FDA authorizes marketing of first AI guided cardiac ultrasound
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on February 7 authorized marketing of software to assist in the acquisition of cardiac ultrasound images. The software, named “Caption Guidance,” uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help capture images of a patient’s heart from different angles, which are used to diagnose various…
Association of LVAD vs IABP with mortality, bleeding
Editor's Note The use of an intravascular microaxial left ventricular assist device (LVAD) vs an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock was associated with worse in-hospital clinical outcomes in this study. Of 3,360 propensity-matched patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI,…
CDC updates guidance for healthcare personnel possibly exposed to the coronavirus
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on February 8 updated its guidance for risk assessment and management of healthcare personnel possibly exposed in a healthcare setting to patients with the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The first confirmed transmission from person-to-person in the US was reported January 30,…
Aviation-style, large-screen computerized checklist operated by anesthesia provider improves performance
Editor's Note The implementation of an aviation-style computerized surgical safety checklist displayed on a large, centrally located screen and operated by the anesthesia provider improved checklist performance in this study. A total of 671 cases were observed before and 547 cases after implementation of the computerized checklist system. The proportion…
Hospital employment up in January
Editor's Note Employment in US hospitals was up 9,700 jobs in January to a seasonally adjusted 5,252,800, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on February 7. That’s up 88,500 more employees than a year ago. Overall, healthcare employment has increased to a seasonally adjusted 360,700 in the past year. The…
Trends in infection prevention practices in VA hospitals
Editor's Note From 2005 to 2017, use of 12 infection prevention practices significantly increased in US Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, and the adoption of many practices was higher than in non-VA hospitals, this study finds. A total of 320 surveys were completed by infection preventionists in VA hospitals. Between 92%…
Joint Commission launches Accelerate PI dashboard report for hospitals
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on February 5 announced that a new performance improvement (PI) Accelerate PI dashboard is now available for accredited hospitals. It is posted in the “Resources and Tools” section of the Joint Commission Connect extranet site. The dashboard, which is intended to be a springboard for…
Frailty as a predictor of postop mortality, new disability
Editor's Note In this Canadian study, older patients with frailty were significantly more likely to die or experience a new disability within 90 days after surgery. This prospective multicenter study included 702 patients, 65 years or older, having elective noncardiac surgery; 645 patients completed follow up. Frailty status was determined…
FDA: Class I recall of GE Healthcare CARESCAPE Respiratory Modules, Airway Gas Option
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 4 identified the recall by GE Healthcare of its CARESCAPE Respiratory Modules and Airway Gas Option as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of a manufacturing issue that may cause the devices to display incorrect oxygen…
Effectiveness of charge nurse training on leadership style, resiliency
Editor's Note This study finds that a charge nurse orientation and professional development program is effective and improves leadership style and resiliency. A random sample of charge nurses was selected from an 11-hospital healthcare system to pilot a standardized charge nurse leadership training program. The sample included 19 control and…
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