Safety/Quality
Socioeconomic differences in telemedicine use for ambulatory surgical care during COVID-19
Editor's Note This study from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, finds that Black patients used telemedicine platforms more often than White patients for ambulatory surgical care during Phase 2 of COVID-19. During Phase 1 (March 24 through June 23), there were 347 in-person and 638 virtual…
FDA: Class I recall of Medtronic’s HawkOne Directional Atherectomy System
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 21 identified the recall by Medtronic Inc of its HawkOne Directional Atherectomy System as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the risk of the guidewire within the catheter moving down ward or prolapsing when force…
CDC: Those recovered from COVID-19 less likely than vaccinated to get Delta variant
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on January 19, released a study showing that in New York and California, both vaccination and prior infection offered protection against COVID-19, but those who had recovered from COVID-19 were less likely than vaccinated individuals to get infected during the Delta…
The Joint Commission to begin surveying for HCW vaccinations
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on January 19 that beginning January 27, 2022, for applicable deemed program surveys in progress on that day, it will begin surveying to the “Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination” interim final rule published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As…
FDA: Class I recall of Getinge Vaporizer Sevoflurane Maquet Filling for Flow Family Anesthesia Systems
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 19 identified the recall by Getinge of its Vaporizer Sevoflurane Maquet Filling for Flow Family Anesthesia Systems as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the potential chemical breakdown of Sevoflurane that may result in inhalation…
Providing preoperative virtual education to providers, patients
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons projects that total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) procedures will increase to 635,000 and 1.28 million, respectively, by 2030. That leads to a tremendous amount of Episode of Care opportunities. How can we as clinicians ensure the best possible experience for…
Techniques for using sterilization containers, case-by-case basis
Sterilization containers are used in many surgery departments. They offer many benefits, including providing an exceptional barrier to microorganisms, protecting instruments from damage, and eliminating torn wrappers. These benefits can only be realized if the sterilization containers are used properly, however. Guidance for the use of sterilization containers is given…
ECRI names Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2022
Editor's Note ECRI has named cybersecurity attacks as the number one health technology hazard for 2022. In its report, ECRI notes that all healthcare organizations are subject to cybersecurity attacks, and that the question is not whether they will be attacked but when. A cybersecurity attack could threaten medical devices…
CDC: Racial, ethnic disparities in receipt of COVID-19 treatments
Editor's Note This study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds disparate monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment of COVID-19 in Hispanic, Black, Asian, and Other race patients, compared to non-Hispanic and White patients. Differences in treatment with dexamethasone and remdesivir were less apparent. Analyzing data from 41 healthcare…
FDA: Class I recall of Medtronic Synergy Cranial, StealthStation S7 cranial software
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 6 identified the recall by Medtronic of its Stealth Station System with Synergy Cranial and StealthStation S7 Cranial Software as Class I, the most serious. The System aids in precisely locating anatomical structures in neurosurgical procedures. The recall was initiated…
Free Daily News
- Hospital touts benefits of virtual reality training for nurses
- Study: OR noise raises risk of surgical error
- Alternative to mitral valve surgery shows promise, but research criticized
- Study: Therapy dogs reduce healthcare worker burnout
- Localized nurse shortages to persist amid nationwide surplus, analysis predicts
- California updates guidance on CRNA scope of practice
- FDA designates Class 1 recall for tracheostomy tubes
- Study: Preventing antibiotic-resistant infection surge could save millions
- Face transplant survival rates “encouraging,” global study finds
- Vertical integration reshaping US healthcare: Impact on cost, access