Changes in HCW unemployment during COVID-19 periods
Editor's Note This study from The Wharton School, Philadelphia, and Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, examines changes in unemployment among healthcare workers (HCWs) from January 2015 to April 2022. The researchers found that: Prepandemic, 2.28% of HCWs and 3.82% of non-HCWs reported being unemployed. During the pandemic, 3.18% of…
Four more schools starting nursing programs
Editor's Note Four more schools and hospitals have recently started nursing programs and partnerships or plan to do so to address the nationwide nursing shortage, the September 15 Becker’s Hospital Review reports. West Virginia University, Morgantown, is expanding its nursing program to Beckley, West Virginia, and opened a new campus…
FBI: Cyber criminals targeting healthcare payment processors
Editor's Note According to a September 14 FBI report, cyber criminals are increasingly targeting healthcare payment processors to redirect payments intended for healthcare providers to accounts they control, the American Hospital Association (AHA) September 16 reports. At least 68 attacks have occurred since June 2018, in which unknown cyber criminals…
Unintentional drug overdoses spiked in adolescents during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine, Columbus, finds that the first year of COVID-19 saw a 113% increase in “Years of Life Lost” (YLL) among adolescents and young people in the US because of unintentional drug overdoses. Among…
FDA: Class I recall of Baxter Clearlink Basic Solution Set with Duovent
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 15 identified Baxter Healthcare Corporation’s recall of its ClearLink Basic Solution Set with Duovent as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the risk for leaks that may expose providers and patients to hazardous toxic substances…
The Joint Commission announces review of certain standards, requirements
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on September 13 that it is reviewing its standards and requirements that go beyond the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) conditions of participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to determine whether some should be permanently retired. “As the [COVID-19 public health…
WHO: COVID-19 deaths at lowest level globally
Editor's Note According to the leader of the World Health Organization (WHO), the end of the COVID-19 pandemic may be near, as deaths are at their lowest level worldwide since the pandemic first began, US News & World Report September 15 reports. During the week of September 5 through September…
Anesthesiologist staffing ratio tied to mortality, morbidity
Editor's Note This study from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, finds that overlapping clinical responsibilities of a supervising anesthesiologist are associated with increased surgical patient mortality and morbidity. A total of 578,815 adult surgical patients from 23 US academic and private hospitals were included in the analysis. The patients…
ECRI, ISMP support World Patient Safety Day, September 17
Editor's Note ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) announced September 14 that they are joining the World Health Organization and healthcare leaders around the world in celebrating World Patient Safety Day on September 17, 2022. The slogan for this year’s campaign is “Medication without Harm.” In support…
Effects of COVID-19 on mental health, coping strategies of residents
Editor's Note In this survey of surgical, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and psychiatry residents by researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine, Boca Rotan, residents reported having effective coping strategies during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 59 residents completed the survey. Results showed…