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NATO battlefield surgery training and surgical simulations among the first courses at Semmelweis University’s new Innovation Center

Semmelweis University's new Anatomy & Innovation Center for Education and Research has hosted two NATO battlefield surgery courses, providing realistic environments for learning and practicing new procedures. The center aims to improve patient safety and quality of care through advanced technologies and hands-on training.

Reusable catheters a safe choice that could save NHS millions, study finds

A new study by the University of Southampton has found that reusable catheters are just as safe for patients as single-use ones and do not increase the risk of urinary tract infections. The study followed hundreds of patients for a year and discovered that those who tested reusable catheters used 35 per cent fewer antibiotics.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalInternational Journal of Nursing Studies·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMay 20, 2026

Sigh ventilation in patients with trauma

A randomized clinical trial of 524 trauma patients found that adding sigh breaths to mechanical ventilation did not increase ventilator-free days. However, prespecified secondary data suggest that sighs are well-tolerated and may improve clinical outcomes in this patient population.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateOct 25, 2023

NIH-funded study supports use of ECMO for critically ill patients with obesity

A National Institutes of Health-supported study suggests that adults with obesity may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) when in intensive care for respiratory failure. The study found lower mortality rates among patients with obesity who received ECMO compared to those without, contradicting previous concerns.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateAug 28, 2023

Artificial intelligence can help categorize and triage primary care patients with respiratory symptoms

A machine learning model trained on clinical text notes can effectively categorize patients into 10 risk groups, allowing for targeted care. The study found that patients in lower-risk groups had lower rates of lung inflammation and were less likely to receive antibiotics or chest X-ray referrals.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateMay 23, 2023

When is remdesivir effective for COVID-19?

A new analysis of COVID-19 patient data reveals that remdesivir significantly lowers mortality in unvaccinated patients with conventional oxygen support. The study found no evidence of varying treatment effects based on age, comorbidities, or inflammation levels.

SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalThe Lancet Respiratory Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 21, 2023

In some settings, medical masks may offer similar effectiveness to N95 respirators for preventing COVID-19 infection among health care workers

A study of over 1,000 healthcare workers found that medical masks may be as effective as N95 respirators in preventing COVID-19 infection. However, the results varied across countries and were influenced by factors such as vaccine use and variant circulating during the pandemic.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 28, 2022

Discovery could pave way for new lung treatment

Researchers have identified a new family of proteins in blood vessels that prevent fluid from entering the lungs, offering a potential new avenue for treating acute respiratory distress syndrome. Stimulating these bitter taste receptors has been shown to provide protection against fluid leak into the lung.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalFrontiers in Physiology·DateMar 23, 2022

N95 respirators can be safely decontaminated up to 25 times, research shows

A new study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that N95 respirators can maintain their function and effectiveness through 25 cycles of re-use using vaporized hydrogen peroxide. The study expands on previous findings, showing a relatively safe method for reprocessing personal protective equipment in future epidemics.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·DateJan 7, 2022

Differences in countries' COVID-19 guidelines created confusion for healthcare professionals

The study analyzed 114 COVID-19 guidelines from leading organizations in the UK, France, Germany, and the US, finding significant variations in respiratory protection recommendations. The variations were attributed to differences in national and international guidelines, as well as shortages of equipment.

Effects of face masks on speech recognition

Respirator and cloth masks increase difficulties in recognizing speech amidst background noise. Surgical masks have no negative effect on communication., Researchers found face masks negatively affect speech recognition in noisy settings.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 24, 2021

Personal protective respirator masks (PPE) often do not fit correctly, especially for women and Asian healthcare workers

A review of personal protective respirator mask use reveals that initial fit-pass rates are lower among females and Asians compared to males and Caucasians. Correct respirator fit appears more important than filtration capacity for airborne protection. Fit-testing is recommended, with annual testing suggested due to its cost-effectiven...

SourceAAGBI·JournalAnaesthesia·DateSep 15, 2020

Some decontamination processes damage N95 face masks

Certain decontamination methods for reusable N95 face masks can significantly impair their effectiveness. Research found that treatments using high concentrations of gas plasma hydrogen peroxide or longer processing times degrade filtration performance. In contrast, vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers and shorter decontamination cy...

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateJul 16, 2020

COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued new Practice Points on the effectiveness of masks for preventing COVID-19 disease. The guidelines emphasize the importance of N95 respirators in healthcare settings and recommend surgical masks for non-medical individuals to reduce transmission risk. ACP also emphasizes the need for c...

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJun 18, 2020

Surgical masks good for most COVID-19 treatment: McMaster

A systematic review of medical masks vs. N95 respirators found that the former did not increase viral respiratory infection or clinical illness; however, N95 respirators are best for aerosol-generating procedures. The study suggests preserving N95 respirators for high-risk care and using medical masks for routine treatment.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalInfluenza and Other Respiratory Viruses·DateApr 6, 2020

Nanotech protection

Canadian engineers warn that current safety equipment may not be sufficient to protect workers from nanoprotection risks. The growing field of nanotechnology manufacture poses unknown hazards, and urgent research is needed to develop appropriate protective measures.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Nanotechnology·DateOct 13, 2009

Simple change in mechanical ventilator cuts deaths by more than 20 percent

A nationwide clinical trial found that reducing tidal volumes in mechanical ventilation can cut mortality from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) by up to 22%. The study, involving 861 patients and coordinated at Massachusetts General Hospital, used a new technique with smaller oxygen puffs to provide breathing assistance.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateMar 9, 2000