No longer experimental: ASCs adopting peripheral nerve stimulation for chronic pain
When it comes to treating chronic pain—or pain associated with surgery—clinicians are always looking for alternatives to opioids. “There are zero advantages to chronic opioid use,” says Earl Kilbride, MD, MHA, an orthopedic surgeon at the Austin Orthopedic Institute. While the US makes up about 4.4% of the global population,…
Robotics redefine cardiac surgery with precision, smaller incisions, new frontiers in AI and telesurgery
Editor's Note Robotic-assisted cardiac surgery is reshaping the field, enabling safer, less invasive procedures once deemed too complex for minimal-access techniques, the American College of Surgeons October 1 reports. Advances in high-definition visualization, wristed instruments, and surgical control are allowing cardiothoracic teams to perform intricate repairs through incisions often smaller…
C-sections linked to longer recovery, higher pain, sleep problems for new mothers
Editor's Note Cesarean delivery remains the most common major surgery in the US, but new evidence highlights its impact on recovery, pain, and sleep health for mothers. In an American Medical Association (AMA) interview published by HCA Healthcare Today on October 10 and new research presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2025…
Social and behavioral factors emerging as key predictors of recovery quality after surgery
Editor's Note Patients’ social conditions, language, and sleep patterns may play a larger role in surgical recovery than previously recognized, according to three studies presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2025 annual meeting that took place on October 10–14. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, found patients facing food insecurity…
Surgeons rethink aggressive care as xylazine wounds mimic necrotizing fasciitis but rarely require urgent radical excision
Editor's Note Surgeons across multiple disciplines are confronting a distinct wound pattern tied to xylazine-contaminated opioids and adapting management to avoid unnecessary amputations, the American College of Surgeons October 1 reports. These wounds can resemble necrotizing soft tissue infection at first glance, yet the clinical picture and trajectory differ, calling…
Global medical community rejects Trump’s Tylenol-autism claims: Statements compilation
Editor's Note Medical and scientific groups across the US and abroad swiftly pushed back against President Donald Trump’s September 22 announcement that acetaminophen use in pregnancy may cause autism, with experts warning the claims are unsupported and potentially harmful. Trump, joined by HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, also suggested…
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…
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…
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.…
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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- NorthStar Anesthesia scales ASC partnerships in Georgia with transparent, clinician-driven model
- Targeted intraoperative radiation slashes pancreatic cancer recurrence to 5%
- Ambient AI reshapes nursing workflows and boosts patient interaction
- Session: Developing a complex spine and total joint service line program in the ASC
- Session: The importance of having a comprehensive plan to prevent workplace violence in ASCs
- Session: Automate to elevate—Streamlining pre-, postoperative processes for better outcomes in ASCs
- Transparent oversight is key to safe surgical innovation
- New patient tool for seeking quality care includes surgery
- Review: Top reasons for perioperative nurse turnover intention
- ASCs look abroad for staffing, but new $100,000 visa fee threatens access to global talent