Editor's Note A systematic review found no strong evidence that compliance with the CMS Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) reduces mortality, raising questions about its inclusion in hospital performance measures, according to a February 19 report from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and…

Read More

The poster presentations at the 2024 OR Manager Conference showcased exceptional perioperative initiatives, highlighting advancements and innovative practices. From streamlining documentation and optimizing billing processes to ensuring patient and staff safety in postanesthesia settings, the posters selected last year showed the ingenuity and dedication of healthcare professionals committed to excellence…

Read More

Editor's Note Reducing the negative influence of implicit bias requires system-level interventions to ensure procedures align with best practices for all patients, according to results of new research on outcomes for vascular surgery patients. Published February 26 in JAMA Surgery, the study showed that implicit racial bias among vascular specialists…

Read More

Editor's Note Applicants for the 2025 John M. Eisenberg Patient Safety and Quality Awards and the 2025 Bernard J. Tyson National Award for Excellence in Pursuit of Healthcare Equity have until March 31 to submit, according to a recent announcement from The Joint Commission. There is no cost to apply.…

Read More

Editor's Note Misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and a breakdown of trust in healthcare can all result from time and resource constraints preventing proper engagement with patients—a concern that tops ECRI’s list of the most significant patient safety risks for 2025. As detailed in the global healthcare safety nonprofit’s March 10 announcement,…

Read More

Editor's Note A newly developed predictive model offers healthcare professionals a dynamic tool to assess the risk of nosocomial infections (NIs) in patients following colon cancer surgery, potentially improving early intervention strategies. Published February 27 in Frontiers in Oncology, the study introduces a nomogram—a statistical model that visualizes key risk…

Read More

Editor's Note New consensus recommendations from the US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer (MSTFCRC) set a 90% adequacy benchmark for bowel preparation in colonoscopy, reinforcing the role of preparation in ensuring accurate screenings and reducing the risk of missed lesions. As detailed in a March 4 joint press release…

Read More

Editor's Note A revised legal standard for assessing medical negligence in the US shifts away from customary medical practice and toward a more patient-centered definition of reasonable care, according to a February 26 letter published in Jama Network. Following a 2024 update from the American Law Institute, the new framework…

Read More

Editor's Note Machine learning (ML) is enhancing OR efficiency by optimizing scheduling, predicting surgical durations, and reducing delays, according to a systematic review published February 21 in Cureus. However, privacy concerns, data access limitations, and the need for further validation remain barriers to widespread implementation. The review analyzed 21 studies…

Read More

Editor's Note A pilot 4-day workweek program improved job satisfaction, work-life balance, and confidence among nurse leaders at Fox Chase Cancer Center, according to a March 3 report in Healio. The initiative, implemented in 2021, showed sustained benefits over time, suggesting alternative scheduling models could help mitigate burnout and improve…

Read More