Read up on the latest evidence-based best practices in pain management.
Perioperative
The rapid response team scrambles to save this patient.
A team approach reduces rates of major complications for complex spinal reconstructive surgery by two thirds, according to a report in Spine Deformity. The three main features are: two spine surgeons in the OR, a live preoperative screening conference, and monitoring bleeding during the operation. Read more . . .
Interprofessional collaboration promoted a successful initiative to improve wound classification.
Alert clinicians take immediate steps to eliminate a life threatening epidural hematoma.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reports that preoperative and postoperative hyperglycemia and elevated A1c in patients with diabetes increases the risk of dehiscence after surgical wound closure. Read more . . .
A study published in the Annals of Surgery has found that smoking increases the risk of complications after major colorectal surgery; current smokers were at a significantly increased risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Read more . . .
A study that will be presented at the ATS 2013 International Conference has found that delayed transfer to the ICU in patients who are hospitalized increases the risk of death. The study included 2,166 patients who were transferred from medical/surgical units to the ICU. Read more . . .
On April 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Stryker Orthopaedics has recalled ShapeMatch Cutting Guides, used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) instrumentation. Read more . . .
A study of 31 hospitals in JAMA Surgery found that patient satisfaction was not associated with performance of surgical process measures such as antibiotic prophylaxis, appropriate hair removal, and deep vein thrombosis. Satisfaction also wasn’t associated with the hospital’s overall safety culture score. Read more . . .
The March issue of Health Affairs includes “An increase in the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees is linked to lower rates of postsurgery mortality.” Read more . . .
Learn about LINX, a surgical procedure for treating chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease.
By obtaining a thorough history and conducting a careful assessment, you can help patients avoid this condition.
