Editor's Note The collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge last Tuesday morning could impact the shipment of medical supplies, according to healthcare leaders quoted in a March 17 report in Chief Healthcare Executive. “Currently, any healthcare provider using a distributor in the area will likely face some impact, including…

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Editor's Note Medical recall software developer Notisphere is spearheading a collaborative effort among healthcare organizations to address inefficiencies with the recall alert communication process, reduce burdens on providers, speed regulatory compliance achievement by suppliers, and enhance patient safety. As noted in the company’s March 29 announcement, the Universal Recall Platform…

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Editor's Note Although intraoperative wound irrigation is a common practice worldwide for preventing surgical site infections, a recent study suggests irrigation with polyhexanide solution should not be recommended as standard clinical practice in open clean-contaminated surgical procedures. Published February 21 in Jama Surgery, the study cautions that additional trials are…

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Editor's Note The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) proposed a new rule that would require hospitals and health systems to report any cyberattacks or ransomware attacks to the agency within 72 hours and any ransomware payments within 24 hours.  The healthcare sector is one of…

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Editor's Note Although cardiac disease is the leading cause of human morbidity and mortality globally, the complexity of cardiac tissues makes monitoring difficult. To address this issue, a team from University of Massachusetts Amherst and MIT has created a bioelectronic mesh system that can measure movement of cells in cardiac…

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Editor's Note A team of Johns Hopkins researchers has designed a robot capable of performing the most complex, delicate procedures—including head and neck tumor resection—with accuracy greater than many human surgeons. As reported by the institution on March 18, ASTR: the Autonomous System for Tumor Resection is an autonomous, dual-arm,…

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Editor's Note Although many studies have focused on infection transmission within the operating room, authors of research published in the March issue of the Journal of Infection Control focused their study of UV-C light disinfection on non-sterile hubs of patient care—in this case, high-touch surfaces within an academic endoscopy unit.…

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Editor's Note Authors of a recent study evaluating the effectiveness of a forced-air drying system for endoscopes argue that the results reinforce the need to re-evaluate standard drying practices. Findings were published February 24 in the American Journal of Infection Control. Wet environments resulting from inadequate drying practices can result…

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Editor's Note Staying awake during brain surgery to sing Taylor Swift songs helped ensure the best possible outcome for Selena Campione, a 36-year-old teacher from Stanhope, New Jersey who recently had a tumor removed at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. As detailed in a March 21 report from People, neurooncologist…

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For surgeons and other medical professionals, what to wear to work is more than just an afterthought. Over the decades, surgical scrubs have undergone a significant transformation, evolving from simple, functional garments to sophisticated attire that prioritizes both comfort and infection control. They are not merely clothing but a vital…

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