MedWorm: American Medical Association (AMA)

PPI Ineffective for Asthma Control in Children With No GERD Symptoms

AAFP Health of the Public — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:10:00 +0100

An acid reflux drug frequently prescribed for children with poorly controlled asthma does not improve asthma control if the child has no symptoms of acid reflux, according to a recent study published in JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association (Source: AAFP Health of the Public)

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American Medical Association offers weight loss app

mobihealthnews — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:47:26 +0100

At the end of January the American Medical Association (AMA) offered up its second consumer facing smartphone app: Weigh What Matters. The free app, which is available for Apple iOS and Android devices, aims to help people work with their physicians to set up health goals and track their progress toward meeting them. The app [...] (Source: mobihealthnews)

The real reason why physician groups want to keep using ICD-9 codes

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:35:02 +0100

Source: Carl Natale, ICD10 Watch Content: “I have to wonder about the state healthcare information technology (HIT) in this country. Major medical associations can’t seem to let go of ancient technology. I’m talking about all the letter writing. Last week the American Medical Association (AMA) wrote to Congress about burden of ICD-10-CM/PCS. On Thursday, the Medical [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

How would you support a child trying to live healthier?

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:08:12 +0100

Daivd Ludwig, MD, MPH Every month the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) publishes an article called Clinical Crossroads, where a patient case is presented and medical professionals are invited to share their thoughts on how they might treat that person. A few weeks later the case is presented again, this time with commentary from an expert who specializes in the medical condition profiled in the article. The most recent Clinical Crossroads was written by David Ludwig, MD, PhD, director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center Boston Children’s Hospital. Ludwig’s case focuses around Ms K, a 14 year-old girl struggling to lose weight. Unlike typical medical case studies that focus on diagnosis and treatment of acute illness, Clinical Crossroads often ...

AMA, AHIMA at odds on ICD-10

Healthcare IT News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:01:04 +0100

While the American Medical Association (AMA) is calling for a halt to ICD-10, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) is countering by urging all to stay the course toward the Oct. 1, 2013 deadline. In the letter sent Thursday to Department of Health and Humans Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius., AMA CEO James Madara, MD urged HHS “to make good on its commitment to improve the regulatory climate for physicians.” read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

Emergency Departments' Quality Evaluation Requires Hospital-Wide Effort

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Time can be important in an emergency department especially in a busy Level 1 Trauma Center like MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, when getting patients appropriate care is essential. However, when the quality of an emergency department is judged by a patient's length of stay, time takes on a new meaning. A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that there is no significant difference between safety-net and non-safety-net hospitals when it comes to the length of stay for emergency patients... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Is it possible to prevent repeat lumpectomies?

Health Facts and Fears — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nearly a quarter of breast cancer patients who undergo a lumpectomy — also commonly referred to as a partial mastectomy — will have to return for repeat surgery, according to the results of a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Breast Cancer Surgery Often Repeated To Take Out More Tissue

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0100

22.9% of breast cancer patients who undergo partial mastectomies need further operations to remove more tissue, researchers reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The authors, from Michigan State University, added that rates of reexcision vary considerably between surgeons and clinics/hospitals; this variation does not appear to be caused by patients' clinical characteristics. "Excision" means the surgical removal of something, which in this text means a tumor. "Reexcision" means additional surgery in the same area... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Video: Lumpectomy surgeries lead to repeats

Health News: CBSNews.com — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:35:40 +0100

The journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly a quarter of the women who got a lumpectomy went back for more surgery. But as Elaine Quijano reports, a study found those extra procedures may be unnecessary. (Source: Health News: CBSNews.com)

What’s being done to oppose and support ICD-10 implementation

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:25:16 +0100

Source: Carl Natale, Government Health IT Content: “The American Medical Association has taken the next step in its vigorous opposition to ICD-10 implementation. This week, James L. Madara, MD, the AMA’s executive vice president and CEO, wrote a letter asking Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner to stop implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS.” Article Carl Natale, Government [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Are Your Claims Being Rejected?

Blogged_Arteries — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

TMA and the American Medical Association report that many medical practices are seeing more of their claims rejected in recent weeks. The conversion to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Version 5010 transaction standards on Jan. 1 could be the culprit. (Source: Blogged_Arteries)

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Environmental Chemicals Lower Kid's Immune Response

Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are linked to the lowering of children's immune response to vaccinations. (Source: Medical Headlines From Ivanhoe.com)

AMA lobbies for ICD-10 delay

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 10:53:29 +0100

Source: Ron Shinkman, FierceHealthIT Content: “The American Medical Association has sent a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner asking his help in halting the implementation of the ICD-10 coding system, reported The Hill’s Healthwatch and iHealthBeat. The Jan. 17 letter, sent by AMA President James L. Madara, said that the timing of ICD-10 implementation [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

AMA to House Speaker Boehner: Stop ICD-10

Cardiovascular Business News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:50:43 +0100

American Medical Association CEO James L. Madara, MD, wrote to House SpeakerBoehner (R-Ohio) to urge him to take action against the implementation of ICD-10, informing him that the transition to ICD-10 as mandated by HIPAA would place a heavy burden on physicians without offering a direct benefit to individual patient care. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

AMA Asks Speaker Boehner to Kill ICD-10

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:48:39 +0100

Source: Joseph Goedert, HDM Breaking News Content: “The American Medical Association is asking House Speaker John Boehner to help stop implementation of the ICD-10 code sets and call on the industry to assess an appropriate replacement for ICD-9, The Hill newspaper reports. “The implementation of ICD-10 will create significant burdens on the practice of medicine with [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Federal Government Agrees to Open Access to Medicare Data about Individual Doctors

Dark Daily — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:00:26 +0100

Experts predict employers will use this data to create “report cards” on individual physicians In a big step forward for public access to data about provider outcomes, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will make its enormous Medicare claims database more broadly available to the public. Both the press and the public will [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

Study Finds BRCA Mutation Boosts Ovarian Cancer Survival

OCRF News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A large, multicenter study shows that women with ovarian cancer who have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have better survival rates than women who do not have such mutations. The study is also the first to provide strong evidence that ovarian cancer prognosis is better for women with BRCA2 mutations than women with BRCA1 mutations. The results were published online on Jan. 24, 2011 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. A large, multicenter study shows that women with ovarian cancer who have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have better survival rates than women who do not have such mutations. The study is also the first to provide strong evidence that ovarian cancer prognosis is better for women with BRCA2 mutations than women with BRCA1 mutations. The results...

Medicine: Use War Money for Medicare

Blogged_Arteries — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Texas Medical Association joined the American Medical Association and dozens of other state and national medical organizations in urging Congress to permanently stop the fiscally irresponsible cycle of scheduled cuts and short-term patches to Medicare physician payments. (Source: Blogged_Arteries)

Study: Blood clots likely for as many as 1 in 100 following joint replacements

Drug Topics - Top News — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Approximately 1 in 100 patients undergoing total or partial knee replacement surgery and 1 in 200 patients undergoing total or partial hip replacement surgery will experience a venous thromboembolism event, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, before being discharged from the hospital, according to a study reported January 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

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AMA, AAFP team up on health IT tutorials

Modern Medicine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Family Physicians have released free online video tutorials on technology. Discover how they can help you. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Common Chemicals Could Make Kids’ Vaccines Less Effective

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The more exposure children have to chemicals called perfluorinated compounds, the less likely they are to have a good immune response to vaccinations, a study just published in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association shows. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

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Elizabeth Blackwell Would be Proud - 31 Percent of Physicians are...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:56:11 +0100

According to new analysis of American Medical Association Physician Masterfile data by Medical Marketing Service, Inc. (MMS), women now comprise 31% of physicians, up from just 12% in 1981. The...(PRWeb January 18, 2012)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/mms-women-physicians/prweb9112174.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

Director's Comments: ADHD Medications Not Linked to Heart Risks

What's New on MedlinePlus — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:01:32 +0100

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on ADHD Medications Not Linked to Heart Risks. The transcript is also available. A comprehensive study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association rebuts a hypothesized link among common medications for attention deficit\hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a subsequent risk of heart attack, stroke, or sudden heart death. (Source: What's New on MedlinePlus)

AMA journal article suggests mandating participation in experimental vaccine trials 'for the greater good'

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

Some of the most deranged and sociopathic individuals on the planet hold respected positions of authority in medicine and at institutions of higher learning, and a recent journal article in the American Medical Association (AMA)'s Journal of Ethics serves as a reminder... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

Obesity epidemic holds steady

Health Facts and Fears — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Although media coverage might lead us to believe that the U.S. obesity epidemic is only getting worse, two new studies in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggest that national obesity levels may actually be leveling off. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Childhood and Adult Obesity not Budging Much in the U.S.

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0100

Image courtesy of iStockphoto/Malven The rates of obesity in the U.S. are holding steady, despite ongoing efforts to curb the epidemic, according to two new reports, published online Tuesday in JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association . About 35 percent of adults and about 17 percent of kids were obese in the period from 2009 to 2010 (the most recent years for which data were available). [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

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Study finds remote dermatology consults help treatment, outcomes

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:28:53 +0100

Source: Andis Robeznieks, ModernHealthcare Content: “Live interactive telemedicine consults with dermatologists appeared to result in improved treatment and positive outcomes, according to a report in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Dermatology journal. In a study funded by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, researchers examined the records of 1,490 patients who had a live [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

AMA tutorials help physicians through workflow redesign

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:41:33 +0100

The American Medical Association (AMA) has released three online video tutorials, the first of a series, to help physician practices through health IT implementation processes. The first three videos focus on developing efficient workflows for e-prescribing, pre-visit planning and point-of-care documentation. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

AMA launches health IT tutorials for physicians

Cardiovascular Business News — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:41:33 +0100

AMA releases health IT tutorials for physician practices

Healthcare IT News Press Releases — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:23:27 +0100

The American Medical Association (AMA) released three online educational tutorials today to help physician practices better implement health information technology (health IT). read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Press Releases)

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U.S. Obesity Rates Have Leveled Off—But Why?

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

While obesity rates climbed sharply in the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s, their increase has slowed or leveled off in many population groups since then, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published today in two articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

AMA Unveils Improved Practice Management Website

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0100

CHICAGO, Jan. 11, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) today unveiled a redesigned website for its Practice Management Center, featuring a new layout that is easier to navigate and faster to use. The improved website offers physicians easy access to the AMA's wealth of resources, tools and guidance for enhancing the operation of a medical practice. "About 7,000 monthly visitors access the Practice Management Center website for valuable resources designed to help physicians more efficiently and effectively manage their practices," said AMA President Peter Carmel, M.D. "With that level of interest it is critical to make sure the AMA's tools are easy-to-find when physicians need them." The AMA's Practice Management Center was created in 2006 and has developed ...

Director's Comments: BPA, Soup Cans and Health

What's New on MedlinePlus — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:03:56 +0100

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on BPA, Soup Cans and Health. The transcript is also available. While an intriguing study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds adults who ate canned soup experienced a 1200 percent spike in BPA levels (compared to adults who ate fresh soup), the broader health implications of the findings have yet to be determined. (Source: What's New on MedlinePlus)

Smoking Marijuana Not Bad For The Lungs

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Journal of the American Medical Association put a dent in the arguments against Marijuana smoking today, with release of a new report showing casual pot smokers might even have stronger lungs than non smokers. Researchers say that there is good evidence that occasional marijuana use can cause an increase in lung airflow rates and lung volume. Volume is measured as the total amount of air a person can blow out after taking the deepest breath they can... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Nursing home antipsychotics

NeLM - Care of Older People — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References News report of a hearing before the US Senate's Special Committee on Aging on 30 Nov 2011, which focused attention on the improper use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes. The inspector general of the US Department of Health and Human Services referred to two recent reports by his office that found 14% of nursing home residents (approximately 300,000 patients) had Medicare claims for atypical antipsychotic drugs. Half of these drug claims should not have been paid by the government because the drugs were not used for medically accepted indications, and for 1 in 5 of these claims, nursing homes dispensed the drugs in a way that violated sta...

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People with dementia have more preventable hospitalizations

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Group Health Research Institute) Compared to individuals without dementia, people who subsequently developed dementia had a significantly higher rate of hospital admissions for all causes. They also had more admissions for "ambulatory care-sensitive" conditions, for which proactive care may have prevented hospitalizations. This suggests opportunities for improving outpatient care of seniors with dementia, according to joint Group Health-UW research in the Jan. 11 Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Gene expression profiles may improve cancer prognosis

Reuters: Health — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:30:58 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Integrating genomic information with traditional clinical risk factors can refine the prognosis and help optimize treatment strategies for women with early breast cancer, a research team at Duke University reports in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Stillbirth Causes Are Tallied, but Risks Remain a Challenge

NYT Health — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:36:55 +0100

Two studies in The Journal of the American Medical Association provide new clues, but many questions remain. (Source: NYT Health)

Researchers Link Urine BPA With Consuming Canned Soup

LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Emerging Toxic Torts Legal News — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:03:24 +0100

BOSTON - Researchers in the Harvard School of Public Health announced Nov. 22 that they found that consuming a serving of canned soup daily for five days increased the urine levels of bisphenol A 1,221 percent compared to urine levels after consuming fresh soup; the research was published Nov. 22 online and Nov. 23 in the print edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Full story on lexis.com (Source: LexisNexis® Mealey's™ Emerging Toxic Torts Legal News)

Rise In Body Fat Driven By Calories Consumed Rather Than Protein

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0100

When eating in excess, it is the number of calories we consume rather than protein that raises total body fat, researchers from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). In a study involving 25 healthy volunteers, they found that those on a low-protein diet gained less weight compared to others who were on a high-protein diet. However, calories alone impacted on the rise in body fat, and not protein... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Florida Hospital, Sanford-Burnham research published

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:14:20 +0100

New research from Florida Hospital and Sanford-Burnham shows that overeating a higher protein diet increases lean body mass and resting metabolism, according to a study published Jan. 4 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research examined how a high-protein, high-calorie diet impacts weight gain. It was conducted by Dr. Steven Smith at the Florida Hospital-Sanford-Burnham Translational Research Institute in Orlando and Dr. George Bray at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)

Meta-analysis: CYP2C19 genotype, clopidogrel metabolism, platelet function, and effects on cardiovascular events

NeLM - News — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: JAMA Area: News The US Food and Drug Administration had recently recommended that CYP2C19 genotyping be considered prior to prescribing clopidogrel, but the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiologists have argued that evidence is insufficient to support CYP2C19 genotype testing. The Journal of the American Medical Association has therefore featured a meta-analysis evaluating the evidence on the association of CYP2C19 genotype and clopidogrel response. The authors evaluated data from a total of 32 studies that reported clopidogrel metabolism, platelet reactivity or clinically relevant outcomes (cardiovascular disease [CVD] events and bleeding), and information on CYP2C19 genotype (involving 42,016 patients). A total of 3545 CVD event...

Weight Loss Surgery May Prevent Heart Deaths

WebMD Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:55:35 +0100

Weight loss surgery lowers heart attack and stroke risk, and the risk of death from these and other heart-related causes, in people who are obese, according to new research in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: WebMD Health)

Weight Loss Surgery May Prevent Heart-Related Deaths

WebMD Health — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:55:35 +0100

JAMA meta-analysis questions necessity of CYP2C19 genotyping for Plavix

Cardiovascular Business News — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:10:38 +0100

Although the FDA has recommended that CYP2C19 genotyping be considered before prescribing the drug clopidogrel to identify individuals who may be less responsive to the medication, a review and analysis of previous studies did not find an overall significant association between the CYP2C19 genotype and cardiovascular events, based on a study published Dec. 28, 2011 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Oregon's program to improve care for those with advanced illness highlighted in JAMA

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Oregon Health & Science University) Oregon's groundbreaking Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment program is featured in the latest edition of the Journal of The American Medical Association. The program, which was created by health care professionals two decades ago in an effort to ensure the wishes of those with advanced illness are followed, has now spread to 34 states around the country. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Medical Training in the United States Prior to the Civil War

Complementary Health Practice Review — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Early medical school development in the United States was considerably more robust than is usually appreciated. Most histories include only that portion of medicine known as regular or allopathic medicine. To fully understand developments in the country, it is necessary to include the various medical sects that developed in the country in the early 19th century. It is also important to realize that the impetus for medical school development came not from established academic institutions but from the medical community itself. Medical schools in the United States developed at a time and place that hospitals, as we know them, did not exist. The melding together of the preceptorship (apprenticeship), didactic lectures, demonstrations, and clinical/hospital experience evolved slowly. The move ...

Meta-analysis: Drug trials too simplistic for the general population

Health Facts and Fears — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

More than one in four Americans suffer from at least two chronic health conditions and, among the elderly, this number rises to two out of three. Yet a recent research letter in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that the overwhelming majority of randomized clinical drug trials ignore the specific needs of this large population. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Serial change in troponin I aids in early diagnosis of MI

Modern Medicine — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In patients presenting with chest pain, troponin I measurements on admission and three hours later can reliably rule out or rule in an acute myocardial infarction (MI) -- and that's true for high-sensitivity and standard assays, according to data released online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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AMA adopts policy to combat drug shortage

Modern Medicine — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association has adopted a policy to ease national drug shortages that threaten patient care and safety. (Source: Modern Medicine)

JAMA Commentary Contends Vitamin Therapy Can Still Reduce Stroke

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

A commentary by Dr. David Spence of The University of Western Ontario and Dr. Meir Stampfer of the Harvard School of Public Health in today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) argues that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke. Vitamin B therapy was once widely used to lower homocysteine levels. Too much of this amino acid in the bloodstream was linked to increased risk of stroke and heart attack. But several randomized trials found lowering homocysteine levels with B vitamins did not result in a cardiovascular benefit. And a study by Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

AMA Statement on Two-Month Delay of Medicare Physician Payment Cut

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:40:00 +0100

CHICAGO, Dec. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Statement attributable to: Peter W. Carmel, M.D., President, American Medical Association (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Long Term Increased Resting Heart Rate Raises Risk Of Death

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Individuals whose resting heart rates rise over a ten-year-period have a higher risk of dying early from any cause, as well as a greater likelihood of developing ischemic heart disease, compared to other people, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), after carrying out a study on almost 30,000 apparently healthy adults... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

40% Of Police Officers Have A Sleep Disorder, US, Canada

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:00:00 +0100

A survey of police officers in the US and Canada finds that about 40% have a sleep disorder, and this is significantly linked to a raised risk of adverse health, performance, and safety issues. The researchers report their findings online this week in JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association. Experts reviewing the paper suggest more studies should be done to assess health and economic impact not only on individuals but also on society as a whole. Such research could set an example for other occupational groups, they add. For the study, Dr Shantha M. W... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Angioplasties Can Be Safely Performed At Clinics With No On-Site Cardiac Surgery Capabilities

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association has published a study in which Mayo clinic researchers have reported that, contrary to current guidelines, there is no increased risk of death or emergency bypass surgery for elective or primary patients with previous heart attacks, who have angioplasties performed at centers without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities. The results of the study suggest care methods for heart attack patients and for the performance of angioplasties at centers without on-site surgery... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Researchers Find Misinformation About Emergency Contraception Common In Low-Income Neighborhoods

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration facilitated access to emergency contraception among adolescents by making it available over-the-counter to individuals age 17 years and older... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

JAMA commentary contends vitamin therapy can still reduce stroke

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Western Ontario) A commentary by Dr. David Spence of the University of Western Ontario and Dr. Meir Stampfer of the Harvard School of Public Health in today's Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) argues that vitamin therapy still has a role to play in reducing stroke. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Long-term follow-up of SHEP study on antihypertensives for older patients with isolated systolic hypertension

NeLM - News — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study they obtained long-term mortality data on participants in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) trial, a randomised, placebo-controlled trial designed to assess the effect of antihypertensive therapy on stroke risk in patients aged ?60 years with isolated systolic hypertension. The results of the study, published in 1991, showed, over a mean of 4.5 years of follow-up, chlortalidone-based treatment prevented approximately 1 out of 2 admissions for heart failure, 1 out of 3 fatal or nonfatal strokes, and 1 out of ... (Source: NeLM - News)

Senate, House at odds over 2-month physician payment patch

Modern Medicine — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The U.S. Senate approved legislation on Saturday that includes a 2-month Medicare pay freeze. Monday, however, House leadership said that the Senate legislation was unacceptable. Find out how the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians reacted to the news. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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Director's Comments: Stroke Bypass Surgery & Better Evidence

What's New on MedlinePlus — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:05:21 +0100

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Stroke Bypass Surgery & Better Evidence. The transcript is also available. A bypass surgical procedure (intended to improve blood circulation in the brain and prevent a more serious stroke) is no more effective than widely available stroke medications, finds a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: What's New on MedlinePlus)

Antihypertensive therapy extends life expectancy: study

Modern Medicine — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - On average, every month of treatment for hypertension delays cardiovascular death by almost one extra day, according to a paper online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Researchers find misinformation about emergency contraception common in low-income neighborhoods

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Boston University Medical Center) Researchers from Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Effects of Incentives and Prenotification on Response Rates and Costs in a National Web Survey of Physicians

Evaluation — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Little is known about what strategies are cost-effective in increasing participation among physicians in surveys that are conducted exclusively via the web. To assess the effects of incentives and prenotification on response rates and costs, general internists (N = 3,550) were randomly selected from the American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile and assigned to experimental groups that varied in the amount of a promised incentive (none, entry into a $200 lottery, $50, or $100) and prenotification (none, prenotification letter only, or prenotification letter containing a $2 preincentive). Results indicated that the response rates were highest in the groups promised $100 and $50, respectively. While the postal prenotification letter increased response rates, the inclusion of a small token...

Risk of stillbirth associated with factors known early in pregnancy

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) Stillbirth is associated with a range of health and socio-demographic factors identifiable before or at the start of pregnancy, including prior pregnancy outcomes, ethnicity and modifiable health factors, such as diabetes, obesity and smoking. These findings are the result of the largest population-based stillbirth study and are reported in the Dec. 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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Some muscular dystrophy patients at increased risk for cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Rochester Medical Center) People who have the most common type of adult muscular dystrophy also have a higher risk of getting cancer, according to a paper published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Patients with myotonic muscular dystrophy are at increased risk for cancer of the brain, ovary, colon, and the uterine lining known as the endometrium. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Angioplasties performed at centers without on-site surgery services are safe, study finds

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Mayo Clinic) Contrary to current guidelines, Mayo Clinic researchers have found that angioplasties performed at centers without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities pose no increased risk for patient death or emergency bypass surgery. Results of the study were published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association and have implications for how care can be delivered to heart attack victims and for performance of angioplasties at centers without on-site surgery. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Study finds no increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular events in adults treated with ADHD medications

NeLM - Mental Health — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: JAMA, FDA Area: News The results of a large FDA-funded study evaluating the risk of serious cardiovascular events in adults using stimulants and other medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been published early online in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). These show no evidence of an increased risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death or stroke associated with use of these medicines. The authors note that over 1.5 million adults in the US were taking stimulants in 2005; the increased prescribing rate was likely due to an increase in ADHD diagnoses (although these medicines may also be used for narcolepsy and off-label indications). Placebo-controlled studies have suggested that stimulants and atomoxet...

ADHD Drugs Do Not Raise Stroke, Heart Attack Or Sudden Cardiac Death Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:00:00 +0100

Young and middle-aged adults who are prescribed ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) drugs do not have a higher chance of developing serious cardiovascular events, such as sudden cardiac death, heart attack or stroke, researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The authors explained that there had been concerns regarding the cardiovascular consequences of taking ADHD medications. This is because they can raise the patient's heart rate and blood pressure... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Researchers Find Misinformation About Emergency Contraception Common In Low-Income Neighborhoods

Boston University News Releases — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:28:15 +0100

(Boston) – Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that in low-income neighborhoods, misinformation about access to emergency contraception is a common occurrence. These findings appear as a research letter in the Dec. 19 on-line issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Boston University News Releases)

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Leading Health Care Groups Urge Providers To Talk to Pregnant Women About Influenza Vaccine

AAFP News Releases and Statements — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

LEAWOOD, Kan. — The nation’s leading health care organizations joined forces today in a common message stressing the importance of pregnant women being vaccinated against seasonal influenza to protect themselves and their unborn babies. In a group letter sent to health care professionals nationwide, leaders from the groups emphasized the increased number of deaths among pregnant women from influenza and provided helpful information for medical professionals. The letter was signed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, the American Pharmacists Association, the Association for Women...

Director's Comments: Alcohol & Breast Cancer Risk

What's New on MedlinePlus — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:40:36 +0100

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on "Alcohol & Breast Cancer Risk". The transcript is also available. Low levels of alcohol consumption (or about three drinks a week) were associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer – in findings derived from a larger study of nurses recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association... (Source: What's New on MedlinePlus)

Adding CBT to Medication Improves Outcomes in Pediatric OCD

About.com Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be helpful in reducing the intensity and frequency of OCD symptoms in children, many cases of pediatric OCD are only partially responsive to medication. As such, a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association sought to examine whether adding CBT to standard medical treatment with SSRIs improved outcomes in individuals ages 7 to 17 with OCD. Using a randomized control design the investigators found that the addition of CBT to the standard medication protocol yielded a significantly better response rate than medication alone....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

American Presidents Live A Long Life, Usually

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:00:00 +0100

Although US Presidents appear to be aging rapidly before our very eyes year after year, they tend to have longer life spans than their peers, a researcher from the University of Illinois, Chicago, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The author found that out of all the 34 US Presidents who died naturally, 23 lived longer than the life-expectancy of a man of their age at the time of their inauguration... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

JAMA: Prostate cancer hormone therapy doesn’t increase CV mortality

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:26:51 +0100

Androgen deprivation therapy administered to men with prostate cancer did not increase the risk of cardiovascular death, according to meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials. In addition, the study published in the Dec. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the therapy was associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality and all-cause mortality. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

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AMA launches medical information app

Drug Topics - Top News — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association has launched its second electronic application, “My Medications.” (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

Antenatal steroids improve outcomes in very preterm infants

Modern Medicine — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infants born as early as 23 weeks' gestation had better survival and fewer impairments if their mothers received corticosteroids at the onset of labor, in a multicenter study released online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Long Life May Be a Presidential Bonus

MedPage Today Geriatrics — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 03:13:04 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Despite the easily observed signs of aging usually seen about halfway through a first term, a stint in the Oval Office appears to be a guarantee of long life, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)

AMA launches medical information app

Modern Medicine — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association has launched its second electronic application, “My Medications.” (Source: Modern Medicine)

Science News » Adding Psychotherapy to Medication Treatment Improves Outcomes in Pediatric OCD

National Institute of Mental Health — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:50:27 +0100

Youth with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) who are already taking antidepressant medication benefit by adding a type of psychotherapy called cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), according to an NIMH-funded study published September 21, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: National Institute of Mental Health)

New-Onset AF with Sepsis Associated with Worse Outcomes?

SCCM RSS News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:10:17 +0100

New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is a recognized complication of severe sepsis and may be associated with adverse outcomes such as stroke or death. In this month’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Walkey et al investigated the association of severe sepsis and new-onset AF with the adverse outcomes of in-hospital mortality and in-hospital ischemic stroke. (Source: SCCM RSS News)

The Wages of Sexual-Addiction Politics

Psychology Today Sex Center — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:51:23 +0100

In 1992, a political skirmish took place in the field of medicine, which has discouraged deeper understanding of human sexuality. According to David E. Smith MD, past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, doctors bartered away the recognition of sex addiction as a pathology in order to address a more immediate risk. Primary Topic: Sex read more (Source: Psychology Today Sex Center)

Ethicists Say ‘Admit Fault’; Lawyer responds: ‘No Way’

Diagnostic Imaging — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0100

CHICAGO — Statements by the American Medical Association, the American College of Radiology and, probably, Hippocrates himself notwithstanding, radiologists should think twice about admitting mistakes. (Source: Diagnostic Imaging)

Drastic Medicare Fee Cuts Coming

Blogged_Arteries — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

The failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to agree on budget cuts means congressional action is the only thing that can stop Medicare from cutting physician payments by 27.4 percent on Jan. 1. Congress must act, or the Sustainable Growth Rate formula mandates that the cuts automatically take effect. Texas Medical Association and American Medical Association officials will conduct a conference call on Dec. 5 to plan strategy to persuade Congress to stop the cuts. (Source: Blogged_Arteries)

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Stem Cell “Tourism”

Ophthalmology — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

I applaud the editorial by the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Research Committee regarding the lack of scientific evidence for the use of stem cell therapy for optic nerve hypoplasia and the potential for harm from such therapy. I would emphasize that the concerns expressed regarding stem cell treatment for optic nerve hypoplasia can be extended to optic nerve disease, both congenital and acquired, in general. As sight is considered by most persons the most important of their senses, it is not surprising that patients with optic nerve dysfunction regardless of the cause will go to any length to find a cure for their visual loss. I would call the readers' attention to a superb editorial in The Journal of the American Medical Association that discusses the dang...

Orofacial Injuries as Markers for Intimate Partner Violence

The Nursing Clinics of North America — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is physical or sexual violence made by 1 partner to another and is a prevalent and serious health risk, particularly for women. It is estimated that more than 2.5 million women are abused annually and 30% to 50% of all female homicides were perpetrated by former or current intimate partners. Beyond the physical and psychological repercussions, abuse victims have lower health-related quality of life and higher use of health services. A growing awareness of the scope and effects of IPV have led various health care bodies including the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to recommend that all female patients be asked routinely about abuse, regardless of their presenting injury or symptoms. These recommendatio...

AMA Delegates to Push for Private Medicare Contracting

Clinical Endocrinology News — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW ORLEANS – The American Medical Association's policy-making body wrapped up 2½ days of meetings Nov. 15 by calling for a delay in implementation of the ICD-10 coding system, and reiterating its intention to seek the ability to privately broker fees with Medicare patients. (Source: Clinical Endocrinology News)

More Research Needed on Effects of Patients’ Direct Access to Lab Results

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:43:39 +0100

Source: Sabrina Rodak, Becker's Hospital Review Content: “More research is needed to determine if immediate and direct patient access to laboratory results will benefit patients and healthcare providers, according to a commentary in The Journal of the American Medical Association. In mid-September, HHS proposed changes to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 and HIPAA privacy [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

JAMA: CCTA use in CAD evaluations leads to higher costs

Cardiovascular Business News — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:27:56 +0100

Medicare patients who underwent coronary CT angiography (CCTA) for an initial diagnostic evaluation of suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) were more likely to undergo subsequent invasive procedures and accrue more costs than patients given stress tests, researchers reported in the Nov. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

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JAMA: Proposed patient-access policy requires research

CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:26:30 +0100

Although a proposed policy that would provide patients with the right to request and receive their test results directly from laboratories could empower them and reduce physicians’ workloads, it’s unclear what the specific effects of such a policy would be, according to Hardeep Singh, MD, Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, in a recently published Journal of the American Medical Association commentary. (Source: CMIO.net: The News Weekly for Health IT Executives)

RSNA: Healthcare reform—the good, the bad & the ugly

Cardiovascular Business News — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:16:22 +0100

CHICAGO–The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is midway through its second year, and its impact is mixed, said Peter W. Carmel, MD, president of the American Medical Association and chair of neurosurgery at New Jersey Medical School in Newark, during the Pendergrass New Horizons Lecture on Nov. 28 at the 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Why the American Medical Association Had 72 Million Reasons to Shrink Doctors' Pay

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:50:01 +0100

As Paul Starr chronicled in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Social Transformation of American Medicine, the American Medical Association played a key role in establishing the power of doctors in the American health-care system, and thereby in the outsized compensation that American physicians enjoy relative to their developed-world counterparts. In the 21st Century, however, the AMA has been actively responsible for lowering doctors’ pay, in moves that enriched the AMA’s Washington headquarters at the expense of its members. Here’s what happened. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

AMA Adopts Policies to Benefit Physicians and Patients AlikeAMA Adopts Policies to Benefit Physicians and Patients Alike

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:31:09 +0100

Private contracting, patient empowerment, and guidelines for patient navigators were key resolutions that passed at the American Medical Association (AMA) interim meeting. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Data Mining: The best argument for ICD-10 implementation

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:49:40 +0100

Source: Carl Natale, ICD10 Watch Content: “The vigorous opposition to ICD-10 is really annoying. Not because I advocate incredibly specific medical codes, costly system upgrades and loss of medical coder productivity. But the response to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) stand is predictable. All the arguments have been made already. And rehashing them in the blogosphere [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

BPA Levels Rise 1,221% After 5 Days Eating Canned Soup

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0100

Volunteers who had one can of soup per day for five days had urine BPA (bisphenol A) levels rise by over 1,221% compared to the same people who had consumed freshly made soup daily for five days, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The authors say their study is one of the few to measure human BPA levels after consuming canned products... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

ASTRO News

International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:40:02 +0100

The American Medical Association (AMA) recently released the electronic data file for CPT 2012. CPT 2012 includes three new IORT codes: two IORT delivery codes and one IORT management code. These codes are effective as of January 1, 2012. More information is available at www.astro.org. (Source: International Journal of Radiation Oncology * Biology * Physics)

ICD-10 Procrastination—How Long can we Delay the Inevitable?

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:13:12 +0100

Source: Jennifer Prestigiacomo, Healthcare Informatics Content: “It’s fascinating to see the array of opinions on the thorny issue of ICD-10, which the industry is racing forward to a comply with the Oct. 1, 2013 deadline. The most recent waves that were made on this topic was on Nov. 15 when the American Medical Association (AMA), [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Late bone marrow cell delivery after PCI offers no clinical benefit

MedWire News - Cardiology — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:38:48 +0100

Intracoronary infusion of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells more than 1 week after myocardial infarction does not improve global or regional cardiac function, researchers report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: MedWire News - Cardiology)

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Amagine and Michigan Association of Health Plans Announce Plans to Speed Access to Insurance Information

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:08:00 +0100

CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amagine, Inc., a subsidiary of the American Medical Association (AMA), and Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) today announced they are teaming up to provide Michigan physicians with greater online access to information from health insurers. Physicians will be able connect with insurers using online portals administered by both Amagine and MAHP to check the insurance eligibility of patients or the status of a medical claim. This agreement gives Michigan physicians the ability to efficiently manage administrative tasks with MAHP health plans. Both portals operate on the same platform facilitated by Covisint, a Compuware (Nasdaq:CPWR) company. This is Amagine's third major health information technology initiative in Michigan. In 2009,...

JAMA: 1 in 4 ICD patients don't receive optimal medical therapy

Cardiovascular Business News — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:14:02 +0100

The administration of optimal medical therapy (OMT) to patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) may decrease mortality; however, according to a research letter published online Nov. 14 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly one in four of these patients are not prescribed beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors/ARBs. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Can Background Checks of Long Term Care Residents Improve Safety?

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “State policies for the residency of offenders in long term care facilities: Balancing right to care with safety,” outlines an important area of concern for practitioners. Until recently, the complexities of criminal offenders requiring long term care have been largely unexplored. The thought of a vulnerable loved one living in close proximity to a criminal offender is a frightening idea for families, and the public will increasingly look to the long term care medicine community to ensure the protection of residents. To further facilitate the establishment of best practices surrounding this issue, the American Medical Directors Association recently passed a resolution to explore how nursing homes can best address th...

JAMA: Tripling Plavix maintenance dose benefits some poor metabolizers

Cardiovascular Business News — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:08:11 +0100

Patients with stable cardiovascular disease who carry the CYP2C19*2 heterozygotes and were administered 225 mg daily doses of clopidogrel responded at levels seen in noncarriers, according to results of the ELEVATE-TIMI 56 trial. But carriers of CYP2C19*2 homozygotes given 300 mg daily doses failed to achieve comparable levels of platelet reactivity. The results appeared online first Nov. 16 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

AMA opposes implementing ICD-10; industry leaders react

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:48:01 +0100

Source: Don Fluckinger, SearchHealthIT Content: “In its 65th Interim Meeting in New Orleans, the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates voted to vigorously oppose implementing ICD-10 across health care, as mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). AMA leadership will now assess just how it will try to stop the new disease [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

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AHIMA, Forbes Sound Off on AMA’s ICD-10 Stance

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:47:03 +0100

Source: Joseph Goedert, HDM Breaking News Content: “Among reaction to the American Medical Association’s vow to fight implementation of ICD-10, the American Health Information Management Association and Forbes magazine take decidedly different views. AHIMA officials expressed disappointment in the AMA’s position. CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon said the industry must move its disease classification system toward international [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

AMA adopts new policy to combat national drug shortages

Modern Medicine — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association has adopted a policy to help ease national drug shortages that threaten patient care and safety. (Source: Modern Medicine)

HDM Readers React to AMA’s Fight with ICD-10

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:05:44 +0100

Source: Joseph Goedert, HDM Breaking News Content: “Health Data Management readers are commenting on the American Medical Association’s decision to “vigorously work” to stop implementation of the ICD-10 code sets, and their reactions are mixed. Here’s a sampling.” Article Joseph Goedert, HDM Breaking News, 17 November 2011 (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Organ Transplant Patients at Double the Risk for Developing Cancer

About.com Lymphoma — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

A study released this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association has demonstrated that patients who have received an organ transplant are at two times the risk of developing cancer- including lymphoma. In fact, this study places the risk of non- Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) at seven times the national average following transplant....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Lymphoma)

American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates 2011 Interim MeetingAmerican Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates 2011 Interim Meeting

Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:18:59 +0100

Read clinically focused news coverage of key developments from the meeting. Medscape Business of Medicine (Source: Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines)

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US doctors' group supports fight on drug shortages

Modern Medicine — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:01:26 +0100

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - The American Medical Association threw its support behind government efforts to ensure the supply of lifesaving medicines but stopped short of recommending financial penalties against drug companies. (Source: Modern Medicine)

AMA Adopts Policies on Circumcision, Gun Safety

MedPage Today State Required CME — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:45:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted a number of new policies at its interim meeting, including policies on male circumcision, physician discussion of gun safety, and a new medical coding system that will go into effect in 2013. (Source: MedPage Today State Required CME)

New Heart Disease Test Brings Higher Costs and More Procedures

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:13:00 +0100

In the prevailing more-is-better culture, patients often jump at or at least surrender to the latest and greatest medical test . New imaging technology is gaining crispness with each passing year, and advances in the past several years has enabled doctors to peer inside the body to detect tiny tumors or the beginning of a blocked artery all without slicing the skin. As cancer scans gain closer scrutiny for their efficacy, a new study calls into question the benefits of a high-tech test for heart disease .When compared to previous, exercise-based tests, this newer screening method turns out to be leading to many more surgeries and subsequently higher medical costs without the data to show that it’s actually helping people live longer or stay healthier, according to an analysis publish...

AMA mounts campaign to halt ICD-10

Healthcare IT News — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:55:03 +0100

The American Medical Association (AMA) on Tuesday revealed that its delegates voted in favor of trying to stop ICD-10. "The implementation of ICD-10 will create significant burdens on the practice of medicine with no direct benefit to individual patients' care," Peter W. Carmel, MD, AMA president said in a prepared statement. No read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

JAMA: CCTA spurs procedures, spending

Health Imaging News — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:03:50 +0100

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in a nonacute setting were more likely to undergo subsequent invasive cardiac procedures and have higher coronary artery disease spending than patients who underwent stress testing, according to a study published in the Nov. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Health Imaging News)

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AMA boos ICD-10, cheers on portable med ID

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:03:11 +0100

Source: Jeff Byers, CMIO Content: “The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates voted today to work vigorously to stop implementation of ICD-10, a coding set that has about 69,000 codes and will replace the 14,000 ICD-9 diagnosis codes currently in use. The activity came during a closed session of the group’s semiannual policy meeting.” Article Jeff [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

JAMA: National EHR network proposed

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:47:46 +0100

Source: Luke Gale, CMIO Content: “A commentary published by the Journal of the American Medical Association proposes ways in which the U.S. can affordably meet the needs and expectations of both the public and healthcare providers as an interconnected system of EHRs is developed at the national level. In the commentary, Aviv Shachak, PhD, and Alejandro [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

US doctors back "open market" insurance exchanges

Modern Medicine — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - The American Medical Association added pressure on U.S. states to steer toward the system that opens doors to all insurers who meet minimum standards as they build up their health insurance exchanges. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Doctors back "open market" insurance exchanges

Reuters: Health — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:50:45 +0100

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TMA Persuades AMA to Block ICD-10 Switch

Blogged_Arteries — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Spurred by its Texas members, the American Medical Association House of Delegates voted to oppose a federal mandate that physicians switch to the ICD-10 claims-coding system in 2013. At its interim meeting in New Orleans, the AMA house adopted a Texas Medical Association resolution asking AMA to "immediately petition the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to stop implementation and development of all new coding and billing standards including ICD-10." (Source: Blogged_Arteries)

Recurrent stroke risk lowest with high-normal systolic blood pressure

Modern Medicine — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Among patients with a prior ischemic stroke, the risk of recurrence is higher with both very low and high systolic blood pressure (SBP) compared with high-normal pressure, according to a report out November 16 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Doctors group supports fight on drug shortages

Reuters: Health — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:39:51 +0100

AMA offers medication adherence app for patients

mobihealthnews — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:42:45 +0100

The American Medical Association’s (AMA) first consumer app, My Medications, hit Apple’s AppStore late last week. The app allows patients to manage their medications, immunizations, allergies, and to access their medical team’s contact information. The app costs just under a dollar: $0.99. In March, the AMA released CPT E/M QuickRef, a reference guide that helps physicians determine [...] (Source: mobihealthnews)

Director's Comments: Folic Acid & Severe Language Delay

What's New on MedlinePlus — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:37:06 +0100

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on Folic Acid & Severe Language Delay. The transcript is also available. Women who took folic acid before and during pregnancy comparatively reduced their child's risk of severe language delay, finds an interesting study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association... (Source: What's New on MedlinePlus)

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Financial Stake Brings More Cardiac Stress Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 20:00:01 +0100

Physicians who billed for nuclear and echocardiographic stress imaging tests were more likely to prescribe such tests after coronary revascularization than those who did not bill for these services, according to a study in the Nov. 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Diagnostic Imaging)

Cardiac Stress Tests More Likely When There Is Financial Reimbursement

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:00:00 +0100

Doctors who receive reimbursements for technical and professional fees are 50% to 100% more likely to routinely order cardiac stress tests in discretionary situations compared to the ones who do not bill for the procedures or are only reimbursed for professional fees, researchers from Duke University Medical Center reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Lead author, Bimal Shah, MD., said: "The use of cardiac imaging technology has grown rapidly in this country and there is a lot of variation among physicians in terms of when and why they are used... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HIT Safety Advocate Likes New IOM Report

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:02:15 +0100

Source: Joseph Goedert, HDM Breaking News Content: “In February 2010, Dean Sittig, PhD, co-authored a commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association that listed five ways to improve the safety of electronic health records. Sittig, a professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Biomedical Informatics, was pleasantly surprised to see [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Financial Stake Brings More Cardiac Stress Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:30:01 +0100

Physicians who billed for nuclear and echocardiographic stress imaging tests were more likely to prescribe such tests after coronary revascularization than those who did not bill for these services, according to a study in the November 9 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Diagnostic Imaging)

Dementia Risk Higher Among Older Women With Sleep-disordered Breathing

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0100

Sleep-disordered breathing among older women that leads to deficient oxygenation of the blood (hypoxemia) raises the risk of their developing dementia or cognitive impairment, compared with other older women, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). As background information, the investigators wrote: "Sleep-disordered breathing, a disorder characterized by recurrent arousals from sleep and intermittent hypoxemia, is common among older adults and affects up to 60 percent of elderly populations... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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CMS Extends Revalidation Deadline

Blogged_Arteries — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0100

If Medicare hasn’t asked you to revalidate your enrollment, you now have more time to do so. Efforts on physicians' behalf by TMA and the American Medical Association paid off when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) granted a request to delay the requirement that physicians revalidate their Medicare enrollment through 2015. (Source: Blogged_Arteries)

Stroke Risk Not Reduced By EC-IC Bypass Surgery

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0100

Patients who have had a mini-stroke to not appear to have a reduced risk of further strokes if they undergo EC-IC bypass surgery, a procedure aimed at improving blood flow in the carotid artery, researchers from University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

67% More Prefrontal Brain Neurons In Children With Autism

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A small study found that male children with autism had larger brain weights and 67% more prefrontal brain neurons than children without autism, scientists from the NIH-UCSD School of Medicine Autism Center of Excellence, La Jolla, Calif., reported in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). The small preliminary study compared 7 children with autism to 6 healthy controls - they were aged from 2 to 16 years. The authors explained that head overgrowth and larger brain size are evident in children with autism... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Addiction Treatment for Addicted Doctors

Psychology Today Work Center — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:51:31 +0100

Addiction treatment for doctors has success rates far greater than anything we see in the general population. So what's their secret? Primary Topic: Addiction read more (Source: Psychology Today Work Center)

Removing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages from Schools Associated With Reduced Access To, But Not Consumption of Among Adolescents

Diabetes News from dLife.com — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:52:06 +0100

November 7, 2011 (American Medical Association) — State policies banning all sugar-sweetened beverages in schools are associated with reduced in-school access and purchase of these beverages, however these policies are not associated with a reduction in overall consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. read more (Source: Diabetes News from dLife.com)

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Psoriasis, RA drugs don't raise infection risk

CNN.com - Health — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:22:11 +0100

A class of injectable drugs used to treat autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis doesn't raise the risk of serious infection when compared with more conventional treatments, according to a new analysis in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: CNN.com - Health)

Prescriptions Blog: Doctor Groups Seem Less Wary of Medicare Changes

NYT Health — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:01:06 +0100

Regulations related to accountable care organizations include fewer benchmarks and provide upfront incentives for some groups. (Source: NYT Health)

House passes bill to stop 3% withholding rule on Medicare pay

American Medical News - GOVERNMENT — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0100

The American Medical Association supports repealing the tax provision. Senators disagree over how to offset the revenue loss. (Source: American Medical News - GOVERNMENT)

Initiation of anti-TNF agents not associated with increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation compared to other DMARDs?

NeLM - News — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, researchers used data from the Safety Assessment of Biologic Therapy (SABER) project, a large US multi-institutional collaboration, to evaluate whether initiation of an anti-TNF agent was associated with an increased risk of being hospitalised for a serious infection among patients with autoimmune diseases. Data from four US databases were used to assemble retrospective cohorts (1998-2007) of patients with autoimmune diseases who were initiating selected ... (Source: NeLM - News)

11/3/11 ALERT: JAMA Down

What's New on JEFFLINE — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 20:24:16 +0100

11/4/11 Update: Access is restored. Some issues of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) are temporarily unavailable. Scott Memorial Library is working with our vendor on solving the problem – we expect it to be resolved within the next week. In the meantime, we are happy to provide FREE interlibrary loans for affected articles. To request the articles, please contact our Interlibrary Loan Department at ill@lists.jefferson.edu Thank you for your patience while we solve the problem. (Source: What's New on JEFFLINE)

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Transplant patients have far more to worry about than this

Health Facts and Fears — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The results of a study just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveal that receiving an organ transplant doubles a person’s risk of developing cancer, compared to the general population. (Source: Health Facts and Fears)

Vitamin E Increases Cancer Risk?

ChiroACCESS: Tools for Better Patient Care — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Numerous studies have investigated the possible role of vitamin E in cancer prevention. Early studies cast a favorable light on preventing prostate as well as other forms of cancer. However, the most recent report provided in the October 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association provides unexpected and somewhat astounding findings. (Source: ChiroACCESS: Tools for Better Patient Care)

Folic acid use in early pregnancy may reduce risk of language delay

Drug Topics - Clinical News — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Use of folic acid supplements in early pregnancy appeared to reduce the risk of severe language delay in children at age 3 years, according to the results of a study published October 12 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (Source: Drug Topics - Clinical News)

Update in Geriatric Medicine

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:22:25 +0100

Abstract INTRODUCTION With an aging population, internists will provide care to a growing number of older adults, a population at risk of developing multiple chronic medical conditions and geriatric syndromes. For this update in geriatric medicine, we highlight recent key articles focused on preventive strategies and lifestyle changes that reduce the burden of disease and functional decline in older adults. METHODS We identified English-language articles published between March 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011 by review of the contents of major geriatrics/general medicine journals and journal watch services including: New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet, Archives of Internal Medicin...