Editor's Note Patient safety approaches that combine teamwork training and systems interventions are more effective than either approach alone, this study finds. The study involved 4-month safety improvement interventions in 5 UK hospitals using teamwork training (TT); systems redesign and standardization (SOP); Lean quality improvement; SOP plus TT; or Lean…

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Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons and American Geriatrics Society on January 4 released a new best practice guideline for optimal care of older adults before, during, and after surgery. The new guideline, “Optimal Perioperative Care of the Geriatric Patient,” addresses the care of surgical patients 65 years old…

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Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration, on December 23, 2015, classified the recall of the Perseus A500 Anesthesia Workstation by Draeger as Class I, the most serious. Draeger Medical (Telford, Pennsylvania) recalled the workstation because a faulty power switch may fail, causing the workstation to alarm and shut down…

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Editor's Note The ECRI Institute on January 4 released its annual Top 10 list of important technology related issues that hospital and health system leaders need to pay close attention to this year. The list includes: Medical device cybersecurity (eg, hacking into pacemakers) Miniature leadless pacemakers Changing landscape of robotic…

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Editor's Note Pediatric anesthesia programs in the US do not have a consistent approach in managing anesthesia-related neurotoxicity in children, this study finds. A survey of 22 questions sent to members of the Pediatric Anesthesia Leadership Council and Pediatric Anesthesia Directors Association found that a significant need exists for improvements…

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Editor's Note When an initial nonoperative management strategy was chosen by patients and families, 3 in 4 children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis avoided surgery at 1-year follow-up, this study finds. Nonoperative management was associated with fewer days of disability, lower costs, and no difference in rates of complicated appendicitis or…

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Nurses, surgeons, and anesthesia providers all have one main goal for patients undergoing surgery—a smooth recovery that returns patients to their daily lives as quickly as possible. Some healthcare providers have adopted enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols as a strategy for meeting that goal, and preliminary research suggests merits…

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Many countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, rely on nurses trained abroad during times of nursing shortages. However, little is known about how this practice affects quality of care and patient satisfaction. A new study examines whether patient satisfaction with nursing care in National Health Service hospitals in…

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Frequently OR leaders are at the forefront of implementing enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols. They have the skills to facilitate implementation of ERAS and to dispel any misconceptions about it, says Donna Watson, MSN, RN, CNOR, FNP. Watson, director for Medtronic Health Systems Advantage in Boulder, Colorado, is an…

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Using best practices to sterilize surgical instruments can help lower infection rates and, in some cases, prevent death. Over the past few years, staff at Banner Boswell Medical Center in Sun City, Arizona, have worked to reduce immediate use steam sterilization (IUSS) rates. Thanks to improved communication and workflow between…

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