Study: High-paying medical specialty disparity persists as more women pursue surgical professions
Editor's Note Although women are underrepresented in high-compensation medical specialties, new research shows a significant increase in female applicants and matriculants to surgical specialties specifically. Published September 30 in JAMA Network, the study found that the proportion of women entering high-compensation surgical specialties rose from 28.8% to 42.4%. In contrast,…
The Joint Commission, NQF open applications for 2024 Eisenberg awards
Editor's Note The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum (NQF) announced on September 3 they are now accepting applications for the 2024 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards. The application window is open until October 29, 2024. The annual awards, which recognize major achievements by individuals and organizations…
How awareness evolves to action on surgeon, patient gender gaps
Takeaways Although women comprise half the population, they were left out of medical research on major causes of death for both women and men—cancer, heart disease, and stroke—until 1990. Using surgical tools designed by men, for men can impact every aspect of a woman surgeon’s work, from learning new procedures…
Study: Surgical team diversity improves patient outcomes
Editor's Note The more diverse the surgical team, the better the outcomes for patients and the lower the cost of care, according to a study of more than 700,000 operations at 88 hospitals in Ontario, Canada. Published May 15 in the British Journal of Surgery, findings show that surgeon-anesthetist teams…
Supply chain leaders discuss improving access, reducing costs
Editor's Note Supply chain professionals can contribute to a more affordable, equitable health care system by spending more with suppliers in economically disadvantaged areas; expanding distribution into in-home care; and leveraging data and technology. According to a November 28 report in Healthcare Purchasing News, these were among the conclusions of…
Patient perceptions of surgeon bias are influenced by race, gender
Editor's Note A new study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found that Black patients are more likely to perceive bias from their surgeons compared to White patients. The study, titled "Patient preferences and perceptions of provider diversity in orthopedic surgery," was published on October 6. The study…
Effect of Medicaid expansion on reductions in preventable hospitalizations
Editor's Note This study, led by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, examines whether Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion among Black, Hispanic, and White patients led to reductions in preventable hospitalizations. Data on census population and hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions from 2010 to…
The Joint Commission starts new voluntary Health Care Equity Certification
Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on June 27, announced that it is starting a new voluntary Health care Equity Certification Program, effective July 1. The advanced certification recognizes hospitals for excellence in their efforts to provide equitable care, treatment, and services and builds on longstanding accreditation requirements that support healthcare…
APIC announces formation of Health Equity Fund
Editor's Note The Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC), on June 26, announced the creation of the APIC Health Equity Fund, which will help underwrite the cost of infection prevention and control (IPC) tools and resources for underserved communities in the US. For the first 3 years, the fund…
The Joint Commission, NQF accepting applications for 2023 Eisenberg Awards
Editor's Note The Joint Commission and National Quality Forum (NQF) announced, on June 12, that they are now accepting applications for the 2023 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards, through August 7. The annual Awards, which recognize major achievements by individuals and organizations that use innovative approaches to…
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