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…
AORN: New Guideline for Processing Flexible Endoscopes recommends drying cabinets
Editor's Note The recently revised “Guideline for Processing Flexible Endoscopes” recommends that flexible endoscopes be stored in drying cabinets, the September 14 Periop Today reports. The explanation for this new recommendation includes: Optimal storage facilitates drying and decreases the potential for contamination. Studies on drying cabinets, which circulate HEPA-filtered air…
NIH launches program to expand the use of artificial intelligence
Over four years the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will invest $130 million in order to accelerate the use of artificial intelligence in biomedical and behavioral research communities, Healthcare Purchasing News September 14 reported. To generate tools, resources, and richly detailed data that is responsive to AI approaches, the NIH…
Study: Long-COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction may become permanent
Editor's Note In this study from Brazil, researchers find that olfactory dysfunction (ie, reduced or distorted ability to smell during sniffing or eating) in patients with long COVID-19 may persist for more than 1 year and may become permanent. Of 219 patients (164 [74.9%] women) with long COVID-19 and neurologic…
FDA: Class I recall of Medtronic Xomed NIM Contact, NIM Standard Reinforced EMG Endotracheal Tubes
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on September 12 identified the recall by Medtronic Xomed of its NIM Contact Reinforced EMG Endotracheal Tube and NIM Standard Reinforced EMG Endotracheal Tube as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated after Medtronic Xomed received customer complaints about obstruction of…
Impact of exercise frequency on mental distress in women and men during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study from Binghampton University, State University of New York, finds that physical exercise frequency affected the mental health of women and men differently at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers analyzed survey data from 2,370 men (31.54%) and women (68.46%). Among their findings: During the…
The Joint Commission releases new sentinel event data
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on September 7 released sentinel event data for the first 6 months of 2022. Of 832 events reviewed this year from January 1 to June 30, the top 10 most frequently reported were: Falls—199 Unintended retention of foreign objects—30 Suicides—26 Delays in treatment—25 Wrong surgery—19…
AHA releases report on rural hospital closures
Editor's Note A new report was released by the American Hospital Association (AHA) highlighting numerous causes that resulted in 136 rural hospitals closing from 2010 to 2021, including 19 closures in 2020, AHA September 8 reports. These closures can be attributed to longstanding pressures, including low reimbursement, staffing shortages, low…
Funding for pandemic prevention, preparedness, response established
Editor's Note The Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) Governing Board established the new FIF for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) at its inaugural meeting from September 8-9, World Health Organization (WHO) September 9 reports. The goal is to provide long-term financing to strengthen PPR capabilities in low- and middle-income countries…