When will physicians stop ordering unnecessary preop tests?

Routine preoperative testing before elective surgery can cause anxiety for patients, delays or cancellations of procedures, expenses, and even potential harm when the results are false-negative or false-positive, says Girish P. Joshi, MBBS, MD, FFARCSI, professor of anesthesiology and pain management, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Multifaceted intervention associated with modest decrease in surgical site infections

Implementation of a pre-surgical intervention that included screening for the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, treating patients who were positive for this bacteria, and the administration of antibiotics based on these culture results was associated with a modest reduction in S. aureus surgical site infections.

Incorrect CPT codes lead to incorrect estimates and sometimes write-offs

In the second of a two-part series on price estimates, we discuss factors that can lead to incorrect estimates.

Are you prepared to convert to ICD-10?

In preparation for the conversion to ICD-10, the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases, you should “review and compare current ICD-9 reimbursement policies for both your commercial and Medicare payers,” according to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

How does human behavior lead to surgical errors? Mayo Clinic researchers count the ways

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic identified 69 never events among 1.5 million invasive procedures performed over five years and detailed why each occurred.

The key to reducing pain in surgery might already be in your hand

Imagine a hand-held electronic device — accessible, portable, and nearly universal — that could reduce pain and discomfort for patients, and allow doctors the freedom to use less powerful and potentially risky medications to complement anesthesia.

Heart patients can stop blood thinners when undergoing elective surgery

Patients with atrial fibrillation who stopped taking blood thinners before they had elective surgery had no higher risk of developing blood clots and less risk of major bleeding compared to patients who were given a “bridge” therapy, according to research led by Duke Medicine.

Management woes in the outpatient surgery field

There is something happening in the surgical industry that isn’t restricted to ambulatory surgery centers, but includes hospitals as well.

Paper, storage costs plummet with e-signatures

More than 60,000 pieces of paper each month no longer need to be printed, copied, and stored in offsite record storage locations, due to electronic signatures being implemented in registration areas at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Stuffed animals bring bacteria to OR

Despite efforts to minimize risk of infection after surgery, surgical site infections have not been completely eliminated.

ASC-8 reporting deadline moved

CMS has extended the reporting deadline for quality reporting measure ASC-8 Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel until Aug. 15, 2015, the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association says.

August 1, 2015