Simple instruction sheet helps patients take medications before surgery
Editor's Note Patients were more likely to take their regularly prescribed medications correctly before surgery when they were provided a simple instruction sheet, finds this study presented October 24 at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. For the study, 48 patients were given verbal instructions and 57 were given a new,…
Experimental nanofiber coating prevents prosthetic joint infections
Editor's Note In a study on mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that a coating made with antibiotic-releasing nanofibers can prevent bacterial infections after total joint surgery. After 14 days, mice that received implants without the antibiotic coating all had bacteria in infected tissue around the joint, and 80% had…
PSH model improves postop outcomes
Editor's Note Implementing the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model resulted in improved patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, and shorter hospital stays in this study presented October 22 at the Anesthesiology 2016 annual meeting. The study included 1,356 patients who had total knee, hip, or shoulder replacements. Half received care under the…
FDA: Class I recall of HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Pumps
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration on October 24 categorized HeartWare Inc’s recall of its HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device Pumps as Class I, the most serious. The recall is because of a design problem with the driveline connector that connects the pump to the external controller and power source.…
Effect of hair removal on SSI rates
Editor's Note In this study, surgical site infection (SSI) rates were similar for general surgery patients whether hair was clipped or not. Of 1,543 patients included in the study, 768 were in the clipped group and 775 were in the not-clipped group. The overall rate of SSIs was 6.12% in…
CMS adds VA hospital performance data to Hospital Compare
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 21 announced the addition of Veterans Administration (VA) hospital performance data to Hospital Compare. The performance data include VA satisfaction survey results as well as outcomes, behavioral health, and patient safety measures. Additional VA hospital data will be…
FDA: Class I recall of Willy Rusch Tracheostomy Tube Set
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 20 categorized the recall by TeleFlex Medical of its Willy Rusch Tracheostomy Tube Set as Class I, the most serious. The recall was issued because of the possibility that the connector may disconnect from the tracheostomy tube during use on…
New tool predicts ICU readmission for surgical patients
Editor's Note Researchers from the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, have developed a risk prediction tool, called a “nomogram,” that uses a scoring system to determine a patient’s risk for returning to the surgical ICU within 72 hours after discharge. The study was presented October 20…
FDA: Medtronic recalls certain neurovascular products
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 18 announced the recall by Medtronic of certain lots of its Pipeline embolization device, Alligator retrieval device, and X-Celerator hydrophilic guidewire. The recall also includes the stylet containing UltraFlow flow directed micro catheters and Marathon flow directed micro catheters. The…
Status of surgery mentorship programs in the US
Editor's Note Only half of departments of surgery in the US have established mentorship programs, and most are informal, unstructured, and do not involve all of the key stakeholders, this study finds. Of 155 chairs of departments of surgery surveyed 76 responded, for a 49% response rate. A total of…
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