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| Today’s Top Story
FDA announces recalls of certain Premier Pharmacy Labs injectables; Haemonetics Acrodose PLus and PL Systems
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration states that Premier Pharmacy Labs is voluntarily recalling certain lots of morphine sulfate, hydromorphone HCL, and neostigmine methylsulfate due to a potential lack of sterility assurance. Microbial contamination was detected during routine testing of subsequent unreleased product lots due to interaction between the product syringe and tamper evident container closure, which may result in the potential introduction of microorganisms into the products.
Read more…
Read the list of affected lots…
In addition, the agency states that Haemonetics is recalling certain lots of Acrodose PLus and PL Systems due to reports of low pH readings for platelets stored in the CLX HP bag in certain lots of the Acrodose PLus and PL systems. In some instances, the drop in pH is accompanied by a yellow discoloration of the storage bag. The company states that platelets with pH lower than 6.2 and a lack of “swirl” may not be viable and transfusion of such platelets may lead to delayed correction of coagulopathy or low-quality prophylactic platelet transfusion, increasing risk of morbidity and mortality.
Read more…
Read the list of affected lots… |
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| Other News
Study: What factors are linked to PONP after arthroscopic repair of large to massive rotator cuff tear?
A study published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine seeks to identify risk factors for postoperative new-onset pseudoparalysis (PONP) after arthroscopic repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears. The authors conducted a case-control study of 430 consecutive arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, stratified according to the occurrence of PONP. They found that the incidence of PONP was 6.0 percent (n = 26). Predictors of PONP included torn subscapularis, ≥30mm retraction of the torn supraspinatus, age ≥65 years, and preoperative stiffness. The reversal rate of PONP was 65.4 percent (17 of 26), and the mean time to PONP reversal was 10 months. The authors write that the occurrence and reversal of PONP were not related to retear, and that fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus lower than Goutallier grade 3 was the sole predictor of reversal.
Read the abstract… |
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| Study: TENS and IFC may offer little benefit over NSE alone for chronic neck pain
Data from a study published online in the journal Spine suggest that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) therapies may be effective for the treatment of chronic neck pain but confer no additional benefit over neck stabilization exercise (NSE) alone. The researchers conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blind study of 81 patients with chronic neck pain, who were randomly assigned to receive NSE, TENS + NSE, or IFC + NSE. All patients received 15 sessions of physical therapy, with group exercise accompanied by a physiotherapist for three weeks and an additional three weeks of home exercise. An intra-group assessment found that the study achieved its purpose of pain reduction, range of motion increase, reduction in drug use, and improvement of disability, quality of life, and mood in all three treatment groups. However, at six- and 12-week follow-up, the researchers noted no difference in clinical outcomes across cohorts.
Read the abstract… |
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| Market-based approach may help reduce implant costs
An article in HealthLeaders Media reports on efforts by one health system to reduce the cost of hip and knee arthroplasty implants by adopting a market-based approach that promotes price transparency and competition. Under the program, the hospital uses an open market model that encourages competition between vendors. At each hospital, a red-yellow-green implant pricing board is posted in orthopaedic units, with red representing the most expensive implants and green representing the least expensive. The hospital system states that in the two years since implementation of the program, it has cut the cost of hip and knee implants by 25 percent.
Read more… |
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| CMS to host webcast on Medicare Cost Report e-Filing system
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a webcast on the Medicare Cost Report e-Filing (MCReF) system on Tuesday, May 1, from 1–2:30 p.m. ET. Beginning May 1, Medicare Part A providers can use MCReF to submit cost reports with fiscal years ending on or after Dec 31, 2017. Starting July 2, Medicare Part A providers must use MCReF if they choose to submit cost reports electronically. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation, but participants may email questions in advance to the email address below with “Medicare Cost Report e-Filing System Webcast” in the subject line.
Register for the webcast…
Submit questions in advance to:
OFMDPAOQuestions@cms.hhs.gov |
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| Providers should use MIPS lookup tool to verify 2018 eligibility
CMS is reminding providers to use the updated Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) participation status lookup tool to check their 2018 MIPS eligibility. To reduce the burden on small practices, the agency changed the eligibility threshold for 2018. Clinicians and groups are now excluded from MIPS if they:
- billed $90,000 or less in Medicare Part B allowed charges for covered professional services under the Physician Fee Schedule (PFS)
- furnished covered professional services under the PFS to 200 or fewer Medicare Part B -enrolled beneficiaries
Access the MIPS participation status lookup tool… |
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| Your AAOS
Last call: Health Care Systems Committee
April 15 is the last day to submit applications for a position on the Health Care Systems Committee (one member-at-large opening). This committee helps orthopaedic surgeons develop and improve relationships with other healthcare stakeholders, including other providers, the federal government, private and public payers, and patient groups. Applicants must be active fellows with an interest in and knowledge of healthcare system mechanisms, payment, and policies.
Learn more and submit your application… (member login required) |
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