FDA inspections slow as support staff layoffs strain overseas oversight
Editor's Note Logistical staff layoffs at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are hindering the agency’s ability to scrutinize drug manufacturing safety in foreign countries, according to a July 7 report in ProPublica. A spokesperson from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) told ProPublica that FDA…
FDA early alerts flag pump controllers, software
Editor's Note Recent early alerts from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued when the agency becomes aware of potentially high-risk issues, involve Abiomed’s Automated Impella Controller (AIC) and infusion pump software from Baxter. The AIC system, which is the user control interface for the Impella catheter blood pump,…
Healthcare employment up in June
Editor's Note Healthcare employment in the US rose by 39,000 from June to July, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, released July 3. According to a July 3 BLS press release, the figure is similar to the average monthly gain of 43,000 over the past…
Study: Pain degrades surgical team performance, increases burnout
Editor's Note Pain is common among surgeons, but new research in the American Journal of Surgery reveals the extent of the impact on the rest of the surgical team. Published July 6, the research involved surveying surgical teams and collecting self-reported data on musculoskeletal pain, comparing this data to self-reported…
Study: Racial, insurance disparities persist in access to buprenorphine after opioid-related events
Editor's Note Black and Hispanic patients remain significantly less likely than White patients to receive buprenorphine after an opioid-related health care event, according research published June 26 in JAMA Network Open. Patients with Medicaid or Medicare Advantage also had higher odds of receiving buprenorphine than those with commercial insurance. The…
Can’t-miss sessions at OR Manager Conference—handpicked by your peers
Editor's Note With healthcare leaders stretched thin by staffing shortages, financial pressures, and the constant need to adapt, the 2025 OR Manager Conference agenda couldn't be more timely—or more practical. We asked our Program Committee members to share the sessions they're prioritizing this year. Their picks promise real solutions and…
Microsoft AI outperforms doctors in diagnostic accuracy, cost efficiency
Editor's Note Microsoft’s MAI Diagnostic Orchestrator (MAI-DxO)artificial intelligence (AI) system outperformed physicians on diagnostic accuracy, achieving an 80% score compared to only 20% for a panel of human doctors. Wired reported the news June 30, quoting an official calling the system “a genuine step toward medical superintelligence” and noting that…
Experts reach consensus on preop education to support surgical recovery
Editor's Note A new international consensus offers the first multidisciplinary definition and set of recommendations for group-based preoperative education programs, sometimes referred to as “surgery schools.” Published June 21 in the British journal Anaesthesia, the expert-driven guidance aims to improve patient preparation, experience, and recovery for those undergoing major elective…
Survey: Nursing school enrollment grows but PhD programs continue decline
Editor's Note The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)’s AACN’s 2024-2025 Enrollment and Graduations survey shows undergraduate and graduate nursing programs saw enrollment gains in 2024, with a 4.9% increase in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program enrollment, along with a 1.6% gain in RN-to-BSN programs following five…
Nurse-focused EHR training aims to cut burnout and prep for AI future
Editor's Note Epic has introduced a free training program to help nurses and medical assistants reduce time spent using electronic health records (EHRs), addressing a key factor contributing to widespread burnout. According to a recent article in Fierce Healthcare, the Nursing SmartUser classes launched during National Nurses Week and aim…
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- Healthcare job gain in August offset by losses in federal government, other industries
- AHA study: HOPD Medicare patients are poorer, sicker, more rural than those seen in physician offices
- ACS, Lifesaving Technologies launch nationwide effort to expand bleeding control readiness
- Minimally invasive ICH surgery evacuates clot fast but fails to improve 6-month outcomes
- Rural hospitals face crisis under OBBBA as experts call for cohesive reform
- AMA urges health systems to act now on AI governance
- Suicide Prevention Month: Hospitals prepare for new The Joint Commission suicide prevention goal, effective 2026
- Survey: Perioperative leaders adapt to supply strain, staffing pressure, ASC growth
- Gait retraining eases knee osteoarthritis pain as effectively as medication, can delay knee surgery
- OR leaders must sharpen questions, partnerships as AI reshapes perioperative care