Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 72,000 from March to April, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released on April 5. That is compared to an overall monthly gain of 231,000 in March. In March, healthcare employment also trended up in: ambulatory…

Read More

Editor's Note The US Food and Drug administration approved Zevtera for treating Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) bloodstream infections, which are often acquired in healthcare settings. In the April 3 announcement, the agency notes the new antibiotic Zevtera (ceftobiprole medocaril sodium for injection) is effective for SAB-infected patients with right-sided infective…

Read More

Editor's Note Monday’s solar eclipse has prompted hospitals in affected areas to implement precautionary measures in advance of an expected influx of visitors as well as potential communication and other difficulties, Becker’s Hospital Review reported April 2. Areas in the path of totality, which stretches from Central Texas to Northeastern…

Read More

Editor's Note Patients with biliary symptoms can benefit from laparoscopic cholecystectomy even with a normal ejection fraction (greater than 35%), according to a study published November 30 in the American Journal of Surgery. Although previous data have shown the surgery to improve biliary symptoms (such as abdominal pain) in patients…

Read More

Editor's Note The gap between demand and supply could result in a shortage of 13,500 to 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to updated projections published March 21 by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Although these figures are smaller than projections in the last report, published in 2021, they…

Read More

Editor's Note A recent study from the UK, the results of which were presented at the 6th annual World Congress on Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, shed light on patients' preferences and understandings regarding anesthesia options for outpatient orthopedic surgery, Anesthesiology News March 18 reports. It revealed a stronger expectation…

Read More

Editor's Note A March 11 article on SeniorLiving.org broke down key considerations and risks for elderly patients undergoing surgery and anesthesia. One such consideration is studies show that older adults often prioritize quality of life over the extension of life if it means sacrificing independence or functional abilities. Other lessons…

Read More

Editor's Note Based on the performance of two specific systems in detecting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in a recent study, artificial intelligence (AI) could help providers enhance surveillance, streamline tasks, and free staff to focus on patient care. Published March 14 in The American Journal of Infection Control, the study assessed…

Read More

Editor's Note Data collected from more than 1,300 hospitals nationwide for Kaufman Hall’s National Hospital Flash Report shows strong margins—averaging 3.9% in February—but does not account for significant, near-term headwinds, according to a March 28 article from HealthLeaders. Revenue growth is primarily from outpatient care, and inpatient revenue continues to…

Read More

Editor's Note A standard kidney function test has been underestimating the seriousness of disease in Black patients, delaying their eligibility for transplants, The Associated Press reported March 31. Now, that test is changing – and Black patients awaiting kidneys are moving up the list.  Among other factors, transplant eligibility is…

Read More