AI evaluation of ECGs predicts irregular heart rhythm, death risk
Editor's Note Artificial intelligence (AI) was able to predict which patients were likely to develop an irregular heart rhythm, even when physicians interpreted results as normal, and identified patients at increased risk of dying of any cause within 1 year, in this study presented November 16 at the American Heart…
FDA clears first duodenoscope with disposable elevator component
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on November 15 announced that it had cleared for marketing in the US the first duodenoscope with a sterile, disposable elevator component. The clearance of the Pentax Medical Video ED34-i10T2 duodenoscope represents a major step toward lowering the risk of infection in…
Daily Tiered Huddles help prioritize and resolve OR problems
When you have a problem, are you empowered to solve it? What happens when staff encounter an obstacle? Cleveland Clinic’s Tiered Huddle process empowers all caregivers to see problems and tackle issues on their own or escalate them for assistance. The tiered huddles have energized teams to work across the…
Establishing quality standards for ERAS care elements
At Virginia Commonwealth University System (VCU Health) in Richmond, we are using quality standards to establish operational definitions for elements of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). This article describes what those standards are and how they are implemented. Previous articles in this series appeared in the October 2019 and November…
Joint Commission’s new Speak Up campaign focuses on patients’ rights
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on November 13 announced a new Speak Up campaign that focuses on the right of patients to be informed about and make decisions on their care. “Speak Up For Your Rights” offers free materials to download and give to patients and their families, including: An…
Postop infection linked to risk of long-term infection, mortality
Editor's Note Infection after surgery during postoperative days 0 to 30 is significantly associated with long-term infection and mortality, this study finds. In this analysis of 659,486 patients from the Veterans Health Administration, 3.6% had a 30-day infection, 6.6% had a long-term infection, and 3.8% died during follow-up. At any…
ECRI Institute opposes proposed ban of EtO sterilization
Editor's Note ECRI Institute on November 7 announced that it opposes a total ban of commercial ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization operations because it could result in widespread shortages of sterile medical devices. Hospitals around the country reported device shortages after a large Illinois-based sterilization plant closed because of state environmental…
Improving prediction of adverse surgical outcomes with machine learning algorithm
Editor's Note In this study, a new machine learning Complexity Score algorithm outperformed three commonly used risk scores in predicting postoperative morbidity, 30-day readmission, 90-day readmission, and postoperative surper-use. Study patients underwent colectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass grafting, total hip or knee replacement, or lung resection. The…
FDA: Class I recall of Philips Medical System’s Forte Gamma Camera System
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on November 4 identified Philips Medical System’s (Cleveland) recall of its Forte Gamma Camera System as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the potential for the detector, which weighs 660 pounds, to become detached from the device…
ACS NSQIP risk calculator predicts four outcomes for geriatric surgical patients
Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Surgical Risk Calculator accurately predicted four quality-of-life outcomes that transcend traditional measures of successful surgery and now reflects the expected effects of surgery on an older patient’s ability to function independently, finds this study presented October…
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- Legislation proposes to halt Medicare physician payment cuts
- Cigna ties executive pay to patient experience
- Proposed tax credit aims to bolster nurse preceptor ranks
- Study links financial conflicts of interest to favorable robotic bariatric surgery research
- Hospitals double down on ambulatory care expansion with major investments
- Study: Post-laparotomy incisional negative pressure wound therapy fails to reduce infection risk
- FDA announces multiple Class 1 recalls
- Study: ERAS protocol reduces opioid use after cardiac surgery
- Study: Prehabilitation reduces surgical complications, speeds recovery
- Commentary: Studies show how surgeon decisions follow the money