Harvard researchers create first 3-D printed heart-on-a-chip
Editor's Note Harvard researchers have created the first 3-D printed heart-on-a-chip capable of collecting data on how reliably a heart is beating, and how a heart responds to drugs and toxins, the October 25 Gizmodo reports. The 3-D printed organ is made of synthetic material designed to mimic the structure…
Cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery in adolescents
Editor's Note In this study, bariatric surgery for obese adolescents was shown to be cost-effective if assessed over a time period of 5 years, but not in shorter time frames. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of bariatric surgery vs no surgery was $155,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) when assessed over…
ERAS patients have less pain after total knee replacements
Editor's Note Total knee patients in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs have less pain and recuperate faster, finds this study presented October 23 at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. The study, from Rush University Medical Center (Chicago), included 243 total knee patients, who were provided a combination of postoperative…
Simple instruction sheet helps patients take medications before surgery
Editor's Note Patients were more likely to take their regularly prescribed medications correctly before surgery when they were provided a simple instruction sheet, finds this study presented October 24 at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. For the study, 48 patients were given verbal instructions and 57 were given a new,…
Experimental nanofiber coating prevents prosthetic joint infections
Editor's Note In a study on mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that a coating made with antibiotic-releasing nanofibers can prevent bacterial infections after total joint surgery. After 14 days, mice that received implants without the antibiotic coating all had bacteria in infected tissue around the joint, and 80% had…
PSH model improves postop outcomes
Editor's Note Implementing the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model resulted in improved patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and shorter hospital stays in this study presented October 22 at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. The study included 1,356 patients who had total knee, hip, or shoulder replacements. Half received care under the…
FDA: Class I recall of HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Pumps
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on October 24 categorized HeartWare Inc’s recall of its HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Pumps as Class I, the most serious. The recall is because of a design problem with the driveline connector that connects the pump to the external controller and power source.…
Effect of hair removal on SSI rates
Editor's Note In this study, surgical site infection (SSI) rates were similar for general surgery patients whether hair was clipped or not. Of 1,543 patients included in the study, 768 were in the clipped group and 775 were in the not-clipped group. The overall rate of SSIs was 6.12% in…
CMS adds VA hospital performance data to Hospital Compare
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 21 announced the addition of Veterans Administration (VA) hospital performance data to Hospital Compare. The performance data include VA satisfaction survey results as well as outcomes, behavioral health, and patient safety measures. Additional VA hospital data will be…
FDA: Class I recall of Willy Rusch Tracheostomy Tube Set
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 20 categorized the recall by TeleFlex Medical of its Willy Rusch Tracheostomy Tube Set as Class I, the most serious. The recall was issued because of the possibility that the connector may disconnect from the tracheostomy tube during use on…