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.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Korean scientists developed a light-activated, mussel protein-based bioadhesive that closes wounds quickly and heals without inflammation or scars. Animal studies proved its superiority to existing options, making it an ideal tissue bonding material for various medical applications.
Research shows older patients with spinal cord injuries have more severe lag times between injury and surgery, with a significant delay in treating those over 70 years old compared to younger patients. This can lead to less severe injuries and better outcomes for these patients.
Researchers suggest that level I trauma centers can provide training opportunities for military surgeons to maintain their skills. The study found that level I trauma centers closely resemble military Role 3 facilities in terms of case density and work schedules, making them ideal for sustaining combat surgical skills.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
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.
Researchers examined nationwide trends in erectile dysfunction and surgical management from 2001 to 2010. The study found that while erectile dysfunction prevalence increased, penile prosthesis use decreased, but was more common in sicker patients.
A new mass spectrometry-based technology enables rapid analysis of tissue samples, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to traditional methods. The automated droplet-based surface sampling probe reduces testing time for cancer diagnosis from 20-30 minutes to just 4-5 minutes.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A study comparing antibiotics vs. appendectomy found that antibiotic treatment was not more effective than surgery in treating uncomplicated appendicitis. However, most patients who received antibiotics did not require an appendectomy, and those who did did not experience significant complications.
A recent UAlberta study reveals nearly half of severely obese patients require ICU admission and one in five do not survive after emergency surgery. The researchers attribute these findings to underlying health conditions, malnutrition, and impaired healing due to obesity.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests that breast surgery for low-grade DCIS does not significantly change patient survival rates. For high- and intermediate-grade DCIS, however, surgery improves survival rates compared to non-surgery groups.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers at UCLA successfully tested a portable finger-probe device on 53 potential organ donors, predicting which livers would function properly after transplantation. The device could increase the number of organs used for transplant and save patients waiting for transplants from dying.
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 robotic arm inspired by an octopus's flexible arms can bend, stretch and squeeze through cluttered environments, enabling surgeons to access remote areas of the body. The device manipulates soft organs without damaging them, reducing the need for multiple instruments.
Researchers identify Enterococcus faecalis as primary microbial culprit behind post-surgical colon leaks. The bacteria degrades intestinal connective tissues and activates enzymes that cause small holes in the intestine during healing, leading to leaks. Identifying E. faecalis could lead to more effective ways to reduce leak rates.
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.
A study found that wound healing and lower plasma viral loads are associated with less HIV shedding from male circumcision wounds. The likelihood of viral shedding increases initially but decreases as wounds heal.
The BMC protocol provides a set of predetermined guidelines for processing and preserving forensic evidence in surgical specimens after a terrorist attack. Key findings include the importance of identifying a team to handle all surgical specimens, obtaining labeled photographs and x-rays, and storing forensic evidence securely.
Most breast and general surgeons still advocate for annual mammography starting at age 40, despite a 2009 USPSTF recommendation to screen biennially from 50 to 74. Researchers found 88% of breast surgeons and 82% of general surgeons recommend annual screenings.
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 32,501 melanoma cases found that 1 in 5 patients experienced a delay of surgery lasting longer than 1.5 months. Surgical delays were more common among older patients and those with prior melanoma or multiple medical conditions.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
UK death rates for children's heart surgery have almost halved from 4.3% to 2.6% between 2000 and 2010, despite a rise in the number and complexity of cases. This shift suggests that more complex patients were taken on in later years.
Researchers found that cats undergoing surgery benefit from classical music, particularly George Handel compositions, which reduce respiratory rate and pupil diameter. The study suggests using calming music in surgical environments could decrease anaesthetic doses and promote patient safety.
A study of 500 women in California found that black and Hispanic patients were less likely to choose their surgeon based on reputation compared to white women. Health plans played a significant role in hospital selection for all groups. These findings suggest minority patients have less involvement in choosing their healthcare providers.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
A study of 215 clinicians found that implicit race and social class biases were present in most respondents, but these biases were not associated with clinical decisions. However, the study suggests that existing biases may still influence the quality of care received by minority patients and those of lower socioeconomic status.
Patients who received ablation along with mitral valve surgery had better rhythm control and fewer episodes of atrial fibrillation compared to those who only received the valve surgery alone. However, they were more likely to require pacemaker implantation in the year following their surgery.
A study of 250 patients with displaced proximal humeral fractures found no significant differences between surgical and nonsurgical treatments in patient-reported outcomes over two years. The researchers concluded that these results do not support the trend of increased surgery for patients with this type of fracture.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
The Anderson Algorithm increases surgical success in advanced ovarian cancer by providing a personalized approach to surgery, resulting in high complete resection rates of over 86%. This milestone is strongly tied to improved survival outcomes for patients.
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 national study found nearly half of organ transplant surgeons experience low personal accomplishment and 40% feel emotionally exhausted. Surgeons who reported higher levels of personal accomplishment felt more control in their work life and had more support from co-workers.
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.
Research conducted by Lynda Dunn reveals that diathermy smoke contains nine hazardous compounds, four of which are carcinogenic, posing a risk to surgical personnel. The use of extraction devices is recommended to minimize exposure and improve workplace conditions.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
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 Stanford study found that many donated hearts are being rejected due to varying acceptance criteria across regions. The rejection rate decreased from 44% in 1995 to 32% in 2010, highlighting a pressing need for standardized guidelines.
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 study examining the link between ACS NSQIP participation and surgical outcomes found no significant improvements in patient mortality, complications, reoperations, or readmissions. Additionally, hospital payments remained unchanged for participating versus non-participating hospitals.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A new study published in JAMA found that hospital report cards had no effect on surgical safety, including death rates, complications, readmissions, and costs. The study analyzed data from over 1 million Medicare patients and suggested that reporting data back to hospitals is not enough to improve quality.
A Mayo Clinic study analyzed over 345,000 patients' surgical outcomes between 2009 and 2013, finding no association between NSQIP hospital participation and improved postoperative outcomes. The study suggests that surgical outcomes reporting systems do not provide a clear mechanism for quality improvement.
New review highlights advances in image-guided surgery using fluorescence imaging to improve cancer detection and patient survival. Innovative strategies in low-income countries, such as mosquito net repairs and task redistribution, offer lessons for high-income countries.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
A new study published in Anesthesiology found that even when patients are actively warmed with forced air, their body temperature still decreases during the first hour of surgery. Patients who experience the most hypothermia are more likely to require blood transfusions.
A recent study published in AORN Journal found that specialty nursing certification contributes to improved surgical patient outcomes in hospitals. The research showed higher rates of certified ambulatory perianesthesia nurse (CAPA) and certified nurse operating room (CNOR) certifications were associated with lower rates of central-lin...
A new cohort study found that low plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are inversely associated with the need for mechanical ventilation in critically ill surgical patients. The study suggests that optimized vitamin D status may reduce respiratory muscle weakness and systemic inflammation, leading to shorter respiratory support times.
Researchers developed a system to selectively insert compounds into cancer cells, identifying malignant tissues for precise surgery. The technology uses near-infrared light to kill remaining cancer cells, promising a more accurate and effective approach to cancer surgeries.
A study by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that patients in the highest risk category were less likely to receive gallbladder removal surgery. Despite this, only 22% of those in high-risk group had their gallbladders removed. The researchers used a predictive model to identify low-, moderate-, and high-risk ca...
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers found that postoperative TRALI is significantly underreported but occurs in 1.4 percent of surgical patients, while TACO remains a risk at 4 percent, particularly in those with increased volume of blood transfused and advanced age. The studies provide new insights into the incidence of these life-threatening complications.
The Perioperative Surgical Home model significantly improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs through coordinated care. Studies found PSH models reduced cancellations, complications, readmissions, and hospital stays.
A new Northwestern University study found that implementing duty hour restrictions in 2011 did not improve surgery patients' outcomes, but may have hurt patient safety and resident education. The study suggests that these restrictions disrupted the continuity of caring for surgical patients.
A study examined general surgery patient outcomes before and after 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour reform. The findings show that the reform was not associated with a significant change in death or serious illness, as well as no impact on resident examination performance.
A new study found that macho stereotypes discourage both men and women from pursuing traditionally masculine occupations. The research suggests that increasing the appeal of these jobs to a more diverse range of men could help attract more women, leading to greater equality in the future.
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
A new technology has been developed that allows for the creation of an invisible 3D haptic shape using ultrasound. This innovation enables surgeons to explore complex medical imaging data, such as CT scans, in a more immersive and tactile manner.
Researchers used 3D printing to create detailed heart models of three patients with complex congenital heart defects. Surgeons successfully repaired severe abnormalities in all three patients, potentially extending their lifespan by decades. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize surgical planning and treatment.
The PRESERVE study aims to determine the safety and effectiveness of IVC filters in preventing pulmonary embolism. It will enroll 2,100 patients at over 60 centers across the US and assess patient outcomes every six months for up to two years.
Researchers found that higher volume hospital and surgeon volume are associated with fewer post-operative complications and improved overall survival for bladder cancer patients. The study aims to identify processes and interactions leading to better outcomes, which could inform improvements in care at lower volume hospitals.
A century on, researchers found WWI surgeons couldn't effectively treat amputation-related pain, despite advancements in prosthetic technology. Phantom limb pain, common among survivors, remains poorly understood and difficult to manage.
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
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.
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 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.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
The study found that over-the-scope clip (OTSC) placement is a safe and effective therapy for closing gastrointestinal (GI) defects. Clinical success rates ranged from 90% for perforations to 73% for leaks, with successful closure of fistulae being less than half the patients.
The Surgical Trauma Series examines the biological mechanisms and clinical implications of large-scale trauma. Researchers discuss the systemic immune response to trauma, its association with reduced resistance to infection, and the role of ageing in influencing survival rates.
A combination of factors makes it difficult to pinpoint the extent of organ trafficking worldwide. Researchers identify five key reasons for this lack of clarity, including a reluctance by organ donors to speak out and inconsistent laws across countries.