Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology 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).
FDA Approves Rapamune for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Rapamune (sirolimus) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare, progressive lung disease that mostly affects women of childbearing age.
Score IDs Patients With Upper Extremity DVT at Low Risk
FRIDAY, May 29, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), six easily available factors can be used to create a score that identifies those at low risk of adverse events during the first week, according to a study published online May 18 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
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.
14.9 Million New Cancer Cases Worldwide in 2013
THURSDAY, May 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Between 1990 and 2013, the proportion of deaths worldwide caused by cancer rose from 12 to 15 percent. During that time, years of healthy life lost to cancer increased 29 percent, according to data on 28 types of cancer in 188 countries published online May 28 in JAMA Oncology.
Soy Supplements Deemed Ineffective in Asthma Care
WEDNESDAY, May 27, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite hints from prior research that soy supplements might help asthma patients breathe easier, a new study indicates the nutrient has no beneficial effect on lung function. The findings were published in the May 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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.
Large Practices Focused on Small Selection of EHR Products
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Sixty percent of clinicians in practices with 26 or more clinicians report use of one of 10 electronic health record (EHR) products, according to a report published by AmericanEHR Partners.
Front Desk Staff Has Key Role in Managing Practice Cash Flow
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Three steps that can be implemented by front desk staff can help increase practices’ cash flow, according to an article 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.
CDC: Smoking Rates on Decline in Many States
FRIDAY, May 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cigarette smoking continues to decline in about half of American states, according to the latest U.S. government estimates. The new report was published in the May 22 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
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Proper Analysis Over Intuition for Avoiding Improper Antibiotic Use
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Misdiagnosis often leads to improper antibiotic use in hospitals, according to a study published online May 18 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.
Optimal Mechanical Ventilation Strategy Identified for Obese
THURSDAY, May 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For obese patients, the optimal mechanical ventilation strategy may be volume-controlled ventilation (VCV) with higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and single recruitment maneuvers (RMs), according to a meta-analysis published in the June issue of Obesity Reviews.
Hospital Stays Longer Without Prophylactic Laxatives
WEDNESDAY, May 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Failure to use prophylactic laxatives in elderly congestive heart failure (CHF) patients who use laxatives at home is associated with a significantly longer hospital length of stay (LOS), according to a study published online May 13 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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.
Financial Incentives Effective in Smoking Cessation
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Paying smokers to quit seems to work better than offering them free counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, new research suggests. The report was published online May 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Grip Strength Could Be Useful Indicator of CVD, Mortality Risk
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Testing hand-grip strength could be an inexpensive and simple way of identifying people at increased risk for myocardial infarction, stroke, and premature death, according to a study published online May 13 in The Lancet.
Pollen-Derived Adenosine Key in Ragweed-Induced Allergy
THURSDAY, May 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Pollen-derived adenosine is an important element in ragweed pollen-induced allergic airway inflammation, according to a study published online May 2 in Allergy.
Guidance Offered to Help Doctors Deal With ‘Dr. Google’
TUESDAY, May 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Good communication is the key to resolving conflicts between the tests and treatment a patient may want based on online searches and those a physician believes are necessary, according to an article published online 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).
Chlorofluorocarbon Ban Tied to Sharp Rise in Inhaler Cost
MONDAY, May 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Federal action to protect the ozone layer has resulted in a dramatic increase in the cost of asthma inhalers in recent years, according to new research. The study, published online May 11 in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the first-ever attempt to assess the impact of the ban on out-of-pocket costs for albuterol inhalers.
Maternal SDB Doesn’t Affect Infant Neurodevelopment
FRIDAY, May 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Maternal sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during pregnancy does not affect infant neurodevelopment, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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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Digoxin Tied to Higher Mortality Risk in A-Fib, Heart Failure
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of digoxin may increase the risk of premature death in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, according to research published online May 4 in the European Heart Journal.
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USPSTF: Not Enough Data on E-Cigarettes As Cessation Aid
TUESDAY, May 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s not enough data to decide whether or not electronic cigarettes can help smokers quit, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF).
Evidence Review
Draft Recommendation
Comment on Recommendation
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).
Waning Immunity Seen Post-Tdap Booster in Preteens
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine given to preteens loses a large measure of effectiveness within a few years, new research reveals. The study findings are published online May 4 in Pediatrics.
Statins Linked to Improved Survival in Lung Cancer
MONDAY, May 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Use of statins for a year before a diagnosis of lung cancer is associated with a 12 percent lower risk of cancer-specific mortality, new research suggests. The study findings are published in the May issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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.
CDC: Colorado Dog Key to U.S. Pneumonic Plague Outbreak
FRIDAY, May 1, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A Colorado dog last year caused the largest outbreak of pneumonic plague — also called the Black Death — in the United States since 1924, scientists reported Thursday.
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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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