A systematic review study suggests that nonoperative treatment of appendicitis is probably safe for adults but raises concerns about long-term outcomes. The study found that antibiotics-first treatment was successful in 3 out of 4 patients, but questions remain about quality of life, residual symptoms, and financial considerations.
A new study by the American College of Surgeons found that preoperative use of blood-thinning drugs does not increase major bleeding rates in cancer patients undergoing major operations. The study also revealed a lower risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients who received preoperative VTE prophylaxis.
A Journal of the American College of Surgeons study reveals that a hospital's safety culture plays a significant role in delivering high-quality patient care. The study found that 10 out of 12 safety culture factors influenced surgical site infection rates after colon operations.
Patients undergoing oncologic liver operations who participated in an enhanced recovery program returned sooner to their normal life function and adjuvant cancer therapies than patients who were treated with a traditional approach. The study found that 75% of enhanced recovery patients achieved their baseline functional status within 3...
A new study found that patients' recollections of their last colonoscopy are variable, with many unable to recall key details such as the date of their procedure or the presence and number of polyps. The study suggests that doctors can contribute to these issues by not repeating crucial information to patients.
A recent study by the American College of Surgeons found that helmeted bicycle riders are 58% less likely to suffer severe traumatic brain injuries after a crash. The study analyzed data from over 6,200 patients and showed that helmets significantly reduce the risk of head bleeds, facial fractures, and even death.
A new study shows that surgical removal of abdominal metastases can significantly improve overall survival for patients with stage IV melanoma. In this comprehensive study of over 1,600 patients, surgeons found that surgical resection provided a median survival time of 18 months compared to seven months for nonsurgical patients.
Researchers have discovered four unique metabolites in urine samples that can accurately distinguish between malignant and benign adrenal tumors. These biomarkers show high sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (82.6%) for diagnosing cancer, potentially improving treatment decisions for patients with adrenal incidentalomas.
A new study has identified a minimum surgeon volume threshold of 25 cases per year associated with improved patient outcomes for total thyroidectomy. High-volume surgeons had significantly lower complication rates, with only a 4.2% chance of experiencing complications compared to 6.4% for low-volume surgeons.
Researchers develop new targeted delivery method using silk sponge to reduce chemotherapy's toxic effects on children with neuroblastoma. The approach slows tumor growth and reduces systemic toxicity, offering a promising alternative to traditional chemotherapy.
A new study found that surgical trainees who continue to practice beyond achieving initial proficiency retain information longer and master surgical skills better. The study, presented at the American College of Surgeons Annual Clinical Congress, showed that overlearning can decrease the learning curve and improve overall scores.
A new simulation training program cuts precious minutes off trauma patients' evaluation times, getting them to medical imaging tests faster. The program involves former trauma patients and families in providing feedback to caregivers.
A new study shows that sleeve gastrectomy can increase testosterone levels in obese men by 43% over a 12-month period, while also lowering BMI and reducing cardiac risk factors. This procedure has been shown to improve sexual quality of life and reduce the risk of sarcopenia.
A new study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that 76% of patients accepted online postoperative care as the only form of follow-up, while 68% reported equal effectiveness between online and in-person visits. The researchers believe designing tools for online care is key to determining when in-person care is needed.
Two studies show ACS NSQIP provides more accurate data than administrative data to drive surgical quality improvement in hospitals. The program identified 60% of hospital readmissions as potentially preventable, and demonstrated higher c-statistic values for complications and mortality models.
A new study at Northwestern Memorial Hospital reduces UTI rates by decreasing catheter utilization and implementing process improvement guidelines. The initiative targets catheter-related UTIs in the operating room, aiming to change clinical culture among surgeons and healthcare teams.
A new scoring system developed by Thomas Jefferson University Hospital has been found to accurately predict the risk of ventilator dependence after major operations. The tool uses ACS NSQIP data to identify patients at risk, with those scoring above 3 comprising 20% of patients who experienced 70% of adverse events.
A quality improvement initiative at Texas Children's Hospital has led to a significant reduction in median waitlist times for pediatric heart transplant patients. The hospital revised its protocols to expand donor heart size parameters and improve patient severity status, resulting in faster organ allocation.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that the 2011 duty hour reform did not decrease serious postoperative complications in surgical patients. The researchers evaluated outcomes in five surgical specialties, including neurosurgery, obstetrics/gynecology, and vascular surgery, and found no signi...
A new scoring system called Trauma Surge Index (TSI) can identify periods of high activity and increased trauma patient deaths in hospital emergency rooms. The TSI ranks surge activity on a scale from 0 to 8 and is unique for each hospital, accounting for severity of injuries and time of admission.
A statewide quality improvement program helped reduce serious blood clot complications by more than half in Michigan trauma centers. The program, which provides data-driven feedback and best practices, led to a significant drop in venous thromboembolism events after switching from one anti-clotting agent to another.
A new plasma protocol effectively treats trauma patients quicker in ERs by delivering thawed plasma within 10 minutes of arrival. This approach improves outcomes for victims with massive bleeding and reduces wastage of frozen plasma.
A new study found that liver transplant centers in highly competitive geographic areas performed more transplants than those in less competitive areas. The researchers used data from 53,156 adult liver transplantation operations performed between 2003 and 2012.
A new study finds that combining an evidence-based enhanced recovery program with infection prevention significantly reduces hospital stay time and costs for patients undergoing colorectal operations. The program also decreases surgical site infections and sepsis rates.
A recent study by the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that socioeconomic factors such as income level, education, and hospital type significantly impact lung cancer patients' odds of death within 30 days after surgery. Patients from lower-income households were 25% more likely to die than those in higher-income areas.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act's dependent care provision did not close the racial gap in coverage for young adult trauma patients. Despite improved insurance rates, significant disparities persisted among African-American and Hispanic youth.
A study of 2.7 million US breast cancer patients found that surgeons are increasingly removing only the 'gatekeeper' lymph nodes, rather than all underarm lymph nodes, when a biopsy shows cancer. This shift is attributed to the lower risks for patients who undergo sentinel lymph node biopsy alone.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that liver-sparing operations, which remove less than a lobe of the liver, are linked to lower mortality and complication rates. This approach is associated with quicker recovery times and fewer complications compared to traditional major hepatectomies.
Hospitals participating in ACS NSQIP improve surgical outcomes, including reduced death rates, complications, and surgical site infections. Over time, these improvements continue to accumulate, enabling hospitals to prevent significant patient harm.
The study, which analyzed data from the National Cancer Data Base, found that 59% of women who received pre-surgery chemotherapy had breast conservation therapy. Women with larger tumors were also more likely to opt for pre-surgery chemotherapy and lumpectomy versus mastectomy.
A new, shortened test to assess frailty can accurately determine which surgical patients are most at risk for complications. The test, taking less than a minute, assesses grip strength and weight loss, providing critical information for patient planning and setting expectations.
A new study combines lab tests and ultrasounds to diagnose appendicitis in children, significantly improving clinical value and risk profiles. The approach can be adapted to individual settings, providing better care for patients with suspected appendicitis.
A study published in Journal of the American College of Surgeons confirms the effectiveness of pre-trauma center blood transfusions in increasing one-day survival rates and reducing shock among air-lifted trauma patients. The UPMC protocol involves giving guidelines on when to administer transfusions, resulting in improved outcomes.
A recent study found that nearly a third of women with N2/N3 breast cancer did not receive post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), which is the standard of care for this patient group. The study evaluated over 57,000 cases and found that socioeconomic factors did not influence PMRT receipt.
A new protocol for colorectal surgical care has been shown to decrease hospital stays by 2.2 days, reduce complications by 17%, and increase patient satisfaction with pain control by 55%. The approach also results in significant cost savings of up to $7,129 per patient.
A new study finds that malnutrition is an independent predictor of long-term survival in geriatric patients undergoing the Whipple procedure. Geriatric patients with preoperative severe nutritional risk had significantly decreased long-term survival, while those without SNR had a seven-year survival rate of 84 percent.
A Canadian study found that men, seniors, and smokers are among the most likely to forego bariatric surgery, despite not being turned away due to payment. Researchers are now exploring why these patients drop out to improve operational efficiency and provide proper support.
Two studies found pediatric breast cancer patients experienced longer time between diagnosis and treatments, often diagnosed at later stages. Pediatric colon cancer patients had lower five-year survival rates than adults due to more aggressive tumors and treatments.
A simplified frailty index based on the ACS NSQIP database can predict mortality and serious complications in older patients. Patients with high frailty scores had a significantly higher mortality rate and risk of postoperative complications.
A new study found that children under 18 with appendicitis are more likely to experience a ruptured appendix if they live in areas with severe shortages of general surgeons. Younger children, especially those under 5, face the greatest risk due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
A simple awareness-raising campaign reduced distracted driving incidents by 50% among hospital staff. The intervention educated employees about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving, with significant long-term impact.
Researchers estimate approximately 2 million pounds of recoverable medical supplies exist annually in nonrural US academic medical centers. Donations from the SHARE program could alleviate global surgical disease burdens and reduce environmental impact domestically.
A new drug delivered through a skin patch has shown promise in healing diabetic foot ulcers and preventing their recurrence. The drug increases the protein HIF-1α, which helps form new blood vessels needed for wound healing.
A new study found that two-thirds of health websites recommending prostate cancer screening aligns with medical organizations' stance. Many online resources advocate for patient-individualized approaches, while some sites advise against screening due to potential risks.
A new study by the American College of Surgeons recommends that older trauma patients receive palliative care to address their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. The study found that elderly trauma patients have unrecognized needs for palliative care, which can improve their quality of life and alleviate pain.
A study found that bariatric surgical center accreditation significantly reduces in-hospital mortality rates among Medicare patients, from 0.56% to 0.23%. Accredited facilities also experienced a lower rate of serious complications, with a 59% decrease in mortality.
A new study found that electronic reminders, such as text messages, significantly increase patient compliance with a preadmission antiseptic showering regimen. The study showed a 66% reduction in composite mean concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate on the skin surface in patients who did not receive digital communications.
The Tennessee Surgical Quality Collaborative reduced surgical complications by 19.7% since 2009, saving at least 533 lives and $75.2 million in costs. The collaborative, formed in 2008, used the ACS NSQIP program to collect data and evaluate best practices.
A hospital used the ACS NSQIP database to identify a link between postoperative isolation and increased risk of venous thromboembolism. By implementing measures such as designated ambulation areas and spirometer use, the hospital was able to reduce VTE rates and save an estimated $10,000 to $16,000 per potentially affected patient.
A Canadian hospital reduced cardiac surgical site infections (SSIs) by 77% through a comprehensive safety program. The hospital implemented best practices in prophylactic antibiotic use, wound care, and patient warming to lower the SSI rate from 7% to 1.6%.