FDA clears new, faster CBC test
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 6 cleared a new complete blood cell count (CBC) test that can be run in more healthcare settings and offers faster results for patients and providers. The FDA granted premarket clearance and a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)…
Study: Overlapping surgery is safe
Editor's Note Overlapping surgery can be safely performed without risking patient safety, this study from Emory University Hospital finds. Of 2,275 neurosurgical cases included in the analysis, 1,303 were overlapping and 972 were nonoverlapping. The researchers found no difference between overlapping and nonoverlapping neurosurgical procedures in terms of 90-day postoperative…
FDA: Safety Alert for Cardinal Health’s Infant/Child Reduced Energy Defibrillation Electrodes
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 6 issued a Safety Alert saying that Physio-Control (Redmond, Washington) launched a voluntary field action for specific lots of Infant/Child Reduced Energy Defibrillation Electrodes manufactured by Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio). There is an issue with the artwork on the electrodes…
Interventions increase reporting of adverse events by pediatric anesthesiologists
Editor's Note Electronic mandatory incident reporting system data entry and an initiative to understand and address reporting barriers and motivators were associated with sustained increases in adverse event reporting by pediatric anesthesiologists, in this study. Of 72,384 pediatric anesthetics analyzed, there were 2,689 adverse events. A subgroup of 54,469 cases…
Preop cognitive screening predicts postop complications in older total joint patients
Editor's Note Poor preoperative cognition, as assessed by preoperative Mini-Cog screening, is prevalent among older total joint patients and predictive of adverse outcomes, including postoperative delirium, longer hospital stay, and greater likelihood of discharge to a place other than home, this study finds. Of 211 patients 65 years of age…
Healthcare adds 21,500 jobs in October
Editor's Note Healthcare added 21,500 jobs in October to a seasonally adjusted 15,830,700 employees, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported November 3. That’s 300,600 more than a year ago. Hospitals, specifically, added 2,800 jobs in October to a seasonally adjusted 5,130,700 employees, which is 72,400 more than a year ago.…
FDA: Recall of prefilled syringes labeled Midazolam that are actually Ondansetron
Editor's Note The FDA announced on November 3 that Fresenius Kabi USA (Lake Zurick, Illinois) is recalling one lot of Midazolam Injection, USP, 2 mg/2 mL packaged in 2 mL prefilled single-use glass syringes because the packages labeled as Midazolam actually contain syringes that are filled with and labeled as…
Periop nurses key in reducing readmissions after CABG surgery
Editor's Note Perioperative nurses engaging in patient and community education to explain coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, reinforcing recommended discharge guidelines, and serving as expert resources are key to positive outcomes and reducing readmissions, finds this review article. In 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reduced payments…
ECRI Institute releases Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2018
Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on November 6 released its Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2018. The report identifies potential sources of danger involving medical devices and other healthcare technologies to watch for in the coming year. Topping the list is ransomware and other cybersecurity threats, followed by endoscope…
Joint Commission updates emergency management requirements
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on November 3 updated its emergency management requirements for hospital, ambulatory, home health, and hospice settings, effective November 15. The updated standards will assist healthcare organizations in more effectively planning for disasters and coordinate with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local emergency preparedness systems. The…