Editor's Note Telehealth postoperative follow-up may be feasible for patients having select abdominal, neck, and skin/soft tissue procedures with uncomplicated courses, duration of stay less than 4 days, and no interval contact with the operative team, finds this study. The study included 251 veterans who had general surgery. A total…

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Editor's Note In this study, researchers developed a question prompt list for older adults considering high-risk surgery. Three decision-making needs were addressed, including clarification of treatment options, setting postoperative expectations, and advance care planning. The list included 11 questions within 3 domains: Should I have surgery? What should I expect…

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Editor's Note A Joint Commission white paper issued June 27 dispels myths about the sharing of information with patients and their families. The aim of the paper, “Busting the myths about engaging patients and families in patient safety,” is to help organizations design more effective communication practices because open communication…

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Editor's Note A program at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, to improve orthopedic surgery residents’ communication skills with older adults is paying off, according to a new study presented at the Council of Orthopaedic Residency Directors meeting on June 24 in Seattle. A total of 64 residents…

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After a 10-year journey, Cassendra Munro’s Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale for Perioperative Patients (Munro Scale) is available for use in the perioperative setting and has been added to the AORN Prevention of Pressure Ulcers Tool Kit. “It is the most comprehensive risk assessment tool available for use by the…

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Editor's Note The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on May 23 released a new online toolkit to help healthcare organizations and providers respond when a patient is harmed. The toolkit is based on the Communication and Optimal Resolution (CANDOR) process, which is a patient-centered approach that emphasizes early…

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Although most OR clinicians would agree poor team communication puts patients at risk, misunderstandings are not uncommon in the perioperative setting. Understanding how communication failures occur and how to correct course takes time and effort, but using the right tools and educating staff can ultimately make patients safer. “The biggest…

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Communication tools such as briefings, debriefings, handoffs, and checklists are considered cornerstones of surgical patient safety, but they’re only effective when used correctly. In many ORs, steps may be skipped that later are linked to adverse events that should not have happened. Greater mindfulness and proper implementation of communication tools…

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Editor's Note Musical preferences and perceptions of the effect of music in the OR differ by professional status and specialty, this study finds. A survey of 282 patients and 390 providers (ie, physicians, residents, and nurses in anesthesiology and surgery), found that: Patients who highly enjoyed music said it alleviated…

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Even the most experienced OR leaders often view physician preference cards (PPCs) as a beast that acts out and demands attention at the most inconvenient times. Two organizations that have managed to tame the PPC beast shared their experiences with OR Manager. Updating cards saves more than $3.2 million Tresa…

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