Socioeconomic deprivation linked to lower fitness before surgery, UK study finds
Editor's Note Patients from socioeconomically deprived areas are more likely to have reduced cardiorespiratory fitness before surgery, potentially contributing to poorer surgical outcomes, MedicalXpress August 12 reports from a study published by PLOS One. The research, led by PhD student Donna Shrestha of Lancaster University Medical School, analyzed preoperative fitness…
FDA: National IV saline shortage over after years of strained supply
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared the nationwide shortage of sodium chloride 0.9% injection products over, saying a critical supply line for hospitals and surgical teams is restored. According to an August 8 statement from FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, MD, MPH, the resolution marks a…
Study: Physician organizational affiliation impacts procedure locations, costs
Editor's Note Hospital-employed physicians are least likely and private equity (PE)-affiliated physicians most likely to provide care in lower-cost ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) or offices, according to a study published July 24 in the Journal of Market Access & Health Policy These care site differences translate to substantial variation in…
Researchers link full practice laws for APRNs to better state health rankings
Editor's Note States that grant full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) rank significantly higher in health system performance than those that impose physician supervision requirements, according to a July 3 report from the University of Missouri. The article focuses on a study led by researchers at the…
Study: Racial, insurance disparities persist in access to buprenorphine after opioid-related events
Editor's Note Black and Hispanic patients remain significantly less likely than White patients to receive buprenorphine after an opioid-related health care event, according research published June 26 in JAMA Network Open. Patients with Medicaid or Medicare Advantage also had higher odds of receiving buprenorphine than those with commercial insurance. The…
Mobile ORs can change the game, bridge gaps in surgical care
Imagine an innovative, safe, and highly efficient OR not confined by walls but on wheels—crossing rugged terrains, bustling cities, and disaster-stricken areas to deliver life-saving surgical care in underserved areas. That is the premise and promise of mobile ORs. They are not just mobile units. With some of the technological…
ASCs deliver lower costs but face uphill payment, regulatory challenges
Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) continue to offer significant cost savings over hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs), but payment inequities, regulatory constraints, and growing competitive pressures are straining operations and growth prospects. Recent data show wide cost differentials between settings, Becker’s ASC Review June 20 reports. A Blue Health Intelligence…
Major insurers pledge prior authorization reform
Editor's Note Nearly 50 major US health insurers—including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Elevance, and Humana—have pledged to reform prior authorization practices, with the goal of easing administrative burdens and improving access to care, according to a June 23 article in Healthcare Dive. As detailed in the article, the announcement came from…
Robot surgery spans continents in FDA-backed trial
Editor's Note A Florida-based surgeon successfully performed a prostate cancer surgery on a patient in Angola—7,000 miles away—marking a major milestone in transcontinental robotic telesurgery, according to a June 17 article from ABC News. The procedure, conducted by Dr. Vipul Patel of Advent Health’s Global Robotic Institute, is reportedly the…
Study: Language barriers raise sepsis death risk despite faster treatment
Editor's Note Patients hospitalized with sepsis who have limited English proficiency (LEP) face significantly higher odds of dying in the hospital even after accounting for multiple demographic and clinical factors, according to research presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference by researchers from UC San Diego. Healio reported the…
Free Daily News
- Large-scale studies link preoperative cognition to delirium risk, reveal its deadly toll after surgery
- Socioeconomic deprivation linked to lower fitness before surgery, UK study finds
- Perioperative medication decisions need individualized risk-benefit approach
- FDA: National IV saline shortage over after years of strained supply
- FDA announces Class 1 recall for Draeger breathing filters
- Hospital CEO departures surge, boards turn to interim leadership
- Study: Attire shapes patient trust, perceptions
- ASC drill success hinges on preparation, adaptability, clear roles
- Robotic surgery shows better outcomes in select emergency colorectal cases, poised for wider use
- 5 costly mistakes to avoid when building an ASC