The use of electrosurgical instrumentation is common in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, while these instruments are common, processing them is complex and time-consuming. Insulated electrosurgical instrumentation can cause patient harm, including an electrical burn, if there is a breach in the insulation. These instruments are designed to have an…

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Editor's Note This study from Ohio State University researchers finds that infection preventionists (IPs) who worked shorter shifts and had more organizational wellness support had better wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 926 IPs responded to a survey of Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)…

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Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has updated its 2017 guidelines for preoperative fasting and the use of pharmacologic agents to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. The new 2023 guidance focuses on topics not addressed in the previous guideline, including ingestion of carbohydrate-containing clear liquids with or…

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Editor's Note ECRI on January 11 announced that it is launching a new monthly video series featuring healthcare insights from its experts. Each episode will include topics of relevance to healthcare leaders, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, patient safety and risk management professionals, supply chain leaders, and biomedical engineers. The first…

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Editor's Note This study led by nurse researchers at the School of Health Professions, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, finds that a disinfection routine measurably reduced surface contamination on mobile phones of ICU nurses. Surface bioburden of personal mobile phones and shared phones of 30 ICU nurses was estimated with…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on January 17, announced the publication of two new resources to help reduce mortality and morbidity in pregnant and postpartum patients. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 66: Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities causing mortality and morbidity in pregnant and postpartum patients—emphasizes the effects of social determinants…

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Editor's Note Michigan-based health system, Trinity Health, will roll out virtual nurses at its hospitals in the state, and eventually, at its 88 hospitals across the nation, reports January 13 Becker’s Hospital Review. After a successful pilot project at Trinity Health Oakland, the Virtual Connected Care Program will ideally be…

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Editor's Note Medical schools saw more diversity among their students in 2022, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), reports January 12 HealthLeaders Media. Comparing the 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 academic years, the number of Black, Hispanic, and female students increased. AAMC released the breakdown of this data: The…

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Editor's Note This study by researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, finds that patients participating in an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program were prescribed significantly fewer opioids at discharge, compared to patients before ERAS was instituted. A total of 3,983 patients were included (1,929 pre-ERAS and 2,054 post-ERAS).…

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Editor's Note On January 10, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) reported on a new best practice guideline released to help healthcare professionals screen trauma patients for mental health disorders and substance misuse. Because alcohol and substance misuse problems are prevalent and increasing in trauma patients, this guideline is an…

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