The Cutting Edge
News for the OR Professional
The Cutting Edge is a bi-weekly e-newsletter focused on news that directly impacts OR professionals. The content is compiled and circulated by Surgical Information Systems (SIS) as a complimentary service to the online surgical community. If you would like to receive The Cutting Edge we will happily send each issue directly to your inbox.
Click here to join The Cutting Edge email distribution list.
Current Issue
The Cutting Edge Newsletter (August 20, 2010)
News for the OR Professional
Published by Surgical Information Systems
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Anxiety About Undergoing Anesthesia May Lead One In Four Patients To Postpone Surgery
- Study Examines Hospital Complication Rates of Bariatric Surgery
- Heart Bypass Surgery Death Rates Drop Sharply
- Use Of Surgically-Implanted Antibiotic Sponge Does Not Reduce Rate Of Sternal Wound Infections
- Size of Heart and Gender Matter in Transplants
- (General Healthcare) Medical Errors Cost the U.S. $19.5 Billion in 2008
- (General Healthcare) Study Finds High Rate of Burnout in Medical Students
****************
Anxiety About Undergoing Anesthesia May Lead One In Four Patients To Postpone Surgery
Lack of understanding and apprehension about anesthesia may lead as many as one in four patients to postpone surgery according to the Vital Health Report, a quarterly health survey of Americans released by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). More than 75 percent of Vital Health Report respondents expressed concern about the use of anesthesia during surgery, yet this fear of anesthesia does not match actual patient experiences. The Vital Health Report also found that there is a surprising lack of knowledge about anesthesia. Nearly 40 percent of Vital Health Report respondents incorrectly believe that being under general anesthesia is the same as being asleep, while 17 percent of those surveyed mistakenly think that general anesthesia numbs a small area of the body without altering a patient's awareness. In actuality, a patient is unconscious while under general anesthesia and has no awareness or other sensations. (ASA – August 4, 2010)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196720.php
Lack of understanding and apprehension about anesthesia may lead as many as one in four patients to postpone surgery according to the Vital Health Report, a quarterly health survey of Americans released by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). More than 75 percent of Vital Health Report respondents expressed concern about the use of anesthesia during surgery, yet this fear of anesthesia does not match actual patient experiences. The Vital Health Report also found that there is a surprising lack of knowledge about anesthesia. Nearly 40 percent of Vital Health Report respondents incorrectly believe that being under general anesthesia is the same as being asleep, while 17 percent of those surveyed mistakenly think that general anesthesia numbs a small area of the body without altering a patient's awareness. In actuality, a patient is unconscious while under general anesthesia and has no awareness or other sensations. (ASA – August 4, 2010)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196720.php
Study Examines Hospital Complication Rates of Bariatric Surgery
An examination of hospital complication rates of bariatric surgery for more than 15,000 patients in Michigan finds that the frequency of serious complications is relatively low and is inversely associated with hospital and surgeon procedural volume, according to a study in the July 28 issue of JAMA. With rates of bariatric surgery increasing over the last decade, it has become the second most common abdominal operation in the United States. "Despite trends toward declining mortality rates, payers and patient advocacy groups remain concerned about the safety of bariatric surgery and uneven quality across hospitals," the authors write. The study involved 25 hospitals, 62 surgeons statewide and data from a clinical outcomes registry. The researchers evaluated short-term morbidity in 15,275 Michigan patients undergoing 1 of 3 common bariatric procedures between 2006 and 2009, and used various analytic tools to assess variation in risk-adjusted complication rates across hospitals and the association with procedure volume and COE designation status. (JAMA – July 28, 2010)
More at http://www.physorg.com/news199430476.html
An examination of hospital complication rates of bariatric surgery for more than 15,000 patients in Michigan finds that the frequency of serious complications is relatively low and is inversely associated with hospital and surgeon procedural volume, according to a study in the July 28 issue of JAMA. With rates of bariatric surgery increasing over the last decade, it has become the second most common abdominal operation in the United States. "Despite trends toward declining mortality rates, payers and patient advocacy groups remain concerned about the safety of bariatric surgery and uneven quality across hospitals," the authors write. The study involved 25 hospitals, 62 surgeons statewide and data from a clinical outcomes registry. The researchers evaluated short-term morbidity in 15,275 Michigan patients undergoing 1 of 3 common bariatric procedures between 2006 and 2009, and used various analytic tools to assess variation in risk-adjusted complication rates across hospitals and the association with procedure volume and COE designation status. (JAMA – July 28, 2010)
More at http://www.physorg.com/news199430476.html
Heart Bypass Surgery Death Rates Drop Sharply
The proportion of patients who died in the hospital after having heart bypass surgery fell from 42 deaths per 1,000 admissions for the procedure to 24 per 1,000—a rate of 43 percent between 2000 and 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Rural hospitals experienced the greatest improvement (92 percent), although their rate of 38 deaths per 1,000 admissions was still higher than for other hospitals. Suburban hospitals near large metropolitan areas had the lowest rate (21 per 1,000 admissions). The Federal agency also found that in 2006, the heart bypass surgery death rate for women remained higher (35 per 1,000 admissions) than for men (20 per 1,000 admissions). (AHRQ – August 4, 2010)
More at http://www.ahrq.gov/news/nn/nn080410.htm
The proportion of patients who died in the hospital after having heart bypass surgery fell from 42 deaths per 1,000 admissions for the procedure to 24 per 1,000—a rate of 43 percent between 2000 and 2006, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Rural hospitals experienced the greatest improvement (92 percent), although their rate of 38 deaths per 1,000 admissions was still higher than for other hospitals. Suburban hospitals near large metropolitan areas had the lowest rate (21 per 1,000 admissions). The Federal agency also found that in 2006, the heart bypass surgery death rate for women remained higher (35 per 1,000 admissions) than for men (20 per 1,000 admissions). (AHRQ – August 4, 2010)
More at http://www.ahrq.gov/news/nn/nn080410.htm
Use Of Surgically-Implanted Antibiotic Sponge Does Not Reduce Rate Of Sternal Wound Infections
Contradicting previous study results, insertion of a sponge that contains the antibiotic gentamicin at the time of surgical closure following cardiac surgery did not reduce the rate of sternal wound infections after 3 months, compared to patients who did not receive the intervention, according to a study in the August 18 issue of JAMA. "Despite the use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics, postoperative sternal wound infection continues to be a serious problem after cardiac surgical procedures, especially in the increasing population of patients with diabetes and/or obesity. Sternal wound infection is associated with significant suffering, additional expense, lengthened hospital stay, and increased mortality," the authors write. The gentamicin-collagen sponge, a surgically implantable topical antibiotic, is currently approved in 54 countries, and to date, more than 2 million sponges have been used to treat more than 1 million patients outside the United States across a broad range of clinical indications. (JAMA – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198172.php
Contradicting previous study results, insertion of a sponge that contains the antibiotic gentamicin at the time of surgical closure following cardiac surgery did not reduce the rate of sternal wound infections after 3 months, compared to patients who did not receive the intervention, according to a study in the August 18 issue of JAMA. "Despite the use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics, postoperative sternal wound infection continues to be a serious problem after cardiac surgical procedures, especially in the increasing population of patients with diabetes and/or obesity. Sternal wound infection is associated with significant suffering, additional expense, lengthened hospital stay, and increased mortality," the authors write. The gentamicin-collagen sponge, a surgically implantable topical antibiotic, is currently approved in 54 countries, and to date, more than 2 million sponges have been used to treat more than 1 million patients outside the United States across a broad range of clinical indications. (JAMA – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/198172.php
Size of Heart and Gender Matter in Transplants
When it comes to heart transplants, it’s the size of the heart that matters, a study on survival rates after such surgery shows. The 20-year German study on 1,000 transplants showed that men who receive donor hearts from women have worse survival rates than women receiving male hearts. Women who receive hearts from other women have the best results of all, according to the study by researchers at a Munich-affiliated hospital. Dr. Ingo Kaczmarek, a cardiac surgeon at University Hospital Grosshadern, said in an interview that it had already been known that women live six to 10 years longer than men after heart transplant surgery. That’s because they are more conscientious than men about taking the required post-transplant immunosuppression medications. (Vancouver Sun – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.canada.com/health/Size+heart+gender+matter+transplants/3415467/story.html
When it comes to heart transplants, it’s the size of the heart that matters, a study on survival rates after such surgery shows. The 20-year German study on 1,000 transplants showed that men who receive donor hearts from women have worse survival rates than women receiving male hearts. Women who receive hearts from other women have the best results of all, according to the study by researchers at a Munich-affiliated hospital. Dr. Ingo Kaczmarek, a cardiac surgeon at University Hospital Grosshadern, said in an interview that it had already been known that women live six to 10 years longer than men after heart transplant surgery. That’s because they are more conscientious than men about taking the required post-transplant immunosuppression medications. (Vancouver Sun – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.canada.com/health/Size+heart+gender+matter+transplants/3415467/story.html
***GENERAL HEALTHCARE Articles***
Medical Errors Cost the U.S. $19.5 Billion in 2008
Medical errors cost the United States $19.5 billion in 2008, with approximately $17 billion of these costs associated with a direct increase in the medical costs of providing inpatient, outpatient and prescription drug services to individuals affected by medical errors. That’s according to a study sponsored by the Society of Actuaries entitled “The Economic Measurement of Medical Errors.” The study also identified increases in indirect costs of approximately $1.4 billion related to increased mortality rates among individuals who experienced medical errors and approximately $1.1 billion related to lost productivity due to related short-term disability claims. (Society of Actuaries – August 2010)
More at http://www.aorn.org/News/August2010News/NEWS
Study Finds High Rate of Burnout in Medical Students
More than 40 percent of third-year medical students have symptoms of moderate to severe burnout, according to a study in the August Southern Medical Journal, official journal of the Southern Medical Association. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy. The new results suggest that the common problem of burnout in doctors may start as early as the first year of medical school. "Burnout progressively develops over the course of medical education, while high support and less stress decrease burnout," concludes the study by Dr. Sally A. Santen and colleagues of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. (Southern Medical Journal – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.wolterskluwer.com/WK/Press/Latest+News/2010/Aug/pr18Aug10b.htm
More than 40 percent of third-year medical students have symptoms of moderate to severe burnout, according to a study in the August Southern Medical Journal, official journal of the Southern Medical Association. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy. The new results suggest that the common problem of burnout in doctors may start as early as the first year of medical school. "Burnout progressively develops over the course of medical education, while high support and less stress decrease burnout," concludes the study by Dr. Sally A. Santen and colleagues of Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. (Southern Medical Journal – August 18, 2010)
More at http://www.wolterskluwer.com/WK/Press/Latest+News/2010/Aug/pr18Aug10b.htm
****************
As an industry leading provider of perioperative software solutions, Surgical Information Systems (SIS) is pleased to offer The Cutting Edge as a free service to surgical professionals. Learn more about SIS at www.SISFirst.com, or access archived issues of this newsletter at www.SISFirst.com/TheCuttingEdge. Thank you for reading!