Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Critical Care for May 2015. 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.
AMA: Physicians Driving the Slowing of Health Care Costs
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Low physician spending is contributing to an overall slowing of health care costs, according to a viewpoint piece published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
U.S. Organ Donation Rates Highest in Midwest
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In the United States, organ donor rates are highest in the Midwest and lowest in New York state, according to a report published online May 28 in the American Journal of Transplantation.
Pre-Op β-Blockers May Work Against Heart-Healthy Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — While patients with three or four heart risk factors should still be given a β-blocker before surgery, those with no risk for heart disease shouldn’t get the medication as it might lower the odds of a good outcome, according to a report published online May 27 in JAMA Surgery.
Hospice May Help Surviving Spouse Cope With Death
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Hospice care may help a surviving spouse better cope with depression following the death of a loved one, according to a study published online May 26 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Many Incidental Findings From CT Angiography for Suspected PE
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography is superior to chest radiography for providing a diagnosis, even when no PE is present; however, in patients at low risk, the clinical benefit is questionable, according to a study published in the May issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Caution Urged When Using EHR Shortcut Features
TUESDAY, May 26, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Caution should be exercised with use of electronic health record (EHR) documentation short cuts, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
AMA: Avoiding Distress in Medical School
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Understanding the key drivers underlying medical students’ distress can help address the issues and enhance student well-being, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
Fixed-Course Antibiotics Good for Intraabdominal Infection
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with complicated intraabdominal infection, outcomes are similar for fixed-duration antibiotic therapy and antibiotic therapy that is extended until symptom resolution, according to a study published in the May 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Recommendations Developed for Responding to ICU Tx Requests
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Multisociety recommendations have been developed to help physicians respond to requests for potentially inappropriate treatments in intensive care units. The policy statement was published online May 15 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Shift Work Tied to Poor Health Indicators, Metabolic Syndrome
TUESDAY, May 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Shift work may be hazardous to metabolic health, according to research published online May 17 in Sleep Health, the journal of the National Sleep Foundation.
Tips Provided for Doctors Who Want to Move to Private Practice
MONDAY, May 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For physicians who want to transition to private practice, several factors need consideration, including finances, legal matters, and insurance, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
New Health Care Index Reports Increases in Consumer Costs
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A new Health Care Index shows increases in consumer costs, according to a report published by U.S. News & World Report.
Nondisclosure Clauses Often Used in Malpractice Settlements
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Nondisclosure clauses are frequently used in malpractice settlement agreements, according to research published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
AMA: Six Traits of Financially Prepared Female Physicians
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The traits of a financially prepared female physician include having a retirement portfolio that is on track or ahead of schedule for age and career stage, having a liquid emergency fund, and feeling adequately protected in the event of a disability, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
GEDI WISE Model Feasible for Geriatric Emergency Care
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations in Care through Workforce, Informatics, and Structural Enhancements (GEDI WISE) model seems feasible for transforming geriatric emergency care, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Pulmonary Med
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to diffuse parenchymal lung disease, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pulmonary diagnostics, and respiratory infections are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Medical Students Want to Focus Learning on Preparing for Future
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Medical students report wanting to learn more about topics that are not currently being taught, including leadership training, health policy, health economics, and experiential learning, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
ACA Tied to Nearly 17 Million Gaining Health Coverage
THURSDAY, May 7, 2015 (HealthDay News) — As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), nearly 17 million previously uninsured Americans now have health coverage, according to a 2013 to 2015 report from the Rand Corporation.
Strategies Provided for Maximizing Payment
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should use standard billing practices, including regular statements, to maximize accounts, and know that collection agencies and lawyers can help collect payment when necessary, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
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Hospital Rates of Active Tx Impact Survival in Very Preterm
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For infants born at 22, 23, or 24 weeks of gestation, differences in hospital rates of active treatment explain some between-hospital differences in survival, according to a study published in the May 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Five ‘Top Issues’ to Be Discussed at AMA Medical Student Forum
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Issues that will be at the forefront of the National Medical Student Meeting include vaccinations, health care economics, Medicaid expansion, medical education loans, and the nationwide opioid epidemic, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Stroke Patients Don’t Appear to Benefit From EHR Use
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Stroke patients fare about the same in terms of quality of care and illness progression whether their hospitals have embraced electronic health records or not. These findings were published in the May 12 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
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Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Outcomes Vary by Time to CPR
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), outcomes differ by time to first cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first documented rhythm, according to a study published online April 30 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
High-Value Research of 2014 Presented for Internal Medicine
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Articles relating to atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, acute bronchitis, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for hypertension screening, and guidelines relevant to generalist practice are included in a special update summary published online April 30 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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