Physical activity linked to risk of depression
Editor's Note This systematic review and meta-analysis, led by researchers from the UK, finds that even relatively small doses of physical activity are associated with substantially lower risks of depression. The analysis included 15 prospective studies comprising 191,130 participants and 2 million person-years. The results show an inverse curvilinear association…
CDC extends transportation mask mandate until May 3
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on, April 13, announced that it is extending its mask mandate for buses, transit hubs, trains, and airplanes until May 3. The CDC says it is extending the mandate as it monitors the increase in the COVID-19 Omicron BA.2 subvariant…
Effect of mindfulness on stress, burnout of new graduate nurses
Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at Houston Methodist finds that integrating mindfulness training into a nurse residency program can help decrease stress and burnout in newly graduated nurses. Mindfulness training was integrated at four points during the first 6 months of an existing nurse residency program, and intervention…
Readmission rates similar after remote, in-person postop visits
Editor's Note Risk of readmission was similar in cancer patients who had postoperative telemedicine and in-person visits, this study finds. Researchers from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, retrospectively analyzed 535 patients who had inpatient elective cancer-related surgery from March to December 2020. Of these, 98…
HHS renews COVID-19 public health emergency
Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on April 12, renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration that was set to expire on April 16, Reuters reports. The extension will help Americans obtain free testing, vaccines, and treatments for another 3 months. HHS also says it…
ECRI, ISMP issue Public Statement on conviction of nurse for medication error
Editor's Note ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) PSO, on April 12, released a Public Statement on the recent criminal conviction of a former RN because of a fatal medication error. In the Statement, they say: โ. . . this case sets a precedent that can potentially…
Chronic fatigue predicts nurse turnover
Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at St Joseph Hospital, Orange, California, and California State University, finds that chronic occupational fatigue significantly predicts turnover intentions among nurses. In a survey completed by 151 nurses: Chronic occupational fatigue was the only significant predictor of turnover intentions. Burnout componentsโemotional exhaustion and…
WHO monitoring two new Omicron subvariants
Editor's Note The World Health Organization (WHO), on April 11, added two new subvariants of ย the COVID-19 Omicron variant to its monitoring listโBA.4 and BA.5, Reuters reports. WHO is tracking a few dozen cases to assess whether they are more infectious or dangerous than the original BA.1 Omicron variant. WHO…
New machine learning models predict adverse postop abdominal hernia surgery outcomes
Editor's Note Machine learning (ML) models designed by surgeons at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston show a high level of accuracy in predicting which types of patients are most likely to have a hernia recurrence or other complications after surgery in this study. Of 725…
Mayo Clinic gives postop patients comforts of home
Editor's Note The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, is giving surgical patients an option to recover outside the hospital with comforts of home and with immediate access to a care team if needed. The Mayo Clinic program, called โMonitoring at Charter House,โ allows physicians to arrange for US and international patients…