Search Tag: Surgery

2015 21 Aug

New research shows that listening to live or recorded music reduces anxiety for women undergoing surgical breast biopsies for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The findings are from a two year study conducted with 207 patients.  "We discovered that anxiety levels dropped significantly from pre-test to post-test in patients who heard one preferred song...Read more

2015 02 Aug

There are significant cost-saving opportunities in the management of operating room inventory if surgeons agree to standardise supplies used to perform surgical procedures. However, since there is very little incentive for surgeons to participate in such decisions as the benefits of such cost-saving is realised by the hospital and not the practitioner,...Read more

2015 18 Jul

Two new web sites provide "ratings" of surgeons based on analysis of data on surgical complications rates and patient outcomes. These ratings are intended to help patients and their families in finding the right surgeon for an operation. SurgeonRatings.org , run by the nonprofit Consumers' Checkbook/Center for the Study of Services, only lists surgeons...Read more

2015 14 Jul

A retrospective study published online in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that work hour restrictions for resident physician, revised in 2011 mainly to reduce fatigue-related errors, have not decreased postoperative complication rates in several common surgical specialities. "Our finding suggests the ACGME reform is not meeting...Read more

2015 14 Jun

While guidelines from professional associations have sought to discourage use of certain preoperative tests considered to be of low value and high cost, there have been no significant changes over a 14-year period in the rates of several kinds of these pre-surgical tests. The findings are from a new study by researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center...Read more

2015 29 Apr

According to a major international study published in The Lancet , two thirds of the world's population have no access to basic surgery and anaesthesia — more than double the number in previous estimates. This means millions of people are dying from treatable conditions like appendicitis, fractures, or obstructed labour. The study shows that five...Read more

2015 22 Feb

A study has developed a new scoring system that helps physicians identify patients’ risks of chronic pain after surgery. Researchers needed to predict this risk at the time when surgery is being planned. Hence, they created a new planning tool that they could use prior to surgery. This is a crucial stage when doctors plan measures to be taken to prevent...Read more

2015 19 Feb

Patients over the age of 65 who need surgical treatment for traumatic injuries benefit from early consultation with a geriatrician, according to an article in press in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons . Since older patients struggle with different difficulties following traumatic injury, including cognitive functioning, family support...Read more

2015 18 Feb

An international study suggests that a simple-to-use patient questionnaire can help doctors measure the risk of disability in patients following surgery and should be used as an outcomes measure in perioperative studies. Results of the multicentre study are reported in Anesthesiology , the official medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists...Read more

2015 08 Feb

Hospital readmissions present a major challenge for administrators working to reduce costs and improve care quality metrics. It is not only chronic medical conditions which can be problematic for hospitals wishing to avoid financial penalties for readmissions: many patients are readmitted with complications following surgical procedures. According...Read more

2015 06 Feb

Improved surgical outcomes are not related to the use of systems which capture and report postoperative metrics. Hospitals which participate in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) did not differ from non-NSQIP hospitals in terms of better surgical outcomes, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. The report appears in the Journal...Read more

2015 11 Jan

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has launched an initiative to increase its member base by drawing the next generation of young surgeons. The “Realize the Potential of Your Profession” campaign will promote the value of ACS fellowship throughout a surgeon’s career, from leadership support for surgical residents and continuing through retirement....Read more

2014 10 Dec

The first study of its kind by UCLA researchers has found that despite the fact that more than half of prostate cancer patients 66 years of age and older have life expectancies of less than ten years, half of them are over-treated for prostate cancer with surgery, radiation or brachytherapy. National guidelines recommend that men with life expectancy of...Read more

2014 30 Sep

A new working time model has been proposed by researchers at the University of Heidelberg which may improve patient care quality by avoiding the dangers of rotating work shifts, such as a loss of care continuity, and by ensuring adequate surgical training hours for residents. The new model, which is compliant with the European Working Time Directive...Read more

2014 18 Jul

Internationally renowned surgeon Angelita Habr-Gama, MD, PhD, has been named the 2014 ASTRO Honorary Member by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).   This is the highest honour awarded by ASTRO and Dr. Habr Gama has been selected from many distinguished cancer researchers, scientists and leaders. The Award will be presented...Read more

2014 03 Feb

AVAflex Vertebral Balloon System Enables Targeted Balloon Placement CareFusion, a leading global medical technology company, has announced it recently received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new AVAflex Vertebral Balloon System. The new system is the latest innovation in CareFusion’s AVAmax Advanced...Read more

2013 14 Nov

The legendary Queen Victoria Hospital in Ease Grinstead has recently undergone a major redesign of its surgical facilities, developing 10 new operating theatres within a new purposely-refurbished unit to better assist patients suffering from injuries or disfigurement following accidents or disease. As a leading specialist centre for maxillofacial,...Read more

2013 19 Apr

Surgical Review Corporation (SRC) and the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA) have announced the joint development of a global Center of Excellence in Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (COERALS) programme. Consistent with the quality and safety ideals held by both organisations, this designation programme will identify, cultivate, support...Read more