Articles related to Obstetrics & Gynecology

Dive into the essence of AANA’s updated guidelines for obstetric anesthesia and analgesia as we spotlight its focus on health equity and safety in maternal care. Commencing with the unveiling of the revised practice guidelines for obstetric anesthesia and analgesia, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has emphasized enhancing patient care and safety. Interestingly, these updates also strive to tackle the critical issue of enduring health disparities in the United States. The AANA firmly believes in the power of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to help curb maternal mortality rates. The primary strategy focuses on mitigating racial and ethnic imbalances in pregnancy-related deaths. Beth Ann Clayton, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, the key subject matter expert behind the revisions, underscores these inequalities as significant barriers to optimal maternal care. Using an evidence-based process, the AANA revised the guidelines, paying careful attention to current research. They’ve prioritized enhancing the readability of the content, updating the quality of references, and broadening their scope to encompass the most recent recommendations on obstetric analgesia and anesthesia care. The notable alterations include the broadening of analgesia and anesthesia considerations for labor and delivery. This expansion encompasses inhalation analgesia, neuraxial analgesia, general anesthesia, and an updated […]

Permissive cardiotoxicity strategy could enhance trastuzumab treatment outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer patients, despite requiring more research into its long-term safety. A study conducted at McMaster University and published in The Oncologist explored the feasibility of a permissive cardiotoxicity strategy in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing trastuzumab treatment. Although trastuzumab significantly improves outcomes in these patients, up to 4% of them may experience cardiac dose-limiting toxicity (cDLT), resulting in therapy discontinuation, which can negatively impact patient outcomes. The researchers employed a retrospective cohort study of 51 patients who had been referred to the cardio-oncology service between January 2016 and May 2021 for left ventricular dysfunction after trastuzumab administration. Notably, a permissive cardiotoxicity strategy was applied, which allows the continuation of trastuzumab therapy while closely monitoring mild to moderate cardiotoxicity. The primary outcomes for this study were left ventricular (LV) function and completion of an entire course of trastuzumab. Astonishingly, 92% of patients (47 out of 51) were able to complete their full course of HER2-targeted therapy without experiencing cDLT. However, 6% developed cDLT during trastuzumab treatment, and even after discontinuation, they were more likely to experience persistent cardiotoxicity. Interestingly, despite most patients regaining their LV function post-treatment, 14% persisted […]

In a cluster-randomized trial conducted across multiple countries, a multicomponent clinical intervention was evaluated for the management of postpartum hemorrhage in patients undergoing vaginal delivery. The intervention involved the use of a calibrated blood-collection drape for early detection of postpartum hemorrhage and a treatment bundle consisting of various interventions. The study found that the intervention group had a lower risk of severe postpartum hemorrhage, laparotomy for bleeding, or death from bleeding compared to the usual-care group. The intervention group also had higher rates of postpartum hemorrhage detection and adherence to the treatment bundle.

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has once again been recognized as one of the top medical schools in the nation, ranking 13th among research-oriented institutions, according to the latest US News & World Report rankings. This marks the 16th consecutive year that Feinberg has placed in the top 20. The rankings underwent changes in methodology, incorporating factors such as federal research awards, surveys completed by deans and senior faculty at peer institutions, and entering class data. Feinberg’s commitment to patient-centered care, breakthrough discoveries, innovation, and exceptional medical education remains unwavering. Feinberg’s specialty programs also received recognition, with seven programs ranking among the best in the nation, including obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, pediatrics, anesthesiology, radiology, psychiatry, and internal medicine. The physician assistant program saw a notable improvement in its ranking, moving from 26th to 8th. Additionally, Feinberg’s school of public health ranked 28th. With its rich history, cutting-edge scientific initiatives, and outstanding faculty, Feinberg continues to be a leading institution within Northwestern Medicine, dedicated to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes.

Recent draft guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) propose a change in routine screening mammography recommendations. The new guidelines suggest that women should begin undergoing regular mammograms 10 years earlier than previously advised, starting at the age of 40. This recommendation applies to all individuals assigned female at birth. Simultaneously, FDA has made updates to federal mammography regulations, with a particular focus on reporting requirements related to breast density. These regulatory changes are motivated by studies indicating that approximately half of women over the age of 40 have dense breast tissue in concordance with the high prevalence of breast cancer in the population.

The Eat, Sleep, Console care approach dramatically reduced the number of days before infants with newborn opioid withdrawal syndrome were medically ready for discharge when compared to conventional care, without worsening specified unfavorable outcomes.