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Newly released research identifies cause of postoperative delirium in older patients

Newly published research from the Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ, explains why up to half of older adults who undergo general anesthesia develop postoperative delirium, which is the sudden onset of confusion, aggression, or agitated behavior that could progress to dementia. /p>

Anesthesia staff key to identifying children at risk for sleep-disordered breathing prior to surgery

Knowing which risks might come into play before or during surgery is especially important where children are concerned. Implementation of a screening questionnaire detailed in the August 2015 AANA Journal helps anesthesia professionals identify children with symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing before undergoing a general anesthetic.

Sleep apnea can pose malpractice risk

Surgical malpractice cases are increasingly citing obstructive sleep apnea as a factor in the patient injury, according to a new study.

Scopes still contaminated after cleaning, study shows

Potentially harmful bacteria can survive on endoscopes, despite a multi-step cleaning and disinfecting process, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.

FDA issues guidance on duodenoscope reprocessing

The Food and Drug Administration has released guidance on supplemental reprocessing measures that might further reduce the risk of infection associated with the use of duodenoscopes, according to the American Hospital Association.

Good Computer Logs are Critical for Detecting Breaches

A detailed record of who accessed data, when, and how often might be the only way an organization can trace the source of a HIPAA breach.

ASC worker, about to be fired, moves patient files to personal email

An employee figured out that she was about to be fired by her surgery center. She responded by sending about 170 emails from her work computer to her personal email account. Those emails included personal information for 317 patients, including some highly sensitive files for in vitro fertilization patients.

ECG Review: Is There Complete AV Block?

The simultaneously-recorded 3-lead rhythm strip in the figure was obtained from a 75-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with syncope. She was diagnosed as being in complete (third-degree) AV block. Do you agree with this interpretation?

Clinical Briefs

Treating symptomatic venous thromboembolism with warfarin; extending the window of anticoagulation after pulmonary embolus; and stroke accelerates long-term process of cognitive decline.

Sacubitril and Valsartan Tablets (Entresto)

A new option for heart failure incorporates two drugs with different mechanisms of action.