Editor's Note Although medical device shortages threaten all patients, a recent FDA announcement highlights particular risks for pediatric populations who require size-appropriate equipment. “From ventilators and neonatal breathing tubes to hemodialysis catheters, the scarcity of these critical devices poses a growing threat to patient care – especially for our youngest…

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Editor's Note Known for managing Type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy may also reduce the risks of numerous other conditions, including Alzheimer’s, substance use disorders, and certain cancers, according to an article published in Fortune January 20. Led by the Veterans Affairs St.…

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Editor's Note Anyone who has attended the annual OR Business Management Conference understands the value of an intimate event focused exclusively on OR efficiency and profitability. However, even regular attendees are likely to find something new this at year’s conference, which is scheduled for February 10-12, 2025, at the Saddlebrook…

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Editor's Note Researchers at Karolinska Institute in Sweden have developed artificial intelligence (AI) models that outperform human experts in detecting ovarian cancer using ultrasound images. As reported January 7 in DotMed, the AI was trained on over 17,000 images from 3,652 patients across 20 hospitals in eight countries, achieving an…

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Editor's Note Although the role of artificial intelligence is still evolving, early applications show significant potential to address challenges with burnout, staffing shortages, and high patient-to-nurse ratios, according to a January 10 article in Medscape. Offering a broad overview of the state of AI in nursing, complete with expert testimony…

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Editor's Note Thousands of RNs nationwide plan to rally in support of safer staff and patients today, January 16, amid widespread introduction of technologies driven by artificial intelligence (AI), according to National Nurses United (NNU). NNU reported on the plans January 14, noting that more than 100,000 members of the…

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Editor's Note The first federal overhaul of the HIPAA Security Rule in over a decade aims to address modern cybersecurity threats but has drawn sharp criticism from health systems over its cost and feasibility, according to a January 13 article in Axios. According to the article, the proposed changes require…

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Editor's Note Healthcare data inaccuracies occur at rates as high as 26.9% in hospitals, with related inefficiencies costing providers up to $20 million annually, HealthLeaders reported January 8. According to the article, these inaccuracies stem from factors such as data entry mistakes, outdated information, inconsistent data standards, and system integration…

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Editor's Note Health insurance coverage of prosthetics remains inconsistent and often inadequate, KFF Health News reported January 6. As a result, many patients face coverage denials due to claims of lack of medical necessity or high costs despite significant advancements in prosthetic technology, such as microprocessor-controlled knees and myoelectric hands.…

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Editor's Note A new international study reports low rates of local recurrence, radionecrosis, and leptomeningeal disease in patients receiving neoadjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) before brain metastases resection, Medscape Medical News reported January 6. Published in Radiotherapy and Oncology, the analysis included 179 patients with 189 brain metastases treated at nine…

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