Care
Care articles
Bevacizumab with chemotherapy provides no survival benefit for lung cancer patientsAdding the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) to the standard chemotherapy regimen for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) – an approach approved by the FDA in 2006 – did not lead to significantly increase survival rates for patients over the age of 65 enrolled in Medicare.
iPads increase doctors efficiency in healthcareProviding personal mobile computers like iPads to medical residents increases their efficiency, reduces delays in patient care and enhances continuity of care.
CT colonography a front line colorectal cancer screening tool for seniorsComputerized tomographic (CT) colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy, is comparable to standard colonoscopy in its ability to accurately detect cancer and precancerous polyps in people ages 65 and older.
Emergency department visita are lower among most satisfied patientsHigher patient satisfaction appears to be associated with lower odds of emergency department use, higher odds for inpatient hospitalization, greater health care and prescription expenditures, and higher mortality risk.
Breast cancer funding restored by Komen Foundation to Planned ParenthoodThe Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation reversed its decision and continues to fund breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood health centers. The outpouring of support online for Planned Parenthood and women in need of breast cancer screenings has been nothing short of astonishing, and because of it, the Planned Parenthood Breast Health Fund has received more than $3 million from thousands of people across the country in only three days.
Earlier sign of autism can be noticed in 6 months old infantsIn their first year of life, babies who will go on to develop autism already show different brain responses when someone looks at or away from them. Although the researchers are careful to say that the study, reported in the Cell Press journal Current Biology, is only a first step toward earlier diagnosis, the findings do suggest that direct brain measures might help to predict the future development of autism symptoms in infants as young as six months.
Surgeons age linked to safe health careSurgeons aged between 35 and 50 years provide the safest care compared with their younger or older colleagues. The findings raise concerns about ongoing training and motivation of surgeons during their careers.
30% of health spending yield no benefit to patientsHouse Democratic Caucus Chairman John B. Larson (CT) released the following statement on the resignation of Dr. Donald Berwick as Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Investments for children must be at top of African HIV and AIDS agenda - UNICEFAll children, particularly the poorest and most marginalized, should have access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care. Against the background of reduced funding for HIV/AIDS activities, partners and decision makers must sustain their contributions to make this world HIV free.
66th World Homeopathic Congress LMHI LIGA at New DelhiThe Indian Minister of Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad today announced a host of new initiatives being considered for AYUSH sector in the XIIth Plan subject to availability of funds. The Minister was speaking at the Inaugural Function of the 66TH World Homeopathic Congress organised in New Delhi today.
Many US people do not know they have HIVAn estimated 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Of those, as many as 1 in 5 people (about 240,000) don't know they have HIV.
Employer health insurance premiums increased in USPremiums for employer-sponsored family health insurance increased by 50 percent from 2003 to 2010, and the annual amount that employees pay toward their insurance increased by 63 percent as businesses required employees to contribute a greater share, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report that examines state trends in health insurance costs.
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement TAVR shows superiority in heart patientsA two-year study of patients in the landmark PARTNER trial, which compared transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients who have severe aortic stenosis and are not candidates for open heart surgery, confirm the one-year findings and support the role of TAVR as the standard of care.
35 new drugs approved in 2011 in USOver the past 12 months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved 35 new medicines for patients, like two new treatments for hepatitis C; a drug for late-stage prostate cancer; the first new drug for Hodgkin's lymphoma in 30 years; and the first new drug for lupus in 50 years.
Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla to build hospital for needy childrenRecently Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla revealed that she would build a hospital only for children. A hospital that combines homoeopathy and ayurveda with allopathy.
Medicare patients lead to long term institutionalization in a nursing homeConfirming many elderly patients' worst fears, a national study has shown that being hospitalized for an acute event, such as a stroke or hip fracture, can lead to long-term institutionalization in a nursing home.
Fair skin people may need vitamin D supplementsResearchers at the University of Leeds, funded by Cancer Research UK, suggest that people with very pale skin may be unable to spend enough time in the sun to make the amount of vitamin D the body needs - while also avoiding sunburn.
Children with multiple surgeries before age 2 develop a learning disability36.6 percent children who had multiple surgeries before age 2 developed a learning disability later in life, but it should not alter decision-making related to surgery in young children. The new study examines children experiencing anesthesia and surgeries under age 2.
Cost of cancer care rising worldwideCancer is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity worldwide, and its economic burden grows year by year. In 2008, the worldwide cost of cancer due to premature death and disability, excluding direct medical costs, was estimated to be US$895 billion.
$3.5 million Komen award to study rare and aggressive type of breast cancerThe Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is part of a team of medical investigators receiving a $3.5 million grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure to study triple-negative breast cancer, a highly aggressive form of this cancer that disproportionately affects African-Americans.
One million additional young adults get health insurance in USAffordable Care Act has helped increase the number of young adults who have health insurance, as per data released by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Local biosurveillance data can improve individual patient careBy taking local biosurveillance data into account when assessing patients for communicable diseases, doctors may be able to make better diagnostic decisions, according to researchers at Children's Hospital Boston. For instance, in the case of strep throat, awareness of local epidemiology at the time of diagnosis could help more than 166,000 people avoid unnecessary antibiotic treatment in the United States every year and catch more than 62,000 missed cases.
65 million more obese in US and 11 million more in UK by 2030The rising prevalence of obesity around the globe places an increasing burden on the health of populations, on healthcare systems and on overall economies. A major challenge for researchers is to quantify the effect of these burdens to inform public policies.
Door-to-balloon time is 90 min in 91% of heart attack patients in USThe period from hospital arrival to angioplasty is called "door-to-balloon" time (D2B). A new study showed that 91 percent of patients were treated in a D2B time of less than 90 minutes in 2010, compared with 44 percent in 2005.
Reducing drug funding to Medicare patients raises questionsThe lack of financial assistance to cover the cost of drugs to Medicare beneficiaries could result in an additional 18,000 patients discontinuing one or more prescriptions for essential drugs a year and others to not take their required medications regularly.
Hugh Carey - Ex New York Governor dies at 92Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this morning that former Governor Hugh L. Carey has passed away at 92. Hugh Carey served as governor from 1975 to 1982, after serving seven terms in Congress.
HIV and AIDS cases increasing among young black gay men in USWhile blacks represent 14 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections in 2009. HIV infection rates among blacks were nearly eight times higher than rates in whites.
Eating grapes and drinking red wine protect your skinUV radiation leads to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These molecules exert a variety of harmful effects by altering key cellular functions and may result in cell death. Several studies have demonstrated that human skin can be protected against UV radiation by using plant-derived antioxidants.
U.S. hospitals do not fully support breastfeedingBreastfeeding protects against childhood obesity, yet less than 4 percent of U.S. hospitals provide the full range of support mothers need to be able to breastfeed, according to the most recent Vital Signs report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
mChip can revolutionize medical care around the worldNew low-cost diagnostics like the mChip can revolutionize medical care around the world, revealed by researcher in US. Microfluidics-the manipulation of small amounts of fluids-and nanoparticles can be successfully leveraged to produce a functional low-cost diagnostic device in extreme resource-limited settings.
Immigrant and refugee health guidelines for physiciansThe largest, most comprehensive evidence-based guidelines to immigrant health - designed to help Canadian physicians meet the unique needs of this group - are being published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Adolescent binge drinking can damage spatial working memoryBinge or "heavy episodic" drinking is prevalent during adolescence, raising concerns about alcohol's effects on crucial neuromaturational processes during this developmental period. Heavy alcohol use has been associated with decrements in cognitive functioning in both adult and adolescent populations, particularly on tasks of spatial working memory (SWM).
Copper reduces infection risk by 40%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.
Physicians accepting fewer patients with health insuranceThere is a drop in physicians' acceptance of health insured patients in past years in US. As a result, insured patients could face new obstacles to receiving the medical attention they need, and overall access to health care could actually contract. As required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, millions of people will soon be added to the ranks of the insured. However, this rapid expansion of coverage is colliding with a different, potentially problematic trend that could end up hampering access to health care.
Healthy eating, physical activity and good sleep needed to curb obesityLimiting television and other media use, encouraging infants and young children in preschool and child care to spend more time in physically active play, and requiring child care providers to promote healthy sleeping practices are some of the actions needed to curb high rates of obesity among America's youngest children.
Motivational interviews reduce depression, increase survival after strokeResearchers revealed that patients who received several sessions of a "motivational interview" early after a stroke had normal mood, fewer instances of depression and greater survival rates at one year compared to patients who received standard stroke care.
Medicaid plans owned by public companies have higher administrative costsA new Commonwealth Fund report finds that Medicaid managed care plans that are owned by publicly traded for-profit companies whose primary line of business is managing Medicaid enrollees spent an average of 14 percent of premiums on administrative costs, compared with an average of only 10 percent spent by non-publicly traded plans owned by groups of health care providers, health systems, community health centers, or clinics.
Ovarian cancer screening does not improve survivalIn a clinical trial that included nearly 80,000 women, those who received ovarian cancer screening did not have a reduced risk of death from ovarian cancer compared to women who received usual care, but did have an increase in invasive medical procedures and associated harms as a result of being screened.
Supportive of intent of ACO proposed rule, ACP expresses concernIn a 10-page letter addressed to Donald Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, ACP today said: The ACP strongly supports the intent of the proposed rule, and believes that an ACO model has the potential of supporting such important care delivery goals as enhancing quality, efficiency, integration, and patient-centeredness.
Reminding about costs of blood tests appears to affect utilizationSurgical 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.
Health reform law will insure nearly all uninsured women by 2014 in USThe new health reform law will expand health insurance coverage to nearly all uninsured women and will make health care more affordable for millions of women through premium subsidies beginning in 2014 and new rules, some already in place, that will protect women from high costs, according to a Commonwealth Fund report released today.
Prolonged bottle feeding increases obesity riskExperts agree that obesity prevention should begin before children enter school. But due to a lack of conclusive data, health care providers often have trouble advising parents about which interventions are the most beneficial.
Many new drugs did not have comparative effectiveness informationOnly about half of new drugs approved in the last decade had comparative effectiveness data available at the time of their approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and approximately two-thirds of new drugs had this information available when alternative treatment options existed,.
Adults with arthritis suffer with poorer health and quality of lifeA new study reports that the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for U.S. adults with arthritis is much worse than for those without this condition. Both physical and mental health are affected by arthritis, which poses a significant health and economic burden as the number of those diagnosed continues to climb.
Health reform to make health insurance affordable for allNinety percent of American families living above the federal poverty level will be able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report by Jonathan Gruber and Ian Perry of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Changes in medical students' views about internal medicine careersCompared with 1990, more medical students in 2007 viewed internal medicine as a potentially meaningful career; however, the majority of students are choosing other specialties.
Low health literacy linked to higher rate of death in heart failure patientsAn examination of health literacy (such as understanding basic health information) among managed care patients with heart failure, a condition that requires self-management, found that nearly one in five have low health literacy, which was associated with a higher all-cause risk of death.
Evidence based treatments decrease risk of death among heart attack patientsIn an analysis of data from a coronary care registry in Sweden, between 1996-2007 there was an increase in the prevalence of use of evidence-based invasive procedures and pharmacological therapies for treatment of a certain type of heart attack, and a decrease in the rate of death at 30 days and one year after a heart attack for these patients.
Diet may reverse kidney failure in people with diabetesResearchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have for the first time determined that the ketogenic diet, a specialized high-fat, low carbohydrate diet, may reverse impaired kidney function in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
New GM-SCF therapy to defeating flu shows promiseNew research on mice has shown that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death after a lethal dose influenza virus.
Topical corticosteroids in children with eczema does not have negative side effectsA new study published in the journal Pediatric Dermatology reveals that routine, long-term use of topical corticosteroids (TCS) for treating children with eczema does not cause any significant, negative side effects.
US plans to reduce harm from opioid drugsThe White House on Tuesday unveiled a multi-agency plan aimed at reducing the "epidemic" of prescription drug abuse in the U.S.-including an FDA-backed education program that zeros-in on reducing the misuse and misprescribing of opioids.
Adoption of newer, more expensive prostate cancer treatmentsWith 180,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, it is one of the most common types of cancer in US. For this reason, it has been cited as a good marker for health care spending in general, reflective of the greater trends across the United States.
HIV infected at higher risk for bone fracturesLow bone mineral density in HIV-infected patients is common and raises concerns about increased risks of fracture, revealed by researchers.
Children placed with a relative have fewer behavioral and social problemsChildren placed with a relative after being removed from their home for maltreatment have fewer behavioral and social skills problems than children in foster care, but may have a higher risk for substance use and pregnancy as teenagers.
Vitamin D deficiency reduces lung growth and lung functionVitamin D deficiency is linked to deficits in lung function and altered lung structure. Examinations of specific tissue responses revealed model mice had reduced lung function.
Breast implants linked to ALCL a rare cancerSaline and silicone gel-filled breast implants are linked to anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), a very rare type of cancer, announced by US Health Agency FDA.
Elderly must start tai chi to prevent fallsIn the first update of the American Geriatrics Society and the British Geriatric Society's guidelines on preventing falls in older persons since 2001, they now recommend that all interventions for preventing falls should include an exercise component and that a number of new assessments should be used, including; feet and footwear, fear of falling, and ability to carry out daily living activities.
Nursing home closures clustered in poor, minority areasNursing home closures eliminated about 5 percent of available beds between 1998 and 2008, with closures concentrated in minority and poor communities in US.
Education programs increase parent child interactionsParent education programs delivered through pediatric primary care offices appeared to increase parent-child interactions during infancy in at-risk families.
Private room intensive care units associated with lower infection ratesConverting 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.
Protein hydrolysate based infant formulas found betterNew findings from the Monell Center reveal that weight gain of formula-fed infants is influenced by the type of formula the infant is consuming. Commonly available infant formulas are cow's milk-based, soy-based and protein hydrolysate-based.
Electronic medical records not always linked to better care in hospitalsUse of electronic health records by hospitals across the United States has had only a limited effect on improving the quality of medical care, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
Doctors on Facebook may be compromising doctor patient relationshipDoctors with a profile on the social networking site Facebook may be compromising the doctor-patient relationship, because they don't deploy sufficient privacy settings, indicates research published online in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Medicaid funded ADHD treatment for children is failingWhatever its final incarnation, the recently enacted landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will expand Medicaid eligibility and is expected by 2013 to provide coverage, including mental health care, to an estimated 4.1 million children currently uninsured.
US food allergy guidelines recommend uniform standards for treating food allergyAn expert panel sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, has issued comprehensive U.S. guidelines to assist health care professionals in diagnosing food allergy and managing the care of people with the disease.
Employer health insurance premiums increased 41%Premiums for employer-sponsored family health insurance increased an average of 41 percent across states from 2003 to 2009, more than three times faster than median incomes, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report. Yet, insurance is buying less.
Implementing best practices to manage childhood asthmaThe Merck Childhood Asthma Network, Inc. (MCAN), announced it is targeting four high risk cities with nearly $4 million for programs that will combine evidence-based science, case management and asthma trigger removal plans to manage a disease that requires more than the right medical care.
Many physicians still have relationships with industryRelationships with drug manufacturers, device companies and other medical companies appear to be have decreased since 2004 but remain common among physicians, revealed by US researchers.
Vitamin C rapidly improves emotional state of acutely hospitalized patientsTreatment with vitamin C rapidly improves the emotional state of acutely hospitalized patients, according to a study carried out by researchers at Montreal's Jewish General Hospital (JGH) and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research (LDI).
New genomic marker for tuberculosisIt may soon be possible to identify patients who will develop tuberculosis, as scientists have identified changes in the blood specific to the disease.
Prostate cancer care cost varies with initial treatment choiceA new analysis has found that short-term and long-term costs of prostate cancer care vary considerably based on which treatment strategy a man initially receives.
Primary care doctors get little information about chronic sinusitisFacial pain. Nasal congestion. Postnasal drip. Fatigue. These are hallmark signs of chronic sinusitis, a swelling of tissue in the nasal and sinus cavity. The illness strikes millions of Americans each year and is one of the top five reasons patients visit their primary care doctor.
Cigarette smoke causes harmful changes in lungs even at lowest levelsCasual smokers may think that smoking a few cigarettes a week is "no big deal." But according to new research from physician-scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, having an infrequent smoke, or being exposed to secondhand smoke, may be doing more harm than people may think.
NewYork-Presbyterian No. 6 hospital in US, No. 1 in NewYorkNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the country's largest and most comprehensive academic medical centers, is ranked #6 in the nation and #1 among ranked hospitals in the New York area, according to U.S. News Media Group's 2010-11 Best Hospitals.
Sensor in insulin pump results in better blood sugar control in diabetes patientsAdding a continuous blood sugar level sensor to an insulin pump helps patients with type 1 diabetes achieve better blood sugar control compared to the common standard of care, multiple daily insulin injections, concludes a study published on-line today in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Tests can predict falls in Parkinson's diseaseA group of tests may help predict which people with Parkinson's disease are more likely to fall, according to a study published in the June 23, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Discussing patient safety in radiation therapyA meeting in Miami this week will bring together some of the world's leading experts from inside and outside the clinic to discuss safety in radiation therapy -- a critical method for treating cancer.
Simple injection of TXA could save the lives of thousands of accident victimsIf recently injured patients with serious bleeding were to receive a cheap, widely available and easily administered drug to help their blood to clot, tens of thousands of lives could be saved every year.
Readmission rate has increased for heart failure patientsAn analysis of Medicare data from 1993 through 2006 for older patients hospitalized for heart failure indicates that along with a decrease in hospital length of stay, the rate of in-hospital and 30-day mortality has decreased, while the rate of hospital readmission and discharge to skilled nursing facilities has increased, according to a study in the June 2 issue of JAMA.
New docs linked to death spike in JulyAre new medical residents a threat to patient health? According to sociology professor David Phillips and his student Gwendolyn Barker from the University of California, San Diego, fatal medication errors peak in July in counties with teaching hospitals, which coincides with the yearly influx of new medical residents who are given increased responsibility for patient care.
Weight loss drug orlistat may lead to liver injuryThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers and health care professionals about potential rare occurrences of severe liver injury in patients taking the weight-loss medication orlistat, marketed as Xenical and Alli.
Long term use of heartburn drugs linked to fracturesThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers and health care professionals about a possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine with high doses or long-term use of a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors.
Education of clinicians improves prescribing for high blood pressure patientsAcademic detailing-a method involving face-to-face education of clinicians by investigators trained to present trial findings and guidelines-may have been associated with a small change in prescribing patterns for patients with high blood pressure, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
World leaders focus on stroke prevention, careOn the 40th anniversary of the journal Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, stroke leaders from around the world celebrated stroke research accomplishments and set an agenda for the future, according to a special report in the journal.
Physicians should help depression patientsBecause people with depression often do not recognize they have a problem or are unable to describe their distress, many do not seek treatment. About a quarter of those with major depression are undiagnosed, according to several studies, and fewer than half receive treatment.
Vaccine to help people quit smokingIn a unique twist to a decades-old health crisis, Michigan State University researchers are testing a new vaccine to help people quit smoking and avoid relapses.
Smoking ban would reduce heart attack admissions in hospitalsSmoking ban would save more than $90 million in US and significantly reduce hospitalizations for heart attack, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study.
Spouses who care for partners with dementia at higher risk of same fateHusbands or wives who care for spouses with dementia are six times more likely to develop the memory-impairing condition than those whose spouses don't have it, according to results of a 12-year study led by Johns Hopkins, Utah State University, and Duke University.
Roller coasters may cause ear injury - ear barotraumaThe sharp turns, ups and downs, and high speeds of today's roller coasters bring a lot of thrills, but if you're not careful, the ride could also cause damage to your ears, say physicians at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.
Indoor tanning may be an addictive behaviorIndividuals who have used indoor tanning facilities may meet criteria for addiction, and may also be more prone to anxiety symptoms and substance use, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of Dermatology.
Ethosuximide is preferred for childhood epilepsyThe first comprehensive comparative effectiveness clinical trial of three widely used anti-seizure drugs for childhood absence epilepsy – the most common form of epilepsy in kids – has established an evidence-based approach for initial drug therapy.
Sepsis and pneumonia cost $ 8.1 billion to treatTwo common conditions caused by hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) killed 48,000 people and ramped up health care costs by $8.1 billion in 2006 alone, according to a study released in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
FDA reviewing Avandia, rosiglitazone and cardiovascular safetyThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing data, submitted in August 2009, from a large, long-term clinical study on possible risks with the diabetes drug, Avandia (rosiglitazone).
New policy on choking prevention in young childrenChoking is a leading cause of injury and death among children, especially children 3 years of age or younger. Food, toys and coins account for most of the choking-related events in young children, who put objects in their mouths as they explore new environments.
High blood pressure a neglected disease in USPublic health officials and health care providers need to step up their efforts to reduce Americans' increasing rates of high blood pressure and better treat those with the condition.
Flexibility at work boosts employee healthGiving employees more flexibility over their work schedules is likely to boost their health as judged by measures like blood pressure and stress, revealed by researchers.
New safety plan for agents used to treat chemotherapy related anemiaThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a risk management program to inform healthcare providers and their patients about the risks of a class of drugs called Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents (ESAs).
India proposes new Rural Medical Course BRMSThe Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that not recognizing the need for trained medical human resources in rural areas and unwillingness to consider new ideas for addressing it will not help the situation.
Fashionable toilet seats, harsh chemicals may lead to dermatitisConsidered a dermatological nuisance that was long gone, skin irritations caused by toilet seats appear to be making a comeback in pediatricians' offices, according to research led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center investigator Bernard Cohen, M.D.
100 Care articles listed above.