Editor's Note This study led by Olivia Jung, PhD, EmoryUniversity, Atlanta, and Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, finds an association between the work environment of nurses and hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile (C diff) infection. The analysis, which the authors say is the first to examine…

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Editor's Note This study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, finds that COVID-19 is associated with decreased overall and complication-free survival, primarily in the early postoperative period. Of 153,741 surgical patients analyzed between March 2020 and 2021, 4,778 COVID-19-positive patients were matched…

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Editor's Note This article by nurse researchers at Washington University in St Louis and University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, shows how mentorship can positively affect role transitioning from an experienced RN to a novice acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) in a cardiothoracic ICU. The authors note the differences between preceptors,…

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Editor's Note Though the processes of care for emergency coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, patient mortality did not change for COVID-19-negative patients; however, COVID-19 positive patients did have significantly higher mortality as well as infectious complications, finds this study presented May 6 at…

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Editor's Note For the first time in 20 years, enrollment in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs dropped 1.4% last year, according to a May 2 report on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN’s) annual survey of nursing schools. There also were declines in master’s and PhD programs, and 78,000…

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Editor's Note This update to the 2014 "Strategies to Prevent Surgical Site Infections in Acute Care Hospitals" recommends that antibiotics be discontinued after a patient’s incision has been closed in the OR, even if drains are present. The expert panel members writing the update add that continuing antibiotics after closure…

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Editor's Note A study led by researchers at Central Adelaide Local Health Network in Adelaide, Australia, finds using a highly structured advanced recovery room care (ARRC) model leads to greater detection and management of postoperative complications and shorter length of stay in medium-risk noncardiac patients. The study builds on a…

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Editor's Note The Leapfrog Group, on May 3, announced that its new Hospital Safety Grade shows a significant increase in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic, spiking to a 5-year high and remaining high. Their analysis found that the average: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) ratio increased 60% Methicillin-resistant…

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Editor's Note This study by nurse researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, examines the long-term impact on nurses who completed an experiential educational program to improve their skills in mindfulness, resilience, and competence in confronting ethical challenges. The program called the Mindful Ethical Practice and Resilience Academy…

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Editor's Note The American Nurses Association (ANA) is launching its annual month-long celebration that allows for greater opportunities to promote understanding and appreciation of nurses. The month is divided into four weekly focus areas—Self-Care, Recognition, Professional Development, and Community Engagement. As part of this month of recognition, National Nurses Week…

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