Study: Manual, automated cleaning equally effective for laparoscopes
Editor's Note In this experimental laboratory study, all cleaning and rinsing methods tested were effective in reducing the levels of organic residues on laparoscopic instruments. Four methods were examined: manual-only cleaning and rinsing with potable tap water manual cleaning and rinsing with potable tap water, followed by ultrasonic cleaning without…
ECRI Institute releases โTop 10 Hospital C-suite Watch Listโ
Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on January 22 announced the released its annual โTop 10 Hospital C-suite Watch List." Among the new and emerging innovations to watch are: Acuity-adaptable rooms, where hospitals keep a patient in the same room from admission to discharge, regardless of acuity level. Insertable cardiac monitors…
FDA: Baxter recalls another lot of injectable amiodarone
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on January 23 announced the expansion by Baxter (Deerfield, Illinois) of its recall of Nexterone (amiodarone HCL) 150 mg/100 mL premixed injection to include a second lot (NC 109123). Lot NC 109925 was recalled in November 2017. The recall was initiated…
Postop wound monitoring app helps detect SSIs
Editor's Note A new smartphone app called โWoundCareโ is successfully letting patients send images of their surgical wounds to nurses for monitoring, this study finds. The goal of the app, developed by researchers from the Wisconsin Institute of Surgical Outcomes Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison, is earlier detection of surgical…
New clinical practice guidelines address anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass
Editor's Note The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology on January 19 announced the release of new clinical practice guidelines on the use of anticoagulants during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Among the guideline recommendations are: optimal heparin dosing for initiation and maintenance…
New ECRI Institute resource provides solutions for IV-minibag shortage
Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on January 19 announced the release of a special Health Devices guidance article featuring recommendations and alternative solutions for dealing with the IV-fluid minibag (50-250 mL) shortage that resulted form Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. The guidance provides a functional equivalence chart for IV solution…
Changes in prevalence of needlestick injuries, protection practices, and attitudes over 12 years
Editor's Note Though needlestick injuries and exposure to bloodborne pathogens continue to be significant hazards for surgeons and nurses, concern about risk is declining, and the true conversion risk is underestimated, this study finds. A survey was distributed to 358 medical students and 247 department of surgery staff at an…
SHEA issues new guidance on contact precautions
Editor's Note The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) on January 11 released new expert guidance on contact precautions for patients with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The guidance advises hospitals on when they can safely discontinue contact precautions, including use of gowns, gloves, and masks. In most cases, this ranges…
Factors linked to outcomes, costs after pediatric lap chole
Editor's Note Surgeon volume of adult general surgical procedures was significantly associated with lower morbidity and costs after pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this study. Of 3,519 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in pediatric patients, the overall morbidity rate was 3.9%. High-volume general surgeons had an odds of all-cause morbidity that was 68%…
Joint Commission releases 2018 Hospital Compliance Assessment Checklist
Editor's Note Joint Commission Resources on January 17 released the 2018 Hospital Compliance Assessment Checklist, a self-assessment workbook designed to help organizations with standards compliance and survey readiness. In addition to hospital standards and elements of performance (EP), this yearโs Checklist includes: High-level prompts to promote staff discussion and cultivate…