Health care Archives

MRSA infection risk after facelift surgery

Methicillin-resistant S aureus?positive surgical site infection is an increasingly problematic issue in all surgical fields. In the future, MRSA-positive infections will be more prevalent and will require well-developed screening, prevention, and treatment strategies. – About one-half percent of patients undergoing facelift surgery at one outpatient surgical center between 2001 and 2007 developed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, according to a report in the March/April issue of Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Tussionex cough medicine with hydrocodone warning

US FDA health agency gives new safety information on proper use of Tussionex as a cough suppressant. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert on the safe and correct use of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension in response to numerous reports of adverse events–including death–associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of this potent cough medication.

Knee surgery referral to men more

Disparity in the use of medical or surgical interventions is an important health care issue, and this research suggests a gender bias in the treatment of patients who may need orthopedic surgery. Gender bias may affect care of people with osteoarthritis. – Physicians and surgeons recommend knee replacement surgery to men more than female patients complaining of knee pain, revealed by canadian researchers highlighting unconscious prejudices among doctors.

Colorectal cancer screening guidelines update

New guidelines update recommendations on colorectal cancer screening, strong preference for tests that can prevent colon cancer, including colonoscopy. – A new guideline on colorectal cancer screening released by an expert group representing a broad spectrum of health care organizations, including the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the American Cancer Society (ACS), offers recommendations for various alternatives for colorectal cancer detection and states a strong preference for screening tests that can prevent colorectal cancer.

Snoring linked to cardiovascular disease

Loud snoring with breathing pauses is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased health care utilization – Loud snoring with breathing pauses is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and increased health care utilization, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP.

New York unveils electronic health record technology

New York City’s Electronic Health Records Set New Standard for Health Care Nationwide; Technology Will Help Transform System of Disease Care into One of Preventing Disease. – New York’s Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden unveiled the City’s next-generation electronic health records (EHRs), already in use at more than 200 primary-care providers across the city that care for more than 200,000 New Yorkers.

Quest Diagnostics & Google provide patients electronic access to their diagnostic laboratory data

Quest Diagnostics & Google provide patients electronic access to their diagnostic laboratory data, as a result of a new collaboration. – US patients may soon have easy and secure access to their own medical diagnostic laboratory records as a result of a new collaboration between Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the nation’s leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, and Google, the world’s leading Internet search company.

Health reform in Australia, ANF expressed concerns

National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission could miss the opportunity for true health reform. – In responding to the Australian government’s announcement of the make-up of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) expressed concerns regarding the future direction of health reform in Australia.

Aquatic exercise could benefit fibromyalgia sufferers

The addition of an aquatic exercise programme to the usual care for fibromyalgia in women, is cost-effective in terms of both health care costs and societal costs. – Patients suffering from fibromyalgia could benefit significantly from regular exercise in a heated swimming pool, a study published today in the open access journal Arthritis Research & Therapy shows. The findings suggest a cost effective way of improving quality of life for patients with this often-debilitating disorder.

Insurers’ anti-patient practices won’t be tolerated

California Medical Association (CMA) says Los Angeles City Attorney Lawsuit against Health Net sends a strong message that insurers? anti-patient practices won?t be tolerated. – A Los Angeles City Attorney’s lawsuit accusing Health Net Inc. of promising medical coverage, then dropping patients if they needed expensive treatment, sends a strong message to insurers that such mistreatment of patients will not be tolerated.

UK government wasting money on private treatment centres

UK government continues to waste money on private treatment centres, says British Medical Association (BMA). – Researchers writing in the BMJ, argue that there is no good evidence that independent sector treatment centres provide value for money or high quality care. The involvement of private companies in the UK’s National Health Service always generates controversy.

MRSA among drug users increasing

Rates of MRSA infection in injection drug users in Vancouver have significantly increased over the last six years. – A new comparative study suggests that rates of MRSA infection in injection drug users in Vancouver have significantly increased over the last six years highlighting the need for interventional methods in high-risks groups.