No homeowners willingly allow a burglar to enter their home and steal their most valuable possessions. Instead, people put locks on doors, install alarm systems, build fences, or keep big dogs. The thieves may still get in, but deterrents like these will reduce the risk of a successful burglary. Ambulatory…

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Editor's Note: This study from Iowa State University shows companies have cut funding for research and development (R&D) in response to the medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act. Since 2013, the 2.3% excise tax has significantly reduced: R&D investment by $34 million Sales revenue by $188 million…

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Editor's Note A Crystal Market Research report predicts the spinal implant and surgical devices market will top $15.7 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.44%, according to the May 24 Becker’s Spine Review. The market will grow because of the rising geriatric population and enhanced technology.…

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Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on May 21 announced that it had provided conclusive research to help guide the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new “FDA Report on the Quality, Safety, and Effectiveness of Servicing of Medical Devices.” The FDA report, which addresses concerns about the quality of service provided…

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Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on May 17 announced that Boston Medical Center had won the 2018 Health Devices Achievement Award for its patient-centric mobile pulmonary care app. The ICOUGH Recovery app guides patients through the hospitals postoperative pulmonary care protocol, which focuses on: Incentive spirometry Coughing and deep breathing…

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Editor's Note A Black Book market survey found that 92% of patients younger than 40 expressed dissatisfaction if their providers did not offer them complete medical records, and 85% wanted more telehealth options, the April 23 Healthcare Informatics reports. A total of 88% of respondents blamed the hospital systems directly…

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Editor's Note Inadequate reprocessing and insufficient drying contributed to retained fluid and contamination found inside flexible endoscopes in this study led by noted epidemiologist Cori L. Ofstead. Of 45 endoscopes analyzed at 3 hospitals, fluid was detected in 49%, and the prevalence of moisture varied significantly by site (5%, 83%,…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on April 18 alerted healthcare providers and facilities about the risk of cross-contamination with 24-hour, multipatient use connectors used in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Endoscope connectors are small accessories used to connect the auxiliary water channel to a water source and irrigation tubing.…

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Editor's Note A Coherent Market Insights report predicts the global market for spinal fusion devices is set to grow at a 4.6% compound annual growth rate through 2025, after hitting $7.5 billion in 2016, according to the April 17 Becker’s Spine Review. The increasing incidence of spinal deformities will boost…

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Editor's Note The ECRI Institute and the Partnership for Health IT Patient Safety (ie, a multistakeholder collaborative convened and operated by the ECRI Institute) announced April 10 the new INsight® Culture of Safety Assessment for Health IT Companies. The new program allows health IT developers to assess safety culture with…

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