News
Stenting Dramatically Improves Treatment Access For Dialysis Patients
April 15, 2013 11:10 am | CommentsKidney failure patients on dialysis derive long-term benefit from the minimally invasive placement of a stent that improves the function of dialysis access grafts, according to 12-month trial results. Results of the study exceeded expectations, and that is a boon for dialysis patients.
Picture This: A Dramatic Drop In Wrong Patient Errors
April 15, 2013 10:20 am | CommentsAdding a photo of a face to x-ray images can reduce "wrong-patient" errors five-fold, a new study finds. X-rays can look alike, and if one patient's images are confused with another before the radiologist sees them, it can be difficult for the radiologist to determine there is a mismatch.
Standard CT Protocol For Trauma Patients Leads To Overutilization Of Imaging
April 15, 2013 10:18 am | CommentsIt is unnecessary to scan trauma patients based on a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol, if the patient is transferred for care after already undergoing a focused CT examination based on the patient's history and physical examination, a new study shows.
URAC Seeks Public Comment On Accountable Care Accreditation Standards And Measures
April 12, 2013 1:09 pm | CommentsURAC, an independent accreditation organization advancing quality and value throughout health care, has announced a call for public comment on its new Accountable Care Accreditation Standards and Measures. URAC’s new program is a roadmap for health providers to achieve clinical integration and accountable care.
Lancaster Hospital Using Xenex "Robot" To Battle Superbugs
April 12, 2013 1:05 pm | CommentsLancaster General Hospital’s newest weapon against hospital-acquired infections looks a little like R2-D2 from Star Wars. The new room disinfecting systemuses ultraviolet (UV-C) light that is 25,000 times more powerful than the sun to ‘zap’ nasty organismsthat cause infections like the flu, norovirus, and MRSA.
SBMT Announce Formation Of American Board Of Brain Mapping
April 12, 2013 12:45 pm | CommentsThe BRAIN Initiative is going to fund research on cutting-edge technologies, which could probe and or image the brain in order to better understand its structure and neuropatho-physiology as well as breaking new ground on the treatment, cure and prevention of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, brain cancers, and neurotrauma.
Researchers Create Kidney Transplant 'Decision' Tool
April 12, 2013 11:06 am | CommentsJohns Hopkins scientists have created a free, Web-based tool to help patients decide whether it's best to accept an immediately available, but less-than-ideal deceased donor kidney for transplant, or wait for a healthier one in the future.
Off-Duty Paramedic, Surgeons Rescue Man Who Sawed Arms
April 12, 2013 10:50 am | by Robert Jablon, Associated Press | CommentsA Los Angeles man deliberately cut his own arms to the bone with handsaws. While doctors were able to reattach his arms, they will have to wait to see how effectively they were able to reconnect blood vessels and muscle as the man recovers.
Colorado Surgeon Accused Of Botching Procedures
April 12, 2013 10:46 am | by Fox News | CommentsDr. Warren Kortz faces 14 counts of unprofessional conduct in connection with a series of failed surgeries from 2008 to 2010. According to the complaint, the operations at Porter Adventist Hospital, using a device called the DaVinci robot, utilized improper procedures and resulted in torn aortas, a sponge left inside one patient and assorted other problems.
Ind. Hospital First In Nation To Implant Breakthrough Aortic Heart Valve Device
April 12, 2013 10:39 am | CommentsPhysicians at the Franciscan St. Francis Heart Valve Center found that infection had destroyed a patient's aortic valve and severely damaged the mitral valve. Although Gerdisch was able to repair his mitral valve, the aortic valve required replacement. Fortunately, the advanced On-X valve technology was available at St. Francis Heart Center.
Diabetes 'Cure' After Weight Loss Surgery Lasts Long Term
April 10, 2013 11:57 am | CommentsBariatric surgery may keep type 2 diabetes at bay for good. A study found 50 percent of patients whose diabetes resolved following bariatric surgery still had complete or partial remission of the disease about 6 years later. Of those who had a complete remission, 27percent met the definition of a "functional cure" of diabetes.
Cancer Radiation Makes Heart Repairs Risky
April 10, 2013 11:48 am | by Crystal Phend | CommentsThe prognosis after heart surgery may be worse for cancer survivors with cardiac damage from radiation treatments, an observational study suggested. Despite similar presurgical risk scores, 55 percent of patients died in the eight years following surgery to correct radiation-associated heart disease compared with 28 percent mortality among other heart surgery patients.
Breast Reduction Allows For Direct-To-Implant Option For Prophylactic Mastectomy
April 10, 2013 11:42 am | CommentsIt's difficult enough for high-risk women to face removing their breasts to prevent cancer, and then many are informed they can't have the type of mastectomy procedure they prefer. A new technique uses a two-stage approach to allow women with large or ptotic breasts to become suitable candidates for nipple sparing, direct to implant prophylactic mastectomy.
Value-Based Decision-Making Process Using Single Best Practice To Prevent DVT Reduces Hospital Costs
April 10, 2013 11:02 am | CommentsResearchers report success in using a concept called “value-based analysis,” which simultaneously measures quality and cost and addresses inefficiencies in care. The researchers applied a value-based analysis approach to implementing a single best practice for preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in surgical patients and were able to reduce hospital costs in excess of $1.5 million per year.
Decontamination Of Unused Medical Supplies Reduces Healthcare Costs
April 9, 2013 11:20 am | CommentsUsing inventory lists and electronic medical records, researchers projected the annual cost of discarded supplies because of potentially contaminated packages from patient isolation rooms from the six units included in the study to be $387,055.
