Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center earns top honors in US News Best Children's Hospital Honor Roll
Cincinnati Children’s Hosptial Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, was ranked the nation’s top hospital by US News & World Report in its 2023-2024 Honor Roll of Best Children’s Hospitals. Best Children’s Hospital Honor Roll: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio Boston Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas…
ASA, APSF update recommendations for elective surgery after COVID-19 infection
Editor's Note Because of recent studies, the evolving nature of COVID-19, and widespread vaccination, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF) on June 20 released a joint statement providing updated recommendations for the timing of elective surgery and anesthesia after COVID-19 infection. The recommendations include:…
Impact of span of control on nurse managers, hospital outcomes
Editor's Note This study from nurse researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham identifies factors associated with span of control in nursing management, which encompasses the complexities of the nurse manager’s role in acute care settings. Data from 22 peer-reviewed articles were included in the analysis. Principal findings include:…
Bioburden levels during total joints in ORs complying with US ventilation specifications
Editor's Note This study from Baptist Health-Fort Smith, Arkansas, finds that the low-energy consumption ventilation system specified for in US operating rooms produces different zones of sterile protection from airborne microbe carrying particles (MCP) during total joint arthroplasties. The predominant source of MCPs are from personnel in the OR—an average…
Contract standardization for endo-mechanical supplies saves millions
Takeaways One of the lessons learned when it comes to data was to make sure you do it right the first time. A big drive for standardization was to leverage the distribution center to send excess inventory that some sites had to sites that needed them. Another drive was the…
How rural hospital acquisitions are impacting surgical care access
Takeaways Rural hospital purchases by larger health systems should improve access to surgical treatment in remote areas, but some acquisitions have resulted in decreased care quality and reduced access to services, as shown by recent examples. Despite challenges, rural hospital acquisitions can lead to expanded services, enhanced perioperative support, and…
Editorial
Access to quality care in rural areas has been making headlines since the pandemic began. The issue of ensuring appropriate access to services in rural and community hospitals is not a new concern. But with the unprecedented number of shutdowns—not only of certain departments and service lines but also total…
Results from the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey
In April, the long-awaited results of the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey (Workforce Survey) were released. For researchers and academics with an interest in nursing workforce and professional development data, this report is a treasure trove of information as “the only continuous national, randomized survey of this size.” This version…
AI, analytics help match anesthesia supply to surgical demand
While demand for OR services can be unpredictable, supply is largely fixed—well below the baseline for many hospitals and health systems. The ability to match supply and demand within perioperative services is critical to efficient ORs, as hospitals and health systems must operate with constrained staffing and anesthesia resources. On…
Managing MALS during surgery means addressing chronic pain
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) presents a challenge to anesthesiologists and surgeons alike in the OR. Clinicians often do not know how to identify and treat this condition, and it can go undetected for years. “I think the reason many anesthesiologists, even pain specialists, aren’t well versed or aware of MALS…