4-Item Assessment Provides Good Bedside Diagnosis of Delirium
A simple 4-item assessment reliably identifies delirium in hospitalized patients, investigators reported here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting. Delirium is often underrecognized and undertreated in hospitalized patients, although it is associated with poor outcomes, including longer length of stay and higher risk of mortality, which may be avoided through […]
Fragmented Care Prolongs Hospital Stay
The number of physicians overseeing a patient's care has a significant effect on that individual's length of stay in the hospital, according to a study of more than 10,000 hospitalized patients. Much attention has been paid to the effect of hospital staffing problems on clinicians with respect to issues such as work–life balance, said lead […]
Safe STEP Program Effective for Getting Older Hospitalized Patients Home
An innovative program helps elderly patients avoid the pitfalls associated with making the transition from hospital to home, Param Dedhia, MD, instructor in the Collaborative Internal Medicine Service, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, reported here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting.
New Protocol Reduces Risk for Thromboembolism
Rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) dropped significantly at a large university medical center thanks to a new protocol that identifies high-risk patients, according to findings presented here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.
Transparency in Adverse Event Reporting Pleases Patients
Hospitalized patients who suffer an adverse event may learn little about it from medical personnel, especially if the event is preventable, according to findings presented here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting.
Cauterizing Arteries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Can Be Both Unnecessary and Dangerous
Almost since the inception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons have been employing devices that concentrate electrical or vibrational energy to heat and thereby cauterize arteries. However, for more than 7 years, Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and colleagues have been avoiding the use of these energy devices. Dr. Agarwal is a senior surgeon at Sir Ganga […]
Diagnostic Methods to Treat Ear Pain in Primary Care Setting
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MDCME Author: Laurie Barclay, MD Otitis media and otitis externa are the most common causes of ear pain, according to the results of a review of diagnostic methods and causes published in the March 1 issue of American Family Physician.
U.S. Medicare Spending Triggers New Funding Proposal
Medicare spending is increasing so quickly that the president will be required to propose new benefit cuts or higher taxes, trustees for the U.S. senior citizen health care program said.
Quest Diagnostics Campaign Challenges Colorectal Cancer Screening Status Quo
'Do You Have the Guts?' aims to reach five million in five yearsMADISON, N.J., March 31, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ — Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing information and services, today announced the launch of a novel campaign designed to help increase compliance with take-home colorectal screening […]
Trouble in Trialville
Trouble in Trialville: Plans for Post-DES Clopidogrel Trial GetBogged Down Over Trial Design, Leadership Almost 16 months after an FDA hearing into drug-eluting stent (DES) safety emphasized the need for a randomized clinical trial to determine, once and for all, the optimal duration of clopidogrel (Plavix, Sanofi-Aventis) plus aspirin after DES implantation, researchers, government agencies, […]
