Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Emergency Medicine for July 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Google Searches for Suicide Up Post 13 Reasons Why Series
MONDAY, July 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — After the release of the controversial Netflix series 13 Reasons Why — a show that depicts the suicide of a fictional teenager — there were surges in the number of Google searches using the term “suicide,” according to a research letter published online July 31 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Opioid-Related Fatal Car Crashes Up 7-Fold in Last Two Decades
MONDAY, July 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There has been a seven-fold increase in the number of drivers killed in car crashes while under the influence of prescription opioids, according to a report published online July 20 in the American Journal of Public Health.
Outbreak of Septic Arthritis Described in New Jersey
MONDAY, July 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a report published in the July 28 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, details are presented of an outbreak of septic arthritis associated with intra-articular injections at a New Jersey outpatient practice.
ACOG: Opioid Agonist Rx First Choice in Affected Pregnancies
FRIDAY, July 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — While opioid agonist pharmacotherapy continues to be the recommended therapy for pregnant women with an opioid use disorder, medically supervised withdrawal can be considered under the care of a physician experienced in perinatal addiction treatment and with informed consent, according to a committee opinion published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
2016 Saw Increase in Number of Physicians Since 2010 Census
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Census reports have demonstrated an increase in the number of physicians and in the actively licensed U.S. physician-to-population ratio from 2010 to 2016, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Regulation.
Binge Drinking Down Among Young College Students
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — After years of increases in binge drinking among college students, rates have now dropped, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
U.S. Adolescents Exhibit Little Change in Hearing Loss
THURSDAY, July 27, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Although more American adolescents are listening to music via earphones than ever before, rates of hearing loss have not increased, according to a study published online July 27 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
AHA Hands-Only CPR Training Kiosks Available at More Airports
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is now available at kiosks in three more major U.S. airports, bringing the total number to seven, according to a news release from the American Heart Association (AHA).
SAMHSA: Opioid Abuse Up Among Older Adults
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — While opioid abuse has decreased among younger Americans, the same cannot be said for older adults, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Many With Cancer Hospitalized, Undergo Imaging at End of Life
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About half of cancer patients are hospitalized and undergo at least one imaging scan at the end of life, according to a study published online July 24 in the Journal of Oncology Practice.
Memantine Linked to Lower Neuron-Specific Enolase in TBI
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI), memantine is associated with reduced neuronal damage, as assessed by serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), according to a study published online July 19 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
Infection Is Most Common Complication of Prostate Biopsy
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The most common complication of prostate biopsy is infection, with mild bleeding also reported, according to an update of the American Urological Association White Paper published in the August issue of The Journal of Urology.
Food Allergy Can Be Easily Misdiagnosed in Children
TUESDAY, July 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many people misunderstand what food allergies are, and even doctors can be confused about how to best diagnose them, according to a National Academies consensus report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published online July 24 in Pediatrics.
Average Increase in Physician Compensation 2.9% in 2016
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The AMGA 2017 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity Survey reports that 77 percent of physician specialties experienced increases in compensation in 2016, with an overall weighted average increase of 2.9 percent.
Lasting Damage After Monolateral Acute Primary Angle Closure
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Significantly greater structural and functional damage occurs in eyes with monolateral acute primary angle closure (APAC) compared with fellow eyes, and more than half of fellow eyes develop chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG), according to research published online July 19 in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
Prevalence of Vertebral Fracture Varies With Assessment Method
MONDAY, July 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of vertebral fracture varies for different methods of radiological assessment, according to a study published online July 18 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Few Patients Receive Rx for Smoking Cessation Meds After MI
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among older patients in community practice, the use of smoking cessation medications (SCMs) is low after myocardial infarction (MI), according to a study published online July 19 in JAMA Cardiology.
Worse Outcome for Discharge From ER With Acute Kidney Injury
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with an emergency department discharge with acute kidney injury have increased mortality compared to those with no acute kidney injury, according to a study published online July 20 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Educational Intervention Doesn’t Up Hand, Stethoscope Hygiene
FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An intervention including education is not associated with an increased rate of hand hygiene or stethoscope hygiene, according to a study published in the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Survival Feasible Post Acute Liver Failure Secondary to Amiodarone
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a report published online July 16 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, a case of survival after acute liver failure secondary to amiodarone administration is described.
Reducing Hospital Readmissions Doesn’t Up Mortality Rates
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Reducing hospital readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia didn’t increase mortality rates, according to a study published in the July 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Distress Screening Tied to Fewer ER Visits for Cancer Patients
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to distress screening protocols by cancer programs is associated with lower rates of medical service utilization, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Rare Skin Manifestations Can Indicate Secondary Syphilis
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A rare case of secondary syphilis which primarily presented with multiple nodules on the scalp has been detailed in a case report published online July 17 in the Journal of Dermatology.
High Court Rules Against Interstate Medical Liability
TUESDAY, July 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The Washington State high court has ruled against interstate medical liability, according to a report from the American Medical Association.
Patient-Centered Communication Could Help Reduce Burnout
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Better patient-physician communication can improve care and reduce burnout, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Parents May Be Unclear on Teens’ Vaccination Needs
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — New research from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital suggests that many American teens may not be getting recommended vaccinations because their parents are unaware of the need for them.
Few Americans Aware of Possible Increased Risk This Tick Season
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Scientists have predicted an upswing in the tick population this summer, which could potentially mean more tick-borne infections, but few Americans are aware of this, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll shows.
Organizational Changes Encouraged for Safer Prescribing
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Organizational changes are recommended by primary care physicians to support safer prescribing, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Female Physicians Found More Likely to Leave Rural Practice
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Factors associated with physician mobility include smaller population size and lower primary care physician supply, according to a study published online in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
~10 Percent Present to ER After Hysterectomy for Benign Disease
MONDAY, July 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall, 9.1 percent of women who undergo hysterectomy for benign disease present to the emergency department and are not readmitted to the hospital, according to research published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Higher Inpatient Spending Tied to Better Outcomes
FRIDAY, July 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Investing more in inpatient care relative to longer-term nursing facilities may help reduce mortality rates, according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Health Economics.
Long Working Hours May Increase Risk of Developing A-Fib
FRIDAY, July 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Working long hours could increase risk of atrial fibrillation, according to a study published online July 13 in the European Heart Journal.
Early Career Burnout Can Be Contagious Via Social Networks
FRIDAY, July 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For early career teachers (ECTs), social network members’ burnout levels are associated with increased burnout levels, according to a study published in the August issue of Teaching and Teacher Education.
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Meds + Risk Factors Contribute to QTc Interval Lengthening
FRIDAY, July 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In combination with risk factors, QTc interval-prolonging medications (QTPMs) are associated with greater QTc lengthening than QTPMs alone, according to a study published online July 10 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Errors in Opioid Prescribing for Adult Outpatients Common
THURSDAY, July 13, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For adults receiving opioid medication prescriptions, errors are common, and most often occur on handwritten prescriptions, according to research published recently in the Journal of Opioid Management.
Too Many Children Not Getting Epinephrine When Needed
WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Epinephrine administration in children at risk of anaphylaxis often occurs with considerable delay, according to a study published online July 12 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Medicaid Enrollees Are Satisfied With Their Health Care
WEDNESDAY, July 12, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Medicaid enrollees are largely satisfied with their health care, and most are able to access the care they need when they need it, according to a research letter published online July 10 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Regular Coffee Consumption May Help Extend Lifespan
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Drinking coffee is linked to longevity, according to two studies published online July 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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American Adults Without Health Insurance Rises by Two Million
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The number of American adults without health insurance has increased by about two million so far this year, according to a new Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index poll.
New Criteria Urged for Infection Diagnosis Among Seniors in ER
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Emergency department physicians need new criteria for diagnosing infection among older adults, according to a study published online recently in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Patients Are Often Recording Doctor’s Visits
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients may be recording office visits, with or without permission, according to an opinion piece published online July 10 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Health Service Use Unchanged From 1996-1997 to 2011-2012
TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Utilization of health services was largely unchanged from 1996-1997 to 2011-2012, but expenditures increased, according to a study published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Rate of Non-Health Care Facility Medication Errors on the Rise
MONDAY, July 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The rate of serious medication errors has doubled since 2000, according to a study published online July 10 in Clinical Toxicology.
Allergists Concerned About Bee, Wasp Venom Extract Shortage
FRIDAY, July 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A shortage of honeybee, wasp, and hornet venom extract has allergists concerned.
Market Competition Linked to Change in Generic Drug Prices
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Market competition levels are associated with changes in the price of generic drugs, according to a study published online July 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Risk of Sudden Death Declining in Heart Failure Patients
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Rates of sudden death from heart failure have declined by nearly half over the past two decades, according to research published in the July 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
AMA: Doctors Should Make Sure Their Online Info Is Accurate
THURSDAY, July 6, 2017 (HealthDay News) — In a technologically advanced society, physicians need to take advantage of the internet to reach patients and exercise caution in their online presence, according to a report published by the American Medical Association.
Many U.S. Teens Can’t Access Emergency Contraception
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has lifted age restrictions on the use of levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC), many teens may still have difficulty obtaining the medication, according to a study published online June 30 in Pediatrics.
Concussion Can Increase Risk of Abnormal Menstrual Patterns
WEDNESDAY, July 5, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adolescent and young women have significantly increased odds of multiple, abnormal menstrual patterns following concussion, according to a study published online July 3 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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