Editor's Note Preadmission clinics (PACs) are supporting perioperative care by reducing complications, shortening hospital stays, and improving surgical outcomes—particularly for high-risk patients. As detailed in the April 2025 edition of ASA Monitor from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), PACs operate as multidisciplinary outpatient hubs where medical optimization, risk assessment,…

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Editor's Note Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) remain a significant concern in thyroidectomy patients, with incidence rates reaching up to 80% in high-risk groups, Medical Dialogues April 25 reports. Despite effective intraoperative and postanesthesia care unit (PACU) protocols, gaps often arise during patient transitions to wards or intensive care units,…

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Editor's Note Telemedicine is rapidly becoming the standard for postoperative care, offering patients a safer, more convenient recovery experience without compromising clinical outcomes, according to an April 28 report in the Los Angeles Times. The outlet emphasizes that virtual consultations and remote monitoring are no longer just alternatives to in-person…

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Editor's Note Female surgeons achieve better long-term outcomes for surgical patients—especially for female patients—according to a large national study published April 23 in JAMA Surgery. Using US Medicare data from over 2.2 million older adults, researchers found that patients of female surgeons had lower mortality rates and, for women, fewer…

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Editor's Note EEG-guided anesthesia reduces drug use and speeds recovery in children, according to an April 22 report in Neuroscience News. The article focuses on a clinical trial, conducted in Japan and published April 21 in JAMA Pediatrics, comparing standard anesthesia dosing with EEG-guided dosing in more than 170 surgical…

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Editor's Note Helping patients taper opioids preoperatively before deploying multimodal care strategies can help prevent instances of patients already with prescriptions going home with even higher doses. That’s the main takeaway from an April 22 MedCentral interview with Marie N. Hanna, MD, division chief for regional anesthesia and acute pain…

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Editor's Note Bariatric surgery improves survival and appears cost-effective over a decade for patients with obesity and compensated cirrhosis, according to an April 18 report in Healio. The findings, based on an analysis published in JAMA Surgery, suggest that bariatric surgery could fill a crucial gap in care for this…

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Editor's Note An April 16 article in JAMA Network outlines a three-part communications framework for improving the quality and clarity of perioperative conversations with patients, particularly when time is limited and stakes are high. The article focuses particularly on three core communications skills: attending to emotion, managing uncertainty, and supporting…

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Imagine completely eliminating surgical site infections (SSIs) without significantly disrupting perioperative workflows. At Magic Valley Regional Medical Center (MVMC), a mid-sized community hospital in Twin Falls, Idaho, a nurse-led pilot project accomplished just that for breast and colorectal surgeries. As for other procedures, overall infection rates are down by nearly…

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Editor's Note Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across the US have quickly adapted to the new federal requirement mandating participation in the Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (OAS CAHPS) Survey, according to a March 2025 "60-Second Survey" from ASCA. The survey captured responses from 261…

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