Editor's Note This study from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, examines whether the decision to operate or not operate for an emergency general surgery condition affects Black and White patients differently. A total of 556,087 Medicare patients (59,519 Black and 496,568 White) were included in the analysis. Overall, 165,932 (29.8%)…
Editor's Note Two New York (NY) Upstate Medical hospitals, University and Community General, reimposed their mask mandates on August 17 after an increase in COVID-19 cases was announced, and testing is also now required for all patients admitted to the hospitals, The Daily News reports. According to a memo sent…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on August 17, identified the recall by Abiomed of the labeling for its Impella RP Flex with Smart Assist System Catheter as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because the catheters’ instructions for use did not appropriately address precautions…
Editor's Note This recent study published in early 2023 by the Journal of the Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons highlights that the total number of benign hysterectomies being performed in the US has decreased, with vaginal hysterectomies declining by 19% over 2 years. Only 12% of hysterectomies for benign…
Editor's Note This study from the University of Miami examines the effect of a preoperative walkthrough of a patient’s day of surgery using augmented reality (AR) on perioperative anxiety levels. A total of 95 patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery at an outpatient surgery center were randomized to an AR intervention…
Editor's Note In an August 14 interview with HealthLeaders Media, David Benton, PhD, RN, RGN, FRCN, FAAN, CEO of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, says artificial intelligence (AI) has important roles in training nursing students, balancing nurse workloads, and managing patient care, which ultimately helps reduce stress…
Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on August 16, announced a strategic affiliation with the National Quality Forum (NQF) in an effort to accelerate improvements across the continuum of patient care and change the focus from competing measures to advancing key outcomes. The NQF will maintain its independence in developing consensus-based…
Editor's Note This study from Finland examines nurses’ assessments of their resilience, job satisfaction, quality of care, and intentions to quit during the third wave of COVID-19. A total of 437 Finnish RNs responded to an electronic survey. The findings show that: nurses had good resilience, but a significant proportion…
Editor's Note Kicking off in less than one month, the 2023 OR Manager Conference will offer valuable education for the perioperative leader, as well as opportunities to forge relationships with vendor partners and source innovative solutions for healthcare facilities. The exhibit hall hosts more than 130 companies featuring products and…
Editor's Note This study from the UK finds that patients are not given sufficient information about innovative surgical procedures and their potential risks and uncertainties. Researchers collected data on seven cases, using preoperative interviews with surgeons, audio-recorded consultations during which innovative procedures were discussed between surgeons and patients, and postoperative…