Effective use of tourniquets and collaborative surgical efforts were critical in responding to the Boston Marathon bombings. The experience highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork, preparation, and dedication in dealing with mass casualty events.
A study found that using well-designed tools to assess patient-reported outcomes can lead to new insights for improving cataract care. Patient-reported measures were affected by clinical measures such as visual acuity and ocular comorbidity, but also by factors related to better or worse patient-reported outcomes.
A study found that nearly half of older adults undergoing surgery with general anesthesia developed delirium in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), with 45% of patients experiencing delirium. Delirium is linked to decreased cognitive function and an increased risk of nursing home admission. The study suggests that even brief episodes ...
A recent study suggests that forced-air patient warming systems may affect airflow in operating rooms, potentially increasing exposure to bacteria and other contaminants during surgery. Conductive warming systems, on the other hand, do not disrupt ventilation airflows over the surgical site.
Prehabilitation interventions, including physical and psychological support, can reduce treatment-related complications, improve physical and mental health outcomes, and increase treatment options. Benefits include lower complication rates, reduced hospital readmissions, and improved healthcare costs.
A study in Neurosurgery finds that most professional athletes can return to competition within a year after vertebral fusion surgery on the upper (cervical) spine. Another study analyzes variations in treatment for patients with minor head injuries seen in emergency departments versus doctors' offices.
The EDM Forum presents an update on using electronic clinical data (ECD) for comparative effectiveness research (CER), patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), and quality improvement (QI). The supplement highlights lessons learned on building infrastructure to generate evidence and improve patient outcomes.
A study found that men with high-deductible health plans reduced emergency department visits for even severe problems, but later saw an increase in hospitalizations. In contrast, women responded more appropriately to the plan's limitations, reducing ER visits only for less-severe issues.
A study published in Spine highlights the increased risk of complications among Medicaid beneficiaries after spinal surgery, even after adjusting for other factors. The researchers found that Medicaid recipients were 68% more likely to experience adverse outcomes than patients with private insurance.
A study of 9,000 preschoolers found that those with shorter than average sleep times had higher rates of 'externalizing' behavior problems. The researchers recommend discussing steps to improve sleep habits for children with behavior problems.
A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery reveals that nearly half of cosmetic plastic surgery patients take herbal supplements, which can increase complication risk. The study advises patients to stop taking supplements at least two weeks before surgery to minimize risks.
Seventy percent of US plastic surgeons use fat grafting techniques for breast operations, with 88% using it for breast reconstruction. However, issues like mammography interference and unpredictable results are noted as potential obstacles.
A study identifies three advanced optical measures that predict faster age-related declines in visual acuity, including wavefront error and lens clouding. These metrics may help detect patients at risk before their vision loss occurs.
A study found high rates of burnout and depression among US anesthesiology residents, with nearly half considered at risk of burnout. The researchers also discovered that these conditions can affect the quality of patient care and increase medical errors.
A report in Anesthesia & Analgesia highlights retained guidewires as a complication that is always preventable yet still occurs. The article analyzes risk factors and contributing factors, including distraction of clinicians and task interruptions, to introduce preventive measures such as mandatory training programs and checklists.
The Hartford Consensus aims to establish a shared, common terminology for first responders to improve victim care. The plan emphasizes bleeding control, law enforcement training, and local coordination of resources.
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) improve patient survival prediction in advanced brain cancers, with a pooled voting method correctly predicting risk of death within one year in 84% of patients. A new proposal calls for medical professionals and specialty societies to play an increased role in evaluating 'off-label' uses of medications.
A study found that teaching hospitals with higher physician-training activity have lower mortality rates but higher hospitalization readmission rates for key medical diagnoses. Safety-net hospitals serving low-income populations show the greatest disparity in readmissions.
A study found that cervical spine surgery at teaching hospitals had higher mortality and complication rates compared to non-teaching hospitals, likely due to the complexity of procedures and riskier patient populations. However, after adjusting for these factors, the difference in outcomes was no longer significant.
The Massachusetts public health experience provides valuable insights into the role of public health in healthcare reform. Public health officials learned to fight for a decision-making role, analyze data, and defend traditional services while contributing to cost reduction and quality improvement efforts.
Designer stimulants, packaged as 'bath salts' or household products, have become a growing concern in the US, with reports of agitation, fast heart rates, and violent behavior. Research suggests that these substances can be deadly, with no formal guidelines for medical treatment of acute toxicity.
A 'hybrid' surveillance strategy, combining public health and clinical efforts, helped Virginia respond effectively to the contaminated steroid crisis. The approach involved close coordination between public health officials and healthcare providers, allowing for efficient tracking of nearly 700 exposed residents.
A New York City program successfully located 689 out of 797 HIV-positive patients who were presumed lost to follow-up, with 77% of these patients accepting appointments at an HIV clinic and 57% returning to treatment. The effort aimed to re-engage patients in care and identify new cases of HIV infection among their sexual partners.
A study analyzed 167 children with sports-related facial fractures, finding nasal fractures accounted for 40%, followed by eye fractures at 34%. The data may aid in efforts to prevent facial fractures in young athletes through proper supervision and face protective equipment.
Recent progress toward developing effective gene therapies for regenerative surgery has shown promising results in growing skin, bone, and other tissues. However, translating experimental gene therapy methods into clinical trials remains a difficult challenge due to technical and cost-effective issues.
A study published in PRS Global Open found that the weight of tissue flaps used in breast reconstruction significantly increases the risk of fat necrosis. Flaps weighing over 650 grams had a higher risk of fat necrosis, with African American women being at nearly 12 times higher risk than Caucasian women.
A study by Dr. Susana T.L. Chung reveals that the visual system of older adults with central vision loss is still plastic and can be modified through experiences. Perceptual learning techniques targeting the preferred retinal location led to an average 50 percent increase in reading speed, improving daily functioning.
Researchers developed a set of equations to estimate the initial dose of intrathecal spinal pain relievers, avoiding the need for epidural anesthesia trials. This approach could shorten time to satisfactory pain control in patients with uncontrolled cancer pain, allowing them to spend more of their remaining days at home.
A new study identifies larger arachnoid cysts and recent head trauma as key risk factors for rupture or bleeding in children. The study found that the risk of rupture was significantly higher for children with larger cysts, with an estimated 16 times greater risk for cysts measuring five centimeters or larger.
A study of 16 newborns with posterior fossa subdural hematoma (PFSDH) found that most infants survived and had relatively minor neurological abnormalities, even in severe cases. Surgery was successful in eliminating the hematoma and normalizing intracranial pressure.
LWW's 8 published journals won gold, silver and bronze awards in various categories. Wolters Kluwer Health received the recognition for delivering high-quality publications.
A study published in Spine journal found that telerehabilitation using Skype and video motion analysis software has good accuracy compared to face-to-face examinations for assessing patients with low back pain. The system showed consistent results for the same therapist at different times and for assessment by independent therapists.
A new study published in Medical Care suggests that women with chronic physical disabilities are no less likely to be pregnant as nondisabled women. After adjusting for demographic and social factors, the pregnancy rate among physically disabled women was only 17% lower than that in nondisabled women.
Randomized trials show exercise reduces depressive symptoms in MDD patients, whether used alone or combined with medication and/or psychotherapy. Exercise intensity and duration are recommended to be 50-85% of maximum heart rate for aerobic exercises and 80% 1-repetition maximum for resistance training.
A new study published in Journal of Psychiatric Practice reports a hybrid categorical-dimensional diagnostic model proposed for DSM-5 aligns well with the current approach to personality disorder diagnoses. The findings support the adoption of this alternative model, which combines core dimensions of personality disorder with various m...
Functional MRI studies show that methylphenidate alters brain activity patterns in areas like frontal lobes and basal ganglia in young patients with ADHD. The medication partially normalizes brain function in these regions, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for ADHD symptoms.
A study found that interspinous spacers have a lower complication rate than spinal fusion, but patients receiving spacers are more likely to require repeated back surgery. The researchers compared outcomes of three surgical treatment options for spinal stenosis in over 99,000 Medicare patients.
A new study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 98% of women undergoing breast augmentation surgery reported meeting or exceeding their expectations. The study also found improvements in self-esteem and quality of life after the procedure.
A survey of over 5,000 US plastic surgeons found that half regularly use social media for professional practice, citing benefits such as marketing and patient education. However, some surgeons also reported negative effects, including criticisms from patients and concerns about maintaining professionalism.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that changing lens type or lens care product can bring relief to about half of patients experiencing discomfort with contact lenses. The study ranked different combinations, with one showing significant improvement in ocular comfort and symptoms.
Two large patient databases show comparable rates of adverse outcomes with or without nitrous oxide; a significant reduction in the risk of death after surgery for patients receiving nitrous oxide. The findings remain unchanged on propensity score analysis, highlighting some limitations in the study data.
A study published in Journal of Craniofacial Surgery found that facial dog bites in children often result in permanent scars, requiring repeated revision surgeries. Most bites are classified as 'provoked' and occur when the child is playing or interacting with the dog.
Magnet hospitals demonstrate improved patient outcomes through investments in nursing education and work environment. Lower mortality rates and reduced failure-to-rescue rates are attributed to Magnet designation.
A study in Medical Care found that startup companies founded by physician entrepreneurs produce high-quality patents for class III medical devices. The researchers suggest that stricter policies on financial relationships between physicians and medical device manufacturers could slow innovation. This could have unintended consequences,...
Researchers developed a quick and simple fMRI task to localize critical brain areas governing speech and other functions. The new protocol accurately localized the anterior and posterior language areas of the brain in about 90% of subjects, including patients undergoing surgery for epilepsy or tumors.
Researchers explore the potential of EVs as biomarkers, delivery vehicles, and immune modulatory tools for brain cancer diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Extracellular vesicles may provide a way for tumor cells to alter the microenvironment, enabling growth and spread while evading immune responses.
A study found modest but meaningful improvements in children with fragile X syndrome who received minocycline treatment. The antibiotic yielded significant improvements in anxiety and mood-related behaviors, while behavior problems and verbal functioning showed little change.
A study by ASPS Member Surgeon Dr. Brian I. Labow and colleagues found that persistent breast enlargement negatively impacts adolescent males' general health, social functioning, mental health, self-esteem, and eating behaviors. Early intervention and treatment for gynecomastia may be necessary to improve negative physical and emotiona...
The review highlights the risks of sharps injuries, including high costs related to contracting serious infectious diseases, with nearly 400,000 incidents occurring annually in the US. Engineered safety devices and proper protocols can prevent many injuries, but clinician compliance remains a crucial factor in reducing their impact.
A new study found that wearing OK contact lenses every night can restore age-related loss of near vision, allowing patients to read and perform up-close tasks without bifocals or reading glasses. The technique is safe and reversible, with the cornea returning to its previous shape after stopping lens wear.