News
North Shore-LIJ Extends Use Of Third-Party Remote Video Auditing Into ORs
May 30, 2013 3:35 pm | CommentsThe North Shore-LIJ Health System is expanding a first-of-its-kind video monitoring system used to measure hand-washing compliance at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, by introducing cameras in operating rooms at Forest Hills (NY) Hospital.
Mankato Surgeon Suing Own Clinic
May 29, 2013 10:53 am | by Dan Nienaber | CommentsThe lawsuit claims the clinic changed its rules for senior surgeons after he asked to have his hours reduced and to be taken off of on-call duties. It claims previous doctors were allowed to reduce their workloads and stop being on call between the ages of 55 and 60 while maintaining benefits.
Policy Makes Lung Transplant Out Of Reach For 10-Year-Old
May 29, 2013 10:48 am | by Sydney Lupkin | CommentsIf Sarah Murnaghan were 12 years old, she would be at the top of the adult lung transplant list because she only has weeks to live and a lung transplant would as-good-as cure her of cystic fibrosis. But she's not 12, and if she doesn't get new lungs, she might not even make it to 11.
Renowned Sports Surgeon Lewis Yocum Dies At 65
May 29, 2013 10:43 am | by Beth Harris, AP Sports Writer | CommentsRenowned orthopedic surgeon Lewis Yocum, who extended the careers of many big leaguers by repairing injuries that once would've ended their playing days, has died. He was 65. Yocum had been the team orthopedist of the Los Angeles Angels for 36 years.
More Deaths From Surgery Closer To The Weekend
May 29, 2013 10:36 am | CommentsPatients undergoing planned surgery appear more likely to die if they have their operation at the end of the week. The mortality rate was lowest for patients having operations on Monday, and increased for each subsequent day of the week. The odds of death were 44 percent higher for operations on a Friday than a Monday.
Tucson Surgeon First In Arizona To Offer Spider Sleeve For Weight Loss
May 28, 2013 11:51 am | CommentsDr. Patrick Chiasson is using the SPIDER Surgical System to perform the weight-loss procedure through a small incision made near the patient’s belly button – resulting in a virtually invisible scar. He also is using the novel platform to perform a single-incision cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal.
Survey: Most Physicians Need Multiple Sensors In Surgery
May 28, 2013 11:29 am | CommentsA survey of anesthesia educators and investigators at the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS) found that existing pulse oximetry sensors have significant limitations that hamper their reliability. The survey also found that fingertip sensors can be problematic.
Should You Stop Blood Thinners Before Surgery?
May 28, 2013 11:12 am | CommentsPeople who have had a stroke often take blood thinners such as aspirin or warfarin to prevent another stroke. Blood thinners are also used to prevent a first stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular or fast heartbeat. Blood thinners can prevent blood clots from forming that can cause strokes. These drugs also can increase the risk of bleeding, which is especially a concern when someone is having a procedure or operation.
Mom's Obesity Surgery May Help Break Cycle In Kids
May 28, 2013 10:52 am | by Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer | CommentsObese mothers tend to have kids who become obese. Now provocative research suggests weight-loss surgery may help break that unhealthy cycle in an unexpected way — by affecting how their children's genes behave. In a first-of-a-kind study, Canadian researchers tested children born to obese women, plus their brothers and sisters who were conceived after the mother had obesity surgery.
Aspirin-Triggered Resolvin Protects Against Cognitive Decline After Surgery
May 28, 2013 10:48 am | CommentsIn a new study, researchers at Karolinska Institutet describe how resolvins could protect against the cognitive impairment that often affects recovery of surgical and critically ill patients. The study adds new knowledge on how peripheral surgery affects the brain and neuronal function contributing to the processes of cognitive decline.
Doctors And Hospitals’ Use Of Health IT More Than Doubles Since 2012
May 24, 2013 11:32 am | CommentsHHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that more than half of all doctors and other eligible providers have received Medicare or Medicaid incentive payments for adopting or meaningfully using electronic health records (EHRs). HHS has met and exceeded its goal for 50 percent of doctor offices and 80 percent of eligible hospitals to have EHRs by the end of 2013.
Two-Day Worker Walkout Ends At California Hospitals
May 24, 2013 11:21 am | CommentsA two-day strike by University of California hospital workers ended on Thursday, with both sides claiming victory even though there was no resolution to a contract dispute involving staffing and pensions. The University of California said the vast majority of union workers had crossed picket lines to work at hospitals in several areas of the state.
OK To Discharge ICD Patients On Same Day
May 24, 2013 10:54 am | by Chris Kaiser | CommentsSame-day discharge for patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is safe, feasible, and cost-effective, a retrospective study found. There were no cardiac events, rehospitalizations, or procedure-related complications at 24 hours post-discharge for the 198 (79 percent) of 254 outpatients who had successful same-day discharge.
Intuitive Surgical Wins Jury Trial In Negligence Case
May 24, 2013 10:45 am | CommentsIntuitive Surgical prevailed in a civil lawsuit that accused it of negligence in its training of doctors using the company's surgical robot machines, a victory as it looks to counter criticisms that its da Vinci machines are unsafe and too costly. The suit, had sought $8.45 million in compensatory damages in connection to the death of Fred Taylor, who had his prostate gland removed with a da Vinci robot in 2008 and died four years later.
Stroke Costs To Double by 2030, Groups Say
May 22, 2013 1:06 pm | by Crystal Phend | CommentsThe rising prevalence of stroke in an aging population is likely to more than double the cost of stroke care over the next two decades, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association warned. Total annual costs, including the price of lost productivity, were estimated to rise 129 percent to $240.67 billion by 2030.
