Report shows alarming trends in nurse engagement: Burnout, generational differences highlighted
Editor's Note A September 2023 report from market research and consulting company PRC and published by Nursing Academy looked at retention, burnout, and engagement issues among more than 1,900 nurses at 37 hospitals. The report found that only 45% of nurses report being “fully engaged” at work, while 14.1% percent…
Comparing COVID-19 booster shots–and whether to wait
Editor's Note With COVID-19 rates rising again, and winter cold and flu season around the corner, it is time for healthcare personnel to get a COVID-19 booster shot to help protect against illness–and recommend patients to do the same. In a September 2023 TIME Magazine article, doctors weigh in on…
Inflammation following abdominal surgery key marker for adverse outcomes
Editor's Note In this retrospective cohort study, researchers looked at the association between inflammation and various outcomes following major abdominal surgery. The study, titled "Postoperative systemic inflammation after major abdominal surgery: patient-centered outcomes," was published in the journal Anaesthesia, of the Association of Anaesthetists, in August 2023. Data came from…
Study: Effective ACE screening builds trust, reveals vital patient information
Editor's Note This recent study of five pediatric clinics in Los Angeles County, California, found that when clinic staff performed screening for adverse childhood experience (ACE), they were able to elicit important patient information and build trust, with no adverse events reported. The study, titled "Clinician and Staff Perspectives on…
New AI tool matches human precision in assessing surgical margins for breast cancer
Editor's Note Researchers from the University of North Carolina developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can predict whether cancerous tissue has been fully removed from the body during breast cancer surgical procedures. Their findings were published in the Annals of Surgical Oncology August 2023 issue. During the procedure, surgeons…
Study reveals impact of impostor syndrome on surgery leadership roles
Editor's Note This study, titled "Leadership and Impostor Syndrome in Surgery" and published in the October 2023 issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, examined how impostor syndrome–an internalized sense of incompetence and not belonging–impacts surgeons holding leadership positions in healthcare. The study included 2,183 attending and…
Addressing mistreatment of transgender people in healthcare encounters
Editor's Note Transgender people are subject to mistreatment in healthcare encounters, including harassment, assault, and denial of care, according to this September 2023 qualitative study published by Annals of Family Medicine. This study comprised 30 transgender adults and found the following experiences among transgender patients: Transgender people often found clinicians’…
Leapfrog Group recognizing hospitals that excel in diabetes care
Editor's Note The nonprofit Leapfrog Group has joined forces with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to recognize hospitals providing exceptional care for patients with diabetes, Chief Healthcare Executive September 12 reports. Earning the designation will be based on how well hospitals meet ADA’s standards of care, in addition to their…
Editorial
OR Manager’s 2023 Salary/Career Survey included the following question to respondents: “How do you measure productivity in your department?” The answers were eye-opening and spawned a two-part series on “Maximizing productivity measurement”: Part 1 was published in September, and Part 2 (cover story) is included in this issue. The leaders…
Technology addresses OR workforce shortage, supports staff
The healthcare industry as a whole has faced numerous and unprecedented challenges in the last few years. With each challenge compounded by external pressures, these proverbial spotlights illuminated existing vulnerabilities. The healthcare workforce, particularly nursing, continues to be one of the most impactful vulnerabilities. With the pandemic acting as a…