Nurses projected to see greatest increase in hourly wage by 2033, new study finds
RNs are projected to see the highest increase in pay over the next 10 years compared to other healthcare professionals, new research reveals. The research by TollFreeForwarding.com projected the future hourly earnings of 16 professions, including doctors, dentists, and RNs. Although all three professions project to see earnings increases over the…
Study questions use of fusion surgery for treating sacroiliac joint pain
Editor's Note A recent double-blind, randomized controlled trial could not prove that minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion was any more effective than sham surgery in treating severe sacroiliac joint pain. “With these findings, there should be discussion in the medical community whether an irreversible surgical procedure with related risks and…
3D scans, deep-learning AI show promise for measuring body composition
Editor's Note A new method of measuring body composition using deep learning models and 3D scans is accurately depicts the distribution of fat and muscle in various body types, according to findings published January 30 Nature Communications Medicine.  Creating tying an accurate digital map of a person’s shape and body…
FDA issues warning on fraudulent, unreliable medical device testing data
Editor's Note The FDA has issued a warning regarding fraudulent, duplicated and otherwise unreliable data coming from third party test labs that produce data for medical device companies, including many based in India and China. Issued February 20, the alert warns medical device manufacturers that they are responsible for confirming the…
Study: Intrathecal morphine reduces post-op opioid need in open prostate, kidney surgeries
Editor's Note A recent study suggests a single dose of intrathecal morphine provides long-lasting analgesia and reduces the need for postoperative systemic administration of opioids after painful open urological procedures. The Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing published the data January 31. Intrathecal opioid administration is an attractive technique in these surgeries…
Nursing workforce expected to fully rebound from pandemic low
Editor's Note Although RN employment dropped significantly during the past few years, updated workforce forecasts with numbers similar to those projected prior to the pandemic indicate that the decline was likely temporary. Jama Health Forum published the data February 16. For the study, researchers pulled data on registered nurses aged…
Breaking down the surgical gown: Disposable versus reusable, latest innovations
There is movement happening in the world of surgical gowns. It is driven in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought new focus to the need for adequate stockpiles of personal protective equipment (PPE)—and for PPE that works as intended. Staff need to know their gowns incorporate the latest technology…
Study: Cognitive impairment prevalent in patients suffering from long COVID
Editor's Note A study published by JAMA Network on February 14 reveals cognitive symptoms to be common among individuals suffering from post-COVID-19 condition, also known as long COVID. Conducted by Abhishek Jaywant, PhD, and colleagues from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, the research focused on the prevalence of…
Stryker unveils ortho robotic technologies, updates at AAOS meeting
Editor's Note Stryker Corp announced its plans to showcase new joint-replacement technologies and updates to its Mako surgical robotic platform at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting in San Francisco, according to a February 16 article in The Robot Report. The announcement includes the introduction of myMako and…
Data suggest BMI cutoffs for hernia surgery could be unnecessary
Editor's Note The impact of body mass index (BMI) on hernia recurrence is likely overstated, and symptomatic patients should not be denied abdominal wall reconstruction procedures due to an arbitrary BMI cutoff of 35 kg/m2. This is the conclusion of a study published February 1 in the journal Surgery by…