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Supply problem with the opiate painkiller, diamorphine

The UK Department of Health has advised the NHS that there is a supply problem with the opiate painkiller, diamorphine, and that stocks may rapidly reach a critical level in the next few weeks.

26 Dec 2004

Patients with abdominal trauma at risk for intra-abdominal infections following surgery

Patients who undergo surgery for abdominal trauma caused by firearm wounds or by blunt trauma are at risk for developing intra-abdominal infections, and several factors increase that risk, according to a study in the December issue of The Archives of Surgery.

20 Dec 2004

Accident and emergency departments still lacking in essential services for children

Five years after accident and emergency departments were found to be lacking in essential services for children, many still fail to meet the minimum standards, says a study on bmj.com this week.

3 Dec 2004

Battle of Waterloo could help doctors fight death from multiple organ failure

Waterloo’s battlefield is reigniting the debate about whether modern medicine is always good for you, according to University College London (UCL) scientists who are launching a study of why some critically ill patients recover and others die from multiple organ failure - the number one killer of patients in intensive care.

23 Nov 2004

Sit down rounds improve outcomes for kidney dialysis patients

"Sit-down" medical rounds, during which a health care team meets to review a patient's medical record and discuss short- and long-term needs, are associated with better outcomes for kidney dialysis patients, a Johns Hopkins-directed study has found.

17 Nov 2004

Hong Kong hospital activates infectious disease procedures

The Caritas Medical Centre situated in Shamshuipo, Hong Kong has activated infectious disease procedures following the admission of four more children with respiratory illness symptoms. This brings the total number of cases at the hospital to 28.

16 Nov 2004

New test for heart surgery patients

Researchers in Aberdeen have launched a study to see whether a new blood test can better predict the outcome for patients facing heart surgery.

11 Nov 2004

Study of infection prevention therapy for premature babies

Whether donated human antibodies can protect premature babies from a common and potentially dangerous bacterial infection is under study at the Medical College of Georgia Children’s Medical Center.

4 Nov 2004

Comprehensive studies of sleep and medical intern performance

better understand the impact sleep has on medical intern performance, researchers at BWH pioneered two studies both designed to underscore and support efforts hospitals can take to improve patient safety.

1 Nov 2004

More to MRSA infection than just exposure to antibiotics

Johns Hopkins researchers report potentially life-threatening hospital infections with bacteria resistant to the antibiotic methicillin can occur even if patients havent been treated with that drug.

1 Nov 2004

Non-invasive wearable heart care

Linking continuous monitoring of ‘health behaviour’ through non-invasive wearable sensors with decision support HEARTS offers support to healthy, ill, and high-risk people alike.

29 Oct 2004

First ever common standards for cardiac resuscitation

New training and practice guidelines are being issued today for healthcare staff responsible for resuscitating patients who have stopped breathing or whose heart has stopped.

26 Oct 2004

Sleep apnoea increases risks in general anaesthesia

Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea are at high risk of developing complications when having surgery under general anaesthesia, say researchers in this week's BMJ.

21 Oct 2004

Midwife researcher challenges maternity care in Australia

A Central Queensland University postgraduate has suggested maternity care in Australia needs an overhaul to meet the needs of today's midwives and expecting parents.

19 Oct 2004

Small delay after birth when cutting umbilical cord of a premature baby appears to lessen chances of bleeding

Waiting 30 seconds to two minutes after birth to cut the umbilical cord of a premature baby appears to lessen chances of bleeding in the newborn’s brain and reduce the need for transfusions, according to a new review of research.

18 Oct 2004

Researchers help neonatal specialists administer a replacement substance that helps babies breathe easier

When babies are born prematurely, their lungs are not able to produce a protein that helps them breathe.

13 Oct 2004

Research in children has shown that blood loss after heart surgery can be minimized if fresh whole blood is used for transfusions

A standard medical practice at some of the nation's largest children's hospitals – using whole, recently donated blood for certain infant open heart surgeries – may do more harm than good.

13 Oct 2004

Medicare today announced a demonstration project for Medicare beneficiaries with high medical expenses

The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) today announced a demonstration to find ways to improve the health and quality of life of Medicare beneficiaries with high medical expenses while reducing costs for the program and the beneficiaries.

6 Oct 2004

Drug-resistant bacteria increasingly causing infections in healthy people

An emerging form of so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" is caused by a strain that is resistant to standard first-line antibiotics. The same type of bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is causing record numbers of less-serious skin infections in children and also is emerging as a cause of pneumonia, which can be deadly

30 Sep 2004

Secure web sites can improve communications about critically ill patients for hometown physicians and loved ones

Password-protected Web sites can improve communications about critically ill patients for hometown physicians and loved ones, according to a study by researchers at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.

29 Sep 2004