Articles tagged with Systems Biology
A Commonwealth Fund survey finds US adults are most likely to report medical errors, go without care due to costs, and support rebuilding the healthcare system. The US ranks last in saying only minor changes are needed, with high out-of-pocket costs and great problems paying medical bills.
A new study challenges traditional notions of triage in disaster response by highlighting the importance of regional hospital capacity and field triage accuracy. The research suggests that levels of overtriage can be beneficial, harmless or detrimental depending on local resources and response times.
Innovative strategies fill information gaps in countries with inaccurate civil registration systems, complemented by census and survey data for a state-of-the-art health information system. International agencies should support coordinated data collection and sharing activities.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found that doctors' opinions on critical lab values vary greatly depending on their experience. More experienced doctors tend to ignore certain abnormal results, while less experienced doctors prefer to err on the side of caution.
Medical errors often lead to guilt, fear and loneliness in patients, families and caregivers, highlighting the need for open communication and emotional support. Honest dialogue can help build bridges and foster forgiveness, leading to closure and improved patient care.
A team of scientists will use a systems biology approach to build a detailed picture of immune system function, focusing on innate and adaptive immunity. The research aims to develop new treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious diseases.
Researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine and Regenstrief Institute advocate for collaborative dementia care model that extends beyond primary care doctor's office into patients' homes and communities.
The endocannabinoid system has been found to be involved in various physiological processes, including neuroprotection, anxiety, depression, cancer development, vasodilatation, and bone formation. Research suggests that endocannabinoids may have therapeutic potential for diseases such as hepatic encephalopathy.
A new study from UC Berkeley found that people with low self-esteem respond more strongly to rejection themes, but those with better attention control skills can tone down their reactions. Researchers suggest training the mind to focus and behavioral therapy may help improve attention control and reduce negative effects of rejection.
A team has developed M-POSSUM, a modified scoring system that combines elements of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), APACHE and POSSUM to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in high-risk surgical patients. The study found that M-POSSUM is more accurate than original POSSUM and APACHE II.
Default options can be used to improve individual patient care, reducing hospital-borne infections by removing unnecessary urinary catheters. Additionally, opt-out organ donation policies have increased donation rates in European countries.
A majority of voters (75%) support a nationwide trauma system, with strong majorities across all political parties. A well-coordinated trauma system can improve survival rates by 25%, making it a critical issue for the nation's healthcare infrastructure.
Researchers developed a framework to address health-care information technology's unintended consequences, which can reduce medication errors but also produce unforeseen issues. They emphasize the need for real-time evaluations to identify and remedy these problems before they cause lasting harm.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found a significant increase in adverse drug events reported to the FDA between 1998 and 2005. The number of serious adverse drug events nearly tripled, while adverse drug-related deaths increased 2.7-fold during this period.
A review of quality improvement curricula suggests that QI projects may not necessarily improve patient outcomes. However, programs that provide ongoing access to performance data, teach small steps of trial and error, and offer active guidance from QI experts can lead to more positive patient outcomes.
Researchers are working on a £18 million project to change the social habits of living cells, which could help fight diseases like cancer and diabetes. By adjusting cell networking, they aim to reduce disease occurrence and improve health outcomes.
A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that a case-management approach helped lower heart disease risks by approximately 10 percent among a diverse group of patients, making it a cost-effective way to improve patient outcomes. The study also showed significant benefits for patients with chronic conditions.
The UC Irvine Institute for Genomics and Bioinformatics has received a $5.6 million grant to expand its Biomedical Informatics Training program, which trains graduate students in the intersection of life sciences and computational technologies. The program, one of only 18 nationwide, provides specialized training in molecular biology, ...
A recent survey of 176 hospitals by OHSU researchers reveals common adverse unintended consequences of adopting CPOE systems, including workflow shifts. Despite these challenges, the study finds that such systems can still reduce medical errors and increase cost efficiency.
Scientists identify unique surveillance system that detects and eliminates defective messenger RNAs from red blood cells. This breakthrough understanding could lead to new treatments for thalassemia and other genetic disorders affecting the production of hemoglobin proteins.
A new study by researchers at the University of Iowa found that specialty orthopedic hospitals have a 40% lower risk of complications compared to general hospitals for Medicare patients undergoing hip or knee replacement. Despite admitting fewer complex cases, specialty hospitals still exhibit better outcomes.
Healthcare leaders support creation of a national quality agenda, fundamental payment reform, and care integration to improve quality and efficiency. The survey found consensus for strategies such as health information technology mandate, financial incentives, and public reporting of provider performance.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that installing an electronic health records system can pay for itself within 16 months. The University of Rochester Medical Center saved $393,662 per year by reducing costs associated with manual chart pulling and transcription.
A new study found that electronic health records made no difference in 14 measures of quality care, while improving only two areas. The researcher emphasizes that electronic systems can provide valuable tools for physicians, but it's not enough to improve quality on their own.
Researchers found that thousands of tiny particles are released during angioplasty and stenting, which can impair kidney function. The study suggests that new devices may prevent debris release and improve patient outcomes.
The use of computerized physician order entry systems has been shown to significantly reduce medication errors, with a 66% decrease in prescription errors reported. The systems also improve patient safety and ease the workload for pharmacists by reducing the need for deciphering handwritten prescriptions.
University of Cincinnati researchers have created a unique online system to reduce medical errors and improve patient care in local hospital emergency departments. The initiative, called the Committee for Procedural Quality and Evidence-Based Practice (CPQE), covers numerous conditions from triage and diagnosis to treatment and discharge.
A new study compares primary care practice in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, finding that patients receive significantly less time with their physicians. The US averages just 15-16 minutes per visit, while Australia and New Zealand average 14.9-15 minutes.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered a molecular link between two major pathways for breaking down proteins in cells. They found that increasing HDAC6 activity can rescue neurodegenerative diseases by facilitating delivery of misfolded proteins to the autophagy-lysosomal system for degradation.
The US health care system ranks last compared to five other nations on quality, access, efficiency, equity, and outcomes. Despite spending more on healthcare than other countries, the US also invests less in health information technology.
Catheter-based aortic valve replacement using the CoreValve system improves aortic valve size and reduces heart failure severity in elderly patients. The procedure has been successfully performed on 17 high-risk patients, with all surviving the operation.
A recent study by Scripps Research Institute scientists has identified intercellular mechanisms as essential to maintaining cellular circadian clocks. The research highlights the importance of networked electrical and neurochemical interactions in sustaining cellular rhythms, offering new insights into the circadian clock's operation.
The study demonstrates that real-time intra-operative planning consistently achieves optimal coverage of the prostate with minimal doses to healthy structures. This results in improved survival rates and reduced side effects, saving $450 million a year nationwide.
A scoring system based on weight, gender, age, blood pressure and clot risk accurately predicts patient mortality after gastric bypass surgery. The system categorizes patients as low-risk, medium-risk or high-risk, with those in the high-risk group facing a six times higher mortality rate.
The International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) is evaluating a new mathematical modeling system for lung allocation in the US, focusing on its effectiveness and comparing it to systems used in Europe. The system aims to give every patient an equal chance at transplant based on various factors.
The US critical care delivery system is in critical condition due to a growing mismatch between demand and supply. A new report proposes regionalizing the system to centralize expertise, equipment, and facilities, making services readily available to those most in need.
A $2.5 million grant will expand Care Management Plus, a technology-intensive primary care model that reduces hospitalizations and improves health outcomes for older adults with chronic illnesses. The program has shown promising results in initial studies, including better blood sugar control and reduced mortality rates.
A recent study by UC Davis researchers found elevated arsenic levels in eight out of nine commercially available herbal kelp supplements, exceeding acceptable tolerance levels. The study highlights the need for standardization and labeling of dietary supplements to prevent potential health dangers.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a Magnetic Anchoring and Guidance System that uses magnets to attract and manipulate laparoscopic surgical tools. This new technique allows for magnetically maneuvering laparoscopic instruments inserted into the abdominal cavity through the bellybutton or throat.
Researchers present new catheter-based approaches to repairing the mitral valve and treating coronary plaque, showing improved safety and feasibility. The MONARC system and sideKick stenting system demonstrate significant benefits in patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation and bifurcation lesions.
Researchers found that cellular noise can amplify cell transformation and differentiation in bacteria cells. This discovery provides a systems-level view of gene circuits, revealing a potential role for noise in driving biological processes.
Two Nobel laureates, Drs. Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein, along with mentor Donald Seldin, will receive Research!America's Builders of Science Award for their contributions to developing UT Southwestern into a world-class research institution. The award recognizes their achievements in advancing biomedical research.
The Medical Training Application Service (MTAS) has been plagued by problems, including computer failures and inadequate reflection of practical experience. The Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) curriculum is also failing, with concerns over the new fast-track production system producing inadequately experienced consultants. The Lancet...
The stability of cellular oscillators depends on specific biochemical processes, reflecting recent association studies. The researchers' mathematical model identified the molecular parameters responsible for the stability of internal body clocks.
The authors propose a market-based approach to increase the value of care delivered, organizing care around medical conditions and integrating treatment with prevention. Measuring results-risk-adjusted outcomes and costs-per-medical-condition is crucial for improving value.
The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) is an accurate predictor of liver disease survival, particularly useful in allocating organs for transplants. However, efforts to refine its accuracy are needed to further improve patient outcomes.
Researchers have found that monochloramine treatment is less reactive and less efficient than traditional chlorination in killing bacterial contaminants. This means that municipalities with monochloramine systems may need to rely on other methods of monitoring for contamination.
Researchers have developed an artificial lateral line that mimics the functions of the biological system found in fish, enabling submarines to detect and track moving targets and avoid collisions. The device uses micro fabricated flow sensors integrated with metal-oxide-superconductor circuitry for on-chip signal processing.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have developed a non-invasive, real-time monitoring system to predict sepsis in neonates. This technology analyzes heartbeat signals to identify characteristic patterns that indicate an impending infection. By detecting these patterns early, clinicians can initiate treatment soone...
The new CTX system will enable doctors and scientists to see inside living humans and animals, tracking 3-D skeletal movements with precision. This technology has applications for basic and applied research, including biomechanics, orthopedic surgeries, and injury treatments.
The Mayo Clinic suggests a reimbursement system based on value rather than traditional pay-for-performance, aiming to improve healthcare quality and reduce spending. The proposed system rewards hospitals for achieving good patient outcomes at lower costs, while penalizing those with worse outcomes.
A study validates the Infectious Disease Society of America's guidelines for classifying diabetic foot infections, confirming a simple system can predict hospitalization and amputation. The free online classification system will guide therapy and patient communication.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing robotic assistants to enhance surgeons' skills, including a snakelike robot for making incisions and tying sutures with greater dexterity, and a steady-hand system to curb tremors during microsurgery. These tools aim to improve surgical precision and effectiveness.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are developing mathematical models to represent the safest and most effective ways to perform surgery. By analyzing data from robotic medical tools, they aim to evaluate a surgeon's work and help doctors improve their skills. The goal is also to enable robotic surgical tools to perform with gre...
Scientists have developed a model of the phagosome using systems biology approach, facilitating study of its function and interactions. The model may lead to better understanding of infectious disease processes and development of new strategies to fight pathogens.
A study by Geisinger Health System researchers found that EHR-based programs tripled the rate of osteoporosis screenings in at-risk women. High-risk women accounted for about half of those screened, highlighting the potential of EHRs to identify and prevent fractures related to osteoporosis.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University are developing a system that adds haptic feedback to robotic surgery tools, allowing surgeons to feel the work of mechanical helpers. The team is experimenting with techniques such as force sensors and computer models to convey tactile sensations to operators.
A new 'inverse planning' system developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology improves brachytherapy treatment for prostate and other cancers. The system optimizes radiation doses to tumor cells while minimizing effects on nearby structures, leading to better local tumor control and reduced side effects.
A new grid computing system enables doctors to share high-resolution medical images quickly and securely across North America. This breakthrough improves diagnosis accuracy, allows for second opinions from specialists anywhere easily, and enhances monitoring of ongoing clinical research.
A device implanted in US patients with severe hypertension shows significant reduction in blood pressure, averaging 22mmHg systolic and 18mmHg diastolic. The Rheos System activates the body's baroreflex system to lower blood pressure through electrical stimulation.