Editor's Note Surgical quality leaders are pushing boundaries with new strategies that blend technology, frontline engagement, and national-local collaboration. That was the message from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Quality and Safety Conference (QSC), held July 17–20, 2025, in San Diego, according to a September 10 ACS report. The…
Editor's Note Innovation is transforming surgical care faster than most institutions can keep pace, but leaders must distinguish between investments that advance patient care and those that add cost without meaningful benefit. That is the central message from a September 8 Harvard Medical School article featuring insights from Jon O.…
Editor's Note Colorectal tumors once considered inoperable are now routinely treated with curative surgery, thanks to advances in multimodality therapy and complex resection techniques, Mayo Clinic September 16 reports. Decades ago, cancers invading the sacrum, pelvic organs, or major blood vessels were often deemed unresectable, leaving patients with only palliative…
Editor's Note The American Medical Association (AMA) has released the 2026 Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set, introducing 288 new codes that capture emerging technologies and modern care delivery models, the association announced on September 11. In total, the update includes 418 changes: 84 deletions, 46 revisions, and the newly…
Editor's Note Hospitalized surgical patients in 2024 were nearly 20% more likely to survive than expected compared to 2019, according to an August 5 analysis from the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Vizient. The report credits safety improvements such as reductions in infections, falls, and major complications, even as surgical…
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued multiple high-risk medical device recalls in recent weeks, mid-September FDA announcements report. On August 21, Medline alerted customers that some of its convenience kits contain recalled Medtronic DLP Left Heart Vent Catheters. These catheters, used in cardiopulmonary bypass, may fail…
The OR has a planned rhythm that relies on training, checklists, and teamwork to turn the complex surgical environment into an elegant orchestration that keeps patients safe. But efficiency and a climate of safety do not just happen—they depend on culture. When teams communicate openly, follow standards consistently, and feel…
Editor’s Note: This page is a companion piece to the main article, How nurse leaders can drive healthcare innovation: Countdown to the 2025 OR Manager Conference. Dan Weberg, PhD, MHI, RN, FAAN, will be attending this year’s OR Manager Conference for the first time. OR Manager talked to him about…
Much like the Blockbuster video store chain had a choice to innovate before the rise of streaming, Dan Weberg, PhD, MHI, RN, FAAN, thinks healthcare is at a similar crossroads. As an ER nurse turned educator, executive, and innovation expert, Dr Weberg sees the 4 million nurses nationwide as being…
Editor's Note The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has partnered with Lifesaving Technologies to expand access to emergency response equipment and training across the US, the ACS announced on September 3. The collaboration builds on the ACS Stop the Bleed program, which has already trained more than 5 million people…