Association of frailty with failure to rescue after inpatient surgery
Editor's Note Frailty is an important risk factor for postoperative complications and failure to rescue, after both low-risk and high-risk surgical procedures, this study finds. In this study of 984,550 patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, there was a dose-response association between increasing patient…
Joint Commission announces first hospital to earn TSC certification
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on March 21 announced that the first hospital to earn its Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) certification is St Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, Michigan, a member of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. In collaboration with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA), the TSC certification signifies…
Study: Surgeon performance benefits from ‘warm-up’
Editor's Note In this study from the UK, researchers found a robust relationship between a surgeon’s daily OR schedule and surgical performance (indexed by duration of procedure). The researchers say surgeons should reorder their OR schedule, starting their days with the simpler cases and building up to the more difficult…
Joint Commission deletes EP on pain management
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on March 20 announced the deletion of RI.01.01.01, element of performance (EP) 8: “The hospital respects the patient’s right to pain management” because it is no longer relevant and necessary to ensure quality of care and safety. The deletion is effective immediately. The Joint Commission’s…
Spinal fusion devices poised for growth
Editor's Note Transparency Market Research predicts the global spinal fusion devices market will reach more than $10.97 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.65%, the March 19 Becker’s Spine Review reports. Growth will be driven by the aging US population that is susceptible to degenerative spine…
Complications after outpatient tonsillectomy linked to age
Editor's Note Children younger than 3 years of age may benefit from 23-hour observation after tonsillectomy, this study finds. In this multicenter study of 1,817 healthy children having outpatient tonsillectomy, those younger than 3 years were at an increased risk for complications within the first 24 hours, and the complications…
AANA challenges Anthem on new anesthesia policy
Editor's Note The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) on March 19 expressed strong opposition to the decision by insurer Anthem, Inc, that ophthalmologists assume responsibility for the administration of anesthesia and patient monitoring during cataract procedures. “Ophthalmologists are no more qualified to administer anesthesia than CRNAs are to perform…
One-year mortality after laparoscopic bariatric surgery
Editor's Note One-year mortality after contemporary laparoscopic bariatric surgery is low at <0.25%, which is much lower than previously reported, this study finds. Of 158,606 bariatric procedures analyzed between 2008 and 2012, the 30-day and 1-year mortality rates, respectively were: 0.13% and 0.23% for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass (LRYGB) 0.06% and…
Study: Changes in intestines lead to reversal of diabetes after RYGB surgery
Editor's Note Changes in gene expression in intestinal tissue of patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery explain and predict blood glucose improvement and body weight loss, finds this study presented March 18 at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago. The findings are based on the first 19 patients;…
Innovative use for drug reduces postop nausea and vomiting
Editor's Note An innovative use for a known drug, amisulpride, is showing promise as an effective treatment for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), finds this study. Amisulpride works by blocking dopamine signaling in the body. A total of 1,147 patients undergoing general anesthesia, who had three or four PONV…