Storage interval not linked to endoscope contamination
Editor's Note In this study of flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes, none demonstrated clinically relevant contamination at hang times ranging from 7 to 555 days, and most remained uncontaminated up to 56 days after reprocessing. The data suggest that properly cleaned and disinfected GI endoscopes could be stored safely for longer…
Antimicrobial sutures shown to prevent SSIs
Editor's Note In this meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis, triclosan-coated sutures were shown to be effective in preventing surgical site infections (SSIs). A total of 21 randomized clinical trials, involving 6,462 patients, were included. The meta-analysis found a risk of 138 SSIs per 1,000 procedures, and the use of triclosan-coated…
ACS notifies members of CMS software errors
Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on January 20 notified members that it had received a letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) saying new moderate sedation codes that took effect January 1 were incorrectly bundled into several surgical procedures codes in CMS payment software.…
Effect of organ donor hospital volume on transplantable organs
Editor's Note Hospitals managing the highest volume of deceased organ donors were 52% more likely to recover an above-average number of transplantable organs per donor than low-volume hospitals in this study. The study included data from 4,427 donors across 384 hospitals. High-volume hospitals had an organ yield (ie, rate of…
Joint Commission offers AHRQ informed consent learning module
Editor's Note The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed two e-learning modules on informed consent that will be available through the Joint Commissionโs learning management system for continuing education credit. The modules, which are available for free: help hospital leaders provide guidance on developing policies and ensuring…
Lean processes improve surgical wait times at VA hospital
Editor's Note Implementation of Lean system redesigns was associated with a significant and sustained wait list reduction from 33.4 days to 12.0 days for patients waiting for elective general surgery procedures at a Veterans Affairs medical center, this study finds. The study covered FY 2012 to 2014. At the same…
FDA issues Safety Communication on ED-3490TK duodenoscope by Pentax
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 17 issued a Safety Communication to inform Pentax ED-3490TK video duodenoscope users of updated recommendations to help prevent the spread of infection associated with the use of these devices. Since a February 19, 2016, Safety Communication to inform users about…
Harvard study assesses surgeon as second victim
Editor's Note Intraoperative adverse events (iAEs) occur often and have a significant negative impact on surgeonsโ wellbeing, this study finds. Barriers to transparency include fear of litigation and absence of a well-defined reporting system. A survey was conducted of all surgeons at three major teaching hospitals connected with the Harvard…
CMS extends deadline for reporting 2016 quality data
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 17 announced a deadline extension for reporting CY 2016 electronic Clinical Quality Measure data to avoid a 2.7% payment adjustment in FY 2018. The extension applies to hospitals and critical access hospitals participating in the Hospital Inpatient Quality…
FDA issues Safety Alert on Lifepak 1000 defibrillators
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 14 issued a Safety Alert announcing the voluntary field action by Physio-Control (Redmond, Washington) notifying its customers to immediately remove and reinstall batteries in the Lifepak 1000 defibrillator. The company has received 34 reports of customers attempting to use the…