Editor's Note Early surgical intervention should be prioritized over endoscopy-first treatment in managing chronic pancreatitis with dilated pancreatic ducts, according to the results of a follow-up study of the ESCAPE randomized clinical trial. Published November 20 in JAMA Surgery, the findings specifically highlight pain relief, patient satisfaction, and need for…

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Editor's Note Research reveals combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with blood thinners heightened bleeding risk across multiple organ systems, HealthDay reported November 18. The study analyzed nearly 52,000 Danish patients prescribed blood thinners between 2012 and 2022, examining NSAID interactions with multiple anticoagulants including rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and warfarin.…

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Editor's Note Hospitals’ financial outlook is stable, although growth is slowing and certain costs are projected to increase, particularly for cybersecurity, according to two recent Becker’s reports on data from Moody’s Investor Services. The first, published November 14 in Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, notes that “hospitals are facing a stable…

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Editor's Note A nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids is forcing hospitals to adopt conservation strategies that could reshape hydration practices long-term, KFF Health News reported November 19. The shortage was driven by Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter International’s North Cove facility, which is responsible for 60% of US IV…

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Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Class 1 recalls—the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death—involving three systems: Atlan anesthesia workstations from Draeger, CADD-Solis ambulatory infusion pumps from Smiths Medical, and Trilogy Evo ventilators from Philips Respironics. FDA issued all three announcements…

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Editor's Note Neeraja Kikkeri, DDS, CEO of North Texas Team Care Surgery Center, drew on her unique perspective as a mother of five to guide her leadership in the demanding field of ambulatory surgery center (ASC) management. On November 14, she shared with D Magazine five strategies for fostering a…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its final rule for the 2025 calendar year, updating payment systems and quality reporting requirements across healthcare settings, JD Supra November 19 reports. Effective January 1, 2025, the rule outlines significant changes to Medicare payments and conditions for participation…

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Editor's Note A November 13 report from The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identifies critical gaps in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) ability to manage cybersecurity risks in the healthcare and public health sector. HHS, the lead federal agency for cybersecurity in this sector, faces challenges in monitoring…

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Editor's Note Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s) could reduce total knee arthroplasty (TKA) complications for non-diabetic patients with obesity, according to a November 13 Helio report on research presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Annual Meeting. In addition to reduced odds of 90-day medical complications, the…

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Editor's Note Adverse events (AEs) remain widespread in perioperative care, affecting nearly one in three patients and resulting in substantial and often preventable patient harm, according to a retrospective cohort study published November 13 in The BMJ. The study analyzed 1,009 weighted admissions from a sample of 64,121 surgical patients…

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