AI models improve prediction of surgical complications using preoperative clinical notes
Editor’s Note Large language models (LLMs) outperformed traditional methods in predicting postoperative complications, according to a study on artificial intelligence (AI) in perioperative risk assessment published February 11 in the journal Nature. Results indicate AI-driven models could enhance patient safety and streamline clinical workflows by detecting complications earlier. Researchers analyzed…
Ambient AI healthcare documentation gains traction as capabilities expand
Editor's Note Investor interest in ambient AI clinical documentation is surging, with venture funding for AI scribe companies reaching $292 million in 2024—more than triple the $87 million seen in 2023, according to a February 11 article in Modern Healthcare. Attributing the $292 million figure to a report from research…
AI streamlines documentation, frees time for nurses at Cedars-Sinai surgical unit
Editor's Note An artificial intelligence (AI) tool is showing significant promise in reducing the administrative workload for nurses and clinical partners on a 48-bed surgical unit at Cedars-Sinai, according to a February 12 Cedars-Sinai Newsroom Q&A with Rachel Coren, MPH, MS, vice president and associate chief information officer, and Peachy…
Study identifies potential non-surgical treatment for inguinal hernias
Editor's Note Researchers at Northwestern University successfully reversed hernias in male mice and restored normal anatomy without surgical intervention, according to a February 5 university announcement. The study also found that human hernia tissue shared the same molecular characteristics observed in the mouse model, suggesting a similar biological mechanism. According…
Oregon bill seeks to ban AI from using ‘nurse’ title amid patient safety concerns
Editor's Note Only humans should be called nurses, argues Oregon State Representative Travis Nelson, a Portland Democrat and practicing nurse who recently introduced new legislation aiming to prevent the title from applying to artificial intelligence (AI) or any non-human entity. As detailed in a February 4 report from Nurse.org, House…
Study: Mechanical heart valves outperform biological for long-term survival in middle-aged patients
Editor's Note Patients aged 50 to 70 undergoing heart valve replacement may benefit from mechanical valves over biological ones, according to a new study from the University of Bristol. Healthcare-in-Europe.com reported the news February 13. As detailed in the article, short-term outcomes between the two options were similar. However, mechanical…
Study: Virtual reality reduces preoperative anxiety in heart surgery patients
Editor's Note Virtual reality (VR) may help older patients manage anxiety before open-heart surgery, according to a study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Medical Xpress covered the news February 12. According to the article, researchers found that immersive VR and tablet-based VR significantly lowered anxiety levels, offering a nonpharmacological alternative…
Rural hospital closures drive up surgical travel times and costs
Editor's Note Ongoing hospital closures are driving up travel times and out-of-pocket costs for rural Americans who need surgery, according to a February 12 report in HealthDay. Citing two recent studies published in Annals of Surgery and JAMA, respectively, the article details how rural hospital closures have forced more patients…
Session: Anchors Away: 5 Strategies to Right-Size Your Inventory and Improve Supply Contracts
Editor's Note As executive director of the Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management (AHRMM), Michael Schiller, CMRP, gets regular insight into strategies employed by healthcare organizations, suppliers, technology leaders and frontline staff—insight he was happy to share with OR business Management Conference attendees in a February 11 presentation.…
Closing Keynote: Trimming the Sails: Improving Perioperative Efficiency by Managing Same-Day Admission Transitions
Editor's Note Attendees to the 2025 OR Business Management Conference gained new insight with an international flavor from Moustafa Bleik and Fadi Fares, who had flown all the way from Saudi Arabia to detail recent improvements at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. In a session with multiple audience…
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