Johns Hopkins panel develops opioid prescribing guidelines for 20 surgical procedures
Editor's Note Led by Martin A. Makary, MD, MPH, a Johns Hopkins panel of experts developed the nation’s first set of opioid prescribing guidelines for 20 common surgical procedures in 8 surgical specialties. The guidelines are based on the premise that opioid prescribing should be based on the surgical procedure…
US News & World Report releases 2018-2019 Best Hospitals rankings
Editor's Note The US News & World Report on August 14 released its 2018-2019 Best Hospitals rankings, which compared more than 4,500 hospitals and medical centers across 25 specialties. For the third consecutive year, the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota campus) topped the Best Hospitals Honor Roll, followed by the Cleveland…
Effect of neuraxial anesthesia on total hip, knee outcomes
Editor's Note Increased use of neuraxial anesthesia was associated with lower hospitalization costs for hip and knee replacements, but more studies are needed before considering neuraxial anesthesia as a marker of quality, this study finds. National data on 808,237 total knee and 371,607 total hip replacements were analyzed. Increasing frequency…
Galien Foundation chooses 10 most innovative medical devices of 2018
Editor's Note Nominees for the Best Medical Technology of 2018 were recently chosen by The Galien Foundation, the August 6 Medical Design & Outsourcing reports. Among the 10 most innovative medical devices are: Boston Scientific’s Axios stent and electrocautery enhanced delivery system Boston Scientific’s SpyGlass direct visualization system for cholangiopancreatoscopy…
New 3D-printed device with living cells could help treat spinal cord injuries
Editor's Note Engineers and neurosurgical researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a 3D-printed device with living cells that could help patients with long-term spinal cord injuries regain some function, according to this August 9 report from the University of Minnesota. For the procedure, a 3D-printed guide, made of…
Siemens, NuVasive announce partnership to create new spine imaging technology
Editor's Note Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) and NuVasive (San Diego, California) have entered into a strategic partnership to create integrated 3D imaging, surgical automation technology, and navigation for minimally invasive spine procedures, the August 9 Becker’s Spine Review reports. The collaboration, called the “Spine Precision Partnership,” will integrate Siemen’s Cios…
CDC: Naloxone use by emergency medical services up 75% in 4 years
Editor's Note Naloxone administration by emergency medical services increased 75.1% between 2012 and 2016, mirroring a 79.7% increase in fatal opioid overdoes during the same time period, according to the August 10 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Young adults made…
FDA: Class I recall of Arkon Anesthesia Delivery System
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on August 10 identified the recall of Spacelabs Healthcare’s (Snoqualmie, Washington) Arkon Anesthesia Delivery System as Class I, the most serious. The recall was issued because of the system going into a “failed state,” during which the mechanical ventilation function stops working. This…
Academic medical centers trailing on cost, quality measures
Editor's Note A new study by consultancy firm Navigant found that academic medical centers are trailing community hospitals across cost and quality measures. Among the findings: Cost per case was 5.8% higher at medical centers, equating to $3.1 million added annual operating expense per center. Cost per case disparity between high…
More than 3 million healthcare records breached in Q2
Editor's Note New data released in the Protenus Breach Barometer shows more than 3.14 million patient records were compromised in 142 breach incidents reported to Health and Human Services or the media from April to June 2018, the August 8 Healthcare Informatics reports. This number is up from 1.13 million…