Editor's Note Limiting the level of sedation in elderly hip fracture patients with low comorbid states (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI] of 0) reduced postoperative delirium in this study. Of 200 elderly patients analyzed (100 in lighter sedation and 100 in heavier sedation levels), there was no statistically significant difference in…
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on August 8 recognized four healthcare organizations as 2018 Pioneers in Quality Expert Contributors for their efforts to advance the evolution and utilization of electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs). The organizations are: BJC Healthcare, St Louis MedStar St Maryโs Hospital, Leonardtown, Maryland Texas Health Resources,…
Editor's Note Selecting reusable isolation gowns may result in significant environmental benefits compared with disposable gowns, this study finds. This analysis of 1,000 isolation gowns in a healthcare setting (24 reusable gowns from 8 suppliers, 16 disposable gowns from 5 suppliers) found that the reusable gowns resulted in a: 28%…
Editor's Note Not all older workers are counting the days until retirement, though they may cut back on hours, reports the August 1 MarketWatch. Reasons for continuing to work vary, but they are not always financial. Many seek to maintain a sense of purpose and productivity, the report says. The…
Editor's Note Hospitals participating in Medicareโs Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model or its Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative for lower extremity joint replacement episodes report reducing skilled nursing facility (SNF) use and improving care coordination, in this survey. Interviews of executives or administrators in each of 22 hospitals…
Editor's Note Part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) final Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System rule for FY 2019, issued August 2, was a requirement that hospitals post the prices they charge for surgeries and other medical procedures online. The…
Editor's Note USย hospitals added 6,800 jobs in July to a seasonally adjusted 5,181,900, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on August 3. That is 94,800 more employees than a year ago. The overall unemployment rateย fell by 0.1%ย inย Julyย toย 3.9%.
Editor's Note In this study, implementation of Lean interventions to redesign the workflow in the preoperative holding area of a large urban medical center was linked to significantly improved rates of elective first case on-time starts. Data from 23,891 surgical procedures performed over 415 days were examinedโ86 days before, 35…
Editor's Note A survey of 350 millennials finds that traits employees want in a leader has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, the August 2 Great Leadership reports. Among the traits millennials are looking for in a leader are those who: communicate openly and frequently inspire people to be…
Editor's Note A new enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathway has been developed and implemented at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to enhance recovery after cesarean delivery. Updated guidelines for the ERAS pathway include: Intake of water and clear sports drinks before surgery to keep mother hydrated. Walking after…