JAMA surgery
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Transfusion practice among surgeons varies despite several evidence-based recommendations supporting the restrictive use of blood products. ⋯ More than 1 in 10 units of PRBCs were transfused using a liberal Hb trigger. Patient blood management programs should aim to identify and reduce liberal transfusion practice in the surgical patient.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Observational Study
β-Blockade and Operative Mortality in Noncardiac Surgery: Harmful or Helpful?
The use of perioperative pharmacologic β-blockade in patients at low risk of myocardial ischemic events undergoing noncardiac surgery (NCS) is controversial because of the risk of stroke and hypotension. Published studies have not found a consistent benefit in this cohort. ⋯ In this large series, β-blockade appears to be beneficial perioperatively in patients with high cardiac risk undergoing NCS. However, the use of β-blockers in patients with no cardiac risk factors undergoing NCS increased risk of death in this patient cohort.
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Multicenter Study
Effect of Pregnancy on Adverse Outcomes After General Surgery.
The literature regarding the occurrence of adverse outcomes following nonobstetric surgery in pregnant compared with nonpregnant women has conflicting findings. Those differing conclusions may be the result of inadequate adjustment for differences between pregnant and nonpregnant women. It remains unclear whether pregnancy is a risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality of the woman after general surgery. ⋯ There was no significant difference in overall morbidity or 30-day mortality rates in pregnant and nonpregnant propensity-matched women undergoing similar general surgical operations. General surgery appears to be as safe for pregnant women as it is for nonpregnant women.
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Multicenter Study
Effect of Mandatory Centers of Excellence Designation on Demographic Characteristics of Patients Who Undergo Bariatric Surgery.
From February 21, 2006, through September 24, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) required, via the National Coverage Determination manual, that bariatric surgery be performed only in hospitals that had been designated as a Center of Excellence (COE). The effect of this certification requirement on access to bariatric surgery has been reported only anecdotally. ⋯ The COE certification requirement by CMS did not appear to limit access to bariatric surgery. Future studies should determine whether CMS's recent (2013) change in policy (ie, removing the mandatory COE certification for bariatric surgical insurance coverage) might sacrifice patient safety without addressing the real cause of limited access to health care.