Editor's Note The Joint Commission, on October 6, announced that it has begun using a hybrid approach with a document review surveyor during deemed hospital re-accreditation surveys meeting eligibility criteria, primarily a fully electronic health record (EHR). The hybrid approach consists of a surveyor working remotely (via Zoom or Microsoft…
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from Colorado Joint Replacement, Denver, find that a back table ultraviolet light (UV) decreases environmental contamination near the operative field, which may lead to a decrease in joint infections. Either a back table germicidal UV light-emitting diode or a sham device was used during…
Editor's Note ECRI, on October 6, announced the winners of its tenth annual Healthcare Supply Chain Achievement Award. This year, ECRI recognizes 12 US healthcare systems for achieving excellence in overall spend management and adopting best practice solutions into their supply chain process. The winners are: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on September 23, identified the recall by Armstrong Medical of certain lots of its Amsorb Plus Prefilled G-Can 1.0L canisters as Class I, the most serious. Amsorb Plus is a chemical substance used in anesthesia machines to absorb carbon dioxide the patient…
Editor's Note ECRI, on September 30, announced a new partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the safety of medical devices through the use of safer materials. ECRI is developing safety reports for materials commonly used in implantable medical devices and assessing their possible effects on patients…
Telehealth services grew exponentially in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall telehealth utilization for office visits and outpatient care was 78 times higher in April 2020 than in February 2020, according to a McKinsey & Company July 2021 report. Since then, telehealth utilization has stabilized at levels that…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on September 15 identified the recall of Smiths Medical Normoflo irrigation fluid warmers and warming sets as Class I, the most serious. The recall was initiated because of the potential for aluminum ions leaching into warmed fluids, potentially exposing patients to high…
Editor's Note Zimmer Biomet on August 31 presented data at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2021 annual meeting that highlighted the clinical value of its MyMobility platform with Apple Watch, the August 31 Mass Device reports. MyMobility is a remote care management platform that helps guide and support patients…
Editors Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 23 identified the recall by Cardinal Health of its Monoject Saline Flush Prefilled Syringes as Class I, the most serious. Cardinal Health is recalling three models of the syringes because the syringe plunger may pull air into the syringe after…
Editor's Note AORN announced on August 15 that it will launch a new “Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety: Prevention of RSI.” Facilities will be recognized as Centers of Excellence for implementing a surgical team-based program to prevent retained surgical items (RSI). The complimentary program, sponsored by the AORN Foundation…