FDA: Oscor recalls Atar extension cables
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 6 announced the recall by Oscor Inc (Palm Harbor, Florida) of its Atar extension cables. The recall was initiated because, during use, some of the cables were separating from the connectors at the proximal end. The Atar cable is an…
Influence of nurse leaders on professional practice environment
Editor's Note Nurse leaders are integral in enhancing professional practice environments, and their influence links structures necessary for an environment that supports outcomes, this study finds. In this analysis of 30 nurse leaders and 169 clinical nurses at a 247-bed acute care Magnet hospital, leaders perceived their influence from โoftenโ…
Joint Commission: Four new performance measures for total joint certification
Editor's Note Four new performance measures are available for the Joint Commissionโs Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement (THKR) advanced certification program, the Joint Commission announced on July 5. They are: THKR-1 Regional anesthesia THKR-2 Postoperative ambulation on the day of surgery THKR-3 Discharged to home THKR-4 Preoperative functional/health status…
Development of quality indicators to assess emergency general surgery
Editor's Note Development of and adherence to quality indicators by providers may improve the quality of emergency general surgery, for which current outcomes are modifiable, finds this study. Of 25 quality indicators developed and rated as valid, there were 13 for patient-level and 12 for hospital-level quality. Adherence with 18…
Report predicts growth of spinal implant market
Editor's Note A Market Research Future report predicts the global market for spinal implants will reach $14 billion by 2011 because of an increasing prevalence of spinal injuries and disorders and an aging population, according to the July 5 Beckerโs Spine Review. The costliness of spinal implants and unfavorable reimbursement…
CMS star ratings not linked to surgical outcomes
Editor's Note High Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings were not associated with improved patient outcomes in advanced laparoscopic abdominal surgery, this study finds. Morbidity at low-star hospitals was higher for colorectal surgery but not for bariatric or hiatal hernia surgery, and no significant…
Survey: Physicians unprepared for MACRA
Editor's Note A survey of 1,000 physicians by the American Medical Association and KPMG finds that fewer than one in four believe they are well prepared to meet the 2017 requirements of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), KPMG.com reported on June 28. MACRA reshapes how…
FDA issues draft guideline on UDI requirements
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 30 issued a draft guideline: โProduct Identifier Requirements Under the Drug Supply Chain Security ActโCompliance Policy.โ The draft guidance describes the FDAโs enforcement of requirements related to unique device identification (UDI), specifically those that manufacturers affix or imprint on a…
Economic benefits of low-temperature vs steam sterilization of endoscopes
Editor's Note This Australian study finds it is a good economic decision for large healthcare facilities to invest in low-temperature systems for sterilization of steam-sterilizable endoscopes. Increased costs associated with low-temperature systems were outweighed by savings from fewer instrument repairs. Based on their calculations, the researchers estimated a savings of…
Joint Commission: Quick Safety on daily safety briefings
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 28 posted a Quick Safety on daily safety briefings--a hallmark of high reliability organizations. Safety briefings--also called safety huddles, daily check-ins, or daily safety calls--are used to give keep frontline staff and leadership informed. The briefings can be used to: share issues that…