Bariatric surgery vs lifestyle intervention for diabetes treatment
Editor's Note Bariatric surgery along with 2 years of low-level lifestyle interventions resulted in more type 2 diabetes remissions than lifestyle interventions alone at 3-years followup, this study finds. Participants were randomized to either intensive lifestyle weight loss interventions for 1 year followed by low-level lifestyle interventions for 2 years…
Variation in patient-reported outcomes after surgery
Editor's Note Patient factors explain a large proportion of hospital variation in postoperative patient-reported outcomes, underscoring the importance of risk adjustment, this study finds. Some variation across hospitals remained unexplained, however, suggesting that patient-reported outcomes may be a viable indicator of hospital performance, the authors conclude. There is a growing…
ASCs reduce spine surgery costs, maintain quality
Editor's Note A study presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting found that performing spine procedures in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) can reduce costs while sustaining patient satisfaction scores, Spine Surgery Today reports. Of 1,000 spine procedures performed in an ASC, eight patients had to be transferred to…
Study: Patients prefer online postop care to in-person care
Editor's Note In this pilot study of 50 surgical patients from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, the majority preferred online postoperative visits to in-person visits. Online visits were accepted by patients and surgeons, took less time, and effectively identified patients who required further care.
Anesthesia enhanced recovery pathway improves outcomes
Editor's Note Development of an anesthesia enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, resulted in a 45% reduction in length of stay in colorectal surgery patients. In addition, patient satisfaction scores improved from the 37th percentile to the 97th percentile. The goals of the ERP were achieving superior…
Music lowers postop pain, anxiety
Editor's Note Patients who listened to music before, during, or after surgical procedures had less postoperative pain and anxiety and higher patient satisfaction, in this study. Choice of music and timing of delivery made little difference. Music was effective even when patients were under general anesthesia.
ACS Advocating for Critical Access Hospital Relief Act
Editor's Note A central issue discussed at the US House Committee on Ways and Means on July 28 was the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) Relief Act, HR 169, which is supported by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Currently, for CAHs to receive Medicare Part A reimbursement, physicians must certify…
Senate bill would let Medicare patients self-pay for medical devices
Editor's Note Four US Senators (two democrats, two republicans) are sponsoring legislation—The Accelerating Innovation in Medicine (AIM) Act—that would increase Medicare patients’ access to new medical devices. Currently, Medicare patients who are interested in self-paying for a device not covered by Medicare face significant administrative obstacles. Under AIM, once a…
ACS comments on surgeon rating websites
Editor's Note The AmericanCollege of Surgeons calls the usefulness of surgeon rating systems released last week by two public interest group websites questionable. The groups use differing methodologies (ie, years of Medicare data reviewed, procedures studied, and rating scales used) to determine their rankings, and a patient visiting both sites…
Adaptive Design makes patient-centered care a part of every day
Providing ideal patient care is the fundamental purpose behind Adaptive Design, an innovative systems approach that engages frontline staff in problem solving and focuses on improving patient care as part of everyone’s daily work. “More access to better care at a continually lower cost is the promise of doing Adaptive…
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