A study analyzing Reddit posts reveals that breast cancer patients struggle with unmet emotional and financial concerns during treatment and long after. The research highlights the importance of providing adequate support and education to address these concerns.
Younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer have later-stage disease with more aggressive types of tumors. Obesity, family history, inflammatory bowel disease, and symptoms are strongly associated factors. These findings highlight disparities in colon cancer incidence among younger adults, particularly non-Hispanic Black patients.
The American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification program reduces surgical death rates by nearly half and increases the percentage of patients with documented care preferences. Implementing the program also enables hospitals to improve patient-centered care and reduce costs.
Two studies found that bariatric surgery is more cost-effective in the long term compared to GLP-1 RA weight loss drugs alone. Combining both treatments is even more cost-effective. The use of GLP-1 RA before surgery appears safe and may be a novel approach to treating obesity.
Implementing a preoperative nutrition program leads to significant reductions in hospitalization days and postoperative complications, resulting in cost savings of $7.8 million annually. The program's financial implications include reduced 'outlier days' and long-term complication rates, contributing to overall cost savings.
Research suggests that listening to music after surgery can significantly reduce pain levels, anxiety, and heart rate, with patients experiencing a lower need for opioid medication. Music's calming effect may also contribute to faster recovery by easing the transition from waking up after surgery.
A new study found that vulnerable patients treated at Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals had a 9% lower mortality rate and were more likely to receive guideline-based care. This is attributed to CoC accreditation requirements for treatment guideline adherence, community engagement, and addressing barriers to care.
The study confirms the effectiveness of 12 standards in reducing hospital length of stay, costs, and complication rates. Standardized care protocols across multiple phases of surgical care lead to improved patient outcomes and hospital efficiency.
A new survey study of cancer care facilities accredited by the American College of Surgeons found that most institutions have survivorship services available to their patients. However, only a minority of patients receive access to specialized fertility and sexual health services, highlighting gaps in current care.
A new outreach program, NESTS, has been developed to address the unique needs of Spanish-speaking trauma patients. The program connects patients with follow-up care, community resources, and social services, helping to improve their recovery outcomes.
A new study introduces a standardized handoff protocol called SHRIMPS, which improves surgical communication and reduces errors. After implementing the tool, 100% of cases included handoffs, with 98.2% of critical elements addressed.
A study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data shows both frailty and type of surgical procedure impact postoperative outcomes among elderly patients. Procedure type and its risk level have a greater effect on complications and death.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that hospitals accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer (NAPRC) demonstrate significantly better outcomes for patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. These institutions show lower rates of mortality, complications, and morbidity comp...
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant decrease in colorectal cancer surgeries, with patients undergoing procedures having more advanced stages of cancer compared to those treated in 2019. The study found that approximately 10,000 fewer patients did not have surgery for colorectal cancer in 2020.
Research highlights new findings on social vulnerability and survivorship after colorectal cancer resection, as well as disparities in kidney recovery among Black donors. Additionally, studies reveal cost savings from implementing quality interventions and explore eligibility for transplants in obese patients with end-stage renal disease.
The study found a significant decrease in newly diagnosed breast cancer cases, with the largest declines seen among women aged 50-69 and Hispanic women. The results have implications for how physicians and policymakers address issues related to diagnostic delays during the pandemic.
A collaborative study found that patients with end-stage renal disease who undergo weight loss surgery can experience significant improvements in BMI, hypertension, and diabetes management. This enhancement of overall health and transplant viability offers hope for previously ineligible patients.
A study published by the American College of Surgeons found that permitless open carry laws in states without such restrictions had a significantly higher rate of firearm-related deaths and total suicides. The researchers suggested that the ease of access to firearms under these laws may be responsible for the increase in suicide rates.
A new study quantifies a dramatic rise in school shootings and related fatalities over the past 53 years. The study found that the likelihood of children being a school shooting victim quadrupled between 1970 and 2022, highlighting the need for preventative measures.
Patients with behavioral health disorders (BHDs) are less likely to undergo surgical resection and face a higher probability of complications, extended hospital stays, and readmission. BHDs increase healthcare costs by 7.76% and worsen prognosis in cancer patients.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that gastric bypass surgery results in high rates of Type-2 diabetes remission five years after the operation, even after patients regain a significant amount of weight. In contrast, patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy and regained their weight were five t...
Young women under 30 and those from lower education levels are disproportionately affected. Firearms are the most frequent weapon used in peripartum homicides, accounting for 63.4% of cases.
Researchers found that counties with higher uninsured rates and reduced access to mental health services have higher opioid prescriptions. Conversely, better healthcare quality was associated with a greater drop in opioid prescriptions over time.
Scooter-related injuries have significantly increased in the US, with a nearly three-fold rise from 2016 to 2020 and more than half of those injured patients undergoing major operations. Scooters are more frequently associated with long bone fractures and paralysis compared to bicycle riders.
A novel mental health risk screen for hospitalized patients accurately predicts mental health outcomes, with 10 items correctly identifying 75% of those who later developed mental health issues. A tailored recovery program can also be effective in reducing mental health problems after trauma, increasing health equity among historically...
A literature review found that prioritizing circulation before the airway in trauma patients with major blood loss leads to improved outcomes, including lower mortality rates. This approach, known as CAB, has gained acceptance over the ABC model and is now being recommended by the American College of Surgeons.
A new study presents evidence that school redistricting is linked to spikes in shooting-related injuries in urban areas, with a 14% increase in incidents during redistricting events. The study suggests that social destabilization caused by redistricting may contribute to the increased violence.
The program, which has just one room and one laser, now has about 300 clients undergoing tattoo removal. Removing those tattoos may help individuals reduce their exposure to violence, build a new identity, and gain employment. Nearly nine out of 10 clients desired tattoo removal to transition to a healthier life.
A new AI-based tool estimates patient-specific cancer survival rates using machine learning, offering personalized prognosis for patients with breast, thyroid, and pancreatic cancers. The Cancer Survival Calculator differs from existing estimators by incorporating multiple factors beyond disease stage.
Researchers found that online educational materials about breast surgery have a negative tone, exceed recommended reading levels, and are of poor quality. Studies assessed readability, bias, quality, and tone using validated tools, highlighting the need for accessible materials.
Childhood trauma rates surged during the pandemic, with injuries from motor vehicle crashes and gunshot wounds rising disproportionately in socioeconomically deprived areas. The study highlights worsened pandemic-related stressors exacerbating an already severe problem.
Researchers found that patients who recorded more than 7,500 steps per day before surgery had a 51% reduced odds of experiencing postoperative complications. The study analyzed health data from 475 participants using Fitbit devices and found that chronic physical activity habits were associated with better surgical outcomes.
Trauma centers with high pediatric readiness scores (93 or higher) have much lower death rates than those with lower scores. The study highlights the importance of addressing gaps in pediatric emergency care, particularly the lack of a pediatric-specific quality improvement plan.
The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2023 offers media credentials to cover groundbreaking research, connect with surgeon experts, and learn about the latest trends in surgery. Key topics include artificial intelligence, COVID-19's impact on cancer care, and pediatric trauma.
A scoping review found that surgical scorecards can lower surgical procedure expenses by providing surgeons with direct feedback on their costs. The study analyzed data from 21 studies and identified key elements such as surgical supplies and operative time, revealing no significant impact on patient outcomes.
An analysis of 71,000 shooting incidents in five major US cities found that socioeconomic status and lack of access to a vehicle are strongly linked to increased firearm assaults. Policymakers can use this data to target neighborhoods at risk of firearm violence using the CDC's Social Vulnerability Index.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that people who live in historically redlined areas are less likely to be screened for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer. The legacy of redlining continues to contribute to significant disparities in cancer screening rates.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons predicts a significant increase in cancer cases due to COVID-19 screening delays, with lung, breast, and colorectal cancers most affected. The study found that missed diagnoses during the pandemic may lead to delays in treatment and upstaging of disease.
A systematic review found that VA surgical care is as good as, or better than, non-VA care for many operations. VA's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program has helped track millions of surgical cases and improve outcomes, including reduced postoperative mortality and morbidity rates.
A national pilot program evaluated the implementation of geriatric surgery standards in eight hospitals with variable sizes and resources, finding high levels of compliance. The study highlights the scalability and feasibility of the program, which aims to optimize care for older adults in a wide range of hospital settings.
The US military medical system is not ready to handle major conflicts with near-peer adversaries, who possess similar military capabilities. Prolonged field care training and strong patient data are crucial to address the challenges of evacuating wounded soldiers and providing specialized surgical care.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on cancer care, with variances in new diagnoses and disrupted care reported in the National Cancer Database. The study highlights the need for future research to understand the lasting effects of the pandemic on chronic diseases such as cancer.
Research outlines actionable steps to address longstanding health disparities in breast cancer screening and treatment options. Surgeons can drive change by maintaining awareness of existing disparities and providing additional resources to patients.
A new way to identify higher-risk groups of older surgical patients can help surgeons make better care decisions and compare hospital performance. The new definitions label fewer patients as multimorbid and specify high-risk comorbidity combinations, which contribute to patient risk.
The study analyzed data from 151 hospitals that participated in an ISCR protocol for colorectal surgery to determine if they improved or worsened in complying with ERP process measures over an 18-month period. Key findings suggest a significant opportunity to improve compliance and patient outcomes, but inadequate resources and limited...
Leading medical organizations have formed a coalition to combat the growing problem of firearm violence in the US. The Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention aims to promote education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to reduce firearm-related injuries.
A new study found that preoperative surgeon intuition is an independent predictor of 30-day postoperative complications, but its predictive power is not as strong as a standardized risk calculator. The study suggests that the information gathered by the calculator is better at predicting outcomes than surgeons' gut feelings.
Researchers found better survival rates at all points in time for pediatric patients with more serious heart disease, thanks to improved immunosuppression therapies, techniques, and postoperative care. A multidisciplinary team approach also contributed to the better outcomes.
Patients living in Southern states with expanded Medicaid were more likely to receive early treatment for invasive breast cancer. Despite this, the proportion of patients undergoing treatments actually decreased across all states.
A study found that standardizing evaluation processes and expanding telehealth use can significantly improve access to kidney transplants for African Americans. The interventions also led to increased organ acceptance rates, but post-transplant survival outcomes were not statistically significant.