Surgical quality and safety rely on institutional leadership, resources, and culture
CHICAGO (September 28, 2020): Hospital resources and infrastructure dedicated to improving quality and safety are essential for achieving safe and high-quality surgical outcomes. A comprehensive review of four key principles of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Quality Verification Program demonstrates the importance of an overall hospital culture of quality and safety, including top- and mid-level, quality-focused leadership and a committee dedicated to quality improvement.
New study documents increasing frequency, cost, and severity of gunshot wounds
CHICAGO (August 10, 2020): The rise in firearm violence has coincided with an increase in the severity of injuries firearms inflict as well as the cost of operations to treat those injuries; policy makers must be more aggressive in addressing violence to curb these trends, researchers report in a large national study of gunshot wounds.
Operation delays due to COVID-19 appear non-life-threatening for early-stage disease
CHICAGO (August 6, 2020): New study brings reassuring findings for women with early-stage breast cancer who delayed operations because of COVID-19 pandemic.
Gender bias in evaluating surgical residency faculty members may be decreasing
CHICAGO (July 10, 2020): Female surgeons teaching general surgery residents did not receive poorer average teaching evaluation scores than their male peers.
Targeting deep areas of the skeletal muscles effectively alleviates postoperative pain
CHICAGO (July 2, 2020): Researchers developed a new method of effective pain control to address postoperative muscle pain in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
A coordinated COVID-19 response helped western Washington state “flatten the curve”
CHICAGO (June 16, 2020): A panel of 26 experts analyzed western Washington’s response and identified six key factors that contributed to “flattening the curve” in the state.
Elastomeric masks provide a more durable, less costly option for health care workers
CHICAGO (June 12, 2020): A cost-effective strategy for health care systems to offset N95 mask shortages due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is to switch to reusable elastomeric respirator masks, according to new study results.
Pediatric scoring scale helps surgeons decide whether to operate during COVID-19 delays
CHICAGO (May 27, 2020): As health care providers observe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) affecting children differently than adults, pediatric surgeons in Chicago have modified an evaluation tool for use in pediatric patients that allows surgeons in every pediatric specialty to prioritize nonemergency (“elective”) operations during all phases of the pandemic.
Blood clotting abnormalities reveal COVID-19 patients at risk for thrombotic events
CHICAGO (May 15, 2020): Article highlights early research on blood clotting evaluation work that may help identify and treat dangerous complications of COVID-19.
New toolkit provides rapid implementation guide for adopting telemedicine during COVID-19
CHICAGO (May 1, 2020): A urology group in North Carolina developed a guide that enabled them to convert all in-person visits to telemedicine in three days.
Surgeons help create new process for disinfecting and reusing N95 masks
CHICAGO (April 28, 2020): Amid shortages of personal protective equipment due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a St. Louis health care system has implemented a process to disinfect disposable N95 respirator masks that allows health care workers to reuse their own mask for up to 20 cycles.
Medicaid expansion led to more insurance coverage and a higher rate of mammograms
CHICAGO (April 24, 2020): In states that chose to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, lower-income women now have access to mammograms at a higher rate.
Enhanced recovery is an improved, cost-effective approach for breast reconstruction
CHICAGO (April 22, 2020): The cost of perioperative care process for microvascular breast reconstruction is measured for first time using time-driven activity-based costing.
New scoring system empowers surgery departments to prioritize medically necessary operations that should not be delayed because of concerns about hospital resources or risk associated with COVID-19
CHICAGO (April 14, 2020): A team of investigators at the University of Chicago (Ill.), has devised a new scoring system that helps surgeons across surgical specialties decide when to proceed with medically necessary operations in the face of the resource constraints and increased risk posed by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Surgeons develop operation-triage plan to reduce operating room volume and manage health care resources during COVID-19 pandemic
CHICAGO (April 9, 2020): Within a month of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health treating its first patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Feb. 3, UCSF surgeons began formulating a plan to respond to the pandemic and help manage the health care system’s available resources.
New algorithm aims to protect surgical team members against infection with COVID-19
CHICAGO (April 6, 2020): Researchers from Stanford University’s department of surgery (Stanford, Calif.) have created an algorithm that aims to protect operating room team members who perform urgent and emergency operations from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and rationally conserve the personal protective equipment (PPE) they wear.
Critical care surgery team develops blueprint for essential operations during COVID-19
CHICAGO (March 30, 2020): As patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) flood hospitals, the health care system must not only determine how to redeploy limited resources and staff to care for them but must also make well-calculated decisions to provide other types of critical care. For surgeons, this type of critical care involves performing an emergency operation to treat a ruptured appendix or perforated colon—to both virus-exposed and non-exposed patients—while keeping both hospital personnel and non-exposed patients safe
Aggressive features in some small thyroid tumors increase the risk for metastasis
CHICAGO (March 6, 2020): Study findings support the need for new forms of preoperative testing to find high-risk tumors and thorough patient counseling about all treatment options.
Surgeons cut opioid prescriptions by 64 percent using a new multipronged program
CHICAGO (March 2, 2020): Surgeons in a large health-care system in central Texas implemented a pain management program that reduced longer-term opioid prescriptions by two-thirds.
The best preoperative definition of cancer-related malnutrition depends on cancer type
CHICAGO (February 26, 2020): The best approach for surgeons to identify malnourished cancer patients before they have a cancer operation may be specifically related to the type of cancer the patient has, according to researchers who found that common definitions of malnutrition do not apply equally to all cancers in assessment of preoperative risk.
Study examines why colon cancer is more deadly in pediatric and young adult patients
CHICAGO February 21, 2020): New research findings reveal the need for further investigation that may indicate why colon cancer is different in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Readmission risk increases for elderly patients with geriatric-specific characteristics
CHICAGO February 18, 2020): Researchers have examined new geriatric-specific characteristics that appear to raise the risk of elderly surgical patients having an unplanned hospital readmission.
Virtual crossmatching improves quality of life for kidney transplant patients
CHICAGO (January 31, 2020): Virtual crossmatching reduces waiting time for compatibility testing, eliminating the need for backup patients to come to the hospital unnecessarily, and expedites transplant surgery scheduling.
Online patient tool is associated with increased likelihood of receiving kidney transplant
CHICAGO (January 8, 2020): Taking a more active role in one’s own health is known to promote better outcomes, but it is especially critical for patients who are waiting for a kidney transplant.
Many Women Report Not Feeling Completely Informed about Breast Cancer Treatment Options
CHICAGO (Dec. 15, 2017): A web-based decision aid tool may help improve patients’ knowledge and mitigate the sense of urgency they feel when making treatment decisions.
Fewer Urinary Tract Infections Seen Postoperatively at ACS NSQIP®-Participating Hospitals
CHICAGO (December 1, 2017): New study of procedure-specific trends finds that most of 10 types of operations have improved rates of surgical site and bladder infections since 2008.
[ACS NSQIP® Quality Program]
Postsurgery Guideline Could Reduce Opioid Prescriptions by as Much as 40 Percent
CHICAGO (November 30, 2017): A more vigilant prescribing guideline for surgeons could reduce by as much as 40 percent the number of opioid pills prescribed after operations.
Surveillance Safe for Non-cancerous Breast Lesion Typically Treated Surgically
CHICAGO (October 31, 2017): New study finds that small percentage of cases of flat epithelial atypia upgrade to cancer at surgery.
NSQIP Geriatric Surgery Pilot Study May Help Improve Outcomes for Older Surgical Patients
CHICAGO (October 17, 2017): New data analysis identifies risk factors important to older adults that are likely predictors of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
[ACS NSQIP® Geriatric Pilot Project]
Antibiotics before Low-Risk Operations Do Not Seem to Breed Postop Antibiotic Resistance
CHICAGO (October 10, 2017): Surgical patients who receive antibiotics before certain types of operations are not at an increased risk for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Trastuzumab treatment need not delay breast reconstruction following mastectomy
CHICAGO (October 3, 2017): This form of adjuvant therapy does not increase the risk of surgical site complications for women who undergo breast reconstruction.
Researchers Identify the Most Effective Operating Room Infection Control Practices
CHICAGO (September 14, 2017): A new study of Texas hospitals has determined two areas that work best for operating room infection control procedures.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
A Pair of Medical Magnets Shows Promise as a New Tool for Creating an Anastomosis
CHICAGO (August 23, 2017): An experimental device that employs a pair of magnets offers surgeons a new safe and simple alternative to standard methods for creating an anastomosis.
Most People Expect Physicians and Nurses to Protect Them From Harm in the Hospital
CHICAGO (August 14, 2017, 10 a.m. CDT): Hartford Consensus survey results also show health care professionals believe they have a duty to protect if an active shooter event erupts in the hospital.
Researchers Identify Recommendations in New Effort to Improve Surgical Patients’ Recovery
CHICAGO (August 8, 2017): The first set of evidence-based recommendations for the national effort presents a care plan for colon and rectal procedures.
[AHRQ Safety Program for ISCR]
Mental Health Visits Spike Prior to Burn Injury, Indicating Opportunity for Intervention
CHICAGO (July 31, 2017): Burn injuries may be preventable through increased access to high-quality mental health care, according to a new study.
Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Has Low Rate of Breast Cancer Recurrence
CHICAGO (July 17, 2017): Study investigators say most women with breast cancer are eligible for this type of mastectomy, which leaves the natural nipple in place.
Delaying Lymph Node Biopsy After Melanoma Diagnosis Does Not Affect Survival Rates
CHICAGO (June 28, 2017): Postponing lymph node biopsy more than 30 days after melanoma diagnosis doesn't adversely impact long-term clinical outcomes
Combined Molecular Biology Test Is the First to Distinguish Benign Pancreatic Lesions
CHICAGO (June 22, 2017): With near perfect screening accuracy, this new test may spare patients unnecessary pancreatic cancer operations.
Trauma Centers with American College of Surgeons Verification Have Fewer Complications
CHICAGO (June 6, 2017): Major complications from injury are more likely for pediatric and elderly patients at trauma centers not verified by the ACS Committee on Trauma.
[NTDB® data study]
Phone-based Transitional Care Program Has High Engagement Among Surgical Patients
CHICAGO (May 23, 2017): A research team used the framework of a successful phone-based transitional care program adapted to the needs of surgical patients.
Assay of Clotting Ability Accurately Predicts Need for Transfusion in Trauma Patients
CHICAGO (May 15, 2017): In combination with the standard test of clotting time, new laboratory testing method opens the door to personalized resuscitation for trauma patients.
Training Surgeons to Teach the Public Is Effective in Advancing Knowledge of Bleeding Control Techniques
CHICAGO (May 10, 2017): Ninety-three percent of surveyed surgeons believe bleeding control training is appropriate for the public to learn and implement as an emergency response.
Pancreatic Cancer Patients May Live Longer by Traveling to Academic Hospital for Operation
CHICAGO (May 1, 2017): Study findings link traveling to an academic medical center for surgical removal of pancreatic or thyroid cancer with higher quality care for both cancers.
[National Cancer Database (NCDB) data study]
Helpful Tool Allows Physicians to More Accurately Predict Parathyroid Cancer Recurrence
CHICAGO (April 28, 2017): A newly-created prognostic tool reliably predicts the recurrence of parathyroid cancer, enabling physicians to identify patients at the highest risk.
Pregnancy Does Not Increase Expectant Mothers’ Melanoma Risk
CHICAGO (April 27, 2017): Expectant mothers are not more prone to develop melanoma, and will not have a worse prognosis if they do, than women who are not pregnant.
More Patients Can Avoid Hospital Admissions after Emergency Room Visits for Diverticulitis
CHICAGO (April 25, 2017): University of Minnesota researchers reported most patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis could safely go home with oral antibiotics after ER visits.
Outpatient Laparoscopic Appendectomy is Feasible in a Public County Hospital
CHICAGO (April 19, 2017): Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is safe for patients and results in shorter hospital stays and decreased health care costs.
ACS NSQIP-Based Pancreatic Fistula Risk Score Identifies At-Risk Patients Before an Operation
CHICAGO (April 10, 2017): A modified Fistula Risk Score based on ACS NSQIP data will help surgeons improve prevention and treatment of fistula.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator Is Not Affected by Studies Challenging Its Accuracy
CHICAGO (April 4, 2017): The ACS NSQIP risk calculator is effective in providing an estimate of complication risk despite recent studies challenging its accuracy.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Brief Module Effective in Teaching Hemorrhage Control Basics to Staff in a Large Workplace
CHICAGO (March 22, 2017): A medical team has developed a way to effectively provide a large group of people with basic hemorrhage control knowledge and skills.
Arkansas Trauma System Saves Lives and Taxpayers’ Money
CHICAGO (March 8, 2017): Implementation of a statewide trauma system in Arkansas saved 79 lives over a 12-month period, authors of a new study estimate.
Predictive Tool Helps Evaluate Likely Outcomes for Elderly Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury
CHICAGO (March 3, 2017): TBI is the leading cause of death for people age 45 and younger in the U.S., but this type of injury is becoming more prevalent in those 75 and older.
In Select Patients with Gunshot Wounds, No Operation is Sometimes a Better Option
CHICAGO (March 1, 2017): Avoiding an operation is an acceptable and effective treatment in select patients with gunshot wounds to the abdomen.
Kidney Transplant Success Rates Improve in Children and Infants
CHICAGO (February 27, 2017): The success of kidney transplants has vastly improved for children over the past half-century, according to Journal of the American College of Surgeons study authors.
Regional Chemotherapy Technique for Extremity Sarcoma Salvages Patients’ Limbs from Amputation
CHICAGO (February 15, 2017): Patients with a type of advanced malignant cancer of the arms or legs have typically faced amputation of the afflicted limb as the only treatment option.
Patient Self Checks Are Critical to Avoid Potentially Deadly Melanoma Recurrence
CHICAGO (February 8, 2017): Recurrences of early stage (stage II) melanoma are more often detected by patients and their physicians than by routine imaging tests.
Critically Ill Children Who Undergo Liver Transplantation Achieve the Same Survival Benefit from it as Children in Stable Health
CHICAGO (February 7, 2017): Advancements in critical care make it possible for even the sickest children to successfully undergo liver transplantation, according to a new study.
Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Operations for GERD Linked to Fewer Postoperative Complications
CHICAGO (January 26, 2017): Patients with GERD who undergo laparoscopic anti-reflux operations have fewer complications, experience faster recovery, and incur lower health care costs.
Advances in Imaging Detect Blunt Cerebrovascular Injury More Frequently in Trauma Patients
CHICAGO (January 19, 2017): Imaging technology advances have meant more diagnosed blunt cerebrovascular injuries and led to significant declines in stroke and related death rates.
American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society Announce New Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Surgical Site Infections
CHICAGO (December 1, 2016): Consensus recommendations by the ACS and Surgical Infection Society identify interventions targeted at reducing the risk of infection after an operation.
Researchers Identify Cause for Lower-Extremity Overgrowths in Obese Patients and Recommend Weight Loss Before their Operations
CHICAGO (November 30, 2016): Researchers have identified the underlying cause for overgrowths in morbidly obese individuals and recommend that weight loss be the preferred treatment.
Patient Care and Safety are Priorities for Surgery Residents Who Work Flexible Schedules
CHICAGO (November 21, 2016): Survey finds surgery residents are selectively making the choice to work additional hours when needed to manage critical stages in patient care.
General Surgery Residents Overwhelmingly Prefer Flexible Work Hours for Patient Care, Education
CHICAGO (November 14, 2016): U.S. general surgery residents strongly prefer policies allowing flexibility to work longer when needed to provide patient care over standard.
Appendicitis Patients Can Safely Leave Hospital the Same Day of Their Operations
CHICAGO (November 15, 2016): Patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy can go home the same day of an operation with similar complications to spending a night in the hospital.
Acute Rehabilitation Services for Trauma Patients Improve Outcomes After Hospital Discharge
CHICAGO (November 1, 2016): As more trauma patients survive initial hospital stays, study shows acute inpatient rehab facilities are best for some patients, yet numbers decline.
Older and younger women benefit equally from breast reconstruction after mastectomy
CHICAGO (October 26, 2016): Older women enjoy the same benefits from breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer as younger women without a significant increase in the risk for complications.
ACS NSQIP® Now Offers a Pediatric Surgical Risk Calculator
CHICAGO (September 22, 2016): Study reports that this new web-based tool helps educate parents about possible risks of their children’s planned operations.
[ACS NSQIP® Pediatric data study]
Telephone Follow-Up Can Be Used for Postop Care of Low-Risk General Surgery Patients
CHICAGO (August 18, 2016): Implementation of a telephone postop clinic at VA facility improved use of surgeon and facility resources while maintaining satisfactory patient outcomes.
Preventive Therapy in Brain-Injured Patients Lowers Risk of Pulmonary Embolism and DVT
CHICAGO (July 21, 2016): Study suggests starting blood thinners within 72 hours lowers life-threatening blood clots in TBIs, and doesn’t increase bleeding complications or death.
[ACS TQIP® data study]
Patients at Accredited Bariatric Surgical Centers Have Fewer Postoperative Complications
CHICAGO (July 12, 2016): Patients at nonaccredited bariatric surgical centers likelier to experience serious complications compared with those at accredited centers.
Incidence of Cancer in Patients with Large Colorectal Polyps Lower Than Previously Thought
CHICAGO (June 30, 2016): Study suggests 92 percent of colorectal polyps in patients referred for operations were noncancerous, making advanced endoscopic treatment a viable option.
Disparities in Surgical Care Have Multilevel, Interconnected Causes
CHICAGO (June 10, 2016): Surgeons and researchers have taken the first steps toward eliminating surgical care disparities by grouping their causes into themes and identifying modifiable contributing factors.
Patient Readmissions after Complex Cancer Operations Vary with Institution Type and Patient Cohort
CHICAGO (May 31, 2016): Readmission rates after complex cancer operations tend to be higher in hospitals that are considered to be vulnerable because they serve as safety nets.
Free Colonoscopy Program for Uninsured At-Risk Patients Detects Cancer Earlier and Is Cost Neutral
CHICAGO (May 26, 2016): For uninsured patients who are high risk for colorectal cancer, free colonoscopies can identify cancer at an earlier stage and appears to be cost neutral.
ACS NSQIP® Surgical Risk Calculator Has Good Prediction Accuracy, New Study Finds
CHICAGO (May 19, 2016): ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator accurately estimates patient’s chance of postop complications and performance can improve with recalibration of tool.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Military Surgeons Develop Framework to Sustain Surgical Skills in a Changing Environment
CHICAGO (May 12, 2016): Study authors propose new education and training paradigm that will benefit military surgeons and their patients in combat and non-combat environments.
Algorithm Can Improve Guidance of Crash Victims to Most Appropriate Place for Care
CHICAGO (May 5, 2016): New computer algorithm can provide important information on a motor vehicle crash to help ambulance personnel and hospital staff better direct crash victims to the most appropriate care.
Quick and easy arm test accurately identifies markers of frailty in older adults facing surgery
CHICAGO (May 4, 2016): Simple frailty test proves reliable for helping surgeons gauge elderly patients’ risk of postoperative complications and disability.
Growing Number of Patients Who Might Benefit from Liver Transplant Removed from Wait List
CHICAGO (April 28, 2016): The sickest liver transplant candidates are increasingly being removed from waiting lists by transplant centers, considering them too sick to transplant.
ACS-Military Health System Partnership Prioritizes Surgeon Readiness and Trauma Systems
CHICAGO (April 22, 2016): MHSSPACS is primed to develop a curriculum for a pre-deployment course for military surgeons and wants to ensure our military trauma system stays intact.
Open Operation Rates for Gallbladder Removal Drop 90 Percent at One Institution over 30 Years
CHICAGO (April 7, 2016): Since laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced, the number of open cholecystectomies performed by general surgery residents has declined.
Surgery Residency Program Directors Believe Flexible Duty Hours Improve Continuity of Care
CHICAGO (April 4, 2016, 11 am CDT): Survey of general surgery residency program directors supports results of landmark Flexibility in Duty Hour Requirements for Surgical Trainees (FIRST) Trial.
Most Civilians Support Training and Equipment to Stop Severe Bleeding in Victims of Mass Casualty Events
CHICAGO (March 31, 2016): Hartford Consensus recommends careful consideration of national opinion poll to clarify efforts to train the public and promote the Stop the Bleed campaign.
Global Cancer Burden Alleviated by Training More Foreign Medical Graduates in Surgical Oncology
CHICAGO (March 17, 2016): A MSKCC fellowship is helping countries without a surgical oncology specialty or educational infrastructure to respond to the local burden of cancer.
Geriatric Consultation with Trauma Surgeons Improves Processes of Care and Outcomes for Elderly Accident Victims
CHICAGO (March 3, 2016): Short-term mortality rates and ICU readmissions decline when trauma surgeons work with geriatricians to plan care for older patients.
Donor Organ Recovery at Standalone Facility Increases Suitable Organs for Transplant
CHICAGO (March 1, 2016): Surgeons report organs obtained from deceased donors at a dedicated organ recovery facility costs less and increases number of transplantable organs.
Critical Care Resuscitation Unit Speeds Up Transfer of Critically Ill Patients
CHICAGO (February 23, 2016): A program developed by a UMMC surgical team directs critically ill nontrauma patients to the appropriate treatment location as quickly as possible.
Chemotherapy Is Preferable to Reduce Distant Pancreatic Cancer Recurrences after Surgery
CHICAGO (February 16, 2016): Study results suggest that patients with resectable pancreatic cancer should receive at least six months of adjuvant chemotherapy.
Recommendation to Omit Radiation Therapy after Lumpectomy for Some Breast Cancer Patients Is Frequently Not Implemented in Clinical Practice
CHICAGO (January 27, 2016): New National Cancer Data Base study finds that most elderly breast cancer patients who could skip radiation still get it.
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
NCDB Study Finds Optimal Wait Time for Surgery After Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer
CHICAGO (January 20, 2016): Analyzed NCDB data show rectal cancer patients who had a cancer operation at eight weeks after the end of combined chemoradiotherapy had the best outcomes.
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
Trauma Experts Study Treatment of Pregnant Trauma Patients to Improve Neonatal Outcomes
CHICAGO (January 13, 2016): Study authors found expectant mothers experience better care and outcomes at verified trauma centers.
Enhanced Recovery Program for Colorectal Surgery Patients Can Save Money for Hospitals of Any Size
CHICAGO (January 7, 2016): Cost of implementing a QI program for faster recovery of colorectal surgery patients is offset by savings from reduced stays at hospitals of any size.
New National Perioperative Guideline for Geriatric Surgical Quality Care Released
CHICAGO (January 4, 2016, 10:00 am): Joint best practice recommendations from the ACS and AGS address unique care required for older adults facing surgery.
Nonoperative Treatment of Appendicitis May Have Unknown Long-Term Risks and Costs
CHICAGO (December 17, 2015): Too early to change standard appendicitis treatment of U.S. adults to initial antibiotic therapy only, authors of a new systematic review study conclude.
Preoperative Use of Blood-Thinning Drugs Is Safe for Cancer Patients
CHICAGO (December 15, 2015): The preop use of blood-thinning drugs for cancer patients doesn’t increase rates of bleeding and decreases risk of blood clots according to new JACS study.
Hospital Safety Culture Critical in Improving Surgical Results
CHICAGO (December 9, 2015): Journal of the American College of Surgeons study finds non-technical factors significantly influence quality of patient care.
New Care Approach to Liver Operations Speeds Patient Recovery
CHICAGO (October 21, 2015): Patients in an enhanced recovery program after oncologic liver operations returned sooner to normal life function and adjuvant cancer therapies.
Many Patients Prefer Online Postoperative Care to In-Person Care
CHICAGO (September 23, 2015): The majority of patients who undergo routine, uncomplicated operations prefer online postop consultations to in-person visits, according to a JACS study.
Multisource Feedback Process Helps Surgeons Assess and Improve Teamwork Skills
CHICAGO (July 23, 2015): According to a study, an evaluation process used by Fortune 500 companies effectively assesses surgeon adherence to standards and spurs behavioral changes.
Reform to Resident Physicians' Work Hours Does Not Improve Surgical Patient Safety
CHICAGO (July 8, 2015): According to a JACS study, revised resident physician work hour restrictions have not had the desired effect of lowering postoperative complication rates.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Scoring System Can Help Trauma Centers Improve Care During Surges in Trauma Cases
CHICAGO (June 29, 2015): A scoring system—the Trauma Surge Index—may help hospitals better prepare for surges in trauma patient volume that come with catastrophic events.
[ACS TQIP® data study]
Statewide Quality Improvement Program Helps Lower Rates of Trauma Complications
CHICAGO (June 10, 2015): While some studies have evaluated how well these quality improvement programs achieve their goals, not many have focused on the area of trauma care. A team of trauma surgeons at the University of Michigan have reported in a new JACS study how data from a statewide quality collaborative helped them reduce the rate of a serious trauma complication—VTE events—by more than half.
[ACS TQIP® data study]
Surgeons Improve Colorectal Surgical Care by Changing Organizational Culture
CHICAGO (June 8, 2015): Patients undergoing colon and rectal operations who participated in an innovative quality improvement (QI) program to speed their recovery and enhance results experienced shorter hospitalizations, reduced infection rates, and lower hospital costs, according to a new JACS study results.
Highly Competitive Geographic Areas Have a Higher Annual Number of Liver Transplants
CHICAGO (May 13, 2015): The annual number of liver transplantation operations increases when transplantation centers are concentrated in geographic areas that are highly competitive, according to findings from a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
New Care Approach to Colorectal Operations Speeds Patients’ Recovery Times
CHICAGO (May 7, 2015): Patients undergoing colorectal operations who participated in an enhanced recovery program left the hospital sooner and had significantly lower hospital costs than patients who had the traditional approach to their care, according to a new JACS study.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Socioeconomic Factors Affect Odds of Death After a Lung Cancer Operation
CHICAGO (April 16, 2015): A JACS study found that people with limited education and low income have higher odds of death within 30 days after undergoing an operation for lung cancer than those who are more educated and financially better off.
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
ACA Provision for Young Adults Leaves Racial Disparities Intact Among Trauma Patients
CHICAGO (April 9, 2015): The Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed millions of young adults to retain health care coverage through their parents’ insurance plans, but new research in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons finds that many young African-American and Hispanic adults who need coverage for trauma care may not get it.
[National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) data study]
Most Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer Avoid Extensive Lymph Node Removal, Adhering to Scientific Evidence
CHICAGO (March 26, 2015): A new study of women with early-stage breast cancer finds that surgeons no longer universally remove most of the lymph nodes in the underarm area when a biopsy of the nearby lymph nodes shows cancer—a major change in breast cancer management. The study, which evaluated data from 2.7 million U.S. breast cancer patients, is published on the Journal of the American College of Surgeons website.
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
Liver-Sparing Operation Associated with Higher Survival Rates in Cancer Patients
CHICAGO (March 12, 2015): A surgical approach in which a surgeon removes less than a lobe of the liver in a patient undergoing an operation for liver cancer is associated with lower mortality and complication rates, according to a new JACS study.
Chemo Before Breast Cancer Operation Increases Likelihood of Breast-Preserving Procedure for Some Patients
CHICAGO (February 26, 2015): Patients with larger malignant tumors of the breast who undergo chemotherapy before a breast cancer operation are more likely to opt for a breast-preserving procedure and forgo a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast), according to a new study that will appear in JACS.
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
One-Minute Test Predicts How Well a Patient May Recover After an Operation
CHICAGO (February 25, 2015): Surgeons at Emory University have discovered that a short assessment can accurately determine how likely a patient is to have complications after an operation.
Lab Tests and Ultrasounds Identify Children Who Need Surgical Treatment for Appendicitis
CHICAGO (February 19, 2015): Data from two standard diagnostic tests commonly obtained in children evaluated for abdominal pain—when combined—can improve the ability of emergency department physicians and pediatric surgeons to identify those patients who should be sent to the operating room for prompt removal of an inflamed appendix; those who may be admitted for observation; and those who may safely be discharged home, according to a new JACS study.
Specialized Consultations Improve Geriatric Care for Elderly Patients Who Are Hospitalized for Traumatic Injuries
CHICAGO (February 18, 2015): Elderly patients who are admitted to the hospital for monitoring and surgical treatment of traumatic injuries could have better geriatric care if medical teams took one extra step—offering geriatric consultation, according to new research findings from surgical and geriatric medicine teams at the Ronald Reagan University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center.
In-Flight Blood Transfusions Increase Survival Rates and Improve Outcomes in Trauma Patients
CHICAGO (February 11, 2015): Air-lifted trauma victims who received blood transfusions in the helicopter before arriving at a trauma center had higher one-day survival rates and less chance of shock than air-lifted patients who did not receive blood transfusions until they arrived at the trauma unit, according to study findings in the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
One-Third of Mastectomy Patients with Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Do Not Receive Postoperative Radiation Therapy as Recommended by Experts
CHICAGO (February 9, 2015): Breast cancer patients who undergo a mastectomy should receive subsequent radiation treatment if their cancer has spread to four or more nearby lymph nodes, however, according to a new study, only 65 percent of these women are getting the recommended postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT).
[National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) data study]
New Approach to Colorectal Surgical Care Results in Quicker Recovery Times and Lower Health Care Costs
CHICAGO (February 5, 2015 – 10 am CT): A new multidisciplinary approach to managing patients undergoing a colorectal operation results in shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and lower medical costs, according to research results published online in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Fingertip Blood Sensor May Save Valuable Time for Trauma Patients
CHICAGO (December 29, 2014): A tool that surgeons use for monitoring a patient’s blood level in physicians’ offices may also save valuable minutes in medical decision-making for critically injured trauma patients, according to study results published in the January 2015 issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).
Malnutrition Is Predictor of Long-Term Survival in Patients Undergoing Whipple Procedure
CHICAGO (December 5, 2014): Malnutrition is an important factor predicting long-term survival in older patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) to treat benign tumors and cysts of the pancreas as well as pancreatitis, according to new study results published in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Geriatricians and Surgeons Develop Guideline for Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Delirium in Older Patients
CHICAGO (November 26, 2014): A new guideline is available to help health care providers prevent and treat one of the most common postoperative complications in older patients, delirium, which is an episode of sudden confusion. The Clinical Practice Guideline for Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults was developed by the American Geriatrics Society, in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and other organizations participating in the AGS Geriatrics-for-Specialists Initiative whose representatives participated in a multidisciplinary panel of experts.
[ACS Continuous Quality Improvement collaboration]
More Than Half Obese Patients Opt Out of Bariatric Surgical Procedure Despite Publicly Funded Program
CHICAGO (November 3, 2014): Studies have shown that bariatric operations can alleviate chronic health issues like diabetes and arthritis for extremely obese people. Now the University Health Network researchers are trying to determine why many patients who are referred for a bariatric operation do not ultimately have the procedure performed, despite being in a publicly funded health care program.
More Patients Choosing Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy
CHICAGO (September 30, 2014): Using National Cancer Data Base data, researchers have found that the number of breast cancer patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction operations after mastectomy has grown steadily over the past 15 years, especially in women once considered high risk.
Bariatric Surgical Center Accreditation Improves Patient Survival and Postop Complications
CHICAGO (September 3, 2014): Patients who underwent weight loss operations in recent years, when most bariatric surgical centers were accredited, had fewer postoperative complications and better survival rates than patients who had bariatric procedures performed before a national movement toward facility accreditation. These findings suggest that accreditation of bariatric surgery centers contributes to improved safety for patients who undergo weight loss operations and saves lives.
Electronic Reminders Can Help Patients Prevent Surgical Site Infections
CHICAGO (August 1, 2014): Electronic reminders are highly effective at getting surgical patients to adhere to a preadmission antiseptic showering regimen known to help reduce the risk of SSIs.
Surgical Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma of the Liver Increases Overall Survival in a Select Group of Patients
CHICAGO (June 30, 2014): Surgical resection markedly improves survival among metastatic melanoma patients whose disease is isolated to a few areas in the liver, according to new study findings published in the July issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. These results mark a departure for melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, that is most often considered fatal once it has spread to the liver and then, not amenable to surgical treatment.
Surgeons Report Fewer Postoperative Deep-Vein Blood Clots Using Risk-Based Preventive Measures
CHICAGO (June 2, 2014): Surgery patients are much less likely to get a blood clot in the lower extremities or lungs if they receive preventive treatment based on their individual clotting risk, in addition to walking soon after the operation. Results from a surgical quality improvement study, appearing in the June issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, indicate that the odds of this common and potentially life-threatening postoperative complication steadily declined after the implementation of a multicomponent prevention program in a hospital’s department of surgery.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
Medicaid Expansion Increases Use of Specialty Operations in the State of New York
CHICAGO (May 7, 2014): Researchers in the department of surgery at the University of Michigan have found that expanding access to Medicaid in New York State increased beneficiaries’ use of subspecialty surgical services. The study, published in the May issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons, presents a model at the state level that shows expanding access to Medicaid successfully provided patients who did not have previous access to certain surgical procedures with access to these operations.
Noncombat-Related Injury Top Reason for Pediatric Humanitarian Care Delivered by Military Surgeons in Afghanistan and Iraq
CHICAGO (May 1, 2014): Noncombat-related injury—caused by regular car accidents, falls and burns—is the most common reason for pediatric admissions to U.S. military combat hospitals in both Iraq and Afghanistan reveals new study findings published in the May issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
New Study Shows Florida’s Participation in Innovative ACS NSQIP Surgical Collaborative Resulted in Statewide Improvement
CHICAGO (April 2, 2014): A surgical collaborative of hospitals across Florida resulted in broad improvement in the state, helping most hospitals significantly improve, according to a new study published in the April issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP
®), the Florida Surgical Care Initiative (FSCI) was able to reduce complications by 14.5 percent. The study looks at a 15-month period from March 2011 to July 2012 in which it estimates that the program averted 165 complications, saved an estimated 89 lives, and avoided more than $6.6 million in health care expenses.
[ACS-NSQIP® data study]
Standards Developed for Children's U.S. Surgical Care
CHICAGO (March 3, 2014): The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has published new comprehensive guidelines that define the resources the nation’s surgical facilities need to perform operations effectively and safely in infants and children. The standards—published in the March issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons—also have the approval of the American Pediatric Surgical Association and the Society of Pediatric Anesthesia. Representatives of these organizations as well as invited leaders in other pediatric medical specialties, known as the Task Force for Children’s Surgical Care, developed the consensus recommendations over the past three years.
[ACS quality initiative – pediatric surgery]
Police Training Begins to Control Bleeding at Mass-Casualty Shooting Events
CHICAGO (February 27, 2014): For almost a year now, surgeons and first responder organizations have been working to increase the number of survivors of an active shooter or mass casualty incident. An important part of this initiative requires all law enforcement officers to get medical training and equipment to control bleeding, a goal set forth by the Hartford Consensus, a collaborative group of trauma surgeons, federal law enforcement, and emergency responders, and driven by the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Major Cities Chiefs Association and Prehospital Trauma Life Support program.
[ACS quality initiative – trauma care]
New Tool Shows Promise in Predicting Home Discharge
CHICAGO (February 3, 2014): Frequently predicted surgical outcomes primarily focus on adverse outcomes such as complications and death, but most patients also want to know about good outcomes, including whether they will return home after a surgical procedure, or, conversely, if they will need to prepare for a lengthy rehabilitation process at a care facility. Now, research published in the February issue of the
Journal of the American College of Surgeons shows that a new type of surgical risk calculator can accurately predict postoperative home discharge.
[ACS NSQIP® data study]
South African Trauma Center Launches EHR iPad App
CHICAGO (January 2, 2014): Surgeons have developed a way for their peers at a Level I trauma center in South Africa to accurately collect and analyze trauma care data via an iPad app.