Editor's Note In adults more than 70 years of age, exposure to general anesthesia and surgery was associated with a subtle decline in memory and thinking skills in this study. Of 1,819 patients in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging, exposure to anesthesia after age 70 was linked to long-term…

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Editor's Note A Transparency Market Research report predicts the global market for small bone and joint orthopedic devices will reach $8.2 billion by 2023, with an 8.1% compound annual growth rate, the July 19 Becker’s Spine Review reports. Among the key players in the market, which is led by the…

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Editor's Note Preoperative opioid use was associated with significantly increased risks of early revisions and 30-day readmissions after total knee and total hip arthroplasties, this study finds. The study included 324,154 patients in a 1-year follow-up group and 159,822 in a 3-year follow-up group. For total knee patients, the hospital…

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Editor's Note Use of postacute care in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for total hip replacement (THR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients was not associated with changes in readmission rates, in this study. Of 176,994 CABG patients at 804 hospitals and 233,955 THR patients at 1,220 hospitals, SNF use…

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Editor's Note University of Texas engineering students have created a laparoscopic camera cleaner designed like a 7-Eleven Slurpee straw that keeps a camera smudge-free, the July 17 Medical Design & Outsourcing reports. The “ClearCam” device has a scoop-like shape that acts like a squeegee to clean the camera. Surgeons can…

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Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 12 issued a proposed rule that includes updated payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule on or after January 1, 2019. Physician fee schedule rates will be updated by…

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Editor's Note In this study of 34,186 surgical patients in the University of Michigan Health System, 23.1% were taking opioids preoperatively, and the use of opioids was associated with a more negative medical and pain profile. Patient age, tobacco use, illicit drug use, higher pain severity, depression, higher Fibromyalgia Survey…

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Editor's Note The Joint Commission on July 11 announced that effective January 1, 2019, it will implement a revised eligibility requirement and two revised requirements for the Advanced Certification for Total Hip & Knee Replacement (THKR) program. The revised eligibility requirement and revision to the Performance Measure chapter of the…

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Editor's Note Female general surgery residents work more, experience aspects of burnout more frequently, and have poorer psychological well-being, this study finds. Of  7,395 residents surveyed (response rate, 99%), females reported: more frequently staying in the hospital >28 hours or working >80 hours per week more frequently feeling fatigued and…

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Editor's Note In this national study, physician burnout, fatigue, and work unit safety grades were associated with major medical errors. Of 6,695 physicians in active practice surveyed, 6,586 provided information: 54.3% reported symptoms of burnout 32.8% reported excessive fatigue 6.5% reported recent suicidal ideation 3.9% reported a poor or failing…

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