Editor's Note This simulation study, led by researchers at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, finds that reuse of N95 masks can result in contamination of those wearing the masks and the environment, even when correct technique is used. A total of 12 healthcare workers (HCWs) performed 3…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 8 identified the recall by Medtronic of its HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) Pump Implant Kit as Class I, the most serious. The HVAD System is used as a bridge to cardiac transplants. The Kit was recalled because of a…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on June 3 identified the recall by Philips Respironics of all V60 and V60 Plus Ventilators as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because an internal power fluctuation may cause the ventilator to shut down unintentionally with or without any…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 2 identified the recall by Atrium Medical Corporation of its iCast Covered Stent System as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of increased complaints about the separation of the balloon or catheter hub from the delivery…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 27 identified the recall of the ArjoHuntleigh Polska Sara Plus floor lift as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the risk of smoke or fire if the lift is used when the battery is low.…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 26 identified the recall of Abbott Medical’s Dragonfly OpStar Imaging Catheter as Class I, the most serious. Abbott is recalling certain lots of the imaging catheter because the marker band farthest from the catheter tip (proximal marker) may become loose…
Editor's Note ECRI on May 25 announced the three winners and three finalists of its 2022 Alerts Impact Award for excellence in recall management. The annual award is given to those who have demonstrated strong success in implementing recall management programs in their healthcare organizations. The winners are: Eskenazi Health,…
Editor's Note The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has engaged experts from the private sector and various government agencies to “share information and best practices, identify threats, and mitigate risks” regarding the US supply chains, including for healthcare, according to an Office of the Assistant Secretary for…
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve with impacts shifting over time, some of the changes it brought to healthcare—specifically the OR—may be permanent. One trend it accelerated: the rise in new ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), which specialize in elective or same-day outpatient surgical procedures. While this trend was largely…
Editor's Note In this session, Brooke Mullett, MBA, senior director of operations for perioperative and surgical services at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), and Ash Crowe, project manager at St. Onge Company, walked attendees through a $100 million renovation project of the CCHMC ORs and surgical supply inventory. Even…