Carbon-conscious health systems phase out desflurane anesthesia gas to reduce emissions
Editor's Note Citing environmental concerns, multiple health systems have stopped using desflurane anesthesia gas, Beckerโs Hospital Review reported on May 7. Citing the Philadelphia Inquirer, the outlet notes that Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Marlton, N.J.-based Virtua Health are among those that have eliminated the gas so far, with the…
The Joint Commission releases annual Sentinel Event Data Report
Editor's Note According to the annual Sentinel Event Data Report, The Joint Commission received 1,411 reports of sentinel eventsโan event not related to the natural course of an illness or condition that causes severe harm, permanent harm or deathโin 2023. Of that total, 96% of events were voluntary self-reported by…
Study: Surgical team diversity improves patient outcomes
Editor's Note The more diverse the surgical team, the better the outcomes for patients and the lower the cost of care, according to a study of more than 700,000 operations at 88 hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Published May 15 in the British Journal of Surgery, findings show that surgeon-anesthetist teams…
Colorectal cancer rates declining in older adults, rising among children, teens
Editor's Note A new study reveals a worrying trend: While colorectal cancer rates have been decreasing in older adults, they are significantly rising among children and teens, Healthline May 9 reports. The findings from this study will be presented on Monday, May 20, at the Digestive Disease Week conference in…
Industry leaders share main growth opportunities for ASCs
Editor's Note Following are various growth opportunities for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), as identified by four industry leaders and published by Beckerโs ASC Review on May 10: Sean Hartzell, principal of ECG Management Consultants, identified: Growth potential in shifting low- to medium-acuity and single-night stay cases from hospitals to ASCs…
US News & World Report best ASCs ranking now available
Editor's Note With the goal of helping patients choose if outpatient care is right for them and identify the right ambulatory surgery center (ASC) for their needs, US News & World Report unveiled on May 14 its inaugural ranking of the best ASCs in the US. Reportedly, โfewer than 15%…
Study: Standard preoperative fasting instructions sufficient for diabetic patients
Editor's Note Recent research suggests that minimizing the risk of perioperative pulmonary aspiration in diabetic patients does not require different fasting instructions. However, at least one expert has questioned the results, and widespread glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for the treatment of both type 2 diabetes and weight loss can…
Survey: More than half of nurses pessimistic about 2024, ready to change jobs
Editor's Note Most nurses think this year will be โno better or worseโ than last year, and more than one-third are โextremely likelyโ to change jobs, according to a national survey by Texas healthcare workforce solutions company AMN Healthcare. Fox News reported on the findings May 10. Specifically, 80% of…
WHO guidelines target catheter-caused infections
Editor's Note New World Health Organization (WHO) guidance aims to prevent the occurrence of bloodstream and other infections caused by improper use of catheters during medical procedures. Released May 9, the global guidelines focus on insertion, maintenance, and removal of catheters during medical procedures, which can damage organs and cause…
FDA issues class 1 recall for medical catheters
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Route 92 Medicalโs recall of products containing the Tenzing 7 delivery catheters as class 1, the most serious classification indicating risk of serious injury or death. The devices are used to deliver microcatheters to the blood vessels in the…