Articles
Fueling The Anger Of Doctors
May 3, 2010 7:00 am | by Pauline W. Chen, MD | CommentsAt a recent social gathering, a doctor friend who has been in private practice for almost 15 years revealed something that caused one physician to nearly choke on her drink, another to gasp in disbelief and the rest of us to stop what we were doing and gawk as if he had committed some grave social faux pas.
Top Hospital Ranking Doesn’t Mean The Best Medical Care
April 30, 2010 7:19 am | CommentsHospital rankings matter. Specifically, those published in the US News & World Report carry additional weight. Hospitals use these numbers in advertising campaigns, and patients often choose hospitals based on these rankings. But does a high place really mean you’re getting better care? Not necessarily.
An Unforeseen Complication Of Electronic Medical Records
April 27, 2010 7:27 am | by Pauline W. Chen, MD | CommentsOne afternoon several years ago, I found myself faced with an unexpected challenge while seeing patients in clinic. The hospital had just put in effect an electronic medical records system, or EMR, and along with the dozens of shiny new computer terminals installed in nursing stations on every ward came the promise of fewer missing charts, streamlined information and efficient work-flow patterns for all.
To Sleep Or Not To Sleep?
April 27, 2010 7:20 am | CommentsAlgorithms manage sleeping patterns of astronauts, shift worker schedules. April 27, 2010 Shifting work schedules can wreak havoc on a person's ability to get enough sleep, resulting in poor performance on the job. Researchers funded by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) have developed software that uses mathematical models to help astronauts and ground support personnel better adjust to shifting work and sleep schedules.
Two Worlds Collide
April 26, 2010 6:36 am | by Bruce Campbell, MD | Comments“ There’s a consult downstairs, Campbell. Go check it out and I’ll catch up with you later.” “Sure, OK.” I was a third-year medical student fumbling through my first clinical rotations. The resident headed off to whatever he needed to accomplish and I trotted down the back stairwell.
Purchasing Surgical Camera & Video Systems
April 26, 2010 6:33 am | by Joey Knight, Vice President of Sales, US Surgical Workplaces – MAQUET, Inc. | MAQUET Medical Systems USA | Comments1. Understand the technology available. Technological advancement has created a lot of opportunities for customers to achieve some great results ultimately improving the surgeon’s work environment and increased patient safety. Often times the definition of Hi Def technology associated with cameras and video systems can be very confusing for customers and can tarnish the industry if a sound purchase decision is not achieved.
Time
April 16, 2010 7:33 am | by Bruce Campbell, MD | CommentsThe surgical case is delayed and I am getting restless. I anticipate a very difficult dissection. The cancer has returned after extensive prior treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Now we wait as the final preparations take place. Time passes very slowly. For the rest of this blog, click here .
Blended Approach
April 13, 2010 6:52 am | by Amanda McGowan | CommentsSurgical simulation and training is crucial in helping surgeons develop and refine surgical skill. Now a variety of offerings allow for honing these skills before stepping into the OR. April 20, 2010 When James “Butch” Rosser, MD, FACS, professor of surgery at Morehouse School of Medicine, prepares for a case, he warms up with one of his favorite video games—Silent Scope or Super Monkey Ball.
Weighing The Options
April 13, 2010 6:51 am | by Amanda McGowan | CommentsHaving a basic understanding of the different surgical implants and grafts available—both biologic and synthetic—is the first step to help a surgeon decide which material is right for the patient and procedure. April 23, 2010 With an array of materials and structures to consider, the options for surgical implants and grafts for surgeons can be “dizzying” at times, says Alfredo M.
Purchasing Perspective On Surgical Camera & Video Systems
April 13, 2010 6:51 am | by Donna Ungvarsky, Business Development Specialist for Olympus’ EndoSite Consulting division. | CommentsWhat are the top three considerations surgical professionals should make when purchasing surgical cameras & video systems? April 21, 2010 With continual improvements in minimally invasive surgery techniques coupled with constrained capital budgets, facilities must add more rigor to their technology assessments and purchasing practices.
Why Physicians Need A “Sterile Cockpit”
April 13, 2010 6:51 am | CommentsImagine, you are the pilot of a 747, getting ready to land the plane at LAX (pilot speak for Los Angeles International Airport), your ear phones are strapped on, you are talking to the tower, verifying your landing instructions, going through the check list, lowering the landing gear, adjusting the fuel mixture, and just as you throttle back– “Excuse me, captain, but the passenger in 12B really needs to go to the bathroom even though the no smoking sign is on.
iPhone Medical Apps May Be Medical Malpractice Targets
April 13, 2010 6:50 am | by Satish Misra | Comments0 Medical practice is a big business. Conservative estimates put the total cost of medical malpractice at nearly $35 billion annually and, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report, nearly $5 billion is paid in claims each year. With an average claims payment of about $300,000 and up to 50% of that going to the lawyers representing the patient, its not surprising that practically every show on cable television has at least one advertisement imploring patients who have suffered practically any bad outcome to contact a lawyer immediately for “the compensation they deserve.
Believing In What You Do
April 13, 2010 6:50 am | by Jeffrey Parks, MD | Comments0 This story (from the NY Times) about the young palliative care physician in New York who died at age 38 from metastatic breast cancer is pretty harrowing. Dr. Desiree Pardi was a rising star, apparently, in the field of palliative care medicine. She was first diagnosed with cancer at age 31 and battled the recurrences with surgery and chemotherapy while maintaining a full work schedule over the subsequent 7 years.
Running On Empty
April 13, 2010 6:33 am | by Dr. Wes, MedPage Today | Comments0 We're stretched so thin, right now. No new hires in sight. Look at this list of patients: 22 of 'em, all over 70, eight "new's" among them, every one with tons of medical issues. Didn't get out of here until 10:30 last night. Then back at it at 8 (am) this morning. I'm telling you, I hate it.
Surgical Brainstorm: Cameras & Video Systems
April 12, 2010 11:50 am | by Jim Roselius, National Sales Manager, Vision Systems, Panasonic System Networks Company | CommentsWhat are the top three considerations surgical professionals should make when purchasing surgical cameras & videos system? April 16, 2010 1. Sensitivity. While some would argue resolution is the #1 consideration, sensitivity may rank higher. The surgeon must see details to make accurate decisions, but needs to see those details in a wide variety of contrast conditions.
