Editor's Note The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) published a new toolkit geared toward helping to improve complications and enhance patient recovery after surgical procedures, AHRQ News Now June 27 reports. The new toolkit, titled Toolkit for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery, "addresses common surgical complications such as surgical…

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Editor's Note A new study led by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) finds reduced opioid administration during surgery unintendedly increased postoperative pain and opioid use. The retrospective cohort study included 61,249 individuals who underwent noncardiac surgery with general anesthesia from April 2016 to March 2020. The maximal pain score…

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Editor's Note This article by nurse researchers at Washington University in St Louis and University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, shows how mentorship can positively affect role transitioning from an experienced RN to a novice acute care nurse practitioner (ACNP) in a cardiothoracic ICU. The authors note the differences between preceptors,…

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Editor's Note A study led by researchers at Central Adelaide Local Health Network in Adelaide, Australia, finds using a highly structured advanced recovery room care (ARRC) model leads to greater detection and management of postoperative complications and shorter length of stay in medium-risk noncardiac patients. The study builds on a…

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Editor's Note Training and retention of staff is a top priority among healthcare leaders today, as increased healthcare demand and staff shortages continue to affect facilities across the country. Most recently, Geisinger, as well as Lutheran Medical Center and  Houston Methodist Hospital have introduced and expanded educational and cross-training programs…

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Editor's Note This study led by American College of Surgeons researchers finds that most hospitals that implemented an enhanced recovery program (ERP) for colorectal surgery had difficulty improving process compliance. Researchers evaluated improvement uniformity among 151 hospitals participating in an 18-month implementation protocol for 6 ERP process measures (oral antibiotics,…

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When Ayumi Fielden, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CPAN, worked as a preceptor in a PACU nurse residency program for new graduate nurses, she realized quickly that something was missing. “The graduate nurses struggled because they were not yet comfortable with basic nursing skills, such as assessments and giving medications. They also…

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Today’s chat is with Ayumi Fielden, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, CPAN, Professional Practice Leader, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas. Q: What is something that went right at your facility and/or that you are thankful for this year? We have a lot to be thankful for this year. We lost some surgical…

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