Research on surgical treatment and outcomes. Covers fat-disorder surgery, survival after hip fracture, prostate-cancer care, and bariatric surgery.
A Mayo Clinic study finds that implementing a uniform method to care for lower-risk cardiac surgical patients reduces hospital time by 15% and lowers overall costs by 15%. The new model sets clear expectations for hospital care, improves patient experiences, and reduces variability in costs and outcomes.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that nerve damage after hip surgery may be caused by inflammation, rather than mechanical factors. The study identified key signs for physicians to look out for, including delayed onset of neuropathy and severe pain.
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 technique that brings CT imaging into the operating room enables precise demarcation and removal of small sub-centimeter lung nodules while minimizing damage to healthy lung tissue. This approach has shown promising results in reducing errors and increasing accuracy in lung cancer surgery.
Researchers found a decreasing trend in early deaths after ASO, but a rising trend in late deaths due to improved post-surgical care. Implementing ECMO was associated with early death, highlighting the need for re-evaluating mortality targets and quality assurance measures.
A 20-year analysis of HIPEC treatment shows significant improvement in patient outcomes for selected individuals with advanced abdominal cancer. The median overall survival was 29.9 months, with a five-year survival rate of 32.5%.
A recent study investigates Google Glass's potential use in pediatric surgical settings, finding it useful for hands-free photo/video documentation, making calls, and looking up medical terms. However, concerns over patient privacy remain due to the device's internet connectivity.
A pilot study found that children with uncomplicated acute appendicitis improved significantly with antibiotic treatment, with 93% showing improvement within 24 hours. The research suggests that antibiotics may be a successful alternative to surgery for this condition.
A team-based approach suggests balancing surgical and non-surgical treatment options with the patient's values and goals. High-risk senior patients can benefit from informed choices among treatments, including no treatment.
A study analyzing national hospital data found a significant increase in postoperative cardiac surgery deaths at the 30-day mark, suggesting an unintended consequence of prioritizing this measurement. The researchers suggest that emphasizing 30-day survival as a key metric may lead to delayed end-of-life decisions and unnecessary treat...
Henry Ford Hospital has implemented a kidney transplant technique using new patient safety standards coordinated by the University of Oxford. The IDEAL framework was used to develop and test the minimally-invasive procedure, which successfully transplanted kidneys in 50 recipients.
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.
A worldwide study of 7,500 patients found that giving steroids during bypass surgery does not improve health outcomes and may increase the risk of heart attack. The study challenges a decades-long practice in cardiac surgery, suggesting that steroids should not be used prophylactically.
Childers has implemented a surgical safety checklist in South Carolina hospitals, reducing preventable readmissions and improving patient outcomes. The checklist's effective use can transform organizational culture and improve patient safety in operating rooms.
A new national analysis of trends and outcomes reveals that pancreatic cancer surgery remains under-utilized for patients with the deadly disease. Researchers identified factors associated with not receiving surgery in patients with localized pancreatic cancer, including age, race, and location.
A new study from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that preserving a fallopian tube following an ectopic pregnancy has no significant benefit for fertility prospects. The research, published in The Lancet, compared outcomes between two surgical treatments: salpingectomy and salpingotomy.
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.
Researchers developed chemical agents that bind and potentially remove the anti-coagulant heparin, improving patient care. The system is biodegradable, reducing the risk of side effects.
A study published in the Canadian Journal of Surgery found that helicopter transport significantly improves survival rates for trauma patients with severe injuries, reducing mortality rates compared to ground ambulance transport. The researchers attributed this improved outcome to advanced monitoring and equipment available in air ambu...
Boston Medical Center implemented a cost-effective approach to reduce audible alarms, resulting in a 89% decrease in cardiac monitor and telemetry alarms. The pilot study showed significant improvements in patient and clinician satisfaction, with increased time for direct care and interaction with patients.
De Vita is working with collaborative partners to determine the elastic and viscoelastic properties of uterosacral and cardinal ligaments. Her research could transform surgical reconstruction methods for female sufferers, establishing new guidelines and biocompatible grafts.
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.
The Illinois Surgical Quality Improvement Collaborative aims to reduce surgical complications, inpatient stays, readmission rates, and deaths by analyzing hospital practices and outcomes. By sharing data and best practices, hospitals can identify areas for improvement and develop effective solutions.
Researchers in Denmark investigated oral fluoroquinolone use and found no association with an increased risk of retinal detachment. The study analyzed data from a nationwide register and compared fluoroquinolone use to nonuse, concluding that current use would account for only 11 additional cases per 1,000,000 treatment episodes.
A multicenter clinical trial found similar patient outcomes one year after surgery for both mitral valve repair and replacement. However, mitral valve replacement was shown to be more durable than repair in preventing recurrence of mitral regurgitation.
Researchers at Henry Ford's Vattikuti Urology Institute found instances of ureteral injury in 6,442 patients who underwent robotic prostatectomy. Patient characteristics such as infection history, abdominal surgery, and enlarged prostate glands may forewarn such damage.
Researchers compared two surgical approaches for severe heart valve disease, including repair and replacement of the affected valve. The study found that after one year, there were similar outcomes between the two treatments, with some notable exceptions.
Researchers found no association between surgeon sleep deprivation and increased risk of complications, conversions to open operations, iatrogenic injuries, or patient death. The study suggests that surgeons can perform elective operations without compromising patient safety, even after operating the night before.
A study by LSU Health Sciences Center found that simulation-based operating room team training improved attitudes, behaviors, and performance among medical and nursing students. The training resulted in better clinical outcomes and increased patient safety.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization finds that mid-level health workers, such as midwives and nurses, can deliver clinical outcomes comparable to physicians in certain services. The research analyzed 53 studies conducted in 18 countries and suggests opportunities for all countries to exploit.
Elsevier has added Annals of Medicine and Surgery to its portfolio, publishing original research articles and review pieces for medical trainees. The online-only, open-access journal aims to engage and develop talents of those in medical training.
A study by Texas Children's Hospital found that infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who are born near a hospital with high-volume cardiac surgical centers have improved survival rates. Prenatal diagnosis is also crucial in reducing mortality.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University developed a hologram-like display of a patient's organs using molecular PET/CT images. This approach allows surgeons to plan surgery and visualize tumors in 3D, reducing complications and improving outcomes.
A study by Columbia University Medical Center researchers suggests that narrow-spectrum ultraviolet (UV) light could dramatically reduce surgical wound infections. The researchers found that 207-nm UV light was as effective at killing MRSA bacteria as a conventional UV lamp, but resulted in less damage to human skin cells.
A new study suggests that using same-hospital readmission rates as a benchmark for surgical quality outcomes is misleading. The researchers found that nearly half of hospitals reclassify when switching to all-hospital readmissions rankings, highlighting the need for access to real-time data.
A new study by American College of Surgeons found that appendectomy patients who undergo surgery on weekends do not experience more postoperative complications compared to weekday patients. However, they pay $419 more in hospital charges on average. The study analyzed nearly 826,000 appendectomies performed between 2006 and 2009.
A new study challenges the use of post-operative blood clot rates as a hospital quality measure, citing surveillance bias that can lead to inaccurate results. The study found that hospitals with higher imaging rates for VTE detection actually had better adherence to prevention measures and unexpectedly higher risk-adjusted VTE rates.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine estimated the total annual costs for five major health care-associated infections (HAIs) at $9.8 billion. Surgical site infections were found to be the most costly HAIs, with central line-associated bloodstream infections coming in second.
A study published in JAMA found that early surgical correction of mitral valve regurgitation was associated with greater long-term survival and lower risk of heart failure compared to initial medical management. This is particularly true for patients without American College of Cardiology guideline class I triggers.
Researchers are testing a skull-based connector behind the ear for powering heart pumps, aiming to reduce infections at the abdominal site. The study compares two similar devices with internal power cords routed through the neck or behind the ear, seeking better infection prevention and quality of life for patients
A new online interactive simulation platform has been shown to effectively train and assess surgical residents in various patient care scenarios. The study found significant gaps in performance between interns, junior and senior residents, and attendings, highlighting the need for improved training.
A recent study suggests that forced-air patient warming systems may affect airflow in operating rooms, potentially increasing exposure to bacteria and other contaminants during surgery. Conductive warming systems, on the other hand, do not disrupt ventilation airflows over the surgical site.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that melanoma recurrence 10 or more years after initial treatment occurs in over 6% of patients. Patients who experience late recurrences tend to live longer and have better survival rates compared to those whose cancer recurs within the first three years.
The Hartford Consensus aims to establish a shared, common terminology for first responders to improve victim care. The plan emphasizes bleeding control, law enforcement training, and local coordination of resources.
A novel graduate medical education initiative at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine enhances surgical residents' skills in quality improvement. The program, which began in 2008, teaches residents the fundamentals of QI theory and pairs them with process improvement mentors for hands-on projects.
A study from University of Michigan Health System reveals black patients in segregated areas are up to 96% more likely to have surgery at low-quality hospitals, living nearly twice as close to high-quality facilities as white patients. The results suggest separate but unequal hospitalization patterns exist, with potential solutions inc...
The Lotus Valve System demonstrated successful valve implantation in all 60 patients, meeting the primary device performance endpoint. The rate of moderate or greater aortic regurgitation decreased significantly, while mortality rates remained low.
A study of over 1.2 million patients found racial disparities in the initial treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, with African-Americans less likely to undergo surgery and Hispanics more likely to receive treatment. The disparities may contribute to recognized racial differences in cancer patient outcomes.
Researchers have found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces the production of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-B1), which promotes fibrosis in glaucoma surgery. The study suggests that inhibiting VEGF may reduce scar formation and improve surgical outcomes.
A new tool, the DCIS Score, complements traditional factors to predict IBE risk in women with DCIS treated without radiation. The score helps guide personalized treatment decisions.
Diagnostic errors accounted for the largest fraction of malpractice claims and the highest total payments, resulting in severe patient harm and death or disability almost twice as often as other error categories. The majority of diagnostic errors were missed diagnoses, with outpatient care being more common than inpatient care.
A study of 32,383 participants found that prolonged surgical delay after hip fracture significantly increases long-term mortality risk in older adults. The researchers suggested that early surgery may help mitigate this risk and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers found that combining fluoroscopy and CT scans reduces major complications during gastric tube insertion by nearly eliminating misplacement errors.
Researchers at Medstar Health and Georgetown University School of Medicine found that implementing a value-based analysis approach to preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients resulted in significant cost savings, with an estimated overall system-wide savings opportunity of $4 million. The study identified limiting the...
Researchers found that children and adults with genetic liver disorders have good chances of survival five years after a liver transplant. High survival rates also imply that liver transplantation is the best available treatment for these patients.
Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of visual impairment in people over 65, affecting over 9.1 million Americans. Regular screening by an ophthalmologist is critical for early detection and treatment.
Researchers found that most medical subspecialty practices are unable to accommodate patients who use wheelchairs, citing transfer issues as the primary barrier. A new study suggests hydrochlorothiazide may be a safer treatment option than chlorthalidone for elderly patients with hypertension, due to its lower risk of electrolyte imbal...
A Swedish study found significant heterogeneity in continence rates among patients after radical prostatectomy, suggesting that some receive suboptimal care. The research used multivariate models to evaluate surgeon variation and identified a negative correlation between potency and continence rates.
The PARTNER study found that transaortic valve replacement (TAVR) and open-heart surgery resulted in similar all-cause and cardiovascular mortality rates at three years, with no increased risk of stroke after 30 days. However, TAVR patients were more likely to experience leaks around the valve.
A University of Maryland study found that wearing a surgical mask can significantly reduce the release of infectious flu virus in even the smallest airborne droplets. The research provides new evidence on the importance of using masks to prevent the spread of influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations.