Study finds high rates of preventable, adverse events in perioperative care
Editor's Note Adverse events (AEs) remain widespread in perioperative care, affecting nearly 1 in 3 patients and resulting in substantial and often preventable patient harm, according to a retrospective cohort study published November 13 in The BMJ. The study analyzed 1,009 weighted admissions from a sample of 64,121 surgical patients…
Study links nurse burnout to lower patient safety, care quality
Editor's Note A new meta-analysis of 85 studies reveals a significant association between nurse burnout and negative outcomes in patient safety, satisfaction, and care quality. The findings underscore the impact of burnout—characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and low personal accomplishment—on healthcare performance globally, with implications for organizational and policy interventions,…
Trump vs. Harris: Key differences in healthcare proposals for Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, abortion
Editor's Note When it comes to the 2024 presidential election, “Neither candidate addresses a return to the fundamental tenet of healthcare: the patient-physician relationship,” reads the closing line of an “election guide” from Richard Menger MD MPA. In the preceding paragraph, Menger also argues that both candidates also neglect issues…
Study: NSAIDs reduce risk of postoperative delirium
Editor's Note A study presented at the 2024 American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting suggests that non-salicylate NSAIDs may significantly reduce the risk of postoperative delirium, a serious complication affecting up to 15% of surgical patients, Anesthesiology News reported October 20. Delirium is especially prevalent in older adults and those…
Study: Preoperative nutrition program reduces surgical complications, costs
Editor's Note A system-wide preoperative nutrition program resulted in shorter hospital stays and fewer postoperative complications across the Allegheny Health Network, according to a study presented at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024. Medical Xpress reported the news October 18. According to the article, researchers analyzed data from…
Study: Repeated fasting for multiple surgeries risks malnutrition, mortality
Editor's Note Research shows repeated fasting for multiple surgeries during a single hospital stay significantly raises the risk of protein-calorie malnutrition, leading to longer recovery times, increased healthcare costs, and a higher likelihood of death. HealthDay covered the news October 21. Presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists annual meeting,…
Deep neuromuscular blockade aids laparoscopic surgeons, but not necessarily patients
Editor's Note Research shows a deeper neuromuscular block (NMB) can help perform complex abdominal surgeries laparoscopically without impacting intraoperative safety or patient outcomes, according to an October 20 report in MedPage Today. Conducted across European centers and announced at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meeting, the randomized trial enrolled…
Study: Women more likely to die from postoperative complications after high-risk surgery
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…
Study: Bariatric surgery outperforms GLP-1s in slowing CKD progression in patients with diabetes, obesity
Editor's Note Bariatric surgery significantly reduces the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity compared to those on GLP-1 diabetes medications, according to a study from Cleveland Clinic. Published in Annals of Surgery and detailed in a September 20 announcement from Cleveland Clinic,…
Study: No link between early parathyroidectomy, reduced depression risk in primary hyperparathyroidism patients
Editor's Note Research suggests parathyroidectomy may not provide a mental health benefit for PHPT patients, particularly in the context of preventing new depression. Published September 4 in JAMA Surgery, the study examined 40,231 adults with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), revealing that early parathyroidectomy does not reduce the risk of developing new…
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- GAO urges HHS to strengthen cybersecurity oversight
- Study: GLP-1s reduce TKA complications for non-diabetic patients with obesity
- Study finds high rates of preventable, adverse events in perioperative care
- AMA urges stronger radiation protections
- Study: Digital tool detects preoperative pediatric anxiety, depression
- Hospital safety grades show progress in reducing medical errors, infections
- Analysis: Overuse of back surgeries costs Medicare $2 billion, risks patient safety
- AI-powered surgical robot learns by watching
- AHA's Congressional "wish list" calls for financial relief, patient access, workforce protections
- Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates lag pre-pandemic levels, racial disparities persist