News
Two-Day Worker Walkout Ends At California Hospitals
May 24, 2013 11:21 am | CommentsA two-day strike by University of California hospital workers ended on Thursday, with both sides claiming victory even though there was no resolution to a contract dispute involving staffing and pensions. The University of California said the vast majority of union workers had crossed picket lines to work at hospitals in several areas of the state.
OK To Discharge ICD Patients On Same Day
May 24, 2013 10:54 am | by Chris Kaiser | CommentsSame-day discharge for patients receiving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is safe, feasible, and cost-effective, a retrospective study found. There were no cardiac events, rehospitalizations, or procedure-related complications at 24 hours post-discharge for the 198 (79 percent) of 254 outpatients who had successful same-day discharge.
Intuitive Surgical Wins Jury Trial In Negligence Case
May 24, 2013 10:45 am | CommentsIntuitive Surgical prevailed in a civil lawsuit that accused it of negligence in its training of doctors using the company's surgical robot machines, a victory as it looks to counter criticisms that its da Vinci machines are unsafe and too costly. The suit, had sought $8.45 million in compensatory damages in connection to the death of Fred Taylor, who had his prostate gland removed with a da Vinci robot in 2008 and died four years later.
Stroke Costs To Double by 2030, Groups Say
May 22, 2013 1:06 pm | by Crystal Phend | CommentsThe rising prevalence of stroke in an aging population is likely to more than double the cost of stroke care over the next two decades, the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association warned. Total annual costs, including the price of lost productivity, were estimated to rise 129 percent to $240.67 billion by 2030.
Johns Hopkins Rewrites Blood-Ordering Rules For Surgical Patients
May 22, 2013 1:02 pm | CommentsJohns Hopkins researchers have developed new guidelines — the first in more than 35 years — to govern the amount of blood ordered for surgical patients. The recommendations, based on a lengthy study of blood use at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), can potentially save the medical center more than $200,000 a year and improve patient safety, researchers say.
Intuitive Robotic Surgery Case Goes To Jury
May 22, 2013 12:58 pm | CommentsLawyers for the estate of Fred Taylor seek $8.45 million in damages based on claims that Intuitive is mostly to blame for his injuries stemming from a 2008 robot-assisted removal of his prostate gland. Taylor and his family allege he suffered because of Intuitive’s inadequate training that was streamlined and compromised by the company’s push to sell its robots.
Surgery Offers Mixed Benefits For Kids' Sleep Apnea
May 22, 2013 12:55 pm | CommentsA new study has confirmed that removing the tonsils and adenoids of children with obstructive sleep apnea can reduce sleepiness and improve the quality of life, but putting off the surgery might not hurt either. The findings found that after seven months, surgery improved many gauges of everyday living.
Low LDL May Spell Trouble In Bariatric Surgery
May 21, 2013 12:23 pm | by Nancy Walsh | CommentsAmong factors that predicted the likelihood that patients undergoing bariatric surgery would experience postoperative cardiopulmonary complications were low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high levels of C-reactive protein, according to research.
Delayed Transfer To The ICU Increases Risk Of Death In Hospital Patients
May 21, 2013 10:33 am | CommentsDelayed transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU) in hospitalized patients significantly increases the risk of dying in the hospital, according to a new study from researchers in Chicago. The study included 2,166 patients at an academic hospital who were transferred from medical-surgical wards to the ICU. Of these patients, 425 (20 percent) died during admission.
Challenges Encountered In Surgical Management Of Spine Trauma In Morbidly Obese Patients
May 21, 2013 10:29 am | CommentsPhysicians describe the logistic, medical, and societal challenges faced in treating spine trauma in morbidly obese patients. Based on a case series of six patients injured in high-speed motor vehicle accidents, the authors categorize difficulties faced in the care of morbidly obese patients from on-scene immobilization and medical transport through spinal imaging, surgery, and postoperative care.
Using Video Monitoring To Measure Hand-Washing Compliance
May 21, 2013 10:21 am | CommentsThe North Shore-LIJ Health System is expanding a first-of-its-kind video monitoring system used to measure hand-washing compliance at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, by introducing cameras in operating rooms at Forest Hills (NY) Hospital. The new pilot program strengthens patient safety by providing hospitals with real-time feedback in their operating rooms.
New Study Shows Full Spectrum Endoscopy Procedure Reduces The 'Miss Rate' of Adenomas During Colonoscopy
May 20, 2013 1:09 pm | CommentsAlthough colonoscopy exams prevent many colon cancer deaths and are considered the most sensitive method for detecting colorectal cancers, the procedure is not completely effective in preventing cancer cases. EndoChoice Inc. today unveiled research that shows that its new Fuse system significantly improves the accuracy of this procedure and greatly reduces the number of adenomas missed by colonoscopists.
Fewer Kids Dying While Waiting For New Organs
May 20, 2013 10:53 am | by Kathleen Struck | CommentsFewer children died waiting for organ transplants in the past decade after policy changes to the national organ allocation system, researchers stated. The number of children dying before they could receive a transplant dramatically decreased from 262 to 110 as pediatric transplants increased from 2001 to 2010.
MRI Predicts Failing MoM Hip Implants
May 20, 2013 10:48 am | by Salynn Boyles | CommentsSynovial volume as measured by MRI is highly predictive of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant failure in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, a study has found. The findings suggest MRI may be useful for identifying patients who need revision surgery long before symptoms occur and significant tissue damage takes place.
Source Of Infection Affects Hospital Mortality In Septic Shock Patients In The ICU
May 20, 2013 10:29 am | CommentsIn ICU patients who have septic shock, the anatomic source of infection has a strong effect on the chances of survival, according to a new study from researchers in Canada. Understanding the local infection source in patients with septic shock may influence treatment strategies and clinical outcomes.
