Editor's Note US hospitals added 6,800 jobs in July to a seasonally adjusted 5,181,900, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on August 3. That is 94,800 more employees than a year ago. The overall unemployment rate fell by 0.1% in July to 3.9%.

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Editor's Note In this study, implementation of Lean interventions to redesign the workflow in the preoperative holding area of a large urban medical center was linked to significantly improved rates of elective first case on-time starts. Data from 23,891 surgical procedures performed over 415 days were examined−86 days before, 35…

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Editor's Note A survey of 350 millennials finds that traits employees want in a leader has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, the August 2 Great Leadership reports. Among the traits millennials are looking for in a leader are those who: communicate openly and frequently inspire people to be…

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Editor's Note A new enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway has been developed and implemented at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to enhance recovery after cesarean delivery. Updated guidelines for the ERAS pathway include: Intake of water and clear sports drinks before surgery to keep mother hydrated. Walking after…

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Editor's Note On August 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) rule for FY 2019. The rule will empower patients and advance the White House “MyHealthData” initiative and the CMS “Patients…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 3 issued a warning for azithromycin, saying the antibiotic should not be given long-term to prevent an inflammatory lung condition in patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant. A clinical trial…

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Editor's Note This study finds that irregularly shaped OR surfaces may require enhanced covering, cleaning, and monitoring protocols, compared to more regularly shaped surfaces. Researchers coupled ATP assays with traditional RODAC plate sampling and mass spectrometry to evaluate cleaning of five types of high-touch surfaces in the OR.  Whether surfaces…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced August 1 that beginning September 1, callers to its patient safety event phone line (1-800-994-6610) will receive automated instructions on how to file a report or concern. The line will no longer be answered by a staff member. The Joint Commission says the phone…

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Editor's Note A recent Reaction Data survey of 254 physicians found that 21% believed electronic health records (EHRs) were the biggest determinant in burnout, followed by payers/preauthorization, regulatory compliance, and internal bureaucracy, the July 31 Healthcare Informatics reports. All factors had a common theme of consuming time and preventing physicians…

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Editor's Note The number of door openings in the OR and duration of procedure were significantly associated with increased colony-forming units (CFUs) in the OR overall and outside of laminar airflow (LAF), this study finds. In LAF conditions, however, only the number of OR personnel was significantly associated with increased…

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