Mental health in the pandemic: New competencies required
In its almost 2-year reign, the pandemic has exacerbated mental health and well-being issues for nursesโperioperative nurses includedโ-and illuminated the need for OR managers to be visible, observant, and encouraging of mental health care. โNo one is built for this type of persistent, prolonged uncertainty. Itโs not how weโre hard-wired,โ…
CCI's CFPN credential: DEI award program and a collection of perspectives
Editor's Note The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Award Program from the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) is designed to facilitate access to resources and increase diversity in the perioperative nursing specialty. Using credentialing assets, the program focuses on providing resources for individuals and facilities which are under-resourced, in-need, and/or…
Are spinal procedures the wave of the future for ASCs?
Looking toward 2022, spine procedures are expected to drive growth and optimize performance in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Michael Ast, MD, chief medical innovation officer for HSS, Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, can attest to this personally. A year ago, his father could not even walk up a…
CDC: Surveillance of Omicron variant in US
Editor's Note On December 1, the first case of COVID-19 attributed to the Omicron variant was reported in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of December 8, Omicron variant cases had been reported in 22 states, including some that indicated community transmission. Of…
Appeals court upholds halt on COVID-19 vaccine mandate for HCWs
Editor's Note The US Court of appeals for the 8th Circuit, on December 13, affirmed a lower courtโs decision to halt the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for healthcare workers (HCWs) at facilities participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, the December 14 Beckerโs Hospital Review reports. The court turned down the Biden…
COVID-19 surpasses EHRs as cause of physician, nurse burnout
Editor's Note A new KLAS Research report finds that COVID-19 has surpassed electronic health records (EHRs) as a primary source of clinician burnout, the December 7 EHR Intelligence reports. The report also finds that nurses have different sources of burnout than physicians since the start of the pandemic: After-hours workloads…
Kentucky declares State of Emergency related to nursing shortage
Editor's Note Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, on December 9, declared the stateโs nursing shortage amid the COVID-19 pandemic a State of Emergency. The executive order noted that Kentucky is operating 12% to 20% short of the needed nursing volume, and the state is projected to need more than 16,000 additional…
San Diego hospitals plan for surgery cancellations amid blood shortages
Editor's Note An ongoing blood shortage has San Diego County hospital officials looking at delaying and cancelling surgical procedures, the December 13 San Diego UnionโTribune reports. The blood supply for Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas is 25% to 50% below normal, and UC San Diego Health has been falling below their…
County-level social vulnerability linked to worse postop outcomes, especially in minority patients
Editor's Note This study from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, finds that patients residing in vulnerable communities characterized by a high social vulnerability index (SVI) had worse postoperative outcomes, and the impact was most pronounced in Black/minority patients. In this analysis…
Pfizer says COVID-19 booster protects against Omicron variant
Editor's Note On December 8, Pfizer said its COVID-19 booster was found to provide significant protection against the Omicron variant in a laboratory study, the December 8 Beckerโs Hospital Review reports. Blood samples from those who received three doses of the vaccine saw similar neutralization against the Omicron variant as…