Celebrating Urology Nurses for Their Patient Care and Education
Patient Safety
The Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) is celebrating Urology Nurses and Associates Week. This annual event, held Nov. 1-7, provides an opportunity for employers and patients to recognize the important work of urology nurses in patient care for all ages.
Study: VivaSight-DL Double Lumen Tube Offers Advantages in Esophageal Surgery
Patient Safety
Researchers looked at 12 patients undergoing elective esophagectomies and were intubated using an Ambu VivaSight-DL – which has a built-in camera at the distal tracheal lumen – connected to a monitor. The VivaSight provided continuous quality images and eliminated the need for bronchoscopy.
ENTs to Play Key Role in Treating COVID-19 Long Haulers
Patient Safety
Otolaryngologists will have to educate the public — as well as their colleagues in other clinical specialties — about the essential role they can play in diagnosing and managing post-COVID-19 symptoms, ENTtoday reports.
Not All Contamination is Created Equal
Patient Safety
Among the rare cases of injury or death linked to endoscope contamination, nasopharyngoscopes rank far lower than bronchoscopes and duodenoscopes.
Is the Duodenoscope-Associated Infection Rate Higher Than Previously Thought?
Patient Safety
Researchers in the Netherlands calculated a duodenoscope-associated infection risk significantly higher than the generally accepted range, based on reported infections between 2008 and 2018 in the country.
How to Improve Reprocessing Ergonomics and Promote Technician Welfare
Patient Safety
Disinfecting endoscopes between uses is a very physically demanding job and experts encourage institutions to invest in health and safety of reprocessing technicians.
FDA Investigating Reports of Infections Associated with Reprocessed Urological Endoscopes
Patient Safety
Over the last four years, the FDA received more than 450 medical device reports describing post-procedure patient infections or other potential contamination issues involving reprocessed urological endoscopes. The agency says it’s investigating potential causes and contributing factors.
How Can Social Media Benefit Otolaryngologists and Their Patients?
Patient Safety
Although dermatologists and plastic surgeons have long made use of social media, there is growing interest in making it more mainstream among ear, nose, and throat physicians.
Why Endoscopes Should be Dried with Compressed Air
Patient Safety
New research shows that hanging endoscopes to dry is not adequate, since in some cases, they were found to contain the same amount of liquid after hanging for five days. Even an alcohol flush before hanging did not shorten, and in some cases lengthened, the time needed for compressed air drying.
Swallowing Therapy Helps Oral Cancer Patients Regain Quality of Life
Patient Safety
New research shows that swallowing therapy, including use of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), helps patients with advanced oral cancer regain their ability to eat.
