Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on September 17 voted that there was not enough safety and effectiveness data to approve a third Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine dose for those 16 years and older. The committee did vote to recommend approval of…

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Editor's Note This study led by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, finds that although COVID-19’s effect on access to liver transplantation has been all-pervasive, minorities have been disproportionately affected—especially those with public insurance. During the initial wave of COVID-19, organ transplantation was classified as a…

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Editor's Note In this study from Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, researchers find that Medically Necessary, Time-Sensitive (MeNTS) scores used for elective surgical prioritization during the COVID-19 pandemic have low discriminating power in distinguishing patients with moderate or severe postoperative complications. In this analysis, 223 patients were classified according to:…

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Editor's Note This study led by nurse researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York City, finds a high level of COVID-19 pandemic impact on nurses’ intent to leave their current positions and the nursing profession. Among 5,000 nurses surveyed, pandemic impact was rated high overall and was highest in…

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Editor's Note This study led by researchers at the US Army Institute of Surgical Research and the Brooke Army Medical Center JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas, finds that a Texas state-level mask mandate issued July 3, 2020, followed by a Bexar County-level mandate issued July 15, 2020, did not reduce…

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Editor's Note Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare is postponing all nonemergency surgical procedures in its 13 hospitals, effective September 15, the September 10 Becker’s Hospital Review reports. The action is being taken because of a COVID-19 surge fueled by the Delta variant. In a news release, the health system said…

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Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on September 10 announced that through its Surgeon Well-Being program, it is striving to build awareness about surgeon suicide during September, which is National Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. ACS is emphasizing Physician Suicide Awareness Day, September 17, in order to destigmatize…

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Editor's Note In this study by researchers at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, surgical patients find virtual follow-up care more convenient than traditional in-person appointments without loss of quality or efficiency, which are important components of patient satisfaction. The analysis included 289 patients having laparoscopic appendectomy or…

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Editor's Note A total of 95.19% of US counties are reporting high COVID-19 transmission rates, with at least 100 new cases per 100,000 people in the past 7 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The surge in COVID-19 cases is being driven largely by the Delta…

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Editor's Note This study led by researchers at State University of New York, Binghamton, finds that social-distancing measures implemented by states in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in smaller death rates, but led to larger second waves. Conversely, social-distancing measures implemented by states later in the pandemic…

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