Patient & Staff Safety
Johns Hopkins Rewrites Blood-Ordering Rules For Surgical Patients
May 22, 2013 1:02 pm | News | CommentsJohns Hopkins researchers have developed new guidelines — the first in more than 35 years — to govern the amount of blood ordered for surgical patients. The recommendations, based on a lengthy study of blood use at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), can potentially save the medical center more than $200,000 a year and improve patient safety, researchers say.
Intuitive Robotic Surgery Case Goes To Jury
May 22, 2013 12:58 pm | News | CommentsLawyers for the estate of Fred Taylor seek $8.45 million in damages based on claims that Intuitive is mostly to blame for his injuries stemming from a 2008 robot-assisted removal of his prostate gland. Taylor and his family allege he suffered because of Intuitive’s inadequate training that was streamlined and compromised by the company’s push to sell its robots.
Surgery Offers Mixed Benefits For Kids' Sleep Apnea
May 22, 2013 12:55 pm | News | CommentsA new study has confirmed that removing the tonsils and adenoids of children with obstructive sleep apnea can reduce sleepiness and improve the quality of life, but putting off the surgery might not hurt either. The findings found that after seven months, surgery improved many gauges of everyday living.
The Pink Pad
May 22, 2013 12:28 pm | Product Releases | CommentsThe Pink Pad - Pigazzi Positioning System from Xodus Medical is designed to mold to the patient's body, providing stability and maintaining patient position throughout the procedure. Its for single patient use, and it decreases potential cross contamination with reusables.
The Traps Of Treating Pain
May 22, 2013 12:22 pm | by Abagail Zuger, M.D. | Blogs | CommentsDoctors hate pain. Let me count the ways. We hate it because we are (mostly) kindhearted and hate to see people suffer. We hate it because it is invisible, cannot be measured or monitored, and varies wildly and unpredictably from person to person. We hate it because it can drag us closer to the perilous zones of illegal practice than any other complaint.
Delayed Transfer To The ICU Increases Risk Of Death In Hospital Patients
May 21, 2013 10:33 am | News | CommentsDelayed transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) in hospitalized patients significantly increases the risk of dying in the hospital, according to a new study from researchers in Chicago. The study included 2,166 patients at an academic hospital who were transferred from medical-surgical wards to the ICU. Of these patients, 425 (20 percent) died during admission.
New Study Shows Full Spectrum Endoscopy Procedure Reduces The 'Miss Rate' of Adenomas During Colonoscopy
May 20, 2013 1:09 pm | News | CommentsAlthough colonoscopy exams prevent many colon cancer deaths and are considered the most sensitive method for detecting colorectal cancers, the procedure is not completely effective in preventing cancer cases. EndoChoice Inc. today unveiled research that shows that its new Fuse system significantly improves the accuracy of this procedure and greatly reduces the number of adenomas missed by colonoscopists.
Fewer Kids Dying While Waiting For New Organs
May 20, 2013 10:53 am | by Kathleen Struck | News | CommentsFewer children died waiting for organ transplants in the past decade after policy changes to the national organ allocation system, researchers stated. The number of children dying before they could receive a transplant dramatically decreased from 262 to 110 as pediatric transplants increased from 2001 to 2010.
MRI Predicts Failing MoM Hip Implants
May 20, 2013 10:48 am | by Salynn Boyles | News | CommentsSynovial volume as measured by MRI is highly predictive of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant failure in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, a study has found. The findings suggest MRI may be useful for identifying patients who need revision surgery long before symptoms occur and significant tissue damage takes place.
Source Of Infection Affects Hospital Mortality In Septic Shock Patients In The ICU
May 20, 2013 10:29 am | News | CommentsIn ICU patients who have septic shock, the anatomic source of infection has a strong effect on the chances of survival, according to a new study from researchers in Canada. Understanding the local infection source in patients with septic shock may influence treatment strategies and clinical outcomes.
Medical Mistakes Occur At All Levels Of Care
May 20, 2013 9:25 am | by Itzhak Brook, M.D. | Blogs | CommentsI was not aware how common these errors are until I became a patient myself after being diagnosed with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. I am sharing my personal experiences about the medical and surgical errors that occurred during my hospitalizations at three different hospitals. My inability to speak after surgery made it difficult for me to prevent all of these mistakes. Fortunately, I was able to abort many of them.
New Study Reports Key Findings For ABThera Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy System
May 17, 2013 1:36 pm | News | CommentsKinetic Concepts, Inc. announced today that ABThera Open Abdomen Negative Pressure Therapy System (ABThera OA NPT) was associated with significantly improved patient outcomes compared to traditional Barker’s vacuum-packing technique (BVPT) in trauma and surgical patients studied.
Tissue Damage From Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants Appears Before Pain Symptoms Appear
May 17, 2013 10:34 am | News | CommentsMetal-on-metal hip implants can cause inflammation of the joint lining (synovitis) long before symptoms appear, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to identify this inflammation, according to a new study. The study, which appears in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, demonstrates that MRI can be used to identify implants that are going to fail before people become symptomatic.
S.A.F.E.
May 17, 2013 10:01 am | by Steris | Steris Corporation | Product Releases | CommentsSteris offers the new S.A.F.E. Situational Awareness for Everyone Display. It is designed to provide automatic access to key patient information from diverse IT systems – laboratory, radiology, medical records, allergies, and more – within the operating room. It provides a dynamic view of clinical information on a dedicated, easy to read display to optimize clinical decision making and patient safety.
Surgical Residents Bemoan Work Hour Limits
May 17, 2013 9:22 am | by Kathleen Struck | Articles | CommentsEfforts to reduce residents' sleep deprivation and stress with mandatory reductions in work hours have not been popular with hospital attending staff, and now a new survey suggests that the rules are equally unpopular among the residents themselves.
Hysterectomy Does Not Raise Heart Risk
May 15, 2013 11:21 am | by Todd Neale | News | CommentsWomen who have a hysterectomy with or without removal of the ovaries in mid-life do not appear to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, researchers found. Changes in various cardiovascular risk factors over time were largely similar when comparing women going through natural menopause and those undergoing hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy.
New Blood Test Finds Allergies Before Implant Surgery
May 15, 2013 11:07 am | News | CommentsImagine what Paula Spurlock must have been going through. Shortly after having a hip replaced in 2011, the trouble started. "I had horrible itching, really bad migraines and intense pain throughout my body," she said. "I couldn't take it. Every single thing in me itched." After many months and several trips to specialists, Spurlock was told it could be anything from food allergies to her medication.
Let's Move Forward
May 15, 2013 10:13 am | by Mike Schmidt, Editor, Surgical Products | Blogs | CommentsI hope that the FDA’s efforts investigate robotic surgery will not slow or dissuade brilliant individuals and forward-thinking companies from developing more useful solutions for the operating room. I have no desire to see hospitals, surgeons, and OR staff members balk at these solutions in favor of re-embracing traditional or old-fashioned practices and attitudes.
The Alarming Statistics Related To Medical Misdiagnosis
May 14, 2013 2:56 pm | by CBS News | Videos | CommentsThe journal of the American Medical Association says approximately 150,000 Americans are misdiagnosed every year. And one-in-three patients die or are debilitated. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips reports on this disturbing study.
Wrong Kidney Removed At Mount Sinai Medical Center
May 14, 2013 10:30 am | by Ryan Jaslow | News | CommentsA 76-year-old man had the wrong kidney removed by a surgeon at a prominent New York City Hospital, officials confirmed Friday. A surgeon at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City has been relieved of his duties at the hospital after removing the wrong kidney from the man who had been on dialysis because of two diseased kidneys.
OR Noise Can Have Disruptive Effect On Surgeon's Auditory Processing Abilities
May 13, 2013 10:38 am | News | CommentsAmbient background noise-whether it is the sound of loud surgical equipment, talkative team members, or music-is a patient and surgical safety factor that can affect auditory processing among surgeons and the members of their team in the operating room (OR), according to a new study.
HoverSling Combination Transfer & Lift Device
May 13, 2013 10:00 am | by HoverTech International | HoverTech International | Product Releases | CommentsHoverTech International introduces a next generation patient handling solution: the HoverSling Combination Transfer & Lift Device for lateral transfers, repositioning, turning, and vertical lifting. The HoverSling streamlines patient handling tasks by reducing the time and money spent using multiple products, while creating a more comfortable transfer for patients.
Cryoablation May Not Need Full Anesthesia
May 10, 2013 11:47 am | News | CommentsGeneral anesthesia may not be necessary during cryoablation procedures for atrial fibrillation, a small study suggested. Conscious sedation with dexmedetomidine (Precedex) plus some fentanyl and midazolam (Versed) was enough to keep patients comfortable through the procedure without any recollection afterward of the painful phrenic nerve pacing involved.
Woman Can't Walk After Wrong-Site Surgery
May 9, 2013 10:33 am | by NBC News | Videos | CommentsA Missouri woman is left unable to walk or talk after surgeons operate on the wrong side of her brain. This video reports on a lawsuit that has been filed accusing the hospital and doctor of medical malpractice. It's a pretty serious situation, and one that serves as a valuable lesson to healthcare professionals.
Thoracic Endografts Used To Remove Tumors Invading The Aorta
May 8, 2013 10:39 am | News | CommentsTumors have the potential to grow locally and invade neighboring organs. Some chest tumors may invade one of the great vessels of the body, the aorta. Surgical removal of these tumors is very challenging and necessitates the support of a heart-lung machine. Therefore there is an increased risk of complication and death.
