Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 29 categorized the recall of HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) batteries by HeartWare Inc (Framingham, Massachusetts) as Class I, the most serious. The batteries are being recalled because they may lose power prematurely because of faulty cells. If the HVAD…

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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 In this study, researchers examined whether income, educational level, marital status, and country of birth were independently associated with all cause cardiovascular, diabetes-related, and cancer mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results showed that independent of risk factors and access to/use of healthcare, socioeconomic status was a…

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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 This study finds that 10 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, patients were able to maintain more than 50% of what they lost in excess body mass index and more than 25% of their original total body weight loss. The study also found reductions in diabetes, heart…

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Editor's Note Preoperative falls may be common and often injurious in surgical patients across all ages, and they are associated with preoperative functional dependence and quality of life, this study finds. The study included 15,060 adult patients undergoing elective surgery. In the 6 months before surgery, 26% fell at least…

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Editor's Note The overall risk for deep wound surgical site infections (SSIs) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is low, but it varies by graft type, this study finds. Of 1,452 patients included in the study, 55 had deep wound infections. Infection risk was highest for hamstring autograft (2.5%), compared…

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Editor's Note Surgical skill in laparoscopic gastric bypass does not predict outcomes for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, this study finds. Surgeons with skill ratings in the top, middle, and bottom quartiles for laparoscopic gastric bypass had similar rates of complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (top 5.7%, Middle 6.4%, bottom 5.5%). In…

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Editor's Note The American Society of Anesthesiologists announced June 22 that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is participating in the development of the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model of care. The expected benefits include enhanced clinical quality, better patient experience, lower complication rates and readmissions, reduce length of…

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Editor's Note In this study, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, report on data for the second year of implementation of the total joint replacement Perioperative Surgical Home program. During the 2-year period there were 328 primary joint arthroplasty patients. Length of stay was significantly shorter in the second…

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