Regulations/Legal
Deadline looms for CMS patient safety reporting requirements
Editor's Note Starting October 1, US hospitals participating in Medicare's Inpatient Quality Reporting Program will need to report adherence to 25 patient safety best practices, as mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). According to a September 4 report from the Association of Health Care Journalists, the…
HHS announces $75 million investment in rural healthcare
Editor's Note The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has announced nearly $75 million in funding to address critical challenges in rural health, including opioid treatment, maternal health care in the South, and supporting the financial stability of rural…
Countdown to OR Manager Conference: Protect your workplace from violence—How to build a safe environment
Editor's Note Beth Chrismer, MSN, RN, CPHRM, former director of clinical excellence at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System, shared insights into a tragic workplace violence incident that occurred in 2013 at a Texas ambulatory surgery center (ASC) at last year’s OR Manager Conference. Chrismer was risk manager at the time…
Why nurse travelers are more friends than foes
Many are quick to blame travelers for the poor state of hospital finances. However, isn’t there a difference between a traveler in the OR—an interim staff member in the hospital’s profit center—and an interim RN in an area financially supported by OR profits? What about the argument that travelers can…
How perioperative staff can combat human trafficking—Part 2
Human trafficking (HT) is a hidden-in-plain-sight crime—victims walk among the public at large, yet they remain essentially invisible. Lack of education and knowledge on HT and anti-trafficking measures is particularly egregious in healthcare. In fact, the literature shows the majority of people being trafficked access the system without being identified…
Study: Chances of pregnancy after tubal ligation higher than previous estimates
Editor's Note Tubal sterilization, often considered a permanent form of contraception, has a failure rate of 3% to 5%, leading to unplanned pregnancies in some cases, UC San Francisco reported August 27. Publishing in NEJM Evidence, university researchers report that contraceptive arm implants or intrauterine devices (IUDs) may be more reliable…
Study: OR noise raises risk of surgical error
Editor's Note Often exceeding federal safety limits, OR noise contributes significantly to communication breakdowns, heightened cognitive load, and increased surgical errors, according to a review of literature published September 17 in Cureus. Identified noise sources include surgical instruments, alarms, and staff conversations, which can reach up to 120 decibels (dBA)—a…
California updates guidance on CRNA scope of practice
Editor's Note Confusion about the scope of practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) prompted The California Department of Public Health to update guidelines for acute care hospitals, MedPage Today reported September 18. Issued after violations at two Modesto hospitals resulted in hundreds of cancelled surgeries, a letter from the…
FDA designates Class 1 recall for tracheostomy tubes
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated the recall of Smiths Medical’s Bivona Neonatal/Pediatric and Adult Tracheostomy tubes as a Class 1, the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death. According to the agency’s September 18 report, the recall is due to a…
Vertical integration reshaping US healthcare: Impact on cost, access
Editor's Note A growing trend toward vertical integration in US healthcare is leading to significant changes in how care is delivered and billed, according to a new study by Brown University researchers published on September 16. Vertical integration refers to the consolidation of physician-owned practices into larger health systems, a…
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- Study: AI improves surgical case length predictions
- HHS finalizes rule to expand kidney transplant access
- Study: Rural hospital mergers, acquisitions boost financial stability, care access
- Analyzing outpatient surgery emerging trends as ASC market growth expected at $130B by 2031
- Health systems invest in outpatient care, repurpose hospitals for mental health and rehab
- Study: Non-operative management of pediatric appendicitis cost-effective compared to surgery
- AMA letter expresses opposition to CRNA use of 'nurse anesthesiologist' title
- House report criticizes COVID-19 pandemic response, calls for reform
- Medical device coating could reduce blood clot risks
- FDA pilot program aims to expedite high-risk medical device recall communication