Patients treated for breast cancer at a safety net hospital achieved comparable five-year survival outcomes to national averages, despite having more advanced disease and socioeconomic challenges. A multidisciplinary clinic streamlines diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, resulting in high-quality clinical outcomes.
A study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center found that shortening surgeon shifts from 24 hours to 12 hours resulted in shorter hospital stays and lower overall costs for patients with acute appendicitis. This change also led to faster patient access to the operating room and reduced infection rates.
A study found that delaying gallbladder removal for acute cholecystitis by more than three days after hospital admission increases the risk of complications, hospital readmissions, and longer hospital stays. Performing the operation within 24 hours of admission reduces these risks.
A preliminary study found that most elderly patients with stage II and III colon cancer survive short-term surgery, but those with unplanned hospital admissions and open operations face higher mortality rates. Experienced surgeons who perform high-volume procedures also reduce the risk of death.
A study at the University of Vermont Medical Center found significant reductions in opioid prescribing and use after implementing state-mandated regulations, but no negative impact on pain management. The regulations included educating patients about non-opioid analgesia and safe disposal of unused opioids.
A pilot study found that medical scribes increased the number of patients seen per day from 10 to 16 and improved resident interactions. Resident involvement in patient visits rose to 45% with scribe assistance.
A machine-learned algorithm correctly triaged the vast majority of postoperative patients to the intensive care unit, achieving an 82% accuracy rate. The algorithm outperformed clinicians' judgment, with a significant reduction in over-triage rates and improved predictive rates.
The ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator can predict four specific quality-of-life outcomes for older patients: pressure ulcer, delirium, new mobility aid use, and functional decline. The calculator's precision and accuracy in predicting these outcomes will help surgeons counsel older adults about the likelihood of developing these issues.
A new study uses smartphone accelerometer data to measure postoperative physical activity and its impact on recovery. The research team found that patients who experienced complications after surgery had significantly lower daily activity compared to those without complications.
A large-scale implementation of an enhanced recovery program (ERP) reduced rates of extended hospitalization for bariatric surgery patients by nearly half. The protocol, known as ENERGY, improved patient outcomes through measures such as minimizing fluid overload and implementing opioid-sparing pain management strategies.
A new study published in Annals of Surgical Oncology suggests that delaying chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery can lead to poorer overall survival. The research found that patients who received postoperative chemotherapy within four months of diagnosis had better survival rates than those whose treatment was delayed.
A new bariatric surgery protocol has been implemented to reduce postoperative hospital stays and readmissions. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, which includes early ambulation and liquid administration, as well as targeted pain management, has been shown to reduce hospital stays by half and readmissions by 38%.
Researchers identified four characteristics - fall history, malnutrition, delirium, or decubitus ulcer - as predictors of extended stay in a care facility. These findings empower physicians to counsel patients on possible post-operative impacts and guide hospital quality improvement initiatives to address these factors.
A study by the University of Michigan found that over half of patients used no opioids after surgery, with most reporting manageable pain. The study's results suggest a new approach to pain management that reduces opioid use can be effective.
The proceedings from the inaugural Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention identify a consensus-based approach to reduce injury, disability, and death from firearm violence. The article outlines a public health framework for addressing the crisis, including research, education, and targeted injury prevention initiatives.
A standardized clinical pathway has reduced delirium and hospital readmission rates among frail elderly trauma patients. The pathway implements geriatric-focused care, including early ambulation, bowel and pain regimens, and nutrition, to improve outcomes.
Motor vehicle collisions involving moose are 13 times more likely to result in human fatalities compared to deer crashes, a study found. The study analyzed data from northern New England and noted that moose-motor vehicle crashes often involve head, neck, and face injuries due to the animal's massive size and weight.
Researchers found that frailty is linked to increased complications, hospital readmission, and greater healthcare costs after surgery. A brief measure of frailty can help determine a patient's physical fitness for nonurgent operations.
The study found that Medicaid patients experienced a tripling of CRC screening, with a notable increase in those from Appalachian regions. Following the expansion, CRC patients on Medicaid demonstrated improved survival rates, particularly after the first year.
A study found that pregnant women who underwent gallbladder removal during pregnancy had longer hospital stays, increased readmissions, and higher rates of preterm delivery compared to those who delayed the operation until after childbirth. The researchers recommend waiting as long as possible for pregnant women with symptomatic gallst...
A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that minority patients with blood type B can receive kidneys from donors with blood type A2 without compromising their health. The study showed comparable patient and graft survival rates for both groups, but higher costs for type B recipients who receive...
A genetically modified virus injection into tumor has effectively treated almost 40 percent of patients with metastatic melanoma. The treatment, talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC), stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells, leading to a complete local response rate of 39 percent in stage IIIB disease.
Researchers analyzed national data and found that African-American transplant recipients lived 4.75 years longer on average if their livers were donated by someone of the same race. The study suggests a possible way to improve survival rates for this patient population, which typically faces poorer outcomes with liver cancer.
A study published in ACS NSQIP demonstrates a sustained benefit on colorectal surgical outcomes, with significant reductions in complications such as surgical site infections and sepsis. The program's introduction of procedure-targeted datasets also led to improved outcomes, including increased early discharges.
The study found that communities with lower rates of social interactions, higher income inequality, and a shortage of mental health professionals are more likely to experience mass shootings. These communities also tend to have higher housing costs and lower levels of leisure-time physical activity.
A new study mapped the incidence of motor vehicle collisions resulting in children's deaths across the US, revealing wide variations in mortality rates between states and counties. The researchers identified proximity to trauma centers and emergency response times as key factors influencing child mortality.
The revised guidelines have led to a significant increase in hemithyroidectomy procedures, with benefits including lower complication rates, reduced hospital stays, and lower costs. The procedure is now considered an equal option to total thyroidectomy for many patients, offering improved outcomes and more personalized care.
Research finds that states with poor access to a comprehensive trauma center have more deaths occurring before injured patients arrive at a hospital. Improving access to care and reducing prehospital deaths can lead to lower overall trauma-related mortality.
A new protocol developed by Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital reduces opioid use after colorectal surgery, resulting in shorter hospital stays. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol includes pre-emptive pain management, non-opioid general anesthesia, and postoperative programmed non-narcotic analgesics.
Advanced liver disease patients who accept liver transplants from older donors (over 70 years old) have a reduced risk of death, regardless of their Model for End-stage Liver Disease score. The study found nearly a twofold decrease in mortality beyond 90 days with acceptance of an older donor.
A study found that 85% of US-based humanitarian surgical NGOs follow guideline-based practices when providing care abroad, with a focus on standard operating room timeouts and perioperative antibiotics. The majority also showed interest in developing consensus best practice guidelines for short-term surgical missions.
Researchers found that more frequent surveillance imaging was not associated with improved overall survival for NSCLC patients. Annual surveillance is recommended as a standard practice, offering no additional benefits over six-monthly visits.
A new position paper from the Association of Academic Surgeons and others advocates for supporting global surgeons in academic health centers. The authors argue that global surgeons can bring strategic value to AHCs with their research experience, education, and health equity work.
Researchers developed prescribing recommendations for opioids after gall bladder removal and discovered a spillover effect that led to significant reductions in pill prescriptions for other major operations. The study found that the reduction in prescribing resulted in roughly 10,000 fewer pills entering the community.
A modified ERAS approach lowered mortality rates by over 50% and reduced hospital stays by nearly two days in hip fracture patients. The program also decreased morbidity rates and pneumonia cases, while improving patient mobilization and discharge rates.
A California-based bariatric center reduced postoperative complications, including rehospitalization and infections, despite increasing its surgical volume. The center's quality improvement project involved implementing standardized processes and educating staff to reduce bleeding and urinary tract infections.
A pilot program at Hackensack Meridian Health improved staff confidence in managing airway emergencies through simulation-based training, revised data collection tools, and standardized crash carts. The program resulted in significant gains in readiness, with 41.67% of staff feeling "very confident" in managing respiratory distress.
A large-scale retrospective study has shown that nearly doubling the number of lymph nodes removed during operations for right-sided colon cancers improves the survival rate for these patients. The study found improved outcomes when at least 22 lymph nodes were harvested, with a 20% increase in five-year survival rates.
The Strong for Surgery program improved glycemic control among diabetic patients, with 97.31% achieving proper blood sugar levels after six months. The program also increased smoking cessation rates, with 10.5% of tobacco users quitting before operations. An enhanced recovery approach reduced hospital length of stay and costs.
A study found that most surgical residents have high risk debt-to-asset and debt-to-income ratios, and many feel the need for personal financial education. The researchers suggest providing financial training through accessible platforms like podcasts or web-based tools to help residents manage their debt.
A new reference manual is in development to provide standards for military-civilian training platforms, ensuring combat readiness and retaining critical skills. The partnership aims to address challenges facing military surgery and civilian trauma care, including standard pre-deployment training and skills retention.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found a 61.7 percent reduction in colorectal surgical site infections in Hawaii's 15-hospital collaborative using AHRQ's Safety Program for Surgery. The program also improved hospital safety culture, with 10 out of 12 categories showing significant improvements.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that tourniquet use improves survival rates for civilian trauma victims with vascular injuries of the arms or legs. The study involved 1,026 patients and showed that those who received a tourniquet had significantly lower mortality rates than those who did not.
A new quality improvement initiative, NAPRC, aims to improve US rectal cancer care by adopting a multidisciplinary team approach. The program's proposed quality measures and process indicators were analyzed, revealing varying completion rates among hospitals.
The study found a significant decrease in mortality risk in patients with severe burns, with age, burn size, and inhalation injury being key predictors of mortality. Continuous improvement in care protocols has led to a 2% per year reduction in mortality rates across all age groups.
A study found that surgeon-scientists have less success in obtaining NIH grants, but their research produces significant impacts, with an increase of 25% in publication impact over the study period. Academic institutions and the NIH are recommended to increase support for early-career surgeon-scientists.
A study at a safety-net hospital in northeast Florida found that it could perform complex operations like esophagectomy with fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than the national average. The institution's use of a written, standardized protocol was credited for its superior outcomes.
A study by the University of Louisville found that Medicaid expansion in Kentucky led to an increase in diagnosis rates of early-stage breast cancer and greater utilization of breast-conserving surgery. However, improvements in efficiency and timing of postsurgical therapy were less robust.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that an enhanced recovery program reduced hospital length of stay, narcotic use, and total direct pharmacy costs. The protocol improved clinical outcomes and provided financial benefits to hospitals.
A recent study found that patients who lost at least 8 percent of their excess weight just one month before undergoing bariatric surgery had a 7.5 percent greater weight loss at the 12-month post-surgery mark compared to those who did not achieve this goal.