Editor's Note The COVID-19 hospital admission rate in the US rose some 16% to more than 17,400 for the week ending August 26, and deaths increased by nearly 18% from the prior week, the September 7 New York Times reports. This marks the seventh consecutive week of increases. The Omicron…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on August 31, identified the recall by Getinge/Maquet/Datasocpe of its Cardiosave Hybrid and Rescue Intra-aortic Balloon Pumps (IABPs) as Class I, the most serious. The FDA posted four recalls for four separate reasons: Because they may overheat when the device’s internal temperature…

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Editor's Note Recent research delved into the connection between the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the anesthesia work area and the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs), Anesthesiology News July 19 reports. While it was previously recognized that reducing microbial transmission through the anesthesia work area is crucial for preventing…

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Editor's Note A study presented at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia suggests that implementing ambulatory anesthesia services with propofol can significantly enhance various quality metrics in outpatient endoscopy procedures, Anesthesiology News August 28 reports. The study, led by Justin Routman, MD, director of non-OR anesthesia…

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Editor's Note This study by researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, examines preoperative risk factors, operative variables, and postoperative complications associated with 30-day mortality after outpatient surgery. A total of 2,822,789 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were included…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on August 30, identified the recall by Hamilton Medical of its HAMILTON-C1, C2, C3, and T1 ventilators as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of software issues that may cause the ventilators to stop without notice. There have…

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Editor's Note This study from the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System finds that intraoperative stress in surgical teams is common and has multiple sources, including adverse events. Researchers conducted 28 interviews with surgical team members on intraoperative stress and emotional and behavioral responses to stressors. The researchers then identified themes in…

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Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, and Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, New Jersey, finds that a nature-themed recharge room helped reduce healthcare worker (HCW) stress and anxiety. A total of 160 HCWs who used the recharge room and 131 who…

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Editor's Note According to this annual report from the AMN Healthcare’s Physician Solutions division (formerly known as Merritt Hawkins), titled "2023 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives" and published on July 24, the average "starting salaries for physicians have rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic," an AMN Healthcare August…

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Editor's Note This study from Trinity Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, compares prepandemic surgical site infection (SSI) rates before reusing personal protective equipment (PPE), to pandemic SSI rates after reusing PPE in trauma surgical patients. A total of 48,987 patients were included in the analysis, with half in the postpandemic group.…

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