Editor's Note Female patients undergoing high-risk surgeries are significantly more likely to die from postoperative complications despite experiencing complications at similar rates, according to findings published October 16 in JAMA. Observed in a cohort of 863,305 Medicare beneficiaries, this disparity suggests that clinicians may be less effective at recognizing and…

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Editor's Note The Biden administration has invoked wartime powers to speed rebuilding of intravenous fluid (IV) manufacturing capacity, CBS News reported October 15, four days after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took steps to combat drug shortages. Both efforts are in response to devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene,…

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Editor's Note In a recent study, lung cancer patients using wearable devices showed significantly improved postoperative physical activity and pulmonary function as well as reduced symptoms such as dyspnea and pain. Published September 20 in Jama Network Open, the study compared 74 patients in the intervention group (who used wearable…

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Editor's Note Critical care bed availability influences whether patients are admitted to intensive care after surgery, but it does not significantly affect postoperative outcomes, according to a study published September 25 in the journal Anaesthesia. The study involved 19,491 surgical patients from 248 hospitals in the UK, Australia, and New…

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Editor's Note AI and machine learning (ML) models show significant promise in enhancing preoperative estimates of surgical control time (SCT), which are frequently wrong, according to a study published September 10 in Perioperative Care and Operating Room Management. The longitudinal study examined differences between predicted and actual SCTs, broken down…

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Editor's Note Applying lessons learned from Hurricane Ian in 2022 helped Tampa General Hospital (TGH) successfully withstand Hurricane Helene in late September, according to an October 3 HealthLeaders interview with TGH CEO John Couris. Detailing how strategic preparations ensured the safety of its patients, staff, and critical infrastructure, including its…

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Editor's Note A recent randomized crossover trial conducted at Johns Hopkins University reveals that improper arm positioning during blood pressure measurements can lead to significant overestimation, potentially contributing to over-diagnosis of hypertension. The findings appeared in Jama Network October 7. The study, which included 133 participants, compared readings in three…

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Editor's Note If global healthcare were a country, it would rank as the fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. So says Dr. Sofya Asfaw, a trauma and critical care surgeon at Cleveland Clinic, in a JAMA Network video on “greening” the OR. Published July 17, the short film features experts like…

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Editor's Note Patient safety nonprofit ECRI is offering resources to help healthcare providers mitigate potential shortages of critical medical supplies following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene along the US southeast coast and the ongoing strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). According to an October 1 announcement, the first…

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Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed the recall of Sentec Percussionaire’s Phasitron 5 In-Line Valve—a component of the manufacturer’s Intrapulmonary Percussive Ventilation (IPV) therapy system—a Class 1, the most severe category indicating serious risk of injury or death.   According to the agency’s October 2…

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