Hospitalization

MRSA admission screening may not reduce staph infection rates

A universal, rapid MRSA admission screening strategy did not reduce nosocomial MRSA infection in a surgical department with endemic MRSA prevalence but relatively low rates of MRSA infection. – New findings do not support the recommendation for universal screening on hospital admission for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to reduce the rate of hospital-acquired infections in surgical patients, according to a study in the March 12 issue of JAMA.

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.

Stricter warnings for botox, myobloc botulinum injections

Botox and a similar injection Myobloc should come with stronger warnings following reports of 16 deaths after the botulinum toxin spread inside the body, a U.S. consumer group Public Citizen said.
– The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should immediately increase its warnings and directly warn patients and doctors about the use of botulinum toxin ? available as Botox and Myobloc ? because of serious adverse reactions, including deaths, linked to the drug, Public Citizen said in a petition filed with the FDA.

Immune system can help heal patients with heart failure

Immune system can help heal patients with heart failure

The ability to change or modulate the patient?s immune response has now been shown to be attainable as well as successful in treating certain stages of heart failure. – Modifying the immune system of a patient with heart failure reduces the patient’s risk of death and the need for hospitalization, according to research published in recent edition of The Lancet.