Wisconsin expands nursing practice authority
Editor's Note Wisconsin nurses—including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs)—gain more autonomy under legislation signed August 8 by Governor Tony Evers, according to an August 8 report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Under the new legislation, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, CNRAs and certified nurse-midwives who meet certain qualifications may obtain…
Wearable tech predicts postoperative complications in pediatric patients
Editor's Note Consumer wearables can help detect surgical complications in children days before formal diagnosis, according to a July 9 article from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern Medicine. The article focuses on a study published in Science Advances and led by researchers at Northwestern University, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab,…
Report: Sicker surgical patients fared better post-pandemic
Editor's Note Hospitals achieved a substantial reduction in mortality risk for surgical inpatients between 2019 and 2024, even as patients grew sicker and stayed longer, according to a report released August 5 by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Vizient. In the first quarter of 2024, hospitalized surgical patients were…
Study: Medicare Advantage surgical episodes cost less, achieve similar quality as traditional Medicare
Editor's Note Medicare Advantage (MA) patients undergoing elective surgery incurred lower costs than comparable patients in traditional Medicare (TM) without higher readmission rates and with no significant difference in mortality rates, according to a study published August 1 in JAMA Health Forum. The findings suggest that MA plans reduce surgical…
FDA orders opioid label changes to highlight long-term risks
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring safety labeling changes for all opioid pain medications to better emphasize and explain the risks associated with long-term use, according to a July 31 announcement. These changes follow a May advisory committee meeting where the agency reviewed data on…
Understanding nurse responsibilities in managing postoperative agitation, delirium
Editor's Note A recent article in AORN Journal underscores the need for vigilance and thorough documentation to manage postoperative mental status changes and prevent harm to both patients and staff. As detailed in the article, cognitive disturbances such as delirium and agitation can complicate recovery after surgery. Delirium is characterized…
Study: Loophole enables urban hospitals to qualify for rural subsidies
Editor's Note Hundreds of urban hospitals have obtained dual urban-rural Medicare classifications since a 2016 policy change, enabling them to qualify for reimbursement programs intended for rural providers. Fierce Healthcare reported the news August 4. As detailed in the article, a study published in Health Affairs by Johns Hopkins and…
FDA safety alerts flag cardiac devices
Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued early alerts August 6 for three medical devices due to safety concerns: Medline ReNewal’s reprocessed St. Jude Medical electrophysiology catheters, Boston Scientific’s ENDOTAK RELIANCE defibrillation leads with ePTFE-coated coils, and Boston Scientific's WATCHMAN Access Systems. The Medline alert involves specific lots…
Two ASC employees charged after interfering with ICE arrest in viral incident
Editor's Note Two workers at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) are facing federal charges after allegedly interfering with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest, The Independent July 27 reports. The federal agents reportedly arrested one of the workers and are pursuing the other after both were accused of assaulting…
FDA issues Class I recall for Philips BiPAP ventilators
Editor's Note Philips Respironics BiPAP A30, A40, and V30 Auto ventilators are subject to a Class 1 recall—the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death—due to the risk for a failure in the Ventilator Inoperative alarm, which can cause therapy interruption…
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