Electronic scheduling system radically improves OR workflow
Between the expanding population and the increasing number of surgical procedures being performed, demand for surgical services is climbing. One study has predicted a 14% to 47% increase in surgical demand across all surgical fields by 2020. Given the high cost of operations, an efficient workflow is paramount, and there…
Reducing robotic OR turnover times with a pit stop model
Editor's Note Concepts from motor racing pit stops, including role definition, task allocation, task sequencing, and a visual cue for ease-of-use, created efficient and sustainable approaches for decreasing robotic OR turnover times in this study. Average turnover time was 99.2 minutes before introducing the pit stop model and 53.2 minutes…
Outcomes, costs associated with appendectomy in safety-net hospitals
Editor's Note Safety-net hospitals treat a disproportionate number of patients with advanced appendicitis and use laparoscopy less often, but their rates of morbidity and costs are similar to other hospitals, this study finds. In this analysis of 349 nonfederally funded hospitals in California performing 274,405 appendectomies, safety-net (compared with non-safety-net)…
New guidelines published on enhanced recovery after colon, rectal surgery
Editor's Note The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons have jointly published new clinical practice guidelines on enhanced recovery after colon and rectal surgery. The enhanced recovery protocol is multidisciplinary, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and dietitians and involves all aspects of care…
Influence of nurse leaders on professional practice environment
Editor's Note Nurse leaders are integral in enhancing professional practice environments, and their influence links structures necessary for an environment that supports outcomes, this study finds. In this analysis of 30 nurse leaders and 169 clinical nurses at a 247-bed acute care Magnet hospital, leaders perceived their influence from “often”…
Development of quality indicators to assess emergency general surgery
Editor's Note Development of and adherence to quality indicators by providers may improve the quality of emergency general surgery, for which current outcomes are modifiable, finds this study. Of 25 quality indicators developed and rated as valid, there were 13 for patient-level and 12 for hospital-level quality. Adherence with 18…
Joint Commission: Quick Safety on daily safety briefings
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on June 28 posted a Quick Safety on daily safety briefings--a hallmark of high reliability organizations. Safety briefings--also called safety huddles, daily check-ins, or daily safety calls--are used to give keep frontline staff and leadership informed. The briefings can be used to: share issues that…
US News & World Report lists top pediatric hospitals
Editor's Note For the third straight year, Boston Children’s Hospital tops the US News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals Honor Roll. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was second, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center was third. US News bases its honor roll on how hospitals rank in each of 10…
New combination of tests identify patients with benign pancreatic cysts
Editor's Note The combination of two molecular biology tests is the first to distinguish, with near certainty, pancreatic lesions that mimic early signs of cancer but are completely benign, this study finds. The vascular endothelial growth factor-A test alone singled out benign serious cystic neoplasms with a sensitivity of 100%…
Lack of shared mental model in cardiac surgical team members may contribute to errors
Editor's Note Cardiac surgical team members recognize distinct critical time points during cardiac surgery, but a high degree of variability exists between members as to the importance of these times, which suggests an absence of a shared mental model, this study finds. Cardiac team members from three institutions developed a…
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