Editor's Note An Australian man lived for 100 days with an artificial titanium heart, the longest duration recorded for a patient using the device, according to a March 12 report from CNN. The breakthrough marks a significant step toward using total artificial hearts as a long-term solution for patients with…

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Editor's Note Nurses who don’t get enough sleep face a significantly higher risk of common infections, including colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis, according to a March 10 report from HealthDay. The article focuses on a study published in Chronobiology International finding that sleep debt—particularly among night shift nurses—weakens immune defenses, potentially…

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Editor's Note Health system executives cite regulatory uncertainty, workforce challenges, and technology investment as top priorities for the next five years, according survey data released February 26 by healthcare advisory firm Chartis. Based on responses from 61 US health system CEOs and chief security officers (CSOs) in December 2024, the…

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Editor’s Note Leaders in ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and perioperative services will converge at the 39th annual OR Manager Conference, to be held October 28–30, 2025, at the Anaheim Convention Center in California, of which the program agenda was just announced. Designed for professionals who juggle operational efficiency, profitability, vendor…

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Editor's Note In addition to the uptick in acquiring outpatient facilities since 2023, UnitedHealth Group quietly acquired or created more than 250 subsidiaries last year, expanding its already vast network of services comprising a major health insurer, physician practices, a pharmacy benefit manager, and various other healthcare ventures, STAT March…

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Editor's Note A February 26 letter in JAMA Network reported a revised legal standard for medical negligence in the US, shifting from traditional reliance on customary practice toward a more patient-centered, evidence-based definition of “reasonable care.” The American Law Institute (ALI) updated its framework in 2024, retaining elements of prevailing…

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Editor's Note Recognizing hospitals that excel at providing top-quality care while preventing serious safety events, Healthgrades’ 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Awards distinguish 442 hospitals in 40 different states. Announced March 11, the awards are based on inpatient MedPAR data from 2021 to 2023. Recognized hospitals must meet clinical quality thresholds,…

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Editor's Note The American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) is warning that millions of Americans could lose access to essential colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings if the Supreme Court rules against the role of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in guiding preventive care coverage. According to the organization’s March 7…

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Editor's Note A systematic review found no strong evidence that compliance with the CMS Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) reduces mortality, raising questions about its inclusion in hospital performance measures, according to a February 19 report from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and…

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Editor's Note Reducing the negative influence of implicit bias requires system-level interventions to ensure procedures align with best practices for all patients, according to results of new research on outcomes for vascular surgery patients. Published February 26 in JAMA Surgery, the study showed that implicit racial bias among vascular specialists…

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