Tag: Pain management

Expert lessons on building successful total joints programs in ASCs

By 2022, orthopedic procedures performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) were already outpacing expectations. For years, total hip and knee replacements were considered too complex for same-day surgery. Yet, total joints replacement volumes jumped nearly 200% between 2020 and 2022—outpatient total knee arthroplasty surged nearly 194%, while total hip arthroplasty…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 26, 2025
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Cryo nerve ablation cuts pain, narcotic use after heart surgery

Editor's Note A freezing technique applied during heart surgery is reducing pain, shortening recovery times, and minimizing the need for narcotics, News 9/CBS News August 13 reports. The procedure, called cryo nerve ablation, involves freezing nerves around the ribs to block pain signals for about 60 days. The nerves eventually…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 25, 2025
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Translating MIPS Value Pathways into perioperative practice—What OR leaders need to know

In July 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed sweeping changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2026. Among the most impactful updates is the launch of the Ambulatory Specialty Model (ASM)—a mandatory value-based payment program focused on heart failure and low back pain.…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
August 5, 2025
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Psychological therapy results vary by intervention in acute pain care, review shows

Editor's Note Psychological interventions such as hypnosis, music therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may reduce acute pain in clinical settings, though statistically significant effects were found only in some studies, according to a July 16 scoping review published in The Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. Hypnosis was the most adaptable…

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By: Matt Danford
August 1, 2025
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CMS payment overhaul could cut specialist pay

Editor's Note A “quiet transformation” in how Medicare pays doctors could reduce payments for specialty care, including rates for billing codes associated with surgery, diagnostic imaging, outpatient care, pain management, and orthopedics, Modern Healthcare July 22 reports. According to the article, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 2026…

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By: Matt Danford
July 24, 2025
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Study: Feedback-based intervention boosts opioid prescribing adherence without worsening pain control

Editor's Note Providing tailored feedback to surgical prescribers significantly increased adherence to opioid prescribing guidelines without affecting patients’ ability to manage postoperative pain, according to research published June 11 in JAMA Surgery.  The study tested whether monthly reports that included peer prescribing comparisons and patient-reported outcomes could influence opioid prescribing…

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By: Matt Danford
July 10, 2025
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New AAAHC toolkit advances pain control while cutting opioid use in outpatient surgery

Editor's Note The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) launched a new pain management toolkit that prioritizes multimodal strategies to improve outcomes and reduce opioid use in ambulatory surgery. Designed for the unique challenges of outpatient care, the resource provides practical, evidence-based guidance to optimize safety, comfort, and recovery.…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
July 9, 2025
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Study: Pain degrades surgical team performance, increases burnout

Editor's Note Pain is common among surgeons, but new research in the American Journal of Surgery reveals the extent of the impact on the rest of the surgical team. Published July 6, the research involved surveying surgical teams and collecting self-reported data on musculoskeletal pain, comparing this data to self-reported…

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By: Matt Danford
July 7, 2025
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Neuromodulation gaining momentum as a transformative force in neuro care

Editor's Note Neuromodulation is shifting from the margins to the forefront of neurological treatment, offering real-world potential to transform care for conditions like epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and substance use disorder. As reported by Medical Device Network on May 19, the field is seeing accelerated innovation and investment, with global market…

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By: Tarsilla Moura
July 1, 2025
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Painkiller without opioid risks shows potential in animal trials

Editor's Note An experimental compound developed at Duke University School of Medicine provides strong pain relief without the side effects or addiction potential of opioids, according to a May 19 announcement from the university. Known as SBI-810, the drug targets a specific receptor in the nervous system and uses a…

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By: Matt Danford
June 3, 2025
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