Hospitals' high-tech tools track who's washing their hands

Seeded on Wed May 4, 2011 6:37 PM EDT (American Medical News)

More hospitals are using new technological methods to monitor whether physicians, nurses and other health professionals clean their hands when they are supposed to. Sounds simple, but it cuts way down on spreading infectious diseases in hospitals.

health, hand-washing, technologydisease-control

Rx side effects causing more hospitalizations

Seeded on Tue May 3, 2011 8:12 PM EDT (American Medical News)

The number of hospitalizations due to medication side effects has jumped by more than half, says a new federal report. And painkillers are among the top medications sending patients to hospitals.

health, prescription-drugs, public-health

Humanizing anatomy: Cadavers as a medical student's first patient

Seeded on Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:57 PM EDT (American Medical News)

How medical students relate to the cadavers they dissect has changed. Some say teaching empathy begins in the anatomy lab. Instead of looking at cadavers as just a piece of dead flesh, many students now honor those who donated their bodies with ceremonies of remembrance.

health, medical-ethics, medical-students, anatomy-class

Discovery of Alzheimer's genes provides hope for future treatment

Seeded on Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:51 PM EDT (American Medical News)

The discovery of five genes linked to Alzheimer's disease offers scientists insight into what causes the condition and advances efforts to treat and eventually prevent the disease.

health, alzheimers-disease

1 in 3 patients harmed during hospital stay

Seeded on Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:46 PM EDT (American Medical News)

The medical profession has got to do something serious about patient safety in hospitals. One-third of hospital patients suffer harm and about 7% are harmed permanently or die as a result.

health, hospitals, patient-safety

Some autism treatments high on promises, low on proof

Seeded on Thu Apr 14, 2011 10:50 PM EDT (American Medical News)

One in every 110 children is diagnosed with autism, but limited research into treatment methods means many physicians and parents struggle to identify the best care.

health, autism

"Bath salts": Latest party drug is prompting state bans

Seeded on Mon Apr 11, 2011 4:42 PM EDT (American Medical News)

At least eight states have outlawed synthetic chemicals commonly found in these stimulants, which can cause extreme paranoia, hallucinations and violent behavior. The drugs come in powder form that people smoke, swallow, inject or drink mixed in liquids.

health, bath-salts

More adults going without medical care because of costs

Seeded on Tue Apr 5, 2011 11:44 PM EDT (American Medical News)

More working-age Americans are going without health insurance and not seeking physician care for injuries or illness because they can't afford it, according to two new studies.

health, health-care, costs

Your child's pediatrician might make housecalls.

Seeded on Tue Apr 5, 2011 4:21 PM EDT (American Medical News)

A new trend in medical practice is the pediatrics concierge practice. As long as you're willing to pay extra, your pediatrician will come to your house when your child is sick.

health, health-care, pediatricians

Growing number of hospitals ban hiring smokers

Seeded on Tue Apr 5, 2011 4:18 PM EDT (American Medical News)

Even though it's illegal in many states, more and more hospitals across the country are refusing to hire people who smoke. Even anti-tobacco activists are uncomfortable with this trend. Offer them smoking cessation programs instead, they say.

health, health-care, states, smoking

Watson to take on health care after "Jeopardy!"

Seeded on Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:14 PM EDT (American Medical News)

Fresh from a win on the game show, makers of the IBM supercomputer are now aiming at helping diagnose patients. But some are skeptical.

health, watson, supercomputers

Physician talks increase likelihood of patients slimming down

Seeded on Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:11 PM EDT (American Medical News)

None of us likes to hear it, but a new study shows that we do better at losing weight when we talk to our doctors about it. Too many of them, though, avoid the issue.

health, obesity

Scrubs vs. white coats: Equal opportunity bacteria spreaders

Seeded on Mon Mar 7, 2011 11:47 PM EST (American Medical News)

After a single shift, freshly laundered short-sleeved garments are as contaminated as infrequently cleaned long-sleeved coats. Hand-washing is still the best way to prevent infection.

health, bacteria

Physicians rate nearly 18% of patients as "difficult"

Seeded on Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:40 PM EST (American Medical News)

You think patients have it bad with doctors? Most physicians have experienced difficult patients who have a variety of symptoms, are unresponsive to treatment or are generally uncooperative.

health

Vermont considers single-payer plan for its own health reform

Seeded on Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:39 PM EST (American Medical News)

Once again, Vermont shows why it's the most progressive state in the nation. Such a system would help reach nearly universal coverage while saving up to $500 million during the first year.

health, vermont, health-reform

Autism patients lose access to key services after high school

Seeded on Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:36 PM EST (American Medical News)

After young adults with autism leave high school, the number who receive speech therapy and other services they had in school declines significantly. In other words, they're on their own, and their families have to pick up the slack.

health, autism

Most back pain patients don't need diagnostic imaging

Seeded on Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:29 PM EST (American Medical News)

The American College of Physicians wants doctors to stop and think before ordering diagnostic imaging for patients with low back pain. The tests rarely help them and may cause harm or lead to unnecessary invasive procedures.

health, back-pain

Oncologists shouldn't delay frank talk with patients

Seeded on Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:27 PM EST (American Medical News)

Oncologists caring for patients with incurable cancer should have realistic conversations about treatment options and refer patients for palliative care services earlier, according to a new policy statement by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

cancer, health

Health care embraces the iPad

Seeded on Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:25 PM EST (American Medical News)

With competition for the Apple product coming, physicians will decide if tablet computers are their mobile device of choice. Meanwhile, doctors are jumping on the new technology.

health

Physicians, gun owners tangle over Florida "don't ask" gun bill

Seeded on Tue Feb 8, 2011 3:50 PM EST (American Medical News)

As a matter of public safety, Florida pediatricians ask parents if they own a gun and how it's stored, But with a new law proposed by the Florida Legislature, doctors who inquire about gun ownership would face a maximum of five years in prison and a $5 million fine.

health, safety, gun-rights

Tucson shooting highlights barriers to intervention with volatile patients

Seeded on Mon Jan 24, 2011 5:08 PM EST (American Medical News)

Lack of coordination within the mental health system presents challenges when identifying someone at risk and getting proper treatment.

health, mental-illness, mental-health-treatment, tucson-shooting

New York City fights to keep graphic tobacco warnings

Seeded on Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:02 PM EST (American Medical News)

You thought the anti-tobacco images from the FDA were bad? You should see these. City officials are appealing a decision that federal law preempts a city law requiring retailers to post images of lungs and brains damaged by nicotine use.

health, smoking

Facebook "friend" request from patient? French doctors say "non"

Seeded on Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:08 PM EST (American Medical News)

A study finds, however, that physicians freely post personal information on the site. Authors recommend interacting online with patients only to discuss care.

health, facebook

Prescription drug containers may get simpler labels

Seeded on Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:04 PM EST (American Medical News)

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention calls for new standards, including bigger font sizes and more explicit instructions to improve patient comprehension.

health, prescription-drugs

Health reform expected to boost house calls

Seeded on Fri Jan 7, 2011 3:19 PM EST (American Medical News)

The health reform law should make it easier for elderly patients to get medical care at home. A Medicare project set for 2012 provides payment incentives for primary doctor teams offering such services.

health, medicare, health-reform

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