1-year mortality after major surgery in older adults
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, find that mortality after major surgery is elevated in older adults who are frail or who have probable dementia. A total of 1,193 major surgical procedures in 992 Medicare beneficiaries were analyzed. Among the findings: Overall,…
FDA: Exela Pharma Sciences, LLC, expands recall of Sodium Bicarb
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 29 postedย Exela Pharma Sciencesโ expansion of its recall of Sodium Bicarbonate Injection, USP, 8.4%, 50 mEq/50 mL vial, 20-count carton. The product poses a safety concern because of vial breakage with flying glass when pressurized while preparing the product for…
Study links molecular changes to long COVID
Editor's Note This study by researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, is one of the first to link long COVID symptoms at more than 1 year with changes in gene expression that occurred during the acute stage of COVID-19. The researchers examined blood…
FDA: Class I recall of Thermo Scientific Gram Negative IVD AST Sensititre Plate
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 9 identified the recall by Remel, Inc, of its Thermo Scientific Gram Negative IVD AST Sensititre Plate as Class I, the most serious. The Plates are used to test the susceptibility of Gram-negative bacterial infections to specific antibiotics. The recall…
Study: Risk of higher oxygen levels under general anesthesia
Editor's Note An observational study, led by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and released on November 30 inย The BMJ, the flagship journal of the British Medical Association, shows that higher levels of oxygen given to patients under general anesthesia can add risk of injury, VUMC reported on November…
Intervention reduces waste from single-use surgical packs
Editor's Note This study by researchers at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, finds that simple adjustments to single-use surgical packs can have a significant impact on waste reduction and cost-savings in general surgery cases. Researchers tracked unused items in two standard packs opened for 35 general surgery cases. A new…
Federal judge declines challenge to vaccination mandate by 14 states
Editor's Note A federal judge in Louisiana declined a case brought by 14 states that challenged the Biden administrationโs mandate requiring COVID-19 vaccination for eligible staff at healthcare facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid Programs, the December 8 Beckerโs Hospital Review reports. The states have 60 days to appeal the…
The Joint Commission joins White House pledge to decarbonize healthcare
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on December 7 that it was recognized by the Department of Health and Human Services at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference for its actions to decarbonize the healthcare sector and make healthcare facilities more resilient to climate change. The Joint Commission formally…
Study: Patient navigator improves telehealth visit attendance
Editor's Note This study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, finds that the use of a patient navigator to assist patients in overcoming barriers to telehealth access significantly improves visit attendance with a financial gain. A total of 4,066 patients had telehealth appointments scheduled. Those who had the navigator…
FDA: Class I recall of Dewei Medical Equipmentโs DNA/RNA Preservation Kits
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on December 8 identified the recall by Dewei Medical Equipment Co of its DNA/RNA Preservation Kits as Class I, the most serious. The kits are used to collect, preserve, and transport clinical samples that will be tested for viruses, including COVID-19. The…