Michael Schumacher showing improvement after ski accident

The Formula 1 legend underwent a second procedure on Monday night and has shown a ‘slight improvement’ – Michael Schumacher underwent a second surgery after a brain scan showed small, “surprising” signs of improvement. However, doctors said that they couldn’t offer any insight into the prognosis for the Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.

Medicare hospice benefit – better care at a lower cost

Medicare patients who use hospice receive better care at a lower cost to the government – Medicare patients who enrolled in hospice received better care at a significantly lower cost to the government than those who did not use the Medicare hospice benefit. The data indicate that annual savings to Medicare could amount to $2.4 million to $6.4 million.

Quality of life at end of life for patients with cancer

Study examines quality of life factors at end of life for patients with cancer – Better quality of life at the end of life for patients with advanced cancer was associated with avoiding hospitalizations and the intensive care unit, worrying less, praying or meditating, being visited by a pastor in a hospital or clinic, and having a therapeutic alliance with their physician.

Le Bonheur surgeons separated rare conjoined pygopagus twins

Le Bonheur Surgeons Successfully Separate Rare Conjoined Twins — Most complex surgery in hospital history – Doctors at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital successfully separated conjoined twins, Joshua and Jacob Spates, on Monday, Aug_29. The Spates family is from Memphis. Conjoined twins are identical twins whose bodies do not fully separate in utero. A rare phenomenon, conjoined twins occurs in approximately one in 100,000 births.

Copper reduces infection risk by 40%

Copper reduces infection risk by more than 40 percent – Copper touch surfaces could have a key role in preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Extensive laboratory tests have demonstrated copper’s antimicrobial efficacy against key organisms. A 97% reduction in surface pathogens in rooms with copper surfaces has been demonstrated.

Reminding about costs of blood tests appears to affect utilization

Reminding surgical staff of phlebotomy costs appears to affect utilization – Surgical house staff and attending physicians who are reminded about the charges for ordering daily blood drawing for routine blood work appear to reduce the amount of routine blood tests ordered and the charges for these laboratory tests.

Private room intensive care units associated with lower infection rates

Private room intensive care units associated with lower infection rates – Converting hospital intensive care units (ICUs) to private rooms is associated with a reduction in the rate at which patients acquire infections, according to a report in the January 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

H1N1 may cause serious health risks for pregnant women

Study Finds H1N1 Associated With Serious Health Risks for Pregnant Women – Pregnant women who contract the H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications including fetal distress, premature delivery, emergency cesarean delivery and fetal death, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.