Editor's Note A recent report in Becker’s Hospital Review illuminated health systems’ efforts to address physician shortage by integrating advanced practice providers (APPs) into care models. Citing projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Becker’s noted that nurse practitioners (NPs) “are the fastest-growing occupation in the country, with employment in…

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Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated Cardinal health’s recall of certain lots of the Monoject U-100 1 mL Syringe Luer-Lock with Tip Cap Soft Pack a Class 1, the most severe recall category indicating serious risk of injury or death. The product is designed to administer…

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Editor's Note A cohort study conducted across 10 hospitals in the Mass General Brigham system found that stopping universal masking and SARS-CoV-2 testing significantly increased hospital-onset respiratory viral infections, while reinstating masking for healthcare workers reduced those rates. As detailed in a November 27 research letter in Jama Network Open,…

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Editor's Note The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a new rule establishing the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model, a 6-year, mandatory initiative to enhance access to kidney transplants, improve care quality, and reduce disparities. Managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the program…

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Editor's Note With the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) market projected to reach $130.6 billion by 2031—a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%—ASC leaders pointed Becker’s ASC Review to key trends and opportunities fueling this growth. Outpatient care continues to expand across various specialties, and several factors are driving this shift,…

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Editor's Note Health systems across the US are reimagining their infrastructure by heavily investing in outpatient care and repurposing hospital spaces to meet growing demands for mental health and rehabilitation services, Modern Healthcare December 2 reports. This shift reflects a broader trend toward community-based care and aligns with advancements in…

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Editor's Note The American Medical Association (AMA) expressed “strong opposition” to a proposed regulation in Washington, DC, that would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to use the title “nurse anesthesiologist.” As detailed in a December 2 announcement, a letter to the DC Department of Health from AMA CEO James…

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Editor's Note A Republican-led House subcommittee investigating the COVID-19 pandemic released a 520-page final report summarizing its two-year inquiry, outlining recommendations for future pandemic preparedness and critiquing both US and global responses to the crisis. CNN reported the news December 2. The report concludes that COVID-19 most likely emerged from…

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Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has initiated a pilot program to improve the speed of public notifications regarding high-risk medical device recalls. According to a November 21 announcement, this initiative aims to minimize the time between the FDA's awareness…

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Editor's Note The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated Class 1 recalls—the most severe category indicating risk of serious injury or death—involving three systems: Atlan anesthesia workstations from Draeger, CADD-Solis ambulatory infusion pumps from Smiths Medical, and Trilogy Evo ventilators from Philips Respironics. FDA issued all three announcements…

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