Articles tagged with Surgery
The ACS Quality Verification Program utilizes data surveillance, standardized processes, and systems to identify quality improvement issues and improve surgical patient care. The program's 12 standards provide a framework for hospitals to implement robust surgical quality improvement initiatives.
A new set of guidelines developed by AATS and ESTS recommends a 30-day course of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis post-discharge for patients undergoing surgical resection for lung or esophagus cancer. The guideline panel endorsed by American Society of Hematology and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis found th...
A new study presented at the AATS 101st Annual Meeting found that severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO did not suffer worse long-term physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits than other mechanically-ventilated patients. The multidisciplinary team followed patients for up to five years after hospital discharge.
This study examines how the COVID-19 pandemic affected general surgical residents' operative experiences, finding that year of training and case complexity influenced their experiences. The research provides insights into factors contributing to the challenges faced by residents during this period.
The 101st AATS Annual Meeting focuses on Diversity without Exclusion in a Culture of Safety, with keynote speakers including Condoleezza Rice and William G. Kaelin, Jr. AATS members will discuss advances in cardiothoracic surgery and related specialties.
Researchers found that well-fitting three-layered cloth masks reduce exposure by up to 75% and can be as effective as surgical masks in preventing COVID-19 transmission. The study's findings suggest cloth masks can significantly reduce the risk of contraction, making them a valuable tool in community efforts
A new study investigated associations between EHR usability and nurse job outcomes (burnout, job dissatisfaction) and surgical patient outcomes (inpatient mortality, readmission). The results found that EHR usability is critical to reducing nurse burnout and improving patient outcomes.
A minimally invasive retinal reattachment procedure using pneumatic retinopexy leads to better long-term integrity of photoreceptors compared to more invasive procedures. This technique achieves superior visual outcomes by allowing the retina to reattach naturally and minimize damage to critical cells.
Increased tourniquet use in Los Angeles County has improved patient survival and reduced the need for blood transfusions. The study found that patients with prehospital tourniquets had lower mortality rates, fewer delayed amputations, and lessened blood transfusion requirements.
A new study identifies risk factors for readmission to a different hospital for cancer patients who received surgical removals, associated with a 50% increased odds of dying. Risk factors include living far away from the original hospital and being older or white, highlighting the need for better care coordination.
A large US study found that critically ill COVID-19 patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have a significantly lower risk of death compared to initial studies. The study analyzed outcomes of over 11,000 patients and found that ECMO treatment resulted in an overall in-hospital mortality rate of 45.9%.
This study compared clinical outcomes of surgical patients with COVID-19 to those without, using data from a national database. The results showed differences in postoperative in-hospital morbidity and mortality between the two groups.
A nationally representative survey found that over 40% of US adults aged 50-80 trust online reviews almost as much as family or friend recommendations when selecting a physician. Factors such as insurance acceptance and race/ethnicity were more influential, with online reviews ranking ninth in importance.
The Cohen Center will provide comprehensive, coordinated treatment for patients with Lyme and tick-borne diseases, offering affordable care with experienced physicians. The center will also integrate research and physician training into its clinical model, aiming to address the growing need for evidence-based treatments.
The study found that telehealth use surged across surgical specialties in response to the pandemic, highlighting its potential as a tool for sustaining surgical care. The analysis of insurance claims data revealed significant increases in virtual consultations and procedures.
A new study from the University of Arizona Department of Surgery found that pancreatic cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy followed by resection live an average of 19.75 months, compared to 10.12 months for those who received only chemotherapy. The researchers suggest that surgery can improve survival even in difficult cases.
A survey study found frequent sexist and racial/ethnic microaggressions against underrepresented groups in the medical field, associated with burnout. The study aimed to address a growing concern in the medical community.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that patients undergoing elective esophagectomy, gastrectomy, or pancreatectomy for malignancies at top-ranked hospitals had significantly lower in-hospital death rates compared to those at unranked hospitals. The average annual case volume for these high-ri...
A randomized clinical trial found that wearing clear masks reveals surgeons' faces, improving patients' perceptions of communication, trust, and empathy. This study suggests a potential benefit to using clear masks in surgical clinics.
A recent study published by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that elderly patients are at greater risk of dying from hip surgery if surgeons are in a hurry. During busy periods, patients have to wait an average of 20% longer before being operated on, which can lead to serious consequences.
Researchers have shown that three-layered surgical masks are most effective at stopping large cough droplets from getting atomized into smaller aerosols. This is crucial since these smaller droplets can linger in the air, spreading to people at larger distances.
Researchers at University of Calgary and University of Bern discovered that macrophages, a type of white blood cell, rush to surgical sites and cause excess scarring. Two methods to inhibit this natural response were found: removing macrophages or introducing a drug to block their stickiness.
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.
A study investigated the correlation between surgical site infection rates and hospital audit scores in Swiss hospitals. The results showed a clear connection between low SSI rates and high audit scores, suggesting that better surveillance systems can reduce infection rates.
Researchers found that delayed treatment improved surgical outcomes and reduced complications for facial bone injuries. The 'Critical Revascularization Period' allows for healing and formation of new blood vessels, improving oxygen supply and reducing morbidity.
Funding for surgeon scientists has increased by 40% in terms of both numbers and amounts since 2010, despite overall NIH funding decreases and an increase in demand for clinical productivity. Basic science research has also remained stable, with 70% of grants focused on basic science.
A new study found that elderly patients with locally advanced esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancer can achieve similar outcomes as younger patients when receiving recommended multimodal therapy. The therapy regimen includes initial chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection.
A study of 620 patients who had surgery found that those counseled to use opioids only as backup experienced less pain and similar patient satisfaction compared to standard care. The approach took a middle ground between controlling pain and reducing the risk of long-term opioid use or addiction.
Researchers developed a novel Biomesh that captures positively charged cytokines, reducing inflammation and tissue adhesion in hernia repair. The new mesh effectively minimized postsurgical complications in an animal model, improving outcomes and reducing symptoms.
A study found that older cancer patients residing in areas with high social vulnerability are less likely to achieve textbook outcomes following surgery. The research used the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to analyze the impact of socioeconomic challenges on health outcomes.
The global demand for cancer surgery is projected to rise from 9.1 million to 13.8 million cases by 2040, with a 52% increase in low-income countries. The study estimates that these countries will need to increase their surgeon and anaesthetist numbers substantially to meet the growing demand.
A study by Dr Tom Hutley and colleagues found that the longer healthcare workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE), the more issues they experience, including tiredness, headaches, and dizziness. The survey also revealed a negative impact on team performance, with 92% of respondents feeling PPE affected communication.
The FAROS project aims to develop surgical robots with non-visual sensing capabilities, including tactile and auditory sensors, to master complex tasks autonomously. This new concept enables surgeon-like autonomous behavior with physical and cognitive intelligence.
Researchers developed a bio-inspired hydrogel fiber with a spiral structure inspired by lotus fibers. The fiber exhibits high strength, toughness and excellent biocompatibility, making it suitable for surgical sutures.
A new protocol has been established to evaluate patients for elective surgeries following COVID-19, taking into account the high risk of complications and clinical uncertainty. The guidelines include minimum recovery times, patient history assessments, and objective testing to determine safe surgery procedures.
A new study found that non-Hispanic white patients are disproportionately placed on liver transplant waitlists, with disparities attributed to private health insurance access and travel distance. The researchers suggest increasing awareness of these trends may promote equitable access to transplants.
Researchers define surgical smoke as a hazardous vapor composed of aerosolized chemicals, with potential to obscure vision, cause respiratory issues, and even contain viruses. Laws mandating its evacuation from operating rooms are recommended to reduce health impacts.
A virtual telehealth platform allows patients to undergo comprehensive evaluation for kidney transplantation from the comfort of their own homes. This innovative approach has enabled the Medical University of South Carolina's transplant program to maintain access to life-saving surgeries despite pandemic restrictions, with over 282 pat...
A study at Stony Brook University found that telemedicine helped reduce patient volume by 75% and surgical visits by 55% while increasing follow-up visits for non-surgical practitioners. This shift suggests a template for post-pandemic adoption of multidisciplinary telehealth clinics.
A recent study reported a significant drop in low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite resuming full operations, new patient monthly LDCT rates remained low, and patients were more likely to miss appointments, increasing the no-show rate from 15% to 40%. This led to a rise in m...
Researchers found that wearing a mask can actually increase the inhalation of aerosols into the nose, making fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers more problematic. The study suggests that choosing a more effective mask and wearing it properly are crucial to curb COVID-19 transmission.
Researchers found that surgical and N95 masks can minimize negative effects on speech intelligibility, making them ideal options for instructors. By wearing these types of masks, educators can help students understand speech more effectively while ensuring their own safety.
Researchers at Fukuoka University found that face shields alone are not effective against COVID-19 sneezes. Vortex rings generated by sneezes can capture microscopic particles and transport them inside the shield through its top and bottom edges.
Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of fibryga, Octaplas, and Octaplex in treating congenital and acquired bleeding disorders. Fibryga demonstrated efficacy in on-demand treatment and perioperative prophylaxis for patients with rare congenital fibrinogen deficiency.
A UOC project has developed a 3D virtual environment to train surgeons' psychomotor skills, providing real-time feedback and metrics. The tool has been tested with over 148 users, showing its validity in improving surgeons' performance at different stages of their careers.
The PCR Valves e-Course will unite global experts in valvular heart disease for a 3-day digital initiative. Key findings include virtual LIVE demonstrations and classroom environment workshops offering simulation-based learning on cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology.
Researchers developed a technique to print full-size, realistic heart models using alginate material and MRI scans. These models can be handled outside of the gelatin bath, enabling surgeons to practice complex heart surgeries.
A new curriculum at Washington University School of Medicine equips surgical residents with technical and non-technical skills to treat victims of firearm violence. The Anatomy of Gun Violence (AGV) curriculum includes training sessions, simulations, and discussions on the social context of firearm violence.
A study by American College of Surgeons found that watch-and-wait strategy is an option for select patients with stages I to III rectal cancer. The approach, which skips operation, shows similar results in terms of local regrowth and disease-specific survival rates compared to surgical treatment.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that critically ill newborns who receive blood transfusions prior to surgery have a 50% increased rate of complications or death. The findings suggest that a 'wait and see' approach to giving infants blood during surgery may reduce surgical complications and the risk of death.
A new intraoperative imaging technique, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), can accurately assess surgical margins during radical prostatectomy by detecting prostate cancer tissue at the resection margin. CLI has shown high diagnostic accuracy in detecting tumor cells and positive surgical margins.
Two new studies demonstrate the lifesaving impact of STOP THE BLEED training in low-to-middle income countries. In Sierra Leone, nearly all patients survived life-threatening bleeding emergencies after receiving training, and participants retained knowledge for over a year. In Connecticut, course attendees showed strong proficiency in ...
Researchers developed AI models that accurately predict treatment needs and medical interventions for motor vehicle crash victims, and identified key factors that affect survival after liver transplantation. The models achieved high accuracy rates, outperforming human manual reviews in streamlining decision-making at the point of care.
The study found that non-physician team members, particularly Army reservists, spent more time treating patients in civilian centers than active duty members. The researchers highlighted the importance of integrating active duty FRST members into civilian trauma centers to provide optimal training and care before deployment.
Spanish-speaking women are less likely to receive screening mammograms due to language barriers. Women with limited English proficiency had 27% lower rates of mammogram screenings, according to the study. This disparity affects approximately 450,000 eligible women in the US.
Researchers found that virtual follow-up visits for surgical patients spend the same amount of time with surgeons as in-person visits, discussing post-operative recovery. Patients value convenience and flexibility, with reduced wait times and increased satisfaction rates compared to traditional in-person visits.
Research shows that evidence-based guidelines have successfully reduced opioid prescriptions, but a small group of surgical patients may still need more pain control. The study suggests that these patients require a combination of opioids with non-opioid pain relievers to achieve optimal pain management.
A study using GIS found that public transportation burden disproportionately affects minority communities, increasing travel time by nearly double for those without access to a vehicle. This can lead to increased risk of emergent surgical interventions.
A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society found that wearing face masks has minimal impact on gas exchange in healthy individuals and those with severe lung impairment. The researchers stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent COVID-19 infection, especially for patients with lung disease.
Key findings from a comprehensive literature review highlight the importance of top-down commitment to quality, mid-level leadership, and committee structure in achieving high-quality surgical outcomes. The study supports the ACS Quality Verification Program's Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality framework.