Causes of malpractice lawsuits against surgical residents
Editor's Note This database review of malpractice lawsuits against surgical residents highlights the importance of perioperative management, particularly among junior residents, and the importance of appropriate supervision by attending physicians as targets for education on litigation prevention. During a 10-year period, 87 malpractice cases involving surgical residents were identified. Results…
CMS grants exceptions for quality reporting to ASCs in Harvey’s path
Editor's Notes The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will grant exceptions for quality reporting requirements for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) located in the path of Hurricane Harvey, the September 1 ASCA News reports. ASCs in affected counties and parishes in Texas and Louisiana will get exceptions without having…
FDA issues alert for alcohol pads, benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes by Foshan Flying Medical Products
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 1 issued a Safety Alert notifying healthcare professionals and patients not to use alcohol pads or benzalkonium chloride antiseptic towelettes made by Foshan Flying Medical Products Co Ltd (China) because of lack of sterility and other quality issues. Use of…
Price transparency tool did not reduce spending for California public employees, retirees
Editor's Note Offering a price transparency tool to California public employees and retirees that focused on services such as lab tests, office visits, and advanced imaging services did not lower spending, this study finds. Only 12% of employees used it in the first 15 months after it was introduced, and…
California county goes surgery shopping
Editor's Note California's Santa Barbara County and other government employers are joining private employers in shopping for lower-cost bundled surgical care, even if it means going out of town, the September 1 Kaiser Health News reports. The voluntary program that includes incentives such as waived copays and deductibles as well…
FDA: Hospira recalls one lot of vancomycin hydrochloride
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 31 announced the recall by Hospira Inc (Lake Forest, Illinois) of one lot of vancomycin hydrochloride for injection, USP, 750 mg/vial (NDC 0409-6531-02) lot 632153A. The recall was initiated because of a customer report of the presence of particulate matter,…
Effect of mandatory reporting system on prevalence of intraop adverse events
Editor's Note After implementation of an anesthesia information management system (AIMS)-based mandatory quality assurance process for reporting of intraoperative adverse events at two academic medical centers, documented adverse events decreased significantly, this study finds. Over a 2-year period after implementation of mandatory reporting, the adverse event rate at Thomas Jefferson…
Joint Commission temporarily suspends accreditation surveys in Houston
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on August 30 that because of flooding in Houston and surrounding areas, it is temporarily suspending accreditation survey activity for organizations severely affected by Hurricane Harvey. Joint Commission Online Weekly Newsletter
FDA recommends use of thermal regulating systems during surgery
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 30 issued a Safety Alert reminding healthcare providers that using thermal regulating systems, including forced air systems, during surgical procedures has been shown to result in less bleeding, faster recovery times, and decreased risk of infections for patients. The FDA…
23 Houston-area hospitals move patients; 25 more are vulnerable
Editor's Note At least 23 hospitals in the Houston area affected by flooding from Hurricane Harvey have moved patients to other facilities, and another 25 are considered vulnerable to flooding or shortages of staff and supplies, the August 29 Houston Chronicle reports. The full tally of evacuated patients was not…
Free Daily News
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