Editor's Note This study from the Joint Commission finds that criteria for assessing whether outcome measures are accurate and valid enough to use for public reporting, payment, and accreditation are not well-defined. The authors propose four criteria to assess outcome measures: Strong evidence should exist that good medical care leads…

Read More

Editor's Note When colorectal surgical patients, who were given a single dose of antibiotic before surgery and re-dosing if the procedure lasted longer, were compared to patients given additional antibiotics for 24 hours postoperatively, infection rates were identical, this study finds. A total of 965 patients were included in this…

Read More

Editor's Note In this study, patients diagnosed on the day of surgery as moderate to high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had similar rates of adverse respiratory events (ie, perioperative hypoxemia and difficult airway management) as patients who had been diagnosed with OSA previously. However, those diagnosed with OSA…

Read More

Editor's Note Researchers have released a surgical technical evidence review for colorectal surgery (published online August 7 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons) as the first step in the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery, a nationwide program to…

Read More

Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) on August 7 announced the release of a new manual, “Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety,” to help guide surgeons in leading quality improvement and patient safety efforts in their organizations. The collaborative publication from 135 contributing authors and two surgeon…

Read More

Editor's Note A well-structured water distribution and documentation process helped bariatric surgery patients drink more water and improve postoperative outcomes, finds this study presented July 23 at the 2017 American College of Surgeons Quality and Safety Conference. The average baseline water intake for 12 patients was 381.5 mL during a…

Read More

Editor's Note Early postoperative hyperglycemia was linked to increased readmissions after gastrointestinal surgery in insulin-dependent diabetic patients, but elevated preoperative hemoglobinA1c was not, this study finds. Higher preoperative hemoglobinA1c levels were associated with increased postoperative glucose level checks and insulin use as well as lower rates of postoperative complications. Though…

Read More

Editor's Note An Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) program for colorectal surgery patients shortened hospital length of stay by more than half, reduced complications by more than one-third, and cut costs by some $11,000 per procedure, finds a study presented July 23 at the American College of Surgeons 2017 Quality…

Read More

Each year, the OR Manager Conference showcases the latest hybrid OR technology along with expert advice from clinicians and manufacturers. The 2017 conference (October 2-4 in Orlando, Florida) will feature an extensive exhibit and opportunities to interact with the Hybrid OR Steering Committee members (sidebar, p 15): • Monday, 2…

Read More

Uncertainties pepper the healthcare landscape, but the shift to value-based care is expected to continue, even though momentum may slow under the current administration. That means perioperative services leaders must continue to explore new care delivery options such as the perioperative surgical home (sidebar, p 17). “The demand for value…

Read More