CMS proposes delay for mandatory implementation of OAS CAHPS Survey
Responding to industry concerns, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a delay in the mandatory implementation of the patient experience of care satisfaction survey requirement known as the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Surveyยฎ (OAS CAHPS). CMS announced the proposed…
Effect of perceived stress and coping abilities on health of nurses
Editor's Note The combined influence of stress perception and perceived coping abilities affect the health and work performance of nurses, this study finds. Of 120 nurses surveyed, in general: 92% had moderate-to-very high stress levels 78% slept less than 8 hours per night 69% did not exercise regularly 63% consumed…
CMS granting exemptions for providers affected by Hurricane Irma
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting exemptions under Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs for certified providers (eg, acute care hospitals, long-term care hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers) affected by storms and flooding from Hurricane Irma. Providers will be granted exemptions without having to…
FDA updates Safety Alert for urogynecologic surgical mesh by Boston Scientific
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 19 updated its Safety Alert for urogynecologic surgical mesh manufactured by Boston Scientific. After an extensive review of data and testing, the FDA has determined that the change in supplier of the polypropylene used to manufacture the mesh currently on…
Can HAI data be useful in differentiating US hospitals?
Editor's Note There are enough healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data reported on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website to meet minimal criteria for useful hospital comparisons in many geographic areas; however, it varies by type of HAI, this study finds. The analysis included data from 4,561…
Bill to reduce EHR burden clears subcommittee
Editor's Note The House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee on September 13 approved legislation that would remove a requirement to make meaningful use standards for electronic health records (EHRs) more stringent over time, the September 13 AHA News Now reports. In a letter of support for the bill, which is…
Lumbar spine fusion market set for growth
Editor's Note Analysis by 360 Market Updates estimates that the lumbar spine fusion market will see a compound annual growth rate of 4.9% through 2021, the September 15 Beckerโs Spine Review reports. A key driver of growth is the increasing popularity of physician-owned ambulatory surgery centers. DePuy Synthes, Medtronic, Stryker,…
Efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs in preventing healthcare provider contamination
Editor's Note Antimicrobial-impregnated scrub clothes are not effective at reducing healthcare provider contamination, this study finds. Cultures were obtained from each of 40 ICU nurses, the healthcare environment, and patients during each shift. Nurses wore standard cotton-polyester surgical scrubs (control), scrubs that contained a complex element compound with a silver-alloy…
FDA: OriGen recalls two lots of dual lumen ECMO catheters
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 13 announced the recall by OriGen Biomedical (Austin, Texas) of two lots of its VV28F Reinforced Dual Lumen ECMO [extracorporeal membrane oxygenation] Catheters (Catalog number VV28F, Lots N18487 and V18487-1). The recall was initiated because the catheters have the potential…
Infection control practices linked to lower SSI rates
Editor's Note Infection control practices that focus on perioperative patient skin and wound hygiene and transparent display of surgical site infection (SSI) data, not OR attire policies, were associated with lower SSI rates in this multi-center study. A total of 20 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program…