Readmission rates similar after remote, in-person postop visits
Editor's Note Risk of readmission was similar in cancer patients who had postoperative telemedicine and in-person visits, this study finds. Researchers from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, retrospectively analyzed 535 patients who had inpatient elective cancer-related surgery from March to December 2020. Of these, 98…
HHS renews COVID-19 public health emergency
Editor's Note The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on April 12, renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration that was set to expire on April 16, Reuters reports. The extension will help Americans obtain free testing, vaccines, and treatments for another 3 months. HHS also says it…
ECRI, ISMP issue Public Statement on conviction of nurse for medication error
Editor's Note ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) PSO, on April 12, released a Public Statement on the recent criminal conviction of a former RN because of a fatal medication error. In the Statement, they say: “. . . this case sets a precedent that can potentially…
Chronic fatigue predicts nurse turnover
Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at St Joseph Hospital, Orange, California, and California State University, finds that chronic occupational fatigue significantly predicts turnover intentions among nurses. In a survey completed by 151 nurses: Chronic occupational fatigue was the only significant predictor of turnover intentions. Burnout components—emotional exhaustion and…
WHO monitoring two new Omicron subvariants
Editor's Note The World Health Organization (WHO), on April 11, added two new subvariants of the COVID-19 Omicron variant to its monitoring list—BA.4 and BA.5, Reuters reports. WHO is tracking a few dozen cases to assess whether they are more infectious or dangerous than the original BA.1 Omicron variant. WHO…
New machine learning models predict adverse postop abdominal hernia surgery outcomes
Editor's Note Machine learning (ML) models designed by surgeons at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston show a high level of accuracy in predicting which types of patients are most likely to have a hernia recurrence or other complications after surgery in this study. Of 725…
Mayo Clinic gives postop patients comforts of home
Editor's Note The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, is giving surgical patients an option to recover outside the hospital with comforts of home and with immediate access to a care team if needed. The Mayo Clinic program, called “Monitoring at Charter House,” allows physicians to arrange for US and international patients…
COVID-19 lockdown associated with decline in preterm C-sections
Editor's Note Data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows a 0.4% decline in cesarean and induced deliveries for preterm births during the COVID-10 pandemic lockdown, between March and December 2020, according to researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta. The researchers also noted other birth trends, including…
CDC: COVID-19 cases rising again nationwide
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) COVID-19 data tracker weekly review published April 8 shows that cases are rising again nationwide, for the first time since January, the April 8 Becker’s Hospital Review reports. The 7-day case average as of April 6 was 26,596, which is…
Tracking HCW turnover during COVID-19 pandemic
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle, and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, find that turnover among nearly all segments of the healthcare workforce has not yet fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with turnover rates among long-term care workers and physicians worsening over time. Of…
Free Daily News
- Study explores link between diverticulitis and colorectal cancer
- State lawmakers target rising healthcare costs via legislation on hospital facility fees
- FDA medical device Class 1 recalls trend upward
- Data cast doubt on recommendation to delay weight-loss meds prior to surgery
- AAMI guidance covers sterile processing of dilators, ultrasound probes
- Surgical site infections often caused by preexisting bacteria
- The Joint Commission launches new telehealth accreditation program
- FDA announces class 1 recall for disposable biopsy needle kit
- Report: Consistent, purposeful manager-team engagement reduces RN turnover
- Death, hospital readmission less likely for women treated by female doctors