Interdisciplinary program improves outcomes for older surgical patients
Editor's Note In this study, an interdisciplinary program that includes a coordinated approach by healthcare professionals in surgery, geriatrics, and anesthesiology was associated with improved postoperative outcomes for high-risk older patients having elective abdominal surgery. Compared with a control group (143 patients), older patients participating in the Perioperative Optimization of…
Research report predicts growth for arthroscopic devices market
Editor's Note A Persistence Market Research report predicts the global arthroscopic devices market will exceed $1.7 billion by 2022, with a 5.1% compound annual growth rate, according to the January 3 Beckerโs Spine Review. A rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and an increasing geriatric population are the main contributors…
FDA: PharMEDium recalls 55 lots of compounded sterile drugs
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on January 2 announced the recall by PharMEDium Services (Lake Forest, Illinois) of 55 lots (impacting 25,327 units) of compounded sterile drug products because of a lack of sterility assurance. The recalled products were manufactured in PharMEDiumโs Memphis location and distributed nationwide to…
Effectiveness of structured nursing leadership development program for succession planning
Editor's Note A structured nursing leadership development program that included a Web-based modular approach combined with engaged nursing executive mentorship significantly increased the competence of developing nurse leaders, in this study. The program involved nurses in a large academic health system in the southeastern US in the following roles: Clinical…
Joint Commission changes requirements for independent pathologists
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on January 3 announced that it is no longer requiring hospitals, critical access hospitals, or ambulatory care organizations to credential and privilege pathologists who provide diagnostic services through independent reference (contract) laboratories. The Joint Commission says accredited organizations can safely presume that pathologists who work…
FDA: AuroMedics recalls Ampicillin and Sulbactam for Injection
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 4 announced the recall by AuroMedics Pharma LLC (Windsor, New Jersey) of one lot of Ampicillin and Sulbactam for Injection USP 1.5 g in a single-dose vial. The recall was issued because the lot (Lot AFOI 17001-A, Expiry date December…
New York first state to pass โBSN in 10โ law
Editor's Note New York is the first state to require new nurses to obtain a bachelorโs degree or higher in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure, the January 2 HealthLeaders Media reports. The legislation takes effect immediately; however, the degree requirement does not start for 30 months. The new…
CMS launches new data submission system for Quality Payment Program
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on January 2 that physicians and other eligible clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program can begin submitting their 2017 performance data using a new system on the Quality Payment Program website (qpp.cms.gov). The new system is an improvement…
FDA: Class I recall of Agilis Steerable Reprocessed Introducer Sheath
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 2 classified the recall by Sterilmed (Plymouth, Minnesota) of its Agilis Steerable Reprocessed Introducer Sheath as Class I, the most serious. The sheath's hemostatic valve, which prevents blood from flowing back through the valve, may fail because of an improper…
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in surgeons, interventionalists
Editor's Note The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in surgeons and interventionalists is high, this meta-analysis finds. Of 5,828 physicians, there was: degenerative cervical spine disease in 17% rotator cuff pathology in 18% degenerative lumbar spine disease in 19% carpal tunnel syndrome in 9%. From 1997 to 2015, the prevalence…