HHS announces reclassification of ASPR
Editorโs Note US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra has advanced the existing Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) from a staff division to an operating division, using the new name of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR). ASPR is…
Is nurse staffing legislation in the publicโs interest?
Editor's Note This study led by nurse researchers Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, and Karen Lasater, PhD, RN, FAAN, at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, finds that if New York state enacts nurse staffing legislation currently under consideration, many lives would be saved and shorter hospital stays…
CMS updates Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2022
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 27 updated its Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings for 2022โgiving 429 hospitals a five-star rating, based on their performance across five quality categories, the July 27 Beckerโs Hospital Review reports. There also were: 890 hospitals that received a…
Cancer treatment delays in COVID-19 patients
Cancer treatment delays in COVID-19 patients This large prospective cohort study from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York City, found that multiple patient factors, underlying primary malignant neoplasm, multimorbidity, geographic location, receipt of vaccine, and COVID-19 severity and diagnosis date were linked to delays in cancer treatment during…
The Joint Commission suicide prevention EP to now include LTAC hospitals
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 27 announced that it is revising its National Patient Safety Goal (NPSG) Standard NPSG.15.01.01, element of performance (EP) 1, to now include long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals, effective January 1, 2023. The change will allow The Joint Commission to score environmental risk assessment…
Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing reinfection
Editor's Note This study by researchers from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, finds that completing a primary vaccination series after recovering from COVID-19 reduces the risk of reinfection by about half. A total of 95,000 Rhode Island residents participated in this cohort study, including residents and employees of long-term congregate…
FDA: Class I recall of Baxterโs Abacus software app
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 25 identified the recall by Baxter Healthcare Corporation of its Abacus Order Entry and Calculation Software application as Class I, the most serious. The Abacus software app can translate a physicianโs order into a compounded solution. The recall was initiated…
Moral injury, nurse well-being, resilience in nurses during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study led by nurse researchers from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, finds an association between working during the COVID-19 pandemic and moral injury, well-being, and resilience among staff nurses and nurse leaders. An electronic survey was sent to 676 RNs practicing in Ohio. Results showed a significant…
FDA adds AEDs, chest drains to device shortage list
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 19 added automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and chest drains/suction canisters and autotransfusion systems to its list of medical device shortages during COVID-19. The shortage of chest drains/suction canisters and autotransfusion systems is because of increased demand. The shortage of AEDs…
Kay Ball: Mentoring the next generation
Widely known for her research on laser technology and for her legislative work advocating for smoke evacuation in the OR, Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAAN, a perioperative consultant and adjunct professor at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, sat down with OR Manager to discuss the role of education…