Editor's Note This study from the Cleveland Clinic finds that patient satisfaction with virtual healthcare visits is comparable to traditional in-person visits. Researchers surveyed 426 adult patients who had virtual visits from June 21 to July 12, 2017. Among the findings: 92.9% believed their virtual visit clinician was interested in…
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a joint statement on July 8 saying that fully vaccinated Americans do not need COVID-19 booster shots at this time. The statement says the CDC, FDA, and National Institutes of Health are engaged…
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, found no vaccine-associated mRNA—the active components of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines—in breast milk samples collected 4 to 48 hours after COVID-19 vaccinations. Thirteen breast milk samples were collected from 7 breastfeeding women before vaccination and at…
Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on July 9 announced a new breast cancer skills program for breast cancer patients. Patients have access to evidence-based knowledge, checklists, and skills training to support them from preoperative preparation through postoperative recovery. Given in advance of surgery, the ACS Surgical Skills…
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, found a rapid and sustained decline in COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic infections in healthcare workers (HCWs) after vaccination. Of 10,188 HCWs included in the study, 58% received a first dose within 2 weeks of when vaccinations started, and…
Editor's Note Since listing the hospitals and health systems mandating COVID-19 vaccination for its employees on June 29 ( https://www.ormanager.com/briefs/growing-number-of-hospitals-healthcare-systems-mandating-covid-19-vaccinations-for-hcws/ ), Becker’s Hospital Review has added five more, bringing the number to 26. In chronological order, the five additional organizations that have added mandates as of July 8 are: Trinity Health, Livonia,…
Editor's Note This study led by researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, finds that US hospitals may not be adequately prepared for future pandemics. The 10-year analysis found only marginal improvements in a measurement to assess preparedness—Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index (HMSPI)—during the years leading up…
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on July 7 that second quarter Accelerate PI Dashboard Reports are available for accredited organizations. The reports reflect the most recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Compare website and electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) data reported under The Joint Commission's ORYX…
Editor's Note This study led by Linda H. Aiken, PhD, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, finds that establishing safe nurse staffing standards in hospitals in Chile could save lives, prevent readmissions, shorten hospital stays, and reduce costs. The researchers collected data from 1,652 nurses practicing in…
Editor's Note This randomized controlled clinical trial led by German researchers finds a concern of mask-wearing causing hypercapnia (excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream) in children. In this analysis of 45 children, carbon dioxide levels were measured at baseline without a face mask and during inhalation and exhalation under surgical…