Tag: Patient Safety

AI tool identifies COVID-19 patients who need ventilators

Editor's Note An artificial intelligence (AI) tool that analyzes CT scans of the chest was 75% accurate in determining COVID-19 patients who required ventilators, the April Radiology Business reports. Researchers at Cleveland’s Case Western Reserve University built the tool using scans and datasets from the web, COVID-19 chest images from…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 28, 2020
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Research team develops AI platform to combat COVID-19, infectious diseases

Editor's Note: A research team led by the University of Singapore has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) platform called, “IDentif.AI” (Indentifying Infectious Disease Combination Therapy with Artificial Intelligence) to increase efficiency in the development of treatments that combine several different drugs. The researchers selected 12 drugs that are viable candidates…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 27, 2020
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AI system used to predict decline in critically ill COVID-19 patients

Editor's Note: Epic’s deterioration index, an artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning-based system that can predict which patients with COVID-19 could become seriously ill, has been put into use at hospitals nationwide, the April 24 STAT reports. Though normally hospitals would take weeks or months to test a new tool on…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 27, 2020
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COVID-19 may predispose patients to thrombotic, thromboembolic disease

Editor's Note COVID-19 may predispose patients to venous and arterial thrombotic disease because of excessive inflammation, platelet activation, endothelial dysfunction, and stasis, this study finds. Though a recent document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates an increased risk of severe COVID-19 in patients receiving antiplatelet agents and…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 23, 2020
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Joint Commission supports CDC’s recommendations on universal masking of staff, patients, visitors

Editor's Note The Joint Commission on April 23 announced that it supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new recommendations that healthcare facilities “. . . implement source control for everyone entering a healthcare facility (eg, healthcare personnel, patients, visitors), regardless of symptoms . . .” Source control involves…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 23, 2020
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Alterations in smell or taste in mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients

Editor's Note Alterations in smell or taste were frequently reported in mildly symptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection and often were the first apparent symptom, this study finds. In this telephone survey of 202 COVID-19 outpatients, 130 (64.4%) reported an altered sense of smell or taste. Of these, 45 (34.6%) also…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 23, 2020
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Scentech Medical to start trial for COVID-19 breath test

Editor's Note Israel-based Scentech Medical and Meir Medical Center will start a trial of Scentech’s breath technology, which is designed to detect COVID-19 before it becomes symptomatic, the April 22 Times of Israel reports. The breath test technology—similar to breathalyzers used on suspected drunk drivers—is a mix of software and…

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By: Judy Mathias
April 23, 2020
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Creative thinking shapes COVID-19 response to expected surge

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented strains on hospitals and healthcare systems, leaving many organizations with limited resources to care for severely ill patients. States, regions, hospitals, and health systems have had to reassess their resources, identify bottlenecks, and develop strategies for increasing critical care capacity. Creating the critical care…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
April 23, 2020
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Experts address COVID-19 concerns in AORN town halls

OR nurses are being asked to serve in positions outside the operating room and experiencing changes in their schedules, and they are concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. To support OR nurses during this time of crisis, AORN has been holding town hall Q&A webinars with infection preventionists,…

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By: Judith M. Mathias, MA, RN
April 23, 2020
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Editorial

The impact of COVID-19 has been devastating, especially for those who have lost loved ones or income due to sudden unemployment. For healthcare workers and emergency services providers, fear of contracting the disease is now a daily part of life. The virus has commanded exclusive coverage in OR a.m. for…

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By: Elizabeth Wood
April 23, 2020
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