Editor's Note A recent article in AORN Journal underscores the need for vigilance and thorough documentation to manage postoperative mental status changes and prevent harm to both patients and staff. As detailed in the article, cognitive disturbances such as delirium and agitation can complicate recovery after surgery. Delirium is characterized…

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Editor's Note A recent article from HIT Consultant highlights findings from Incredible Health’s 2025 State of US Nursing & Technicians Report, revealing mounting strain across the nursing and healthcare technician workforce. Reportedly based on insights from more than 1 million professionals, findings include:  71% of nurses report that staffing shortages…

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Editor's Note A July 16 study published in BMC Research Notes found that mental fatigue among perioperative nurses is significantly associated with increased rates of missed perioperative nursing care.  This cross-sectional study surveyed 385 operating room nurses working in university-affiliated hospitals in East Azerbaijan, Iran. Participants met inclusion criteria related…

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While most emergency surgical procedures are carried out uneventfully and safely, the OR is also a place where potentially life-threatening and least-expected instances can arise. Emergencies such as malignant hyperthermia, intraoperative cardiac arrest, and anaphylaxis can catch OR leaders and staff off guard. Perioperative teams need proper and adequate preparation…

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Editor's Note Women healthcare professionals who practiced transcendental meditation (TM) for three months showed greater improvements in burnout, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, and insomnia than those who received usual treatment, according to a July 9 Healio article. The report focuses on data presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference—namely, a…

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Editor's Note Using 3D-printed anatomical models during preoperative consultations significantly improved shared decision-making (SDM) and modestly reduced anxiety in colorectal surgery patients, according to a June 3 study published in JAMA Network Open.  The single-center, cluster randomized clinical trial enrolled 51 adult patients scheduled for colon or rectal resection due…

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Editor's Note Low-dose dexmedetomidine effectively stabilizes blood pressure and heart rate during key perioperative stages in gastrointestinal tumor patients with moderate to severe anxiety, according to a July 1 study published in BMC Psychiatry.   Researchers enrolled 100 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic gastrointestinal tumor resection. Anxiety levels were measured using…

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Editor's Note Financial strain, stress, and uncertainty are not enough to deter many US nurses from saying their education and careers have been worthwhile. That is one reading of the results of Nurse.org’s 2025 Nurse Survey, which collected responses from more than 6,000 US nurses between January and April. Overall,…

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Editor's Note Hospitals spent nearly $900 million in labor last year managing drug shortages, dedicating over 20 million hours to activities such as sourcing alternatives, updating systems, and communicating with care teams, according to a new Vizient survey published June 17. Conducted in late 2023 and detailed in Vizient’s June…

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Editor's Note Drawing on survey data and leadership insights, a June 16 article in Staffing Industry Analysts showcases how personalized attention from managers and thoughtfully deployed technologies can improve nurse engagement, mitigate stress, and strengthen retention amid widespread burnout. Advising leaders to treat nurses “as an ‘I,’ not an ‘it,’”…

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