Test evaluates fluid leakage at the glove-gown interface
Editor's Note In this study, a novel test method with a robotic arm was used to investigate the effect of movement, exposure type, exposure duration, procedure duration, and existence of pressure on the amount of fluid leakage at the glove-gown interface. Results show that with the exception of procedure duration,…
Joint Commission announces collaboration with AAOS
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on September 26 announced a collaboration with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) that will incorporate AAOS’ clinical expertise into development of  standards and performance measurement requirements for the Joint Commission's Total Hip and Knee Replacement (THKR) Certification. The Joint Commission and AAOS will…
FDA: Oscor Inc recalls TB-Temporary Bipolar Pacing Leads
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 27 announced the recall by Oscor Inc (Palm Harbor, Florida) of its TB-Temporary Bipolar Pacing Leads, with 2 mm unshrouded connectors. The recall was initiated because the connector cap housing may slide and expose the connection wire. This may cause…
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Study: Covering the instrument table decreases bioburden
Editor's Note A significant decrease in bacterial bioburden on the instrument table was found when the table was covered during static periods of nonuse and dynamic periods of active OR use in this study. Bacterial contamination of the instrument table was evaluated by settle plates in static and dynamic ORs,…
CMS easing safety-net hospitals’ readmission penalties
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on orders from Congress, is easing its annual readmission penalties on hospitals servicing low-income residents, the September 26 Kaiser Health News reports. The penalties are part of the Affordable Care Act’s effort to encourage better care. The sanctions have been…
Joint Commission releases sentinel event stats for first half of 2018
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on September 26 released its sentinel event statistics for the first half of 2018. Of the top 10 most frequently reported events, falls were first at 65 events, unintended retention of a foreign body was second at 61 events, wrong-site surgery was fourth at 45…
For-profit hospitals linked to higher readmission rates
Editor's Note Patients who receive care in for-profit hospitals are more likely to be readmitted than patients in nonprofit public hospitals, this study finds. Using data from 14,307 hospital reports from the national Hospital Readmission Reduction Program for six major diseases, including coronary artery bypass grafting and total hip and…
CMS plans innovative new VBP models
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be unveiling new payment models centered on high-cost areas as part of ongoing efforts to advance value-based payment (VBP) care, and some models could be mandatory, the September 20 Healthcare Finance News reports. Healthcare providers can expect reduced regulatory…
Effect of Medicaid expansion on disparities in use of regionalized surgery at high-volume hospitals
Editor's Note The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) Medicaid expansion had no effect on the utilization rates of regionalized surgery at high-volume hospitals (HVHs) overall or on disparities in vulnerable populations, this study finds. In this analysis of 166,558 adults at 468 hospitals who had one of four surgical procedures in…