Supply Chain/Technology
Surgeons implant first medically suspended heart pump in US
Editor's Note Cardiothoracic surgeons at Emory University Hospital have conducted the first US implantation of the BrioVAD System, a new ventricular assist device (VAD) from BrioHealth Solutions, Cardiovascular Business News reported November 25. According to the article, the BrioVAD System features a magnetically suspended, hemocompatible pump designed to minimize adverse…
Study: COVID-19's impact on oncological surgery offers lessons for future crises
Editor's Note A scoping review of 15 studies reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted oncological abdominal surgery (OAS), leading to postponed or canceled procedures, adoption of alternative treatment plans, and increased psychological stress among surgical teams. Published November 5 in the American Journal of Surgery, the findings emphasize the…
Study: Blood thinner, NSAID combination raises bleeding risk
Editor's Note Research reveals combining non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with blood thinners heightened bleeding risk across multiple organ systems, HealthDay reported November 18. The study analyzed nearly 52,000 Danish patients prescribed blood thinners between 2012 and 2022, examining NSAID interactions with multiple anticoagulants including rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and warfarin.…
Hospital financial report predicts stability, high cybersecurity costs for 2025
Editor's Note Hospitals’ financial outlook is stable, although growth is slowing and certain costs are projected to increase, particularly for cybersecurity, according to two recent Becker’s reports on data from Moody’s Investor Services. The first, published November 14 in Becker’s Hospital CFO Report, notes that “hospitals are facing a stable…
IV fluid shortage drives innovation in hospital hydration practices
Editor's Note A nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids is forcing hospitals to adopt conservation strategies that could reshape hydration practices long-term, KFF Health News reported November 19. The shortage was driven by Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter International’s North Cove facility, which is responsible for 60% of US IV…
FDA Class 1 recalls target anesthesia workstations, ambulatory infusion pumps, ventilators
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Class 1 recalls—the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death—involving three systems: Atlan anesthesia workstations from Draeger, CADD-Solis ambulatory infusion pumps from Smiths Medical, and Trilogy Evo ventilators from Philips Respironics. FDA issued all three announcements…
Virtual care enhances perioperative efficiency
Eliminating physical distance as a barrier to communication makes it easier for caretakers to help not only their patients, but also one another. This is the promise of virtual care technology, which offers system-wide potential for providers facing growing demand for high-quality, cost-effective care. For perioperative leaders specifically, advantages of…
Practice updates ease steam sterilization balancing act
Reliable and robust enough for daily use on most medical devices, steam is the most common sterilant in healthcare facilities. However, using steam properly requires a balancing act. For example, too much moisture can lead to wet packs, while steam that is too dry might not be sufficient to achieve…
No construction required—AI uncovers system-wide capacity
Amid rising demand for surgical procedures, improving perioperative operations is a pressing priority for any hospital. For a system serving one of the fastest-growing counties in the US, it becomes an operational imperative. This is the case for WakeMed Health & Hospitals (WakeMed). With ORs spread across multiple facilities in…
GAO urges HHS to strengthen cybersecurity oversight
Editor's Note A November 13 report from The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identifies critical gaps in the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) ability to manage cybersecurity risks in the healthcare and public health sector. HHS, the lead federal agency for cybersecurity in this sector, faces challenges in monitoring…
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- Study: Black CABG patients disadvantaged in accessing best hospitals
- Health system to pilot AI-powered OR cameras; leaders acknowledge privacy challenges
- 3D modeling advances cardiovascular surgery at Boston Children's Hospital
- Report: Healthcare ransomware compromises millions of patient records, costs billions in downtime
- First ACS cancer report highlights neoadjuvant therapy expansion, improvements
- Hospitals continue to grapple with IV fluid shortage
- Proposed tariffs, stricter immigration policies threaten healthcare workforce, supply chain
- Hospital addresses barriers to patient rest, recovery
- Study: Psilocybin therapy reduces depression in frontline clinicians
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