Study: Surgery, anesthesia not associated with cognitive functioning in elderly
Editor's Note This study of 8,503 middle-aged and elderly twins in the Netherlands found no clinically significant association of major surgery and anesthesia with long-term cognitive dysfunction. The findings suggest that preoperative cognitive functioning and underlying diseases have stronger influence on postoperative cognitive abilities. The study provided a powerful approach…
New use for old drug to reduce blood loss during total joints
Editor's Note An old drug, tranexamic acid (TXA), which has been used in heart surgery, to treat hemophilia, and to stop excessive uterine bleeding is now being used to reduce the need for blood transfusions during total joint replacements. Researchers from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City…
FDA to require premarket approval for metal-on-metal hips
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 18 issued a final order to require the filing of a premarket approval (PMA) application for two types of metal-on-metal total hip replacement devices: hip joint metal/metal semi-constrained, with a cemented acetabular component hip joint metal/metal semi-constrained, with an uncemented…
Cleveland Clinic performs first uterus transplant
Editor's Note A team of Cleveland Clinic surgeons on February 24 performed the nation’s first uterus transplant. The 9-hour procedure was performed on a 26-year old patient who had uterine factor infertility. The transplanted uterus came from a deceased organ donor. Further information will be released this week in a…
CMS extends ‘meaningful use’ deadline to July 1
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on February 26 once again extended the deadline for hardship exemptions for the “meaningful use” requirement of the electronic health records incentive payment program, Modern Healthcare reports. The new deadline for hospitals, critical access hospitals, physicians, and other eligible professionals is…
FDA issues Safety Communication on neurosurgical head holders
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 25 issued a Safety Communication on neurosurgical head holders (skull clamps) and device slippage. From January 2009 to January 2016, the FDA received more than 1,000 reports of slippage or movement of skull clamps before and/or during surgical procedures. The slippage,…
HHS: Hospitals responding to incentives to reduce readmissions
Editor's Note This study from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found that readmission trends are consistent with the response by hospitals to incentives to reduce readmissions, including financial penalties, as mandated by the Affordable Care Act. No evidence was found that changes in observation-unit stays accounted for…
Study: Colonoscopy reduces cancer, mortality rates
Editor's Note A meta-analysis of 11 studies showed a significant association between patients who had a colonoscopy with nonmalignant findings and reductions in colorectal cancer and mortality rates. Cancer rate reductions were greater for screening colonoscopy than for diagnostic colonoscopy, and results were similar for men and women. One explanation…
FDA: Facilities should transition from Custom Ultrasonics endoscope reprocessors
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 23 updated its Safety Communication on the November 2015 recall of Custom Ultrasonics automated endoscope reprocessors. The update recommends that healthcare facilities transition to alternative methods to reprocess flexible endoscopes as soon as possible. In November, the FDA cited violations…
Joint Commission: Standards for providers of diagnostic imaging services take effect September 1
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced February 24 that it has approved two new Human Resources requirements for accredited hospitals, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory care organizations that provide diagnostic imaging services. These requirements specify minimum qualifications for technologists who perform computed tomography exams. They will be available in the…
Free Daily News
- Waste-reduction culture, elimination of anesthetic gases slash OR emissions at USC
- Clinicians urged to rethink gynecologic pain management
- Direct-hire international nurses could offer sustainable solution to US shortage
- Healthcare leaders project revenue gains from value-based care despite persistent hurdles
- CMS updates hospital price transparency guidelines
- CDC communication breakdown raises public health risk
- Study: Shorter radiation schedule matches safety of standard prostate cancer treatment
- Poll: Healthcare cybersecurity leaders overlook AI-enabled physical security gaps
- ASC improves hospital efficiency, maintains outcomes despite higher-acuity joint replacement patients
- Hospital support staff cuts raise risk of infection, delays in care