Takeaways Clinical hours per case is a simple, yet effective, productivity metric. Analysis of productivity measures can include benchmarking against external and internal data. A positive work culture will improve staff productivity. Productivity is a foundational concept for leaders of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). “Measuring productivity is essential to be…

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Takeaways Clinical hours per case is a simple, yet effective, productivity metric. Analysis of productivity measures can include benchmarking against external and internal data. A positive work culture will improve staff productivity. Many health systems rely on external, third-party agencies to deploy nurses and other staff. But when a situation…

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Editor's Note There is a lack of gender, ethnic, and racial diversity in leadership roles in US academic surgery departments, according to a new study in JAMA Surgery that was published on October 11. The authors included in their analysis 154 surgical departments within 146 medical schools and affiliated hospitals…

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Editor's Note The Nursing Informatics credential is getting an update, from “RN-BC” to “NI-BC,” the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) reported on November 3. The ANCC manages the Informatics Nursing board certification examination, which provides an assessment of RNs' clinical knowledge and skills in informatics after their initial RN licensure.  After…

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Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 58,400 from October to November, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released on November 3. That is compared to the average monthly gain of 53,000 over the prior 12 months, for a total of 17,123,600 seasonally…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on November 1 announced the release of the 2024 ORYX performance measure reporting requirements, which will be effective starting on January 1, 2024, for critical access hospitals and hospitals. In the new requirements, acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals must join The Joint Commission National…

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A 2021 report by the Association of American Medical Colleges projects shortages of 15,800 to 30,200 in all surgical specialties by 2034. Driven by various factors, including the growing healthcare needs of an aging population, an aging surgical workforce—with many surgeons and nurses nearing retirement—and limited capacity in medical and…

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Editor's Note Video laryngoscopy was found to lead to higher intubation success rates over direct laryngoscopy in critically ill adult patients, an August 2023 randomized controlled trial published by the The New England Journal of Medicine shows. The findings were consistent whether they were intubated in an emergency room or…

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Editor's Note Researchers from University of Connecticut, Peking University School, and Eli Lilly & Company have designed an injectable gel that could someday provide scaffolds for human cartilage without surgery. The findings were published by Nature Communications on October 6.  Some highlights include: The injectable, biodegradable piezoelectric (electricity-producing) hydrogel can…

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Editor's Note Active daily habits–specifically getting more than 7,500 steps a day before a surgical procedure–cuts the odds of complications within 90 days after discharge in half, regardless of the complication of a patient’s operation, MedicalXpress October 20 reports. The findings were presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical…

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