Nuts and bolts of new technology acquisition--Part 2
Technology acquisitions require OR leaders to weigh the competing demands of stakeholders—including physicians, nursing staff, the finance department, and patients—and to make sure they address those demands when justifying a new purchase. “New technology can be what’s needed to keep competitive in the current environment,” says Beth Bozzelli, MBA, RN,…
Latest sterilization packaging guideline backed by evidence
In October 2019, AORN released its updated Guideline for Sterilization Packaging, which is based on evidence from peer-reviewed literature. This article includes recommendations from that guideline and addresses common misconceptions about sterilization packaging. Other resources for proper use of sterilization packaging include the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation…
Back to basics: How collaboration can improve PACU patient flow
Healthcare technology can be a great thing, but nurses at Abington—Jefferson Health, in Abington, Pennsylvania, have discovered that sometimes stepping back from it is the best way to make progress. Going low-tech was the key that unlocked patient flow gridlock that had plagued the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Before 2017,…
Using smartphones to capture patient differences in postop physical recovery
Editor's Note Metrics derived from smartphone accelerometer data can capture differences in postoperative physical recovery in surgical patients, this study finds. In this analysis of 62 patients, smartphone accelerometer data showed decreases in daily exertional activity in 17 who experienced a postoperative event (eg, complication, reoperation) up to 6 weeks…
FDA monitoring coronavirus and its effect on supply chain
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration on February 14 announced that it is an active partner in the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. It is working closely with the Department of Health and Human Services and international counterparts to help diagnose, treat, and prevent the disease as well as surveil the…
Effect of AI early warning system for intraoperative hypotension
Editor's Note The use of an artificial intelligence (AI) early warning system, compared with standard care, resulted in less intraoperative hypotension in this preliminary study. This single-center, preliminary study from the Netherlands, which included 68 patients (intervention group, 34 and control group, 34) having elective noncardiac surgery, found that application…
FDA authorizes marketing of first AI guided cardiac ultrasound
Editor's Note The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) on February 7 authorized marketing of software to assist in the acquisition of cardiac ultrasound images. The software, named “Caption Guidance,” uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help capture images of a patient’s heart from different angles, which are used to diagnose various…
Association of LVAD vs IABP with mortality, bleeding
Editor's Note The use of an intravascular microaxial left ventricular assist device (LVAD) vs an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock was associated with worse in-hospital clinical outcomes in this study. Of 3,360 propensity-matched patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI,…
Aviation-style, large-screen computerized checklist operated by anesthesia provider improves performance
Editor's Note The implementation of an aviation-style computerized surgical safety checklist displayed on a large, centrally located screen and operated by the anesthesia provider improved checklist performance in this study. A total of 671 cases were observed before and 547 cases after implementation of the computerized checklist system. The proportion…
FDA: Class I recall of GE Healthcare CARESCAPE Respiratory Modules, Airway Gas Option
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on February 4 identified the recall by GE Healthcare of its CARESCAPE Respiratory Modules and Airway Gas Option as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of a manufacturing issue that may cause the devices to display incorrect oxygen…
