Emergency Archives

Radiologists diagnose and treat self embedding disorder in teens

US Radiologists are in better position to diagnose and treat self embedding disorder in teens, as some teens are wounding themselves and embedding objects such as paper clips and glass to cope with disturbed thoughts and feelings. – Minimally invasive, image-guided treatment is a safe and precise method for removal of self-inflicted foreign objects from the body, according to the first report on “self-embedding disorder,” or self-injury and self-inflicted foreign body insertion in adolescents.

A universal mechanism of aging is identified

New evidence may explain why it is that we lose not only our youthful looks, but also our youthful pattern of gene activity with age. – Researchers have discovered that DNA damage decreases a cell’s ability to regulate which genes are turned on and off in particular settings. This mechanism, which applies both to fungus and to us, might represent a universal culprit for aging.

Gasping and CPR help cardiac arrest victims survive

Gasping helps cardiac arrest victims survive. Gasping should not be mistaken for breathing and CPR should be initiated. – People who witness an individual collapse suddenly and unexpectedly should perform uninterrupted chest compressions even if the patient gasps or breathes in a funny way, research from the Resuscitation Research Group at The University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center shows.

Routine HIV testing fails in US

Despite national guidelines, private insurers, ER, federal and state agencies fail to routinely test for HIV. New data at national summit show that routine testing would lower record numbers of ‘late testers,’ save lives and reduce transmission. – While the U.S. AIDS epidemic simmers largely unnoticed by most Americans, a failure to widely implement routine HIV testing continues to fuel its spread, HIV researchers and experts said.

COPD hospitalizations on the rise in US

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States of America. – A joint report released by the American Lung Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota COPD Coalition shows that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is sending more Minnesotans to the hospital, and may be contributing to rising health care costs across in the state.

Australian public hospitals need $3 billion – AMA

Australia needs to spend more on its hospitals as the public health system is in danger of collapse. – Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the public hospital system was ?flat lining’ and the COAG meeting next week may be its last hope for resuscitation.

US adults skip needed care due to costs

US has highest rates among 8 nations of patient-reported medical errors, wasteful or poorly coordinated care and high out-of-pocket costs; Dutch often fare best in affordable, accessible care, low rates of medical errors – Compared to patients in seven other countries, chronically ill adults in the United States are far more likely to forgo care because of costs; they also experience the highest rates of medical errors, coordination problems, and high out-of-pocket costs, according to a new study from The Commonwealth Fund.

Factors identified causing barriers to asthma care

Factors identified causing barriers to asthma care – access to appropriate care, patient adherence, distrust of the medical profession, delayed asthma diagnosis, culture, lifestyle choices and genetic discrepancies – Barriers to managing asthma include access to appropriate care, patient adherence, distrust of the medical profession, delayed asthma diagnosis, culture, lifestyle choices and genetic discrepancies according to experts at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Seattle.

Antiretrovirals with TB treatment reduces mortality in HIV patients

Antiretroviral therapy with TB treatment for HIV patients reduces mortality up to fifty five percent. – A South African treatment study conducted by researchers in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health shows that mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients can be reduced by a remarkable 55%, if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided with TB treatment at the same time.

Retail clinics attracting patients with no regular doctor

Typical patients of retail medical health clinics in the United States include patients who don’t have regular health care provider or doctor. – Retail medical clinics located in pharmacies and other stores typically attract insured and uninsured patients who are seeking help for a small group of easy-to-treat illnesses or preventive care and do not otherwise have a regular health care provider, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

Lung health action plan needed to control air pollution

A major medical report by the Canadian Medical Association is warning the number of deaths related to air pollution is set to rise in the coming decades and a strategy for lung health is needed. – The National Illness Cost of Air Pollution (ICAP) study, released by the Canadian Medical Association, is clear evidence that action is required on air pollution and that a national strategy for lung health is needed now more than ever.

Diving related injuries common among children

A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP) of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children?s Hospital, found that an estimated 111,000 diving-related injuries to persons under the age of 19 were treated in emergency departments from 1990 through 2006. – The thrill of flipping and jumping into water has become common practice among children and adolescents as they dive into more than eight million swimming pools across the United States.