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%.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reports that surgical resection improves survival among metastatic melanoma patients with limited liver disease. The five-year survival rate for surgical patients was 30%, compared to 6.6% for nonsurgical patients.
A standardized prevention program implemented in a hospital department of surgery significantly reduced the rate of deep venous thromboses (DVT) and pulmonary emboli among patients. The program, which scored individual risk factors and provided risk-based prophylaxis, led to an 84% drop in DVT rates and a 55% decrease in pulmonary emboli.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons reveals that noncombat-related injuries, such as accidents and burns, are the leading cause of pediatric admissions to U.S. military combat hospitals in both countries. The study analyzed data from over 6,000 children under 14 years old treated at Army support hos...
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that Florida's participation in the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program resulted in broad improvement across hospitals. The program reduced complications by 14.5% and saved an estimated 89 lives, avoiding $6.6 million in healthcare expenses.
The American College of Surgeons publishes guidelines defining resources needed for effective and safe surgical care in infants and children. The recommendations are based on personnel, medical resources, and equipment, with three levels of care: Level I (highest), Level II, and Level III.
The Hartford Consensus aims to educate law enforcement on the importance of controlling hemorrhage in active shooter incidents. The initiative, led by the American College of Surgeons, provides training and equipment for police officers to respond to mass casualty events.
A new iPad application has been developed to collect and analyze trauma patient data at a South African hospital, improving injury surveillance and patient outcomes. The eTHR system has been successfully implemented at Groote Schuur Hospital, capturing key information on past medical history, demographics, and injury severity scores.
A new risk-scoring tool helps surgeons counsel patients before breast reconstruction surgery. Smoking and obesity are associated with a higher risk of early implant loss, while a state of progressive obesity increases the risk even further.
A study by American College of Surgeons found that patients' choice of bariatric surgery is influenced by type 2 diabetes status, desired weight loss, and tolerance for risk, rather than BMI. Patients with uncontrolled eating patterns were more likely to opt for a reversible procedure like gastric banding.
A study found that elderly patients with severe injuries, such as falls or motor vehicle accidents, are often undertriaged and sent to non-trauma centers despite having a higher risk of mortality. Trauma centers provide specialized care, resulting in lower mortality rates and shorter hospital stays.
A laboratory study at the University of Michigan has shown promising results in regenerating cardiac birth defects using amniotic stem cells. The researchers believe this approach could one day help thousands of babies born each year with congenital heart defects.