CDC launches new program to strengthen sepsis survival, recovery
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on August 24, announced the launch of a new program to strengthen survival and recovery rates for sepsis patients, called the “Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements.” The program is aimed at helping hospitals implement, monitor, and optimize sepsis programs and improve…
FDA: Class I recall of certain Hamilton ventilators
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on August 30, identified the recall by Hamilton Medical of its HAMILTON-C1, C2, C3, and T1 ventilators as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of software issues that may cause the ventilators to stop without notice. There have…
Effect of surgeon gender on postop outcomes
Editor's Note This Canadian study examines whether surgeon gender is associated with long-term postoperative patient outcomes. A total of 1,165,711 patients (151,054 treated by female surgeons and 1,014,657 treated by male surgeons) were included in the analysis. Multivariate adjusted rates of adverse postoperative events (ie, death, readmission, or complication) showed…
CRA infections linked to contaminated hospital laundry
Editor's Note This study from Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, investigates the source of an outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRA) in a general hospital due to contamination of a laundry evaporative cooler and the laundry environment. A total of 58 patients were affected in the outbreak. Their most…
SHEA updates CAUTI prevention recommendations
Editor's Note An update of the 2014 “Strategies to Prevent Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections [CAUTIs] in Acute-Care Hospitals” was published August 25 by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). The update, which is a collaborative effort led by SHEA, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Association for…
Sources, consequences of intraoperative stress in surgical teams
Editor's Note This study from the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System finds that intraoperative stress in surgical teams is common and has multiple sources, including adverse events. Researchers conducted 28 interviews with surgical team members on intraoperative stress and emotional and behavioral responses to stressors. The researchers then identified themes in…
HHS investing $100M to grow nursing workforce
Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on August 10, announced awards of more than $100 million to educate more nurses and grow the nursing workforce. The awards include: $8.7 million to help licensed practical nurses become RNs $34.8 million to increase the number of primary care…
Study: Physical fitness helps bolster older adult brains
Editor's Note Research by the Center for Longevity at the University of Texas, Dallas, suggests that older adults who engage in intensive fitness practices tend to have brains that more closely resemble those of younger adults, the August 23 UTDallas News reports. The study, which compared high-fit older adults (median…
WHITEPAPER: Reimagining Operating Room Staffing Through AI: Optimizing Efficiency and Resources
Efficient allocation of staff and resources is critical for operating rooms to deliver timely, high-quality surgical care. However, OR managers face challenges in optimizing staffing, including unpredictable volumes, staff shortages and turnover, and complex scheduling. These issues can lead to mismatches between staffing and surgical demands, and suboptimal utilization of…
Nature-themed recharge room lowers HCW stress, anxiety
Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, and Hackensack Meridian Health, Edison, New Jersey, finds that a nature-themed recharge room helped reduce healthcare worker (HCW) stress and anxiety. A total of 160 HCWs who used the recharge room and 131 who…