AHRQ offers free webinars on implementing enhanced surgical recovery program
Editor's Note The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) announced October 23 that free informational webinars will start October 29 for hospitals interested in implementing the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery for gynecology, colorectal, hip fracture, or joint replacement procedures. The Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute…
FDA: Promise Pharmacy recalls one lot of Prednisolone, Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on October 22 announced the recall by Promise Pharmacy (Palm Harbor, Florida) of one lot of Prednisolone and Gatifloxacin Ophthalmic Solution 1%/0.5% sterile, 3 mL vials (Lot Number 09042018@2, Exp 12/03/2018). The recall was issued because the product was found to have…
Patients having major surgery without opioids have shorter LOS
Editor's Note A treatment protocol that sends patients home after colorectal surgery without any opioids, resulted in shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) in this study presented October 22 at the American College of Surgeons 2018 Clinical Congress in Boston. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol included: patient education about…
Leapfrog Group expands ratings to outpatient surgery settings
Editor's Note The Leapfrog Group announced October 16 that it would expand its public reporting to outpatient settings. For the first time, Leapfrog will collect quality and safety data on ambulatory surgery centers through a new voluntary survey, and hospital outpatient surgery departments will report data through a new section…
FDA: Class I recall of Endologix AFX Endovascular AAA System
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on October 15 classified the recall by Endologix, Inc, of its AFX Endovascular AAA System as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the risk of Type III endoleaks. When a Type III endoleak occurs, blood continues to flow…
Poor access to trauma centers associated with higher prehopital mortality
Editor's Note States with poor access to trauma centers have more deaths before injured patients arrive at the hospital than states with better access, finds this study presented October 22 at the American College of Surgeons 2018 Clinical Congress in Boston. Overall, the largest percentage of trauma deaths occurred before…
CMS gives states more Medicaid waiver power, and flexibility to lower premiums
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 22 issued guidance that gives state governors more power and flexibility in overhauling the rules and regulations of their Medicaid programs imposed by the Affordable Care Act and changes the way waivers are evaluated. Under the new policy,…
Effect of physical activity on frailty, mortality
Editor's Note Physical activity may attenuate the risk of mortality associated with frailty in old age, this study finds. In this analysis of data on 3,896 adults aged 60 and older during a median of 14 years of follow-up, physical activity was associated with lower mortality in prefrail and frail…
APIC, CDC develop tools to help prevent HAIs
Editor's Note The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 18 announced the availability of free, downloadable Quick Observation Tools to help facilities prevent healthcare associated infections (HAIs). The Tools include 20 sets of quick assessment forms that…
HHS announces $293 million in awards to primary healthcare workforce
Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on October 18 announced $293 million in awards to primary healthcare clinicians and students through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and Nurse Corps programs. These programs provide scholarships and loan repayment to healthcare providers in exchange for working in…