AAMC reports increase in diversity for 2022
Editor's Note Medical schools saw more diversity among their students in 2022, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), reports January 12 HealthLeaders Media. Comparing the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 academic years, the number of Black, Hispanic, and female students increased. AAMC released the breakdown of this data: The…
Research: Cancer screening diagnoses one in seven cases on average
Editor's Note Only about one in seven cases of cancer in the US are detected and diagnosed through cancer screening, The Hill December 15 reports, citing research from independent research institution NORC at the University of Chicago. The researchers found that โjust 14% of diagnosed cancers are detected via screeningโand…
ERAS patients are prescribed fewer postdischarge opioids
Editor's Note This study by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, finds that patients participating in an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program were prescribed significantly fewer opioids at discharge, compared to patients before ERAS was instituted. A total of 3,983 patients were included (1,929 pre-ERAS and 2,054 post-ERAS).…
New ACS guideline helps trauma centers screen patients for mental health, substance misuse
Editor's Note On January 10, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) reported on a new best practice guideline released to help healthcare professionals screen trauma patients for mental health disorders and substance misuse. Because alcohol and substance misuse problems are prevalent and increasing in trauma patients, this guideline is an…
Risk of MI, stroke, mortality in gastric bypass patients
Editor's Note In this study, Swedish researchers, find that gastric bypass was associated with a decreased risk of myocardial infarction (MI), but not ischemic stroke within 10 years of surgery, and it reduced mortality during the first 3 years after surgery but not thereafter. Study participants were divided into obese…
FDA issues warning letters to endoscope manufacturer
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 10 announced that it had recently issued two warning letters to Olympus Medical Systems Corporation and one of its subsidiaries, Aizu Olympus Co, Ltd, after facility inspections. The letters addressed violations related to medical device reporting (MDR) requirements and quality…
Allina Health and Qventus using AI tool for OR scheduling
Editor's Note Allina Health and software company Qventus partnered earlier this year to implement an artificial intelligence-based tool to help automate OR scheduling, according to a January 10 PR Newswire release, reports January 11 Beckerโs Hospital Review. The tool has capabilities to integrate into electronic health record systems and uses…
More than 7,000 nurses from two New York hospitals on strike
Editor's Note More than 7,000 nurses at two New York hospitals started an open-ended strike on Monday after failing to reach a deal on new contracts, according to a January 9 release from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), reports January 9 Healthcare Dive. The intention of the strike…
Effect of state order curtailing elective surgery on volume during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, finds that the introduction and removal of Michiganโs executive order curtailing elective surgery during COVID-19 lagged behind the ramp-down and ramp-up of elective surgery volume. Hospitals had already achieved a 91.7% reduction in case volume before the executive order…
The Joint Commission raises healthcare equity standard to NPSG
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on January 10 announced that it had elevated the Leadership (LD) Standard LD.04.03.08, which addresses healthcare disparities as a quality and safety priority, to a National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG), effective July 1, 2023. Current requirements for accreditation will not change, and the intent behind…