Editor's Note In this study, researchers at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles applied machine learning to arterial pressure waveforms to develop an algorithm that predicted intraoperative hypotension 15 minutes before it occurred in 84% of cases. Two sets of data were used to build the algorithm. One set consisted…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 11 issued a Health Advisory on investigations of hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states in people reporting drug use and/or homelessness and their contacts. From January 2017 to April 2018, the CDC has received more than 2,500 reports…

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Editor's Note This study from the University of Utah and University of Michigan found frequent and varied active failures in safety protocols to reduce infectious agent transmission by hospital personnel, including violations, mistakes, and slips. Researchers identified 283 failures in safety protocols, including: 102 violations (deviations from safe operating practices…

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Editor's Note It is time for a break if just the thought of another team presentation is overwhelming, according to a report by Mark Ellis in the June 6 leadchange. To grow as a leader and get out of this team-leadership rut, Ellis recommends that leaders: Take time off to…

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Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on June 4 announced the recall by Hospira, Inc, of two lots of its opioid antagonist Naloxone Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 0.4 mg/mL, 1 mL in 2.5 mL, Carpuject Single-use cartridge syringe system (NDC 0409-1782-69). The two lots, 72680LL and 76510LL, were recalled because…

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Editor's Note Researchers at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, have identified two protein biomarkers that indicate which total hip patients are likely to develop osteolysis. Osteolysis is the destruction of bone tissue around the hip joint that causes the implant to loosen and results in a revision surgery. The researchers…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 6 announced that beginning July 1, it will need to be notified if an accredited organization loses its deemed status after a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) complaint survey or validation survey. When CMS removes an organization’s deemed status and places…

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Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on June 5 updated its Safety Communication: “Recommendations to Reduce Surgical Fires and Related Patient Injury.” Among the recommendations: Perform a fire risk assessment before each surgical procedure. Encourage communication among anesthesia personnel, surgeons, and OR staff. Practice safe use and administration…

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Editor's Note National efforts by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reduce hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) helped prevent some 8,000 deaths and save $2.9 billion in costs between 2014 and 2016, according to a new report released June 5 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data…

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Editor's Note On June 8, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is hosting its second annual Hospitals Against Violence National Day of Awareness, termed “#HAVhope Friday.” The day has been set aside to focus attention on how hospitals, health systems, and their caregivers work daily to end all forms of violence…

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