Editor's Note Small, rural critical access hospitals have significant gaps in their infection prevention practices, finds this new study presented June 13 at the Annual Conference of the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology in Minneapolis. In 36 Nebraska hospitals analyzed, researchers found important gaps in all domains,…

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Editor's Note Increased use of neuraxial anesthesia for total hip and knee patients was linked to lower hospitalization costs in this study. National data on 808,237 total knee and 371,607 total hip replacements were used in the analysis. Multivariable associations were measured between hospital neuraxial anesthesia volume (quartiles) and outcomes…

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Editor's Note: This study from Iowa State University shows companies have cut funding for research and development (R&D) in response to the medical device tax imposed by the Affordable Care Act. Since 2013, the 2.3% excise tax has significantly reduced: R&D investment by $34 million Sales revenue by $188 million…

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Editor's Note US hospitals added 6,200 jobs in May to a seasonally adjusted 5,167,400, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on June 1. That is 99,800 more employees than a year ago. The overall unemployment rate fell by 0.1 in May to 3.8%, an 18-year low.

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Editor's Note A Crystal Market Research report predicts the spinal implant and surgical devices market will top $15.7 billion by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.44%, according to the May 24 Becker’s Spine Review. The market will grow because of the rising geriatric population and enhanced technology.…

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Disruption in the perioperative setting occurs across a continuum ranging from verbal outbursts to physical violence. “We live in an increasingly violent society, and we need to take measures to educate and prepare nurses and other team members to be safe,” says Margo Halm, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, associate chief executive,…

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To improve healthcare delivery and eliminate duplication, hospitals are banding together into systems in which specialties such as labor and delivery and smaller surgical cases are performed at satellite hospitals, and larger, more complex procedures are done at the main campus. This is the approach taken at the Cleveland Clinic,…

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Editor's Note This study found no cost benefit to maintaining a fully stocked malignant hyperthermia (MH) cart with a full supply of dantrolene in maternity units, where triggering agents are rarely used. Maintaining an MH cart in every maternity unit in the US would reduce morbidity and mortality costs by…

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Editor's Note Patients having outpatient surgery in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) versus hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) are less likely to be admitted to a hospital or visit an emergency department a short time after surgery, this study finds. The study is the first to provide causal evidence on ASC quality,…

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Editor's Note US hospitals added 8,000 jobs in April to a seasonally adjusted 5,159,800, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on May 4. That is 94,500 more employees than a year ago. The overall unemployment rate fell by 0.2% in April to 3.9%, the lowest rate since December 2000.

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