The importance of a dedicated robotics coordinator’s role in an efficient da Vinci robotics program cannot be overstated. “You need someone to take ownership of the program, set up training for staff and surgeons, and coordinate ongoing development,” says June Hill, BSN, RN, CNOR, clinical director of robotics, Inova Health…

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Editor's Note There is a lack of gender, ethnic, and racial diversity in leadership roles in US academic surgery departments, according to a new study in JAMA Surgery that was published on October 11. The authors included in their analysis 154 surgical departments within 146 medical schools and affiliated hospitals…

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Editor's Note The Nursing Informatics credential is getting an update, from “RN-BC” to “NI-BC,” the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) reported on November 3. The ANCC manages the Informatics Nursing board certification examination, which provides an assessment of RNs' clinical knowledge and skills in informatics after their initial RN licensure.  After…

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Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 58,400 from October to November, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released on November 3. That is compared to the average monthly gain of 53,000 over the prior 12 months, for a total of 17,123,600 seasonally…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on November 1 announced the release of the 2024 ORYX performance measure reporting requirements, which will be effective starting on January 1, 2024, for critical access hospitals and hospitals. In the new requirements, acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals must join The Joint Commission National…

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Editor's Note The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on October 26 announced a new cybersecurity-focused toolkit with resources for healthcare organizations and the public health sector. The two agencies have been working with the Health Sector Coordinating Council (HSCC) Cybersecurity…

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A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projects shortages of 15,800 to 30,200 in all surgical specialties by 2034. Driven by various factors, including the growing healthcare needs of an aging population, an aging surgical workforce—with many surgeons and nurses nearing retirement—and limited capacity in medical and…

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Editor's Note In this investigative study done by the Boston Medical Center (BMC), patients were shown more likely to agree to participate in clinical studies when approached by research staff of the same race or ethnicity as them. The findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology on October 19.  The study…

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Editor's Note A new Sentinel Event Alert from The Joint Commission focuses on the continuing dangers of surgical fires, why they occur, and how to take preventative measures. The alert was issued on October 18. Some highlights include: There is no national repository collecting data on surgical fires, and little…

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Editor's Note The Million Hearts Model program—an initiative to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes within 5 years—reduced the probability of a first-time myocardial infarction or stroke without significant changes in Medicare spending. The findings were published by JAMA Network on October 12. The Million Hearts Model paid healthcare…

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