Researchers develop highly accurate 30-second COVID-19 test
Editor's Note Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) have helped develop a testing device that can detect COVID-19 infection within 30 seconds, with the sensitivity and accuracy of a PCR test. The hand-held device is powered by a 9-volt battery and uses test strips similar to those used in…
Achieving Perioperative Systemness: Using Technology for Agile Block Management
Overview At the 2021 OR Manager Conference in Chicago, Hospital IQ hosted a roundtable with perioperative leaders, managers, and OR schedulers to discuss OR scheduling challenges. Participants in the roundtable session discussed ways that machine learning, AI, analytics, and automation can streamline the block management process and drive efficiency. These…
FDA Safety Communication supports transition to disposable duodenoscopes
Editor's Note In an April 5 Safety Communication, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides new information supporting the use of fully disposable duodenoscopes and those with disposable components plus new information on 522 postmarket surveillance studies. The FDA recommends that facilities transition to duodenoscope designs with disposable components, such…
Clinical characteristics, symptom duration in COVID-19 outpatients
Editor's Note This retrospective study from Cooper University Health Care, Camden, New Jersey, finds that the median symptom duration for many COVID-19 outpatients is longer than recommended isolation periods. Of 294 patients analyzed, 178 had documented symptom resolution. The median symptom duration was 15 days. Factors linked to prolonged symptom…
HHS tasked with coordinating federal response to long COVID-19
Editor's Note In a briefing room release titled Memorandum on Addressing the Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 published on April 5, President Joe Biden tasked Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra “to coordinate the federal response to the long-term health effects of COVID-19,” the American Hospital Association April 6…
Understanding COVID-19 transmission in HCWs without direct patient care
Editor's Note Using a systems engineering approach to analyze a cluster of COVID-19 in healthcare workers (HCWs) without direct patient care, researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, found both modifiable and nonmodifiable elements of the work system contributed to the cluster. Between October 2 and November 24, 2020, eight…
CMS updates guidance on COVID-19 vaccine mandate for HCWs
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 5 released a memorandum and guidance on complying with its interim final rule mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers (HCWs) in facilities that participate in CMS programs. The guidance in the memorandum specifically applies to Texas. On January…
Study: Small percentage of Black individuals are becoming surgeons
Editor's Note A study on the trend of general surgery residency application, matriculation, and graduation for Black trainees over a 13-year period, titled “Examination of Intersectionality and the Pipeline for Black Academic Surgeons” and published by JAMA Surgery on February 9, found that few Black individuals apply to surgery programs…
CMS alert: Eligible individuals can get second COVID-19 booster at no cost
Editor's Note On April 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in a news alert that it will pay for a second COVID-19 booster of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines without cost sharing for all eligible individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…
Attacks on healthcare in the Ukraine war
Editor's Note As of March 31, there have been 82 attacks on healthcare workers and facilities in Ukraine that have resulted in 72 deaths and 43 injuries, and most attacks involved the use of heavy weapons against healthcare facilities, personnel, patients, and medical supplies, according to this JAMA Viewpoint article,…