Overcoming team-leadership burnout
Editor's Note It is time for a break if just the thought of another team presentation is overwhelming, according to a report by Mark Ellis in the June 6 leadchange. To grow as a leader and get out of this team-leadership rut, Ellis recommends that leaders: Take time off to…
FDA: Hospira recalls two lots of Naloxone Hydrochloride Injection
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on June 4 announced the recall by Hospira, Inc, of two lots of its opioid antagonist Naloxone Hydrochloride Injection, USP, 0.4 mg/mL, 1 mL in 2.5 mL, Carpuject Single-use cartridge syringe system (NDC 0409-1782-69). The two lots, 72680LL and 76510LL, were recalled because…
Researchers identify biomarkers for total hip patients likely to develop osteolysis
Editor's Note Researchers at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, have identified two protein biomarkers that indicate which total hip patients are likely to develop osteolysis. Osteolysis is the destruction of bone tissue around the hip joint that causes the implant to loosen and results in a revision surgery. The researchers…
Joint Commission: Loss of deemed status must be reported beginning July 1
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 6 announced that beginning July 1, it will need to be notified if an accredited organization loses its deemed status after a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) complaint survey or validation survey. When CMS removes an organizationโs deemed status and places…
FDA updates recommendations to reduce surgical fires
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on June 5 updated its Safety Communication: โRecommendations to Reduce Surgical Fires and Related Patient Injury.โ Among the recommendations: Perform a fire risk assessment before each surgical procedure. Encourage communication among anesthesia personnel, surgeons, and OR staff. Practice safe use and administration…
AHRQ: Decline in HACs saves 8,000 lives, $2.9 billion
Editor's Note National efforts by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reduce hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) helped prevent some 8,000 deaths and save $2.9 billion in costs between 2014 and 2016, according to a new report released June 5 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data…
June 8 is Hospitals Against Violence National Day of Awareness
Editor's Note On June 8, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is hosting its second annual Hospitals Against Violence National Day of Awareness, termed โ#HAVhope Friday.โ The day has been set aside to focus attention on how hospitals, health systems, and their caregivers work daily to end all forms of violence…
FDA issues Class I Recall of CARDIOSAVE Hybrid Intra-aortic Balloon Pump by Maquet Datascope
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on June 6 identified the recall by Maquet Datascope Corp of its CARDIOSAVE Hybrid Intra-aortic Balloon Pump as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of a design issue that allows fluid to seep into the device, which can lead…
Study: Medical device tax hurts investment in R&D
Editor's Note: This study from Iowa State University shows companies have cut funding for research and development (R&D) in response to the medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act. Since 2013, the 2.3% excise tax has significantly reduced: R&D investment by $34 million Sales revenue by $188 million…
ECRI Institute announces new consultative service to prevent surgical fires
Editor's Note ECRI Institute on June 5 announced a new consultative service focused on helping healthcare organizations prevent surgical fires by uncovering hidden vulnerabilities. There have been guidelines published by ECRI Institute and others to prevent and extinguish fires for many years, but implementation of the guidelines is the challenge,…