MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'guidelines'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:46:01 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140306&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fif-fda-published-social-media.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140306 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:33:00 +0100 5140306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5130660&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F15%2Fkeeping-patients-safe-when-they-transfer-between-care-providers-%25e2%2580%2593-getting-the-medicines-right-good-practice-guidance-for-healthcare-professions%2F Title: Keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers – getting the medicines right: Good practice guidance for healthcare professions Scan or Click to download 'Keeping patients safe when they transfer between care providers – getting the medicines right: Good practice guidance for healthcare professions' The Skinny: Guidance from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society on the safe and effective transfer of information about patients’ medicines. The guidance contains high level core principles and responsibilities that underpin the safe transfer of information about medicines whenever a patient transfers care providers both internally within an organisation or externally, at any point in the care pathway. Publisher: Royal Pharmaceutical Society Published: 13/07/1... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5130660 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:53:30 +0100 5130660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125694&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F08%2F12%2Fnursing-times-2011-vol-107-no-26-3%2F Fade fave: How to manage harmful drinking Fade skinny: A summary of the latest NICE guideline advising on diagnosing, assessing and managing harmful drinking and alcohol dependence in adults and young people. Contact the Library for a copy of this article Filed under: Journals Tagged: Alcohol Misuse, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Guidelines, NICE (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125694 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 14:51:04 +0100 5125694 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5096201&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwilderness-medical-society-publishes-prevention-and-treatment-tips-for-altitude-sickness%2F2011.08.05 Led by Andrew Luks MD and his colleagues, the Wilderness Medical Society has published Consensus Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness (Wild Environ Med 2010:21;146-155). These guidelines are intended to provide clinicians about best evidence-based practices, and were derived from the deliberations of an expert panel, of which I was a member. The disorders considered were acute mountain sickness (AMS), high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), and high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The guidelines present the main prophylactic and therapeutic modalities for each disorder and provide recommendations for their roles in disorder management. The guidelines also provide suggested approaches to prevention and management of each disorder that incorporate the recommend... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5096201 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0100 5096201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5057726&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthecommunications.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ftime-and-money.jpg “I don’t have the time…I don’t get reimbursed for that.”  This is an all too common refrain from primary care physicians and practice managers when ever the subject of improving physician-patient communications comes up. I get it.   Primary care physicians in particular are under tremendous pressure to produce.   Just imagine…physicians in small primary care practices spend about 3.5 hours/week just on dealing with insurance-related paperwork.  Then there’s keeping up with recommended treatment guidelines, journals, and IT issues and routine staffing issues…not to mention routine patient care, much of which they in fact do not get paid for.  Physicians do have it rough right now. But Doctors Can Sometimes Be Their Own Worst Enemies Currently, in just about every St... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5057726 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 18:00:52 +0100 5057726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051232&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F07%2Ffda-issues-long-awaited-guidance-for.html (Source: Pharma Marketing Blog) Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051232 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:38:00 +0100 5051232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050598&cid=t_91343_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D967 The Canadian study by Perry et al just published in the BMJ studied 3132 patients with worst ever headache across 11 ED’s between 2000-2009 of which 240 (7.7%) had subarachnoid haemorrhage. CT scanning overall had a sensitivity of 93% for detecting SAH, but if done within 6 hours of onset of headache and interpreted by an experienced radiologist, the sensitivity rose to 100% picking up ALL 121 patients with SAH of the 953 patients scanned within 6 hours. Looks like its time to modify our practices as long as we have access to experienced radiologists – overnight may be an issue when such access may not be readily available. Their related study (see pdf here)  trying to develop a Canadian SAH rule of who to do a CT scan upon needs further validation but suggests that considerat... Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050598 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:27:26 +0100 5050598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5140270&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FIFO3oOfLaRU%2Fare-you-ready-for-impending-guidelines.html Are you prepared for the regulatory changes coming the digital marketing universe? Thomas Abrams, Director of DDMAC and previous speaker at the ePharma Summit has recently announced that they are closing in on regulation for social media. The digital marketing universe could change dramatically in the coming weeks and we've got the tools to help you adapt. ePharma Summit West brings together the best speakers from around the country to discuss the most important topics in digital marketing including mobile trends, best practices, patient engagement, sales force integration, physician interaction and of course regulatory. We give you all of this while providing you with hours of networking to meet new contacts and discuss the future of the industry. Download the brochure here. In additio... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5140270 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:56:00 +0100 5140270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997523&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-bottom-line-on-new-fda-sunscreen-guidelines%2F2011.07.03 Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. -Confucius This is certainly true of sunscreens. “Broad spectrum, UVA, UVB, avobenzone, oxybenzone, parsol, sensitive skin, titanium dioxide, SPF 15, 30, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 75, 100, 100+, waterproof, sweatproof, spray, cream, lotion, antioxidant…” We spend about $700 million in sunscreens every year, and many people don’t have a clue as to what’s good or bad, or a waste of money. The Food and Drug Administration has been meaning to help you out with this problem for a while now. Actually for over 30 years (who says nothing gets done in government?). The F.D.A. has made a final decision on sunscreen labels. They’ve sought to make labels simple and accurate to help you choose the right one: 1. The sunscreen must pro... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997523 Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:00:40 +0100 4997523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984583&cid=t_91343_129_f&fid=27216&url=http%3A%2F%2Flifewithadhd.com%2Fadhd-research%2Fmain-causes-of-adhd-guidelines-for-parents.php Can a child’s diet be one of the main causes of ADHD? Is sugar the culprit? These are some of the questions that parents ask about the causes of ADHD. The genetic link though, seems to be one of the main causes but this will not account for many cases. Certainly, the environment, diet, lead poisoning and maybe a low weight at birth all seem to be contributory factors. The NIMH (National Institute for Mental Health) has done some research and this has shown that ADHD children seem to have a thinner brain tissue but this later developed normally. Interestingly enough, when it did so, the ADHD symptoms seemed to be less dominant. That area of the brain , by the way, is associated with our attention spans and levels of concentration. These, of course are some of the main symptoms of ADHD... Life With ADHD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984583 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4984583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968494&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-is-it-appropriate-to-disregard-guidelines-in-medical-care%2F2011.06.24 Podcast: In an article appearing last week in the American Heart Journal, investigators concluded that if American doctors would prescribe for their patients with heart failure each of the six therapies which are most strongly recommended in current heart failure guidelines, 68,000 lives per year could be saved. The following (for the interest of the reader, and for the convenience of any attorneys who may follow DrRich’s offerings), is an ordered list of these six proven, life-saving heart failure therapies, along with the number of American lives that could be saved each year if only American doctors would stop grossly under-utilizing them in violation of published guidelines: aldosterone antagonist therapy – 21,407 lives beta blockers – 12,922 lives implantable defibrillators ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968494 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:00:47 +0100 4968494 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952846&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-new-world-view-of-coronary-artery-disease%2F2011.06.20 In 2007, when the results were published from the COURAGE trial, all the experts agreed that this study would fundamentally change the way cardiologists managed patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).* ____ *”Stable” CAD simply means that a patient with CAD is not suffering from one of the acute coronary syndromes – ACS, an acute heart attack or unstable angina. At any given time, the large majority of patients with CAD are in a stable condition. ____ But a new study tells us that hasn’t happened. The COURAGE trial has barely budged the way cardiologists treat patients with stable CAD. Lots of people want to know why. As usual, DrRich is here to help. The COURAGE trial compared the use of stents vs. drug therapy in patients with stable CAD. Over twenty-two hundred patie... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952846 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:00:25 +0100 4952846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952847&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftension-between-physician-autonomy-and-adherence-to-protocols%2F2011.06.20 Doctors are professionals.  But are doctors cowboys or pit crews?  Recently, physician writer, Dr. Atul Gawande, spoke about the challenges for the next generation of doctors in his commencement speech titled, Cowboys and Pit Crews, at Harvard Medical School.  Gawande notes that advancement of knowledge in American medicine has resulted in an amazing ability to provide care that was impossible a century ago.  Yet, something else also occurred in the process. “[Medicine’s complexity] has exceeded our individual capabilities as doctors… The core structure of medicine—how health care is organized and practiced—emerged in an era when doctors could hold all the key information patients needed in their heads and manage everything required themselves. One needed only an ethic of har... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952847 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4952847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952839&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F1623%2F0%2Fnot-follow-guidelines.mp3 Podcast: In an article appearing last week in the American Heart Journal, investigators concluded that if American doctors would prescribe for their patients with heart failure each of the six therapies which are most strongly recommended in current heart failure guidelines, 68,000 lives per year could be saved. The following (for the interest of the reader, and for the convenience of any attorneys who may follow DrRich’s offerings), is an ordered list of these six proven, life-saving heart failure therapies, along with the number of American lives that could be saved each year if only American doctors would stop grossly under-utilizing them in violation of published guidelines: aldosterone antagonist therapy – 21,407 lives beta blockers – 12,922 lives implantable de... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952839 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:21:47 +0100 4952839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934163&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-right-to-bear-salt-is-sodium-restriction-warranted-for-the-general-population%2F2011.06.15 Q. What is the difference between a public health expert and Il Duce? A. Mussolini was not nearly as arrogant as a public health expert. In prior posts, DrRich related how two major publc health efforts over the past few decades – the effort to put all of us on low-fat diets, and the effort to reduce everyone’s cholesterol levels – have amounted to massive experiments, based upon insufficiently-tested assumptions and surmises and hypotheses which the experts arrogantly (and incorrectly) determined to be fact, and which were conducted upon the entire American population without its knowledge or consent. These public health experiments cost billions of dollars, needlessly transformed large swatches of American industry, and (at least in the case of low-fat diets) likely produced signif... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934163 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:00:25 +0100 4934163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911480&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmyplate-spiffy-new-nutritional-guidelines-for-americans%2F2011.06.08 The crumbling Food Pyramid and its hip successor (MyPyramid) fell into oblivion yesterday, eroded by the stinging winds of science. Their replacement? A quartered plate called—wait for it—MyPlate that was designed to visually convey the elements of healthy eating to Americans of all ages. The new icon consists of a white plate divided into four segments: green for vegetables, red for fruits, orange for grains, and purple for protein. Dairy has a prominent place, sitting where a glass of water should be. The hope is that the plate will nudge Americans away from meals dominated by meat and starch and towards meals made up mostly of plant-based foods. The original Food Guide Pyramid debuted in 1992. It was built on shaky scientific ground. Over the next few years, research from around the... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911480 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:00:00 +0100 4911480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911412&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F07%2Fto-retract-or-not-to-retract-thats-the-question%2F In the previous post I discussed [1] that editors of Science asked for the retraction of a paper linking XMRV retrovirus to ME/CFS. The decision of the editors was based on the failure of at least 10 other studies to confirm these findings and on growing support that the results were caused by contamination. When the authors refused [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911412 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 13:34:25 +0100 4911412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872097&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fblogging-guidelines-for-physicians%2F2011.05.26 There’s been quite a kerfuffle over the “Unprofessional” post Dr V wrote. A lot of people have been very shrill in denouncing physicians who write about their experiences using social media — blogs, twitter, facebook, etc — with particular emphasis on those who do not use their real names. So, while I won’t tell someone how they should blog/tweet, or try to impose my vision of professional standards on a community that clearly is still coming to consensus with public conversations by healthcare workers, I will offer you my personal guidelines and values that I use in determining what I am willing to put into the public domain. These are just my opinions; your mileage may vary. As a general principle: patients give physicians and nurses access to intimate... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872097 Thu, 26 May 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4872097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4841739&cid=t_91343_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F05%2Ffeedback-sought-on-proposed-speciality.html The following was just forwarded to me this past weekThe Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) seeks member and public comments on Proposed Revision of the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology, a collaboration between the American Psychology-Law Society, APA Division 41 and the American Board of Forensic Psychology, and facilitated through the APA review process, per Association Rule 30.8, by BPA and the Committee on Professional Practice and Standards (COPPS). The revised guidelines aim to improve the quality of forensic psychological services, enhance the practice and facilitate the systematic development of forensic psychology, and encourage a high level of quality in professional practice.The proposed Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology can be viewed here.Invitation for ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4841739 Wed, 18 May 2011 16:46:00 +0100 4841739 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821100&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F13%2Fova1-blood-test-detects-ovarian-cancer-in-women-with-a-known-ovarian-mass-more-accurately-than-ca-125%2F A study published online in Obstetrics & Gynecology reports that the OVA1 blood test detects ovarian cancer in women with a previously discovered ovarian mass more accurately than the CA-125 blood test. The study also considers OVA1′s place in future surgical referral guidelines. A study published online ahead of print in the June 2011 edition of [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821100 Fri, 13 May 2011 15:11:11 +0100 4821100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4820854&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftips-for-physicians-dealing-with-difficult-colleagues%2F2011.05.12 Recently I attended a CME course entitled “Dealing with Difficult Colleagues.”  It was part of my medical malpractice company’s risk management series to teach physicians/nurses how to lessen our risk of being sued. This lecture was given by Linda Worley, MD who is a psychiatry professor at UAMS.  She is a good speaker, easy to understand, engages the crowd, and knows her subject. My only complaint would be that it focused only the “angry” or “frustrated” physicians who exhibit unprofessional behavior and did not include the ones whom you suspect might be difficult due to impairment (illness, drugs, alcohol). Difficult colleagues can impact a team (in office, OR, or hospital) by creating low morale, high staff turnover, inefficiency, decreased patient satisfaction, increase... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4820854 Thu, 12 May 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4820854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775561&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Fu-k-nice-issues-new-clinical-guidelines-re-recognition-initial-management-of-ovarian-cancer%2F On April 27, 2011, the U.K. National Institute For Health and Clinical Excellence issued new clinical guidelines regarding the recognition and initial management of ovarian cancer. On April 27, 2011, the U.K. National Institute For Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued new clinical guidelines regarding the recognition and initial management of ovarian cancer. In the [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775561 Mon, 02 May 2011 21:14:09 +0100 4775561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775393&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-alzheimer%25e2%2580%2599s-guidelines-emphasize-early-detection-frighten-some%2F2011.05.02 For the first time in 30 years, an expert panel has updated guidelines for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. The long overdue facelift should favorably impact care for millions and accelerate badly needed research on the disease. The guidelines were produced by representatives from the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association. They portray Alzheimer’s for the first time as a three-stage disease. In addition to ‘Stage 3,’—the full-blown clinical syndrome that had been described in earlier versions of the guidelines—the new guidelines describe an earlier ‘Stage 2,’ of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s, and a ‘Stage 1, or preclinical’ phase of the disease. The latter can only be detected with biochemical marker tests and brain scans.Th... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775393 Mon, 02 May 2011 11:00:06 +0100 4775393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775398&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhy-double-mastectomies-are-popular-watchful-waiting-is-too-difficult%2F2011.05.01 The rise of prophylactic double mastectomy in women with increased risk of breast cancer has been a topic of recent discussion. In particular, this trend has been observed amongst women with the diagnosis of unilateral carcinoma in situ, or pre-invasive breast cancer. While it has been known that in women with genetic cancer syndromes, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, double mastectomy reduces risk, the efficacy of the approach is uncertain in women with other risk profiles, yet more women and surgeons seem to be doing it. Knowing when to test, treat and act is part of art of medical practice. The ability to convey this information effectively is also an art. Both patients and doctors may have a hard time embracing watchful waiting with respect to many forms of cancer and pre-cancer. In the case... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775398 Sun, 01 May 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4775398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747612&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhat-do-clinical-guidelines-and-the-us-tax-code-have-in-common%2F2011.04.25 The above graph from the Cato Institute demonstrates the growing complexity of the U.S. tax code over the years. After doing my taxes recently and trying to track the ins and outs of the law for my wife’s private practice, I can attest to the graph’s accuracy. But then I was reading an interesting editorial in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology by N.A. Mark Estes III, MD and Jonathan Weinstock, MD that reviewed an article by Roos, et al in the same journal that found only 27 of 698 guideline recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology (median 1.2% per guideline [IQR 0.95% to 3.7%]) were correctly referenced as Class I or III Level of Evidence A recommendations, calling into question the accuracy of guideline recommendations. In their editorial, Estes and ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747612 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:00:00 +0100 4747612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734024&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=35060&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthnewsblog.com%2Fblog%2F419111 Alzheimer's diagnostic guidelines have been updated for first time in decades. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says the new guidelines reflect a deeper understanding of Alzheimer's. The updated guidelines describe the earliest preclinical stages of the disease, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's pathology. The guidelines also now address the use of imaging and biomarkers in blood and spinal fluid that may help determine whether changes in the brain and those in body fluids are due to Alzheimer's disease. The new guidelines include three distince stages of Alzheimer's disease: Preclinical, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Dementia. There may not be any significant clinical symptoms in the Preclinical phase, but amyloid buildup can be detected. You ... HealthNewsBlog.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734024 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:00:00 +0100 4734024 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709277&cid=t_91343_115_f&fid=38592&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.radiolopolis.com%2Findex.php%2Fmy-profile%2Fmy-blog%2Fwhat-should-i-do-if-my-patient-has-a-contrast-reaction-guidelines.html What should I do if my patient has a contrast reaction? These are symptom-dependent guidelines for treatment of patients who suffer a reaction to intravenous contrast material. UrticariaIn asymptomatic patients, no treatment is needed.In patient with symptomatic urticaria that is mild or moderate, diphenhydramine 50 mg may be administered orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously.In severe cases, treatment is asRead More... (Source: Radiolopolis Blogs) Radiolopolis Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709277 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 20:08:50 +0100 4709277 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684754&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fbrits-beat-fda-phrma-issue-social-media.html The Brits have won the race to issue social media guidance for the drug industry! (OK, it's NOT a race. Still, everyone says the EU regulators FOLLOW FDA's lead. Here's a case where the horse is following the cart!)The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), which oversees the self-regulatory code of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), just published "informal guidance" providing the drug industry advice on how to use online communications.You can access the PMCPA "informal guidance" here.While the US FDA (PhRMA too!) twiddles and delays, the British PMCPA tweets and delivers!Most of the advice, however, is merely to follow the existing ABPI Code of Practice, which "applies irrespective of the method of communication." NOTE: In contrast to the ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684754 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:38:00 +0100 4684754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664469&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Fphrma-statement-on-fda-social-media.html By now everyone is aware that the FDA has missed its SECOND deadline for issuing some form of guidance to the drug industry for the promotion of Rx products via the Internet and specifically via social media (see, for example, "No News is No News – DDMAC Fails to Produce Guidance").Of course, further delay in issuing such guidance is very frustrating for the hundreds of stakeholders who the FDA invited in November 2009 to make presentations at a public hearing. That frustration is even evident is a statement issued today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)."Due to FDA’s limited resources and an increasing workload, FDA should seek out help developing social media guidance," advised PhRMA President and CEO John J. Castellani in a statement issued today.Ca... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664469 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 09:00:00 +0100 4664469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664181&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcdc-brain-injury-guidelines-for-physicians-when-to-scan-a-concussion%2F2011.03.31 By Richard C. Hunt, MD, FACEP Centers for Disease Control and Prevention A 17 year-old athlete arrives on the sideline, at your office, or in the emergency department after hitting her head during a collision on the sports field and is complaining that she has a headache and “just doesn’t feel right.” Can she return to play? If not, when can she safely return to school, sports, and to her normal daily activities? Does she need immediate care, a Head CT or MRI, or just some time to rest? Do those questions sound familiar? Each year thousands of young athletes present at emergency departments and in the primary care setting with a suspected sports- and recreation-related concussion. And every day, health care professionals, like us, are challenged with identifying and appropriately man... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664181 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:00:04 +0100 4664181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642592&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-government-is-not-keeping-up-with-medical-guidelines%2F2011.03.28 In case people are wondering if our governmental overlords really care about the latest and greatest treatment guidelines published by our professional health care organizations, take note. CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is still using guidelines for defibrillator implantation from 2005 to justify payment for services in their national coverage decision, whereas the latest guidelines published by the Heart Rhythm Society published in 2008 carry signficiant differences in their recommendations for appropriate patients for this technology. So which set of guidelines should doctors use? The answer is obvious: if you use the latest data to decide who should receive a defibrillator, you might be subject to a Department of Justice investigation. So much for using updated guideli... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642592 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4642592 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4642609&cid=t_91343_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2Fd8Uj1L6mrV4%2F The LITFL Review is your regular and reliable source for the highest highlights, sneakiest sneak peaks and loudest shout-outs from the webbed world of emergency medicine and critical care (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4642609 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 05:32:00 +0100 4642609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636396&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Finstitute-of-medicines-release-reports.html Two days ago, the prestigious US Institute of Medicine released two reports on important health care issues, clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews.  Systematic reviews of the relevant clinical research have been advocated by evidence-based medicine proponents as the appropriate basis for clinical and policy decisions.  Clinical practice guidelines have been advocated by many health researchers, policy makers, and clinicians as the best way to encapsulate the evidence to inform clinical and policy decision making.  Both reports suggested series of standards for how systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines should be developed.  These topics are of general importance to clinicians, health services researchers, and health policy makers.  T... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636396 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:05:00 +0100 4636396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626769&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F23%2Fkaleidoscope-3-2011-wk-12%2F It has been long since I have posted a Kaleidoscope post with a “kaleidoscope” of facts, findings, views and news gathered over the last 1-2 weeks. There have been only 2 editions: Kaleidoscope 1 (2009 wk 47) and 2 (2010 wk 31). Here is some recommended reading from the previous two weeks. Benlysta (belimumab) approved by FDA for treatment of lupus. Belimumab is [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626769 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:37:20 +0100 4626769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592642&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F03%2F15%2F2011-nccn-conference-new-treatment-options-lead-to-steady-progress-against-ovarian-cancer%2F Recommendations stemming from recent clinical trials highlight notable updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines™) for Ovarian Cancer at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) 16th Annual Conference. Although finding effective screening tools remains a priority, new treatment options for women with ovarian cancer, such as the ones outlined in the [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592642 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:20:30 +0100 4592642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592366&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2yhf1F4z5Qo%2F By Neal McCluskeyOver at Flypaper, Chester Finn suggests that people like me are either crazy or on the verge of it for fearing that the Shanker Institute's "common content" manifesto might very well be another step toward federal control of American education.   "Over in the more feverish corners of the blogosphere, and sometimes even in saner locales," he writes, "the Shanker Institute’s call for 'common content' curriculum to accompany the Common Core standards has triggered a panic attack." Now, I wouldn't say "panic attack." To panic is to "be overcome by a sudden fear," but I've been watching the move toward federal curriculum control for some time. Back in 2008 many of the groups behind the Common Core called for Washington to "incentivize" adoption of national standards. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592366 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:33:41 +0100 4592366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560248&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaTp_rdBUiLQ%2F By Neal McCluskeyToday, a group of seventy-five national-standards crusaders released a manifesto calling for "shared curriculum guidelines" to accompany the Common Core State Standards. But don't worry, the petitioners assure us, "use of the kinds of curriculum guidelines that we advocate in the core academic subjects would be purely voluntary." Oh please, please -- stop lying to us! Here's the only absolutely clear thing that we've learned so far from the national standards push: Leading national standardizers do not want adoption of their plans to be truly voluntary. Sure, they talk about creating mere "guidelines," and states being free to choose what they'll use, but they know reality full well: Whatever Washington connects to federal money becomes de facto mandatory, and they mos... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560248 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:08:19 +0100 4560248 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4472951&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4472951 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4472951 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470410&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-still-incredible-edible-egg%2F2011.02.12 Enriched chicken feed may have resulted in eggs having less cholesterol and more Vitamin D than previously measured, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). A large egg today has about 185 milligrams of cholesterol, down 14 percent from 215 milligrams in 2002, according to new research from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, reports USA Today. Also, an egg today has 41 international units (IUs) of Vitamin D, up 64 percent from 25 IUs measured in 2002. (That’s still only about 7 percent of the 600 IUs recommended per day.) The agency regularly does nutrient checks on popular foods, this time analyzing eggs taken from store shelves in 12 locations around the country. The American Egg Board said in a press release that hen feed is made up mostly of corn, soyb... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470410 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4470410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4450488&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FoRFETme8wwA%2Fepharma-2011-updates-and-insights-from.html Updates and Insights from the FDAThomas Abrams, DDMAC, FDAFDA is trying to protect public health. They have three objectives:present drug promotions in not false and misleading,ensure a balanced picture of drugs aid in the communication of more useful information and the American public. Three programs to meet objectives: comprehensive surveillance, voluntary compliance and a research program.Risk information is critical prescriptions drugs have huge benefits, but also have just as many risk. FDA has heard the call for guidance in social media. Since they are committed to giving good guidance providing social media guidelines is taking longer than they originally planned. Since his is an complex issue, Abrams says they are committed to getting it right.Current FDA resources are going to vo... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4450488 Tue, 08 Feb 2011 20:30:00 +0100 4450488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4446010&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2Fywf9qx4kqTc%2Fepharma-2011-social-media-bootcamp.html Ray Chepesiuk, PAABThere are currently no FDA regulations, so how do you know what to comply to? For online, there are no published guidelines for online marketing. Pharma needs to be much better at self regulation while there are currently no guidelines from the FDA. Even though there are not guidelines, enforcement activities continue.Regulatory steps to social media and activities: the more complex the activity, the higher the value for the company. Should manufactures monitor the Internet for adverse events? If you can’t get all the information, your liability goes down. A company should have rules about who can engage and what sites they engage on. Regulatory rules are ones that help you succeed. If it is not appropriate in advertising or print media, it’s probably not appropriate... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4446010 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:11:00 +0100 4446010 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4436749&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Favoid-weight-gain-by-using-brain-tricks-to-master-portion-control%2F2011.02.04 When I was growing up, my parents had a simple rule when it came to food: “Finish everything on your plate.” We had to sit at the table until we did. They meant well. They wanted us to understand that food should not go to waste. The problem with this advice — and I’m sure I’m not the only American who grew up with it — is that we learned early on to eat everything put in front of us when we sat down to meals. Then the size of the plates grew — and so did the amount of food we consumed. It’s called portion inflation. Take a look at the illustration at left. It’s based on an analysis published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association which found that typical restaurant portion sizes today are two to eight times as large as those in 1955. Back then, p... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4436749 Fri, 04 Feb 2011 18:00:41 +0100 4436749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4433290&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F02%2F02%2Frisk-of-death-doubles-for-early-stage-ovarian-cancer-patients-who-are-not-checked-for-lymph-node-metastases%2F University of California Davis Cancer Center and California Cancer Registry researchers determined that the risk of death doubles for those women with apparent early stage ovarian cancer who are not checked for lymph node metastases. A team of University of California (UC) Davis Cancer Center and California Cancer Registry researchers determined that more than a quarter of women [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4433290 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 03:40:46 +0100 4433290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429017&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwere-overdosing-on-sodium-whose-responsibility-is-it%2F2011.02.02 I confess to loving Campbell’s tomato bisque soup. I mix it with 1 percent-fat milk and it’s hot and delicious and comforting, but one of the worst food choices I could make because one cup contains more sodium than I should have in a day. Knowing this, I have already relegated it to an occasional treat. But by the end of this blog post I will do more. We are overdosing on sodium and it is killing us. We need to cut the sodium we eat daily by more than half. The guidelines keep coming. The U.S. government has handed out dietary guidelines telling Americans who are over 50, all African Americans, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease to have no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) — or two thirds of a teaspoon — of sodium daily. That’s the majorit... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429017 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4429017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429019&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-dietary-guidelines-offer-little-new-guidance%2F2011.02.02 There isn’t much new in the latest iteration of the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” Three years in the making, the 2010 guidelines (released a tad late, on January 31, 2011) offer the usual advice about eating less of the bad stuff (salt; saturated fat, trans fats, and cholesterol; and refined grains) and more of the good stuff (fruits and vegetables; whole grains; seafood, beans, and other lean protein; and unsaturated fats). I’ve listed the 23 main recommendations below. You can also find them on the “Dietary Guidelines” website. The guidelines do break some new ground. They state loudly and clearly that overweight and obesity are a leading nutrition problem in the United States, and that a healthy diet can help people achieve a healthy weight. They also r... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429019 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:00:27 +0100 4429019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419472&cid=t_91343_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F31%2Fquick-post-press-release-for-2010-dietary-guidelines-for-americans%2F EMBARGOED UNTIL 10:00 AM EST, JANUARY 31, 2011   USDA and HHS Announce New Dietary Guidelines to Help Americans Make Healthier Food Choices and Confront Obesity Epidemic WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2011 — Agriculture Secretary TomVilsack and Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius today announced the release of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the federal government’s evidence-based nutritional guidance to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity. Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans place... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419472 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 15:13:09 +0100 4419472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399507&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNb9gopEJD8o%2F By David RittgersIf you haven’t seen it already, I recommend the Frontline report Are We Safer? Since September 11, 2001, the government has gone on a spending spree without any regard for fiscal federalism, dumping $31 billion into grant programs. The program is based on The Washington Posts’ Top Secret America article, “Monitoring America.” Watch it below: Much of this spending has gone to local pork projects or allowed state and local governments to avoid the realities of budgeting – spend federal counterterrorism dollars on normal law enforcement requirements while spending the local tax base on unsustainable pensions for public employees. For a tally of this excess, check out the Price of Peril, an interactive map showing homeland security spending by state, courtesy of the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399507 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:49:22 +0100 4399507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394442&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fclinical-guidelines-who-writes-them-anyway%2F2011.01.25 While DrRich is a conservative American, and has made plain the difficulties he has with the Progressive program in general and with Progressive healthcare reform in particular, at times he is forced to admit that, on occasion, the Progressive way of looking at the world has certain merits. And as DrRich contemplates a question that has been bothering him lately, a question that no doubt plagues many American physicians who (unlike DrRich) are still toiling away in the trenches, he finds that this is one such occasion. That question is: Just who are the people writing all those clinical guidelines — the  “guidelines” physicians are now expected to follow in every particular in every case, on pain of massive fines, loss of career, and/or incarceration? DrRich is quick to say that... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394442 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:00:26 +0100 4394442 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372043&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F1252%2F0%2Fwho-writes-clinical-guidelines.mp3 Podcast: While DrRich is a conservative American, and has made plain the difficulties he has with the Progressive program in general and with Progressive healthcare reform in particular, at times he is forced to admit that, on occasion, the Progressive way of looking at the world has certain merits. And as DrRich contemplates a question that has been bothering him lately, a question that no doubt plagues many American physicians who (unlike DrRich) are still toiling away in the trenches, he finds that this is one such occasion. That question is: Just who are the people writing all those clinical guidelines – the  “guidelines” physicians are now expected to follow in every particular in every case, on pain of massive fines, loss of career, and/or incarceration? DrRich is... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372043 Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:50:26 +0100 4372043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322476&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F01%2Fkey-opinion-leader-services-companies.html In researching the conflicts of interest of the University of California "36," I stumbled upon a fascinating corner of the pharmaceutical/ biotechnology/ medical device marketing universe, the companies that find and manage key opinion leaders (KOLs), also known as "thought leaders."  Reviewing their own marketing materials reveals how KOLs truly are health care corporate marketing's useful idiots.I found three companies which seem entirely devoted to the adoption, care and feeding of KOLs, plus numerous companies, including some medical education and communication companies (MECCs) that provide KOL-related products and services.  I will first describe the companies briefly, then draw upon their marketing materials to underline what KOLs are really about.Leadership in Medicine In... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322476 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:02:00 +0100 4322476 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4318365&cid=t_91343_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FspOFl_UG6Vs%2Fnew-mrsa-treatment-guidelines.html I learned of this thanks to a tweet from @OFPC: New #MRSA guidelines for the treatment of staph infections http://goo.gl/NQ3xZ #medicine MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) infections continue to be a growing public health issue, both hospital-acquired and community-acquired.  These guidelines come from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).  The article is a 38 page document (pdf file, full reference below); the last 10 pages are supporting references. The major performance measures are: 1. The management of all MRSA infections should include identification, elimination and/or debridement of the primary source and other sites of infection when possible (eg, drainage of abscesses, removal of central venous catheters, and debridement of osteomyel... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4318365 Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:14:00 +0100 4318365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4314191&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F01%2F05%2Fnational-comprehensive-cancer-network%25c2%25ae-posts-new-guidelines-for-treatment-of-ovarian-cancer-patients%2F National Comprehensive Cancer Network® Posts New “Patient Friendly” Guidelines for Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Women with ovarian cancer now have a new resource that provides them with the same credible information their physicians use when determining treatment options. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) announces three new additions to the library of NCCN Guidelines for [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4314191 Wed, 05 Jan 2011 19:39:13 +0100 4314191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309610&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftop-10-health-stories-of-2010%2F2011.01.04 1. Health care reform How could the health care reform legislation that President Barack Obama signed into law on March 23, 2010, not be the #1 story of the year?  Whether you are for or against it, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is nothing if not ambitious, and if implemented, it will fundamentally alter how American health care is financed and perhaps delivered.  The law is designed to patch holes in the health insurance system and extend coverage to 32 million Americans by 2019 while also reining in health care spending, which now accounts for more than 17% of the country’s gross domestic product. The biggest changes aren’t scheduled to occur until 2014, when most people will be required to have health insurance or pay a penalty (the so-called indiv... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309610 Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:00:49 +0100 4309610 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309612&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmaking-2011-meaningful%2F2011.01.03 Today, $27 billion in incentives begin for using electronic medical records, as office- and hospital-based providers begin to register for meaningful use criteria. Providers must use a certified system according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid meaningful-use guidelines for 90 consecutive days within the first year of the program to qualify. Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the program. There’s an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area. To get the most money, Medicare-eligible professionals must begin by 2012. By 2015, Medicare-eligible professionals and hospitals that do not demonstrate meaningful use get punished. (more…) *This blog post was originally publis... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309612 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:00:00 +0100 4309612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4309618&cid=t_91343_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FjP9fR2-7Vhk%2F The Australian Resuscitation Council has release its 2011 resuscitation guidelines and flowcharts. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4309618 Mon, 03 Jan 2011 12:24:24 +0100 4309618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4275590&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F12%2Fscrooge-fda-delays-laying-social-media.html FDA's DDMAC is playing Scrooge to the drug industry's Tiny Tim this Christmas season and -- to mix metaphors -- won't be laying the golden goose egg everyone was expecting in 2010. The egg of which I am speaking, of course, is guidance for drug promotion via the Internet and social media.According to a post over at EyeOnFDA, DDMAC issued this statement:The Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC) has been researching draft guidance topics on the following issues related to Internet/social media promotion of FDA-regulated medical products:Responding to unsolicited requestsFulfilling regulatory requirements when using tools associated with space limitationsFulfilling post-marketing submission requirementsOn-line communications for which manufacturers, packers, or d... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4275590 Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:52:00 +0100 4275590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266213&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2Fbw0MjE1fwq4%2Fnew-policy-by-ama-aims-to-help-guide.html 90% of Americans are searching online for health information, but until recently, what they found tended to be jumbled and lacked credibility. Times are changing though. Mashable reports that as the health care revolution changes, many doctors, nurses and medical professionals are taking their insights online and offering patients credible resources to improve their health knowledge online.Both the AMA and the CDC has recognized this, and released Best Practice documents for those professionals. A few of the Best Practices that caught our attention were:Using privacy settings to safeguard personal information and content to the fullest extent possible on social networking sites. Routinely monitoring their own Internet presence to ensure that the personal and professional information on the... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266213 Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0100 4266213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214456&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39273&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2Fr8b_JT2gs3Y%2Fwould-fda-care-if-kanye-west-said.html At the DIA in June the FDA said there would be guidance on social media practice by the end of the year. As we close in on December one has to ask, will we get any concrete guidance before the end of the year? In a brief but proactive post “Who’s Responsible for Tweets About a Drug?", Katherine Hobson discussed just this on the Wall Street Journal Health Blog this weekend. Ms. Hobson poses an interesting question regarding the industry’s responsibility with respect to what people post through Facebook, Twitter, etc. She wonders if the FDA would care if Kanye West or any celebrity’s comments on twitter would be the responsibility of the industry, in particular if they were paid to tweet it. It does beg the question, if a pharma company paid Kanye to suggest any drug was “better, f... ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214456 Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:00:00 +0100 4214456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190198&cid=t_91343_105_f&fid=36987&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FIvorKovicMd%2F%7E3%2FScoRIuoYqsQ%2F From 2nd until 4th of December 2010, the Resuscitation Congress organized by the European Resuscitation Council will take place in Porto, Portugal. This congress takes place each year in a different European country and is famous for great scientific programs. I will be participating with two papers. On Saturday, 4 December in room Miragaia between 11:00 – 12:30, I will talk about mobile phones in the chain of survival. During the talk I will also mention my CPR invention which utilizes mobile phones to offer CPR prompts & feedback. I am also the coauthor of another paper which will be presented as a poster. Paper titled “Comparing methods for weight estimation of children” will be displayed in the Poster Room. The authors will be answering questions during the Post... Ivor Kovic, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190198 Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:57:32 +0100 4190198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151749&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2rbOt1IvouU%2F By Tad DeHavenSelf-anointed elites have been relentless in prodding government planners to apply their enlightened solutions for the purported benefit of the ignorant masses. As a result, the federal government has become a Super Nanny monitoring and guiding the intimate activities of the nation’s 300 million inhabitants. However, the government is not altruistic and does not have the solutions for how people should live their lives. The amalgamation of programs and regulations that constitute the federal government is basically a reflection of the myriad special interests that have won a seat at Uncle Sam’s table. Government consists of fallible men and women who are naturally susceptible to pursuing policies that have less to do with the “general welfare” and more to do with rewa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151749 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:57:43 +0100 4151749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4152263&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fama-policy-on-use-of-social-media-sees.html Yesterday, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a new policy on "Professionalism in the Use of Social Media" (find the press release here) According to the AMA, this policy aims at "helping physicians to maintain a positive online presence and preserve the integrity of the patient-physician relationship."Looking over the AMA guidelines,  I find that this policy, like all such policies -- including the policies of pharma companies regarding employee use of social media -- (1) was developed after the cow has left the barn (ie, many physicians are already using social media; see, for example, this recent Pharma Marketing News article: "Physician-Generated Content on Social Media Sites") and (2) has an underlying negative view of social media and physician-generated content.The ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4152263 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:56:00 +0100 4152263 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4151792&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhen-doctors-are-paid-less-unnecessary-prescriptions-drop%2F2010.11.09 Take medical uncertainty. Add financial incentive to treat. Voila! Increased utilization. Now take away financial incentive to treat. Guess what you get? MedPageToday explains, in the case of hormone therapy for prostate cancer: Medicare accomplished what clinical guidelines and evidence-based medicine couldn’t: it reduced unnecessary use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in prostate cancer. Inappropriate use decreased by almost 30% from 2003 to 2005, following enactment of the Medicare Modernization Act, which lowered physician reimbursement for ADT. Appropriate use of ADT did not change during the same time period, according to an article in the Nov. 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. “Our findings suggest that reductions in reimbursement may influence the de... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4151792 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:00:48 +0100 4151792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4143017&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fnew-lipitor-ads-dis-exercise-healthy.html In its most recent TV and print ads for Lipitor, Pfizer highlights a middle-aged man working out in a gym. In bold text and voice overs, the ad asks "Are You Kidding Yourself?" The print ad -- an example from this week's Time Magazine is shown here (click for an enlarged view) -- goes on to say "A lot of people think exercise and healthy diet are enough to lower cholesterol. For 2 out 3, it may not be."Damn! You mean that the odds of me lowering my cholesterol via exercise and diet are only 1 in 3? This is the first time I have ever seen a DTC (direct to consumer) ad that so blatantly "disses" exercise and diet. At least, that's what it sounds like to me.Older Lipitor ads featured active people -- mostly men -- such as "doctors" rowing and guys skiing or biking, etc. These ads only hinted ... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4143017 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 13:54:00 +0100 4143017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118945&cid=t_91343_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2FQ348vtd_43s%2F Resuscitation Guidelines for 2010 are out for the UK, Europe and the United States. We're still waiting for ours in Australia... Here is where to find the new guidelines and a few of the 'moves and shakes' are highlighted. (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118945 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:56 +0100 4118945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4105840&cid=t_91343_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FzhPYbx7FCjA%2F Malpractice Methodology (New York Times OpEd by Peter Orszag) Right now, health care is more evidence-free than you might think. And even where evidence-based clinical guidelines exist, research suggests that doctors follow them only about half of the time. One estimate suggests that it takes 17 years on average to incorporate new research findings into widespread practice. As a result, any clinical guidelines that exist often have limited impact. How might we encourage doctors to adopt new evidence more quickly? If this is the case with health care overall, despite much progress over the last 30–40 years, imagine how worse it may be when we talk about brain health, when neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience are relatively more recent disciplines. This is a key insight to keep in m... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4105840 Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:09:04 +0100 4105840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082119&cid=t_91343_105_f&fid=36987&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FIvorKovicMd%2F%7E3%2FxavNq7HKOWg%2F Did you know that less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR! There are some countries, especially Scandinavian ones, which can be proud that their numbers are much higher, but the rest of us are performing poorly in helping others survive. This is a shame, because effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or even triple a victim’s chance of survival. CPR has been invented 50 years ago, but still as lot of people could not care less. I guess they are thinking sudden cardiac arrest has nothing to do with them, it cannot happen to them. But they are wrong! It can happen to anyone, even young people, and sometimes without any warning signs. In fact almost 80% of cardiac arrests happen at home, so ev... Ivor Kovic, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082119 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:30:19 +0100 4082119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027152&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa8T7DzAyVVE%2F By Michael F. CannonThere are plenty of reasons why politicians and government bureaucrats have no business telling you what you should eat.  The Constitution grants the federal government no authority to do so, for one thing.  Even if it did, it is simply wrong to force people to pay taxes so that other people can hand down nutritional advice or — God forbid – mandates. A terrific article by Jane Black in The Washington Post illustrates why, furthermore, the government’s advice isn’t likely to be very good: [H]istorically, the government has shied away from offering controversial advice. And with food, everything is controversial: A boost for one type of food in the guidelines can be viewed as a threat by providers of competing products. The result, critics say... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027152 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:03:19 +0100 4027152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4013139&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FMU9YDW-f0tE%2F By Jim HarperIf you blinked, you missed it. Heaven knows, I did. The OECD privacy guidelines celebrated their 30th birthday on Thursday last week. They were introduced as a Recommendation by the Council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on September 23, 1980, and were meant to harmonize global privacy regulation. Should we fete the guidelines on their birthday, crediting how they have solved our privacy problems? Not so much. When they came out, people felt insecure about their privacy, and demand for national privacy legislation was rising, risking the creation of tensions among national privacy regimes. Today, people feel insecure about their privacy, and demand for national privacy legislation is rising, risking the creation of tensions among national privacy ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4013139 Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:15:54 +0100 4013139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929453&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Freasonable-600-fine-for-misbranding.html Allergan -- the company that markets Botox legally for wrinkles and illegally for other things -- agreed to pay $600 million in fines, including $375 million to the government as part of a Botox “misbranding” charge. Allergan admitted that its marketing of Botox from 2000 to 2005 led to intended use in treating headache, pain, muscle stiffness and juvenile cerebral palsy. Read the media stories and press releases here.Considering that Eli Lilly paid $1.41 billion to settle charges that it had improperly marketed  Zyprexa for elderly patients with dementia and that Pfizer paid $2.3 billion to settle charges that it had illegally marketed the painkiller Bextra, the $600 million Allergan has to pay seems "reasonable," which is exactly how  Larry Biegelsen, an analyst at Wells Fa... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929453 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:52:00 +0100 3929453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880857&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F883%2F0%2FsucksbeingPCP.mp3 Podcast: DrRich entered medical school 40 years ago with every intention of becoming a general medical practitioner, and indeed he became one. But after only a year in practice as a generalist, he found himself so frustrated with the frivolous limitations and the superfluous obligations that even then were being externally imposed on these supposedly revered professionals, that DrRich altered course and spent several years re-training to become a cardiac electrophysiologist. (Electrophysiology is a field of endeavor so arcane as to be mystifying even to other cardiologists. DrRich hoped that the officious regulators and stone-witted insurance clerks would be so confused – and possibly intimidated – by the mysterious doings of electrophysiologists that they would leave him alon... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880857 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:09:32 +0100 3880857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798560&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-pap-smear-guidelines-the-right-care-or-rationed-care%2F2010.07.28 The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently reiterated their position that Pap smears should be performed on healthy women starting at age 21. This is different from the past which recommended screening for cervical cancer at either three years after the time a woman became sexually active or age 21, whichever occurred first. How will the public respond to this change? Over the past year there have been plenty of announcements from the medical profession regarding to the appropriateness of PSA screening for prostate cancer and the timing of mammogram screening for breast cancer. Understandably, some people may view these changes in recommendations as the rationing of American healthcare. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Saving Mo... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798560 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3798560 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3794844&cid=t_91343_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F27%2Fbook-reviewers-wanted%2F Do you like to read (especially self-help or other non-fiction books)? Do you like to share your opinion with others? Would you like to make a few dollars for sharing that opinion about a specific book? If you answered yes, consider becoming a Psych Central book reviewer. All it takes is excellent writing skills (sorry, that’s a must), a penchant for reading, and the ability to read a book in a timely manner and synthesize it into a cohesive, helpful review. If this sounds of interest, please check out our current book review list as well as our book review guidelines. If you ask for a book to review, we expect you to complete it within 3 weeks’ time (both reading the book and writing the book review). Book reviewers get to keep the book they are reviewing, and will receive a s... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3794844 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:35:01 +0100 3794844 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786988&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fus-healthcare-when-is-enough-enough%2F2010.07.25 A new survey in the journal Health Affairs synthesizes nearly everything I believe is wrong with the U.S. healthcare system. The survey found that patients believe that more care is better, that the latest and most expensive treatments are the best, that none of their doctors provide substandard care, and that evidence-based guidelines are a pretext for denying them the care they need and deserve. Sigh. Until we can retrain consumers (that would be all of us) to understand that in medicine more is NOT better, that evidence-based guidelines may translate in some instances into less but better care, that doctors are falliable and should be questioned, and that the cost of a treatment has nothing to do with the quality, we will never get out of the healthcare quagmire in which we find ourselv... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786988 Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:00:00 +0100 3786988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3746738&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmedicare-em-guidelines-undermine-patient-care%2F2010.07.12 Since the late 1990s, American physicians have labored under a set of tortuous documentation requirements imposed upon them by our government. The E&M guidelines (for “evaluation and management”), apply to the documentation that physicians are now obligated to provide in support of their Medicare billing. The E&M guidelines, first instituted in 1995 and revised in 1997, were part of the Clintons’ great fraud reduction initiative. Ostensibly, the strict documentation requirements reduce the opportunity for fraudulent billing. While doctors initially railed against the E&M guidelines, they now suffer them in relative silence. The E&M guidelines have become, in fact, just one more hurdle which doctors must navigate as they pick their way through the vast obstacle course ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3746738 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:00:57 +0100 3746738 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740787&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F09%2Fesmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-regarding-brca-gene-mutations-ovarian-cancer-supportive-cancer-care%2F The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) is the leading European professional organization committed to advancing the specialty of medical oncology, and promoting a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment and care. …  The ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines include coverage of  (i) BRCA gene mutations in breast and ovarian cancer, (ii) gynecologic tumors, and (iii) supportive [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740787 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 22:27:51 +0100 3740787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3733082&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F516%2F0%2FCrestor2.mp3 Podcast: DrRich’s last post addressed a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine which, strikingly, was largely dedicated to trashing the JUPITER study. The JUPITER study was a landmark clinical trial in which giving the statin drug Crestor to apparently healthy individuals who were at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (and most particularly, had high CRP levels) resulted in a significant improvement in outcomes. In particular, within two years, individuals taking the statin had a 20% reduction in overall mortality, a 54% reduction in heart attacks, a 48% reduction in stroke, and a 40% reduction in venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. All these findings were highly statistically significant. DrRich attempted to show that the criticisms of JUPITER recently offere... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3733082 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 11:34:59 +0100 3733082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3721763&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39182&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcovertrationingblog.com%2Fcardiology-topics%2Fwhy-theyre-trashing-the-jupiter-trial This study is noteworthy because it is the first large randomized trial to show that taking a statin can markedly reduce the incidence of some very nasty cardiovascular outcomes in people who are considered to have “normal” cholesterol levels. (Notably, typical LDL cholesterol levels among primitive hunting/gathering cultures is around 50 mg/dL, instead of the 100 – 120 mg/dL we consider to be normal. These primitive folks have an extremely low incidence of cardiovascular disease, so maybe humans’ optimal cholesterol level is much lower than we now think. On the other hand, the low risk of cardiovascular disease among hunters/gatherers may instead be related to the fact that many of them are consumed by various species of carnivores before they’re 30.) To be s... The Covert Rationing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3721763 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:29:23 +0100 3721763 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714469&cid=t_91343_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F30%2Fmindless-eating-are-you-sabotaging-yourself%2F One of my favorite presentations at Food for Your Whole Life Symposium was Dr. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating. A leader in the field of food psychology, he has unveiled a lot of the hidden influences on how much we eat, and how consumers make food choices. Did you know that we make at least 250 food choices every day? Rather than being the next fad diet which promises you can lose weight effortlessly without thought, he uses years of food psychology research to re-engineer your food environment so that you will eat less without even knowing. While it is easy to blame fast food, big food, and the government for the rising rates of obesity in America, this food fight begins in our own homes. Some tips for preventing Mindless Eating in YOUR life: We eat with our eyes not out stom... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714469 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:32:07 +0100 3714469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662672&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fless-is-more-in-medicine-why-patients-arent-buying-it%2F2010.06.14 In a recent article, the editors of the Archives of Internal Medicine make the case that too much unneeded care is being delivered in physician’s offices these days. According to the authors, “patient expectations” are a leading cause of this costly problem. Their solution? Get physicians to share with patients the “evidence” for why their requests are crazy, wrong, ill-informed or just plain stupid. But getting patients to buy into the “less is more” argument is a daunting task as most physicians already know. The problem is complicated by the fact that patients have a lot good reasons for not buying it. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Mind The Gap* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662672 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:00:18 +0100 3662672 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3662674&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Funnecessary-tests-and-treatments-responsible-reporting-can-help%2F2010.06.14 Just when I’ve lost hope that mainstream media will stop perpetuating the myth the more medicine equals better care, the Associated Press came up with this excellent piece. The article states, rightly, that “anywhere from one-fifth to nearly one-third of the tests and treatments we get are estimated to be unnecessary,” and that, “it may lead to dangerous side effects.” Regular readers of this blog should be familiar with those concepts. I wrote recently that patients often reject evidence-based medicine. One reason is that there aren’t enough clinical guidelines available for patients to make an informed decision. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at KevinMD.com* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3662674 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:00:37 +0100 3662674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683882&cid=t_91343_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2Fd-pwJsheFrc%2F The old days I worked for several years as the medical director of a residential treatment center in Wisconsin, leaving the position several weeks ago.   On my last evening in the place I took a moment to look around and think about how addiction treatment has changed in the past decade.  I looked at the pictures of the patients in their charts, who were mostly in their late teens or early 20’s.  The most common class of ‘drugs of choice’ were opioids, including oxycodone, heroin, methadone, morphine, and hydrocodone.  I thought about the different but similar program that I attended ten years ago, filled mostly with addicts and alcoholics in their 30’s and older.  I wonder if Bill W would have come up with the same twelve steps, had his target been not 50-year-old alcoholics... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683882 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:02:16 +0100 3683882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3632424&cid=t_91343_147_f&fid=39202&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnicolaziady.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F04%2Fseo-tools%2F * Google Rankings * Google Webmaster Guidelines * Google SEO information for webmasters * Overture Keyword Selector * Search Engine News * ASP Tips – 301 Redirecting * Search Engine Marketing Tools for SEO * URL Rewriting * Virtual Promote Tools (Source: Nicola Ziady) Nicola Ziady blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3632424 Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:08:43 +0100 3632424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3581735&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F05%2F19%2Fread-critical-summaries-of-systematic-reviews-from-the-ada%2F Wondering how medication effects orthodontic tooth movement? Or if antibiotics used at the time of implant placement prevent complications? Here is a way to get valid answers, fast; bookmark the American Dental Association’s Evidence Based Dentistry portal. In addition to its database of systematic reviews of oral health topics, the ADA provides one-page, concise, user-friendly [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3581735 Wed, 19 May 2010 13:55:45 +0100 3581735 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556067&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4zNe_Da5boE%2F By David BoazHo-hum. Another administration, another “comprehensive plan to combat drug abuse, putting the focus on prevention and treatment strategies.” This one “calls for a 15 percent reduction in youth drug use, a 10 percent decrease in drugged driving, and a 15 percent reduction in overall drug-related deaths by 2015.” It involves more central planning — “ the creation of a community-based national prevention system” – more taxpayers’ money — “an expanded array of intervention-oriented treatment programs” — and more nannyism — “a push to screen patients early for signs of substance abuse, even during routine appointments, and the expansion of prescription-drug monitoring programs.” And d... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556067 Wed, 12 May 2010 14:52:58 +0100 3556067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515511&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fno-more-case-requirements-for-invisalign-dentists%2F Big news this week… no more case requirements for Invisalign. The company posted FAQs that explain the policy change: “We are responding to our customers’ frustration and unhappiness with the proficiency program. Many customers were upset by the proficiency program, particularly the annual case requirement. The volume of complaint letters has tapered off, but the mood and frustration of our customers has not improved.” DentalBlogs invites you to weigh in on this new development with a comment! (Source: dental blog for dentists about dentistry) dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515511 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:21:15 +0100 3515511 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456769&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Famacupuncturehttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fnew-end-of-life-icu-guidelines.html Discussion will include social work, a chaplain intervention, notifying a key family member from out of town to come in preparation for opium death, and organizing the nursing staff for the end of life protocols. If the doctor is forced to give a time limited trial of artificial nutrition and hydration, he must set a measure of success: We will see if mom feels stronger or can resume eating for the next two weeks. “ Just tolerating the feeding is not a good endpoint. The plan must be documented and spread around, to the healthcare team, so the entire team can work in an organized fashion.   The doctor, after writing the appropriate orders, must document the discussion in the medical records, and talk about the plan to the health care end-of-life team. Families ch... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456769 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:13:00 +0100 3456769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456770&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Famacupuncturehttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fdoctors-train-to-be-salesmen-of-death.html As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.NEW END OF LIFE FEDERAL GUIDELINESDoctors   are now trained to impl... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456770 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:41:00 +0100 3456770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429229&cid=t_91343_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F03%2F31%2Fgoogle-and-facebook-therapists-and-clients%2F With more and more therapists embracing social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, the question arises — where do you draw the line in terms of boundaries with your patients? Where does a patient’s and therapist’s privacy end or begin on such sites? How do patients and therapists navigate this brave new world of connectedness and “friending”? Dana Scarton over at The Washington Post has the insightful article addressing this issue by talking to a number of therapists across the country. These therapists have had to deal with their own challenges with social networking sites and “researching” people online once it was brought into psychotherapy by a client or a client’s actions. Professional associations haven’t addressed this ki... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429229 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:45:52 +0100 3429229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404023&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F25%2Fread-summaries-of-systematic-reviews%2F Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find all the systematic reviews pertaining to dentistry in one place?  You can! The American Dental Association (ADA)  Evidence Based Dentistry website includes a database of systematic reviews in oral health. The reviews may be found by searching the site or using the ADA’s drill down topic menu. Even [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404023 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:08:39 +0100 3404023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3404019&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fdentist-marketing-federal-trade-commission-rules-for-testimonials%2F If your dental website, blog, print, radio, or other advertising features testimonials, be aware of the FTC guidelines that went into effect late last year. Not knowing the rules won’t save you from a potential $16K daily fine that could be imposed for every infraction. That packs a punch! For dentists, the first point of reference in advertising guidelines should always be the state board’s regulations. The Texas Dental Association, for instance, does not allow dentists to use testimonials in advertising. Other state dental boards regulate issues like statements of superiority, promising predictable results, and use of misleading statements. Once your advertisement or website passes through the state board’s filter of regulations, consult the FTC guidelines. New policies prohibit pr... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3404019 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:59:21 +0100 3404019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385311&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F20%2Fan-evidence-pyramid-that-facilitates-the-finding-of-evidence%2F Earlier I described that there are so many search- and EBM-pyramids that it is confusing. I described  3 categories of pyramids: Search Pyramids Pyramids of EBM-sources Pyramids of EBM-levels (levels of evidence) In my courses where I train doctors and medical students how to find evidence quickly, I use a pyramid that is a mixture of 1. and 2. [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385311 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:27:17 +0100 3385311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3339773&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F06%2Fdietary-factors-influence-ovarian-cancer-survival-rates%2F University of Illinois at Chicago researchers identify relationship between healthy eating and prolonged ovarian cancer survival A study published in the March 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association (JADA), is among the first to evaluate possible diet associations with ovarian cancer survival. Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) determined [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3339773 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:52:34 +0100 3339773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354280&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=35060&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthnewsblog.com%2Fblog%2F304101 Discussions with your doctor should start at age 50 for those with average risk but higher risk groups should start discussion at age 40 to 45. The new guidelines say men with low PSA numbers can go for longer intervals between getting new tests. You can read the ACS's article about early detection of prostate cancer here. Permalink | Recent Headlines | News Feeds (Source: HealthNewsBlog.com) HealthNewsBlog.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354280 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3354280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251398&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2FnfW_qVVBygs%2Fpharmas-new-home-lies-at-corner-of.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251398 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3251398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212566&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F26%2Ftwo-combination-treatment-regimens-added-to-updated-nccn-guidelines-for-ovarian-cancer%2F The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently updated the NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer to include two additional combination treatment regimens for women with select types of recurring ovarian cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recently updated the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oncology™ for Ovarian Cancer to reflect the addition of two preferred combination [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212566 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:44:49 +0100 3212566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167053&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F13%2Fmanagement-of-general-ophthalmic-services-budget%2F Title: Management of General Ophthalmic Services budget Skinny: Guidance detailing arrangements for managing the General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) budget following the decision announced in the 2010 NHS Operating Framework that responsibility for budgetary management of GOS will be devolved to PCTs from 1 April 2010. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 3p. Published: 12/01/2010 Posted in Financial Management, Grey Literature, Ophthalmology, Primary Care Tagged: Financial Management, Guidelines, Ophthalmology, Primary Care, Primary Care Trusts (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167053 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:59:10 +0100 3167053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163803&cid=t_91343_101_f&fid=38969&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheemtspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2F12%2Fcpr-right-now%2F I helped teach CPR to our latest EMT class this past week. This class is always a good reminder of how fast emergency medicine changes. Here in their first week, the new students are beginning to hear our warnings. “You are going to hear about many different ways to perform this skill. Some are older methods than the ones we are teaching you today. Some are newer. Some things you are learning will quickly go away. New methods, new machines and new research are all in progress. That doesn’t mean what you are learning right now is wrong. It is an imperfect method. Prepare for change.” Some students get stressed over the idea that CPR isn’t a gold standard technique handed down unchanged for decades. I worry for their future. Like the banner says, “Medicine mov... The EMT Spot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163803 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:32:22 +0100 3163803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3153377&cid=t_91343_90_f&fid=0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fannietv600.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F07%2Fcmaj_kt%2F This series began in 2009, when CMAJ was still an Open Access journal.  Link to free full text for Parts 1-5 below at http://tiny.cc/CMAJ_KT. Part 1: Straus SE, Tetroe J, Graham I. Defining knowledge translation. CMAJ 2009;181(3-4):165-8. Part 2: Brouwers M, Stacey D, O’Connor A. Knowledge creation: synthesis, tools and products. CMAJ 2009 Nov 2. [Epub ahead of print] Part 3: Kitson A, Straus SE. The knowledge-to-action cycle: Identifying the gaps.  CMAJ 2009 Nov 30. [Epub ahead of print] Part 4: Harrison MB, Légaré F, Graham ID, Fervers B. Adapting clinical practice guidelines to local context and assessing barriers to their use.  CMAJ 2009 Dec 7. [Epub ahead of print] Part 5: Wensing M, Bosch M, Grol R. Developing and selecting interventions for translating knowledge to acti... ANNE T-V's BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3153377 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:03:34 +0100 3153377 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149052&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FQDm6axTmfiA%2F The following guest post on the subject of cervical cancer screening guidelines is written by Susan Wysocki, WHNP-BC, FAANP, president and CEO of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health and Susan Scanlan, chair of the National Council of Women’s Organizations. The article below initially appeared on America Media Forum’s website. It’s not surprising that women are confused about the recently changed recommendations for cancer screening and prevention. New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) – the leading medical group that provides health care for women – say women should wait longer to begin cervical-cancer screening and that they should be screened less frequently. On the heels of si... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149052 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:01:10 +0100 3149052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142596&cid=t_91343_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fscreen-hearts-not-boobs.html The recently-released USPSTF guidelines changed the recommendations to start mammogram screening for breast cancer in women from age 40 to age 50 based on extensive review of the costs, risks and benefits. As a result, when spun as “women’s care under siege,” the recommendation has become a potent political weapon.Ironically in Texas, a new law was just enacted that requires insurers to pay up to $200 to screen for coronary artery disease based on controversial "entrepreneurial guidelines" proposed by SHAPE, a group of cardiologists that includes the entrepreneurs themselves.So there you have it: how politics does preventative medicine...... completely anatomically, of course.-Wesh/t: Kevin, MDMusings of a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. (Source: Dr. Wes) Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142596 Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:18:00 +0100 3142596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092645&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F16%2Fprioritising-need-in-the-context-of-putting-people-first-a-whole-system-approach-to-eligibility-for-social-care-consultation-report-on-revised-guidance-on-eligibility-criteria-for-adult-social-care%2F Title: Prioritising need in the context of Putting People First: A whole system approach to eligibility for social care: Consultation report on revised guidance on Eligibility Criteria for Adult Social Care, England 2009 Skinny: Revised guidance that following consultation will replace the 2003 Fair Access to Care Services guidance.  It aims to support fair and transparent implementation of eligibility criteria, within the new policy context of personalisation and prevention set out in Putting People First.  Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 20p. Published: 16/12/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, Integrated Care, NHS, Older People, Public Sector, Social Services Tagged: Consultations, Financial Management, Grey Literature, Guidelines, Social Care (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092645 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:55:35 +0100 3092645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089209&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-pregnancy%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: clinical management guidelines for pregnancy Skinny: Updates  provisional guidance for the clinical management of pregnant women with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 27p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, Pandemic Tagged: Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089209 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:00:52 +0100 3089209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089210&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-adults-and-children-2%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: Clinical management guidelines for adults and children Skinny: Updates provisional guidance for the clinical management of adults and children with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 25p. Published: 14/12/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, Pandemic Tagged: Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089210 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:30:59 +0100 3089210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084734&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fheart-2009-vol-95-no-22%2F Contents page Fade Fave: Potential survival gains in the treatment of myocardial infarction Fade Skinny: Evaluates the potential impact of complete implementation of guideline recommendations in myocardial infarction (MI) care, and contrast this with new innovations. Finds that potential gains from improved clinical effectiveness in MI care are likely to compare favourably with benefits achieved though innovations, and should inform priorities in research and implementation strategies for improving MI outcomes. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Clinical Effectiveness, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Guidelines, Myocardial Infarction (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084734 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 08:30:17 +0100 3084734 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084777&cid=t_91343_88_f&fid=38153&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ozemedicine.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D840 The National Institute of Clinical Studies (NICS) has posted a new care bundle of documents to assist in the ED management of TIA and stroke. These documents can be found on their website at NICS (Source: Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia) Oz E Medicine - emergency medicine in Australia blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084777 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:05:06 +0100 3084777 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029822&cid=t_91343_99_f&fid=35344&url=http%3A%2F%2Fzackarysholemberger.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Frelaxed-guidelines-and-breast-cancer.html I'm glad Hadassah is encouraging women to start annual breast exams at 40 and not follow the new "relaxed" guidelines. "Relaxed" is what I would call "evidence-based," but never mind.The reason, shared with us by Allison Hoffman in Tablet's The Scroll, is that "Ashkenazi Jewish women are about five times likelier than everyone else to have the genetic abnormality that can lead to breast cancer." Perhaps Hadassah and the Susan G. Kornen Breast Cancer Foundation ("who has given Hadassah about $335,000 in grants for breast-cancer awareness") would care to explain to those Ashkenazi Jewish women why they are recommending annual breast exams that lead to unneeded biopsies and unjustified cancer diagnoses. Or maybe Ashkenazi Jewish women just don't care about those things? One wonders if we need... Zackary Sholem Berger blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029822 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:31:00 +0100 3029822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3019205&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=38061&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBreastCancerReconstructionBlog%2F%7E3%2F0lpNqFbIHA8%2Fmammogram-screening-for-breast-cancer.html The current mammogram screening recommendation put forward by the American Cancer Society is for yearly mammograms for all women aged 40 years and older. Women with a strong family history of breast cancer are urged to start mammogram screening from the age of 35. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government-appointed expert panel, recently made new recommendations for mammogram screening for breast cancer: Women between 40 and 49 years old should not be having routine screening mammograms.  Instead, they say that women should make an informed decision about screening mammography before 50, and weigh their potential risks and benefits with their doctors. Women who are 50 to 74 years old should be having a screening mammogram every other year (not yearly), because t... Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3019205 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 03:39:52 +0100 3019205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012585&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Fpanel-recommendations-on-breast-cancer-not-popular%2F There is a lot of discussion about the newly released guidelines for mammogram screening for breast cancer. We got hundreds of comments on the last blog I wrote about these guidelines just after they were released Monday. They recommend that the age of women receiving annual mammograms should be moved to 50 from 40 and only done bi-annually. It seems we may not see these guidelines enacted. This turnabout from federal agencies came after a huge outcry. If you read through even a few of the comments posted to my blog on the issue, you can see why. These comments are about peoples’ lives. It is their story about their battle with breast cancer. Many wrote about sisters or mothers or wives who lost their life to the disease. It is apparent that breast cancer has impacted not just the one wi... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012585 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:26:57 +0100 3012585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012509&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drneedles.comhttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F11%2Fbreast-exam-guidelines-confusing.html There's only so much a woman can do to protect herself against breast cancer. Science and medicine must figure out why some cancerous lesions kill women, and some don't. The panel never gave a list of other things women can do. It seems that HHS Secretary Sabelius,  is backing off from the new guidelines issued by her Task force on mammography.As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management,... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012509 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:53:00 +0100 3012509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3003871&cid=t_91343_113_f&fid=35744&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fe-CareManagement%2F%7E3%2FE-Jk96eOPWk%2F Last week I asked whether Medicare’s Biggest Change in 40 Years is on the horizon. That post described and discussed implications of Medicare’s new direction for the medical home — the shelving of Medicare Medical Home Demonstration (MMHD) and the refocusing on the recently announced Multi-Payer Advanced Primary Care Initiative (MAPCI). In that post I touched briefly on the potential for MAPCI to create effective networks at multiple levels — contracting networks, health IT networks, social and collaborative care networks.  I’d like to expand a bit today… So, why is Medicare’s participation in MAPCI  and other regional collaboratives such a big deal? Here’s my hypothesis: Medicare’s non-participation (to-date) in regional payer/provider collaboratives has been a rate... e-CareManagement blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3003871 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:53:23 +0100 3003871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999778&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=36032&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-breast-cancer%2Flimiting-breast-cancer-screening-is-an-assault-against-women%2F There is no question more women than ever before are surviving breast cancer. This is happening because of early screening and better and more aggressive treatment. So I was absolutely shocked today to hear that the United States Preventive Services Task Force (a committee appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is now recommending that women do not get regular mammograms until their fifties and even then limit screening to every other year. In addition they are suggesting that breast self exams not be taught. ARE THEY CRAZY? There is no way to completely express my feelings about this. I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 44, and the tumor was discovered through self breast exam and confirmed through a mammogram. This was only 18 months since a p... Life with Breast Cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999778 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:25:20 +0100 2999778 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993732&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fneonatal-services-toolkit%2F Title: Neonatal services toolkit – updated 12 November 2009 Skinny: New guidance to help the NHS improve the care provided for premature and sick babies and their families.  NHS staff from across England and members of Bliss (the baby charity) have helped to develop the toolkit, which provides evidence based guidance for all neonatal services.  Neonatal care should be more family-centred ensuring that the psychological as well as physical needs of babies and families are considered.  The toolkit created by and for the NHS provides guidance on how to improve services in the areas that really matter to parents including: Communication and inclusion in decision making Access to psychological and social support Improved access to and availability of specialised transfer services Safe... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993732 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:42:06 +0100 2993732 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950683&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F02%2Fpandemic-h1n1-2009-influenza-clinical-management-guidelines-for-adults-and-children%2F Title: Pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza: clinical management guidelines for adults and children Skinny: Updates provisional guidance for the clinical management of adults and children with symptoms of influenza–like illness, severe influenza and complications, provided in 2007 by the British Infection Society, British Thoracic Society and Health Protection Agency in collaboration with the Department of Health. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 25p Published: 30/10/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Influenza, NHS, Pandemic Tagged: Children, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950683 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:05:36 +0100 2950683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2943931&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drneedles.comhttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fdoctor-guidelines-now-orders.html As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing.DOCTOR GUIDELINES NOW ORDERS It seems that new government guidelines are caus... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2943931 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:41:00 +0100 2943931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2931130&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=34820&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dentalblogs.com%2Farchives%2Fadministrator%2Fdentist%25e2%2580%2599s-news-lots-of-info-on-swine-flu%2F As a doctor, your patients and employees trust you with their safety. The Swine Flu (H1N1) has everyone in a panic, and with good cause. Here’s a brief overview of the facts. The Facts about Swine Flu Swine Flu is common in pigs, and this is not the first outbreak in humans. In 1918, pigs and humans became ill at the same time, which created a question as to connection. In 1930, the flu was identified in pigs. Another outbreak occurred in 1976, and the nation experienced significant turmoil over deaths and a paralyzing disorder thought to be associated with the inoculations provided by the US government’s National Influenza Immunization Program. Until recently, most Swine Flu occurrences were of the H1N1 strain. However, in 1997, new variations were identified. Humans contract the dise... dental blog for dentists about dentistry blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2931130 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:31:55 +0100 2931130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2908545&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=38272&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaikaspoetnik.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F19%2Fcochrane-colloquium-2009-better-working-relationship-between-cochrane-and-guideline-developers%2F Last week I attended the annual Cochrane Colloquium in Singapore. I will summarize some of the meetings. Here is a summary of an interesting (parallel) special session: Creating a closer working relationship between Cochrane and Guideline Developers. This session was brought together as a partnership between the Guidelines International Network (G-I-N) and The Cochrane Collaboration to [...] (Source: Laika's MedLibLog) Laika's MedLibLog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2908545 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:02:35 +0100 2908545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886464&cid=t_91343_105_f&fid=38964&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrwes.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Frationer.html Every cardiac electrophysiologist has been there: a relatively young individual in their 50’s presents to the Emergency Room short of breath, sitting bolt upright in bed and is found to be in congestive heart failure. This is not their first admission; several others have come before and each with a common theme: a positive urinary screen for cocaine.The EKG shows left bundle branch block. Catheterizations occur, coronary disease absent or moderate, discussions held, patient recommended for defibrillator or biventricular pacing to improve their heart failure after medications have been ineffective for the past year. The person seems sincere – “No more drugs, doc, really” – a line uttered near the conclusion of every one of the patient’s prior hospitalizations, but this time, re... Dr. Wes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886464 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0100 2886464 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855835&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2F3jFQKJshbLo%2Ffda-to-hold-hearings-on-social-media.html (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855835 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:43:00 +0100 2855835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855504&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F02%2Fguidance-for-the-pharmacological-management-of-substance-misuse-among-young-people%2F Title: Guidance for the pharmacological management of substance misuse among young people The Skinny: Document describing good practice on the best ways to manage substance dependence among young people, a clinically complex condition which to date has had no formal guidance. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 99p Published: 02/10/2009 Posted in Clinical Guidelines, Drugs of Abuse, Grey Literature, NHS, Young People Tagged: Clinical Guidelines, Drugs of Abuse, Good Practice, Grey Literature, Young People (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855504 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:50:24 +0100 2855504 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2855834&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F10%2Freminder-dtc-ads-ok-in-canada-not-in-us.html According to Marketing News, Pfizer Canada just launched a 15-second TV ad that promotes Viagra as "an antidote for couples that choose leisurely pastimes over physical intimacy... the spot from Taxi Canada shows a husband confessing that redecorating was ruining their lives: Things like seasonal themes, colour palettes and Feng Shui were getting in the way. 'So I tried Viagra, and my redecorating practically disappeared,' he says" (see "Pfizer Canada Launches Latest 'Confession' Ad"). Click here to see the video, then come back to find out why I am confused as to how this ad is allowed in Canada, but "outlawed" in the US.Pfizer's "redecorating-vs-sex" Viagra ad is what the FDA and drug industry call a "reminder ad." According to the FDA, "Reminder advertisements are identified as an exemp... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2855834 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:16:00 +0100 2855834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2828147&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F24%2Finterim-policy-on-prosecuting-assisted-suicide%2F Title: Interim policy for Prosecutors in Respect of Assisted Suicide Issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions The Skinny: Consultation with interim guidance on prosecution for cases of assisted suicide. The public interest factors in favour of prosecution identified in the interim policy include that: The victim was under 18 years of age; The victim’s capacity to reach an informed decision was adversely affected by a recognised mental illness or learning difficulty; The victim did not have a clear, settled and informed wish to commit suicide; for example, the victim’s history suggests that his or her wish to commit suicide was temporary or subject to change; The victim did not indicate unequivocally to the suspect that he or she wished to commit suicide; The victim did no... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2828147 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:55:33 +0100 2828147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2798193&cid=t_91343_10_f&fid=37252&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeckerinfo.net%2Fslch%2F%3Fp%3D171 (Source: SLCH Medical Library Blog) SLCH Medical Library Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2798193 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:43:14 +0100 2798193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2774722&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Frpc.technorati.com%2Frpc%2Fpinghttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fsurgical-procedures-eliminated-by.html As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.MEDICARE ELIMINATING UNN... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2774722 Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:54:00 +0100 2774722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751845&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F01%2Fguidelines-for-the-clinical-management-of-people-refusing-food-in-immigration-removal-centres-and-prisons%2F Title: Guidelines for the clinical management of people refusing food in immigration removal centres and prisons The Skinny: Information, for health professionals in prisons and immigration removal centres, on the physical effects of food refusal, the most effective practical and clinical management of individuals refusing to eat and drink, legal aspects and the relevance of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. It also addresses the considerable dangers and risks associated with refeeding individuals who have been starving but who then decide to eat again. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 51p Published: 28/08/2009 Posted in Clinical Governance, Clinical Guidelines, Diet, Ethics, Grey Literature, Legislation, Mental Health, Prison Health Services, Prisons Tagged: Asylum Seekers, Clinical Guide... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751845 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:37:02 +0100 2751845 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2751903&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7807 I think there are mixed signals about testing coming out from the MOH especially when there were earlier media reports about the Health Minister encouraging doctors to use the “rapid test”. The Star reported As the death toll from Influenza A (H1N1) rose to 38, the Government green-lighted the use of rapid test kits for private clinics and hospitals to conduct flu checks on the public. Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said private healthcare providers can use these kits to help cope with the large number of patients wanting to be checked, and for faster detection and containment of the pandemic. “Use of rapid test kits was discouraged in the private sector earlier when the H1N1 outbreak was still small and mostly imported. “Now that it has reached the community lev... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2751903 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2751903 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716192&cid=t_91343_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F19%2Fnccn-updates-infection-guidelines-to-include-information-about-h1n1-virus-swine-flu%2F NCCN [National Comprehensive Cancer Network] recently updated the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology™ for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections to include information about the H1N1 virus, also known as “swine flu”. The NCCN Guidelines provide specific recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the major common and opportunistic infections that afflict [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716192 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:08:06 +0100 2716192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712371&cid=t_91343_151_f&fid=36896&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSuboxoneTalkZone%2F%7E3%2FkblC0707eEU%2F I receive monthly updates from Reckitt Benckiser in regards to best practices  using buprenorphine.  I figure that all of you should be as aware of the information as I am, so here it is (also see link below post).   Please note, in particular, the material on page 5 regarding dosing.  It is important for people on Suboxone to understand this material in particular– not only the information that your receptors are maximally occupied at standard maintenance doses, but that you will have the ‘need’ to take more when you are stressed, craving, or any number of other situations.  You do NOT want to respond to that ‘need’, though, by taking more Suboxone– doing so only reinforces all of the addictive thinking that we are trying to extinguish.  When you ... Suboxone Talk Zone blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712371 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:06:16 +0100 2712371 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712042&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fmulti-agency-practice-guidelines-handling-cases-of-forced-marriage%2F Title: Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage The Skinny: Revised set of multi-agency practice guidelines for frontline professionals (such as teachers, police officers, social and health care professionals, housing officers) to help them to work more closely together and to better identify and protect children and adults at risk of forced marriage. The revised guidelines replace the existing individual guidelines which were tailored for specific professionals  and now brings these together into one single document. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 105p Published: 14/08/2009 Posted in Child Abuse, Children, Clinical Guideline, Grey Literature, Guidance, NHS, Social Services, Standards, Vulnerable People, Young People Tagged: Child Protection, Forced Marria... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712042 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:47:44 +0100 2712042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709073&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fguide-to-good-practice-in-clinical-perfusion%2F Title: Guide to good practice in clinical perfusion The Skinny: New guide to good practice in clinical perfusion has been developed in response to a critical incident in 2005 which led to the publication of the Gritten report. It provides a Quality Management System and a Framework for the Administration of Named Medicines to form the basis of patient-specific directions which are recorded in the patient’s notes and clinical perfusion record. This guidance and the recommended frameworks should assist in the assurance of safe and high quality clinical perfusion services provided by the NHS. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 52p. Published: 22/07/2009 Posted in Acute Services, Cardiovascular Diseases, Circulatory Diseases, Clinical Guidelines, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Heart Dis... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709073 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:14:26 +0100 2709073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691434&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2Fbritish-journal-of-hospital-medicine-2009-vol-70-no-8%2F Fade Fave: Managing alcohol withdrawal syndromes: the place of guidance Fade Skinny: According to this article alcohol misuse poses a significant problem in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost. The article goes on to discuss the reasons for poor guideline adherence and the current evidence base behind the formulation of these guidelines. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Journals Tagged: Alcohol Abuse, Guidelines (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691434 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:53:28 +0100 2691434 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660827&cid=t_91343_125_f&fid=37825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbibbynews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fxylitol-and-dental-caries%2F Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in some food products and used as a sugar substitute.  Studies strongly suggest that xylitol is non-cariogenic.  That is, xylitol decreases streptococcus mutans levels in plaque and saliva, thus reducing the incidence of dental caries. Despite these findings, there is little information on the amount of xylitol needed in [...] (Source: Bibby Library News and Tips) Bibby Library News and Tips blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660827 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:41:30 +0100 2660827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653839&cid=t_91343_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2FQ6VClekX2-M%2F In case of emergencies, people often wonder how it’s decided who gets what. In a situation such as the H1N1 pandemic, the question becomes, who gets vaccinated first and if there are limited stores of vaccines, who has priority? The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices today issued its recommendations and vaccine guidelines for H1N1 vaccine . They target 5 groups: Pregnant women Health care and emergency services personnel Children and young adults to age 24 years Caregivers and caregiver contacts of children under 6 months old Otherwise healthy adults with certain chronic health conditions It’s estimated that these five groups cover half of the American population, about 159 million. However, there could come to pass a situation where there isn’t enough vaccine... A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653839 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:06:12 +0100 2653839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2653691&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7528 It is disturbing to see a report like this in The Star which headlines “Docs cannot refuse requests for swabs to be taken”. What is the reality of the situation? The H1N1 pandemic is here and soon, most of the flu cases will be H1N1. The good news is 90% are going to be mild and self-limiting. 90% of patients DO NOT require testing and need only symptomatic treatment. These mild cases do not require specific anti-viral treatment. It is beyond the resources of this country to perform testing on each and every patient with flu symptoms, and the healthcare system cannot simply perform tests just because patients demand it. In routine practice anyway, we do not perform confirmatory testing for most cases of flu. The MOH has already issued guidelines and from what I understand, tes... Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2653691 Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100 2653691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2605911&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F16%2Fhepatitis-c-out-of-control-an-audit-of-strategic-health-authority-hepatitis-c-governance%2F Title: Hepatitis C – Out of Control: An audit of Strategic Health Authority hepatitis C governance The Skinny: Audit from the Hepatitis C Trust that identifies that a large majority (70%) of Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) in England are failing to oversee the Government’s strategy to tackle hepatitis C.  The result of the audit is that the Trust calls for: A national liver czar responsible for driving forward improvements in liver services, particularly hepatitis C. A national liver strategy to address the growing crisis of liver disease, with clearly defined actions for addressing hepatitis C. A robust governance structure for hepatitis C to oversee the monitoring, benchmarking and evaluation of actions by all levels of the NHS. These should be reported annually in the HPA ... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2605911 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:18:07 +0100 2605911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2576506&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F07%2Fpostgraduate-medical-journal-2009-vol-85-no-1005%2F content page Title: Prescribing antibiotics for sore throat: adherence to guidelines in patients admitted to hospital The Skinny: Finds that adherence to guidelines for prescribing antibiotics in patients with features of group A β-haemolytic streptococcal sore throat is poor. Recommends that information support may help to improve prescribing. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Antibiotics, Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Guidelines, Prescriptions, Streptococcal Infections (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2576506 Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:19:36 +0100 2576506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2570331&cid=t_91343_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F04%2Fnursing-times-2009-vol-105-no-25%2F This articles discusses the launch of 2 major end of life care documents, New core competencies and Principles for working with adults at the end of life. Contact the Library for a copy of this article Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: End of Life Care, Guidelines, Palliative Care, Patient Choice, Primary Care, Training (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2570331 Sat, 04 Jul 2009 13:28:57 +0100 2570331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2477565&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34935&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedicine.com.my%2Fwp%2F%3Fp%3D7223 Draco in the MMR Student forums was asking where to find protocols/clinical practice guidelines. The answer is these can be found in the MOH Website as well as the Academy of Medicine website For your convenience, here are “one-click” easy downloads for the protocols CPGS 2002-2007 (35 Mb) CPGS 2007-2008 (20 Mb) Related MMR post: Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines from the Malaysian Medical Resources Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines II (Source: Malaysian Medical Resources) Malaysian Medical Resources blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2477565 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 2477565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442142&cid=t_91343_123_f&fid=37052&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fv%2FQg-QHKBn_Oc%26amp%3Bhl%3Den%26amp%3Bfs%3D1 Certainly, it’s a great idea to have all those evidence based policies and guidelines endorsed by the APP in the palm of hands! The AAP’s compilation of the latest guidelines and policies is available in the form of Mobipocket document. The PDA version of the Pediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines and Policies “9th edition” offers more than just the policies and statements, it includes some other very useful features. Turn your audio on and see the following video for more details. The addition of a bilirubin assessment tool, the vaccines scheduling, patient guidance, and some ICD codes makes this great evidence-based PDA reference a repository of the all tools that a pediatrician may need in practice. However, as mentioned in the video above, the app need to be a... The Pediatric PDA Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442142 Fri, 29 May 2009 07:59:22 +0100 2442142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405097&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fcpr-works-best-with-more-compressions%2F How long ago did you first start learning CPR? Were your CPR instructors strict about the number of compressions and breathes to do? Did they stress the need for ‘x’ number of compressions followed by ‘x’ number of breathes? Did you have trouble finding the carotid pulse? Difficulty getting the breathes in? Well, you can relax. Things have really changed since the early days of CPR training. Why? Well, it turns out that the frequent stopping to breath air into the victim isn’t actually best action. Research has shown that even a second of pausing in compressions can cause a 1% reduction in the likelihood of getting the heartbeat to return. So if you haven’t updated your CPR knowledge lately, it might be time to do so. Start by checking out the new first aid guidelines that the ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405097 Tue, 12 May 2009 21:44:21 +0100 2405097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406172&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=34889&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpharmamkting.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fend-all-pharma-freebies-to-physicians.html Has the time come for physicians to be forcibly weaned away from ALL pharma "freebies," including CME and drug samples? Or should the principle caveat doctor be emphasized?An editorial in today's issue of Archives of Internal Medicine (Arch Intern Med. 2009;169[9]:829-831), a medical journal published by the American Medical Association, entitled "Time for the Medical Profession to Act," argues that it is time to prohibit pharma companies from providing free gifts, free meals, free CME, and free samples to physicians.The author, Philip Greenland, MD, of the Feinberg School of Medicine (Northwesetrn University) points out that the new PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals (see PMN Reprint #77-01) does not prohibit sponsorship of office-based or hospital-based meals, conti... Pharma Marketing Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406172 Mon, 11 May 2009 21:00:00 +0100 2406172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399118&cid=t_91343_134_f&fid=34841&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diabetesmine.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fstem-cell-research-and-diabetes-realizing-the-promise.html There are so many fascinating diabetes- and health-related events taking place all around the country; I wish I could go to them all!  But thankfully, sometimes I can cover them in absentia here at the ‘Mine with a little help from my friends. A guest post by Allison Blass Last week, I was invited to attend [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine) Diabetes Mine blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399118 Thu, 07 May 2009 13:00:44 +0100 2399118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2390063&cid=t_91343_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fnew-stem-cell-guidelines-and.html As a medical physician for over 50 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects and let you, the reader, come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary that results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Let me know how we are doing. Your constructive comments are always appreciated. Click the RSS post button on the upper right hand corner if you would like to receive by email our future medical blogs. Visit http;//www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on healing.CHANGES IN STEM CELL RES... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2390063 Mon, 04 May 2009 16:59:00 +0100 2390063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381180&cid=t_91343_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fdo-the-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-have-a-pr-problem%2F I know I should be blogging about swine flu - isn’t everyone? But instead… let’s talk about the USDA Dietary Guidelines… they will be revised for 2010 (mandated by law every 5 years). No, it is not nutrition experts trying to stay in business… it’s a government thang… I was just reading a post by Janet Helm, a fellow RD at Nutrition Unplugged, and it inspired me to write a comment. Basically, I think the guidelines have a PR problem and no matter what they say that is “different” or new, they won’t see real change, unless they think about how people will actually use the guidelines and integrate that into real life. Here’s my comment: My personal feeling is that many people are “desensitized” to the Dietary Guidelin... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381180 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:47:21 +0100 2381180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347913&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Fpretense-about-limited-nature-of.html The NIH has released its proposed rules regarding funding for ESCR in the wake of the Obama revocation of the Bush funding restrictions. The media pretends that they contain firm ethical limits. From the story:The guidelines restrict funding of work on cells made using certain more experimental methods, such as creating stem cells from a human egg only, a process called parthenogenesis, and a cloning technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer.They also would prohibit funding of work on embryos created specifically for research purposes, with the aim of keeping the money going to work using cells taken from embryos that parents donated after they decided not to try to use fertility clinic embryos to create a pregnancy.They also lay out guidance to make sure parents know and agree to how... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347913 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:23:00 +0100 2347913 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306940&cid=t_91343_87_f&fid=34825&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wesleyjsmith.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Fbelgian-euthanasia-of-woman-on-hunger.html I will say it until I am blue in the face, and then I will keep saying it: Euthanasia guidelines are not really there to be followed and actually protect the vulnerable. They are there to give the illusion of control.Consider: In Belgium, which has Dutch-style euthanasia, an elderly woman wanted euthanasia but didn't qualify under the law. She got it anyway after a hunger strike. From Derek Humphry's blog: A 93-year-old Belgian woman has died after going on a 10-day hunger strike last month to force doctors to help her die, her family said. Amelie Van Esbeen, born in 1916, was surrounded by family members at a home where she lived for the past five years...Van Esbeen ended her hunger strike on March 24 and made a written euthanasia request which was accepted by a different doctor who helpe... Secondhand Smoke blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306940 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:40:00 +0100 2306940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2301613&cid=t_91343_150_f&fid=38374&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FePharmaSummit%2F%7E3%2F2S9lVsHtQNM%2Ffbi-dips-its-toe-in-e-pharma-pool.html In an effort to combat the prevalence of unlicensed pharmacies, the FBI has released a PSA that will help consumers to understand what constitutes a good online pharmacy. According to Behind Online Pharma:The most useful aspect of the FBI’s PSA is the how-to approach for buying legit drugs.Legitimate pharmacies:• Require a prescription from a licensed doctor, usually by mail (if they accept a fax copy, they will always call your doctor to verify the prescription)• Make you submit a detailed medical history• Clearly state their payment, privacy, and shipping fees on their sites; and• Use secure or encrypted website connections for transactions. (Source: ePharma Summit) ePharma Summit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2301613 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:11:00 +0100 2301613 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416382&cid=t_91343_155_f&fid=38410&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FOncopathology%2F%7E3%2FgGyg63GPUug%2Fguideline-for-optimization-of.html Guideline for Optimization of Pathological Quality Performance for Radical Prostatectomy in Prostate Cancer Management:CANCER CARE ONTARIO,CANADA GUIDE LINES.Pathological Questions1. What are the recommended procedures for handling the RP specimen in the operatingroom and for handling and processing the RP specimen (with or without lymph nodes)in the pathology lab?2. What diagnostic and prognostic elements should be included in the pathology report,what format should be used, and what reporting elements should be included?Answers:(1)Handling of the Radical Prostatectomy Specimen in the Operating Room• Frozen section analysis of the radical prostatectomy specimen (RPS) for margin status is not recommended.• For routine handling, the RPS should be fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin o... Oncopathology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416382 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:34:00 +0100 3416382