laboratory science practitioners.

Healthcare quality has yet to meet the aims of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) with respect to safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, efficiency, timeliness and equity. No professional curricula adequately prepare future healthcare practitioners-including medical laboratory science professionals-with all competencies necessary to deliver quality healthcare. Practicing evidence-based medicine, focusing on quality improvement, using information technology, delivering patient-centered care and working as part of interdisciplinary teams are identified by the IOM as the five core competencies that every healthcare practitioner needs to effectively provide healthcare.

Active steps for diabetes: a community-campus partnership addressing frailty and diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Active Steps for Diabetes (ASD), a self-management education (DSME) program for aging adults with diabetes and frailty, on blood glucose control (A1C) and level of frailty of participants.

Methods: Fifty females (62.2 ± 10.

Improving patient safety: lessons from other disciplines.

Other industries and certain healthcare specialties have employed a variety of methods to improve safety and quality of services. Techniques such as industry-wide standardized collection and reporting of error data, standardization of practice through checklists, application of electronic health records, and simulator-based interdisciplinary training have improved outcomes in aviation, anesthesiology, and surgery. Although traditionally the clinical laboratory has concentrated on analytical performance, pre- and post-analytical aspects of laboratory services may also be improved through the application of these methods.

Developmental immunotoxicity of lead in the rat: influence of maternal diet.

The effect of maternal dietary protein intake on lead-induced developmental immunotoxicity was studied in female Fischer 344 rats receiving lead acetate (250 ppm) or sodium acetate (control) in the drinking water during breeding and pregnancy until parturition. Dams were fed isocaloric diets (either 20% casein or 10% casein) from 2 wk prior to mating until the end of lactation. After weaning, dams and female offspring were given the 20% casein diet and regular water.