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Nursing advocacy can be key in reducing SSIs

Attendees at a past Association of periOperative Registered Nurses meeting described how better advocacy and updated evidence-based protocols could reduce surgical site infections in colon and hysterectomy procedures. Antimicrobial stewardship practices, better interdisciplinary communication and colorectal prevention bundles had a significant effect on patient safety, they noted. Researcher Claudia Chanes, MSN-Ed, RN, shared more on the topic in a video presentation. Infection Control Today (2/12) Learn More

Researchers warn about influenza D virus risks

Influenza D is a relatively new virus that has infected cattle and other species worldwide and potentially poses a threat to human health, but research on the virus has been limited. Like influenza A, IDV can reassort, antibodies to the virus have been found in farm workers, and human respiratory tract cells are susceptible to it. “What appears today as a quiet livestock virus could, with little warning, ignite the next influenza pandemic," researchers wrote in a study posted on bioRxiv prior to peer review. Science (2/19) Learn More

Primary care tied to better outcomes in hemodialysis patients

Patients who were receiving in-center hemodialysis and had visits with a primary care clinician had lower rates of all-cause, cardiovascular-related and infection-related mortality, researchers reported in Kidney Medicine. Those who had at least one primary care visit were four times more likely to have another visit, but data show primary care is underutilized in dialysis care. Healio (free registration) (2/19) Learn More

Patients in rural areas often bypass nearby hospitals

A study in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that 11.3% of patients traveled at least 10 miles beyond their nearest hospital for surgical care. However, this was associated with a 22% higher chance of presenting with more advanced disease and a 20% increased risk of hospital stays that went beyond six days. The study also found that patients who bypassed a nearby hospital for surgery had 48% reduced odds of being transferred to another hospital post-admission. Becker's Hospital Review (2/20) Learn More

How hospital closures threaten rural economies

More than 400 hospitals in rural areas of the US are at risk of closing, posing a threat not only to health care access but to the economic stability of these regions, panelists said at a ViVE meeting. Joe Dunn of the National Association of Community Health Centers noted that communities without hospitals are less attractive to employers, while Brian Hoerneman of Marshfield Clinic Health System and Gulshan Mehta of Blanchard Valley Health System pointed out that hospitals are often the largest employers in their regions. MedCity News (2/22) Learn More

FEMA delays COVID-19 reimbursements to hospitals

Hospitals nationwide are facing financial strain as the Federal Emergency Management Agency has delayed reimbursements for COVID-19 expenses dating to 2020. Lawmakers have expressed concern about the impact on hospitals' ability to manage costs and respond to public health needs, with Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., noting that the situation is exacerbated by a rule requiring that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem approve expenses of more than $100,000. NOTUS (2/19) Learn More

Breath-based diagnostic receives FDA breakthrough status

Breath Diagnostics has received FDA breakthrough device designation for its OneBreath platform, which assesses the risk of postoperative pneumonia in patients. The platform uses microchip reactor technology to capture biomarkers in breath samples for analysis. 360Dx (tiered subscription model) (2/19) Learn More

Cardiovascular Quality and Research News

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