Report: Sicker surgical patients fared better post-pandemic
Editor's Note Hospitals achieved a substantial reduction in mortality risk for surgical inpatients between 2019 and 2024, even as patients grew sicker and stayed longer, according to a report released August 5 by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Vizient. In the first quarter of 2024, hospitalized surgical patients were…
Study: Medicare Advantage surgical episodes cost less, achieve similar quality as traditional Medicare
Editor's Note Medicare Advantage (MA) patients undergoing elective surgery incurred lower costs than comparable patients in traditional Medicare (TM) without higher readmission rates and with no significant difference in mortality rates, according to a study published August 1 in JAMA Health Forum. The findings suggest that MA plans reduce surgical…
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.…
Study: Postoperative delirium triples risk of complications, death in older patients
Editor's Note Postoperative delirium significantly worsens outcomes for older adults undergoing major noncardiac surgery, according to research published July 8 in JAMA Network Open. Specifically, findings showed patients who developed postoperative delirium had 3.5 times the odds of death or major complications, 2.8 times the odds of 30-day mortality, and…
GLP-1 drugs show promise for preoperative weight loss
Editor's Note Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may offer orthopedic patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes a powerful tool for preoperative weight loss and potential disease modification, according to a July 10 review article in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. However, the agents carry perioperative risks that…
Blast from the past: Revised data, evolving standards for OSA care in the perioperative setting
An estimated 22 million Americans were believed to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in 2019, according to data cited in a February 2019 article published by OR Manager. At that time, up to 80% of cases were undiagnosed, and 30% to 40% of the surgical patient population was believed to…
The Joint Commission announces accreditation overhaul
Editor's Note The Joint Commission has launched a major redesign of its healthcare accreditation and certification programs with Accreditation 360: The New Standard. According to a June 30 announcement, the new framework introduces outcome-focused performance tools, eliminates hundreds of requirements, and promises to made standards publicly accessible. Reportedly supported by…
Nurse-led bra initiative eliminates post-surgical chest wounds in female heart patients
Editor's Note A well-fitted bra dramatically cut post-sternotomy wound rates to zero at a Denver hospital, showing how nurse-driven innovation can improve outcomes and reduce costs, Critical Care Nurse May 28 reports. In the article, “The Bra Project: Preventing Wounds in Women After Sternotomy,” appearing in the journal’s June 2025…
Study: Machine learning quadruples delirium detection in hospitalized older adults
Editor's Note A machine learning (ML) model that integrates clinical data with natural language processing significantly improved detection and management of hospital delirium in older adults. Results were published May 7 in JAMA Network Open. Conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital, the quality improvement study evaluated the association of an ML-based…
Study: Outpatient PCI safety comparable for ASCs, HOPDs
Editor's Note The first study to evaluate percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in Medicare beneficiaries treated at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) found similar short-term safety outcomes as hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). As detailed in an announcement from The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), the research was presented on May…
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