Editor's Note Severe staffing shortages paired with high labor costs are among the most significant challenges faced by hospitals today, according to responses from hospital executives in an October 18 KaufmanHall survey, HealthLeaders October 31 reports. The survey, named the 2022 State of Healthcare Improvement Report, shows that nearly half…

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Editor's Note Overall healthcare employment in the US was up in October to a seasonally adjusted 16,577,200 workers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on November 4. That’s up 52,600 since September. Hospital employment also was up by 10,800 jobs. The overall unemployment rate for October rose to 3.7%, for…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 31 issued a Medical Device Safety Communication on tracheostomy tube shortages. Included in the shortages are Bivona tracheostomy tubes manufactured by ICU Medical, which are more likely to affect pediatric patients. Also on the shortage list are JOH Tube Tracheostomy…

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Editor's Note Becker’s Hospital Review on October 25 reported that the following five hospitals and healthcare systems have announced plans to raise nurses’ pay. The five are: Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune City, New Jersey—union contract pay increase between 8% and 11% UMass Memorial Health, Worcester, Massachusetts—union contract pay…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on October 26 announced that it has created a Health Care Equity Resource Center to help organizations monitor their progress toward healthcare equity. New healthcare equity accreditation requirements, which will go into effect January 2023, recognize that organizations need established leaders as well as standardized…

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Editor's Note On October 25, Health Affairs reported that healthcare systems continue to face challenges in a post-pandemic environment but are likely to have the worst financial year in decades, according to Becker’s Hospital CFO Report October 26. US hospitals saw fluctuations in operating margins in 2022 but are still…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), announced on October 20 the launch of Advanced Certification in Perinatal Care (ACPC). ACPC incorporates the latest research, evidence-based practices, and guidance to help improve quality and safety for pregnant or postpartum patients and…

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Editor's Note This study led by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, examines the World Bank Disease Control Priorities’ 44 essential surgical procedures, which are a starting point for health care systems in low- and middle-income countries, and analyzes whether the list should be expanded for nations with more…

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Editor's Note The last day of the OR Manager Conference saw perhaps its most inventive breakout session yet. The ambulatory surgery center (ASC) leadership roundtable panel led attendees through an education-filled hour marked by games, interaction, and trivia. “Technology is the way of the future, it is here, and we…

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Editor's Notes Sherry Rogers, director of robotics at Emory Healthcare, identified key elements for establishing operational excellence in robotic surgery during this breakout session on the last day of the conference. Rogers noted the practices and procedures she and her colleagues apply to Emory’s robotics program that have helped them…

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