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Electrical muscle stimulation prevents critical illness polynueromyopathy

Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can prevent critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM), according to Greek researchers. CIPNM is an acquired limb and respiratory muscle weakness that is a common and serious problem among intensive care unit patients, and can result in prolonged ICU and hospital stay. EMS can also shorten the duration of weaning from mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay.

18 May 2010

11 leading medical societies support Health Care Truth and Transparency Act of 2010

As the United States prepares to add 32 million more patients to the health care system through health care reform, 11 of the leading medical societies in the country joined together today to publicly support the introduction of the Health Care Truth and Transparency Act of 2010.

14 May 2010

Experts address fundamental questions related to renal failure in ICU

Despite the fact that recent medical advances have allowed healthcare professionals to stabilize patients who would have otherwise died, many stabilized patients later develop organ system failure. In fact, acute renal failure is one of the biggest threats to critically ill patients: forty percent of patients with this condition die.

14 May 2010

Tracking genes in infant's intestine helps compare early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies

Is breast milk so different from infant formula? The ability to track which genes are operating in an infant's intestine has allowed University of Illinois scientists to compare the early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies. They say the difference is very real.

13 May 2010

Study evaluates cost-utility of MARS treatment in ALF patients

Numerous studies have documented the favorable effects of MARS albumin dialysis treatment on clinical and laboratory parameters and survival in liver failure patients. However, to ensure that limited resources are utilized in an ethical manner, the subjective feelings of the patient in terms of health-related quality of life and costs should also be taken into account.

13 May 2010

Nurses give evidence of the horrifying day in Dr. Jayant Patel’s surgery

The trial of Dr. Jayant Patel continues. In recent evidence at the court one of the operating theatre nurses revealed under oath to the Brisbane Supreme Court how staff had tried to deter former Bundaberg-based surgeon Jayant Patel from transferring an unstable patient from the theatre to ICU, where he died. There was earlier evidence that the man was bleeding uncontrollably and also allegations that Patel urged junior doctors not to tell anyone what happened.

12 May 2010

Patients who participate in physical therapist-led exercise achieve higher functional mobility: Report

Patients who are critically ill and participate in mild exercise programs led by physical therapists achieve higher functional mobility and spend fewer days in intensive care units and hospitals than those who receive less exercise, according to a report published in the April issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

12 May 2010

Texas CHIP program faces budget uncertainties while Arizona Governor restores funds for health care programs for the poor

Seven years ago, state leaders working to close a $9.9 billion budget gap took a hatchet to government health insurance for children of the working poor. Thousands of children paid the price when officials tightened eligibility rules and whacked dental, vision and mental health benefits. Gradually, benefits were restored to the Children's Health Insurance Program and, this month, enrollment reached roughly the same level as in 2003.

7 May 2010

Postpartum hemorrhage increases 28% between 1995 and 2004

A new study of U.S. maternal outcomes after vaginal and cesarean deliveries published in the May 2010 issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, a peer-reviewed academic journal, shows that between 1995 and 2004, postpartum hemorrhage (excessive blood loss after delivery) increased 28% in prevalence. Postpartum hemorrhage is one of today's most common complications for delivering mothers that according to the study, "markedly increases the odds of in-hospital mortality" and causes 19% of in-hospital maternal deaths.

7 May 2010

A checklist to stay healthy at every age

Shantanu Nundy, MD, a second-year resident in internal medicine at the University of Chicago Medical Center may soon find out. Driven by his mother's health questions and the difficulty of providing simple, reliable answers, Nundy collected all of the "generally accepted truths" about preventing disease, organized them into checklists based on age, and persuaded the Johns Hopkins University Press to publish them as Stay Healthy at Every Age: What Your Doctor Wants you to Know.

7 May 2010

Study on risk factors, potential harm associated with medication errors at hospital admission

A recent study conducted at Northwestern Memorial Hospital found that almost 50 percent of medication discrepancies were related to a failure to understand all of the prescription medications patients were taking at the time of hospital admission. While it's common for patients not to recall all of their medications, especially when they are not feeling well or being unexpectedly admitted to the hospital, the results can be serious.

6 May 2010

CAS Medical Systems reports revenues of $8.5 million for first-quarter 2010

CAS Medical Systems, Inc., today reported first quarter 2010 revenues of $8.5 million, an increase of $0.1 million, or 1%, compared to revenues of $8.4 million for the first quarter of 2009. The Company reported net income of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million, or ($0.08) per basic and diluted common share, reported for the first quarter of the prior year.

5 May 2010

Six abstracts featuring FORE-SIGHT system presented at Pediatric Academic Societies meeting

CAS Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that six abstracts featuring the use of the FORE-SIGHT Absolute Oximeter were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies meeting May 1-4 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This meeting includes more than 7,500 leaders in academic pediatrics and is dedicated to the advancement of pediatric research and the advanced care of acutely ill children.

5 May 2010

Pilot pneumonia-prevention program reduces postoperative pneumonia in hospital surgical ward: Research

The results of new research results published in the April issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons show that a pilot pneumonia-prevention program significantly reduced postoperative pneumonia in a hospital surgical ward.

4 May 2010

CA-BSI can be reduced in children through quality improvement efforts: Study

Bloodstream infections associated with catheters can be significantly reduced through quality improvement efforts, possibly leading to better health outcomes and lives saved, decreased stays at the hospital and related costs, according to a new study.

4 May 2010

Older children hospitalized with pandemic H1N1 influenza in 2009: Study

Children hospitalized with pandemic H1N1 influenza in 2009 were older and more likely to have underlying medical conditions than children hospitalized with seasonal influenza during prior flu seasons, according to a study to be presented Tuesday, May 4 at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

4 May 2010

Implementation of quality improvement intervention reduces medication use in premature babies: Study

A new study by Pediatrix Medical Group researchers has found that the implementation of a quality improvement intervention significantly reduces the use of a large number of medications in premature babies across a broad neonatal intensive care network.

3 May 2010

MEDNAX first-quarter revenue increases 10% to $332.9 million

MEDNAX, Inc. today reported non-GAAP earnings of 82 cents per share for the 2010 first quarter that was principally the result of revenue growth from acquisitions as well as operating efficiencies generated through the effective management of the Company's administrative infrastructure.

3 May 2010

Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates associated with CPOE system: Researchers

Researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University School of Medicine have shown for the first time that a significant decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates can be associated with implementation of a computerized physician order entry system.

3 May 2010

Medical education becomes reality at new Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center in Arizona

How medical education will be delivered in the 21st Century is now a reality at the new Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center in Arizona. The 3,000 square-foot facility, embedded within Mayo Clinic Hospital in northeast Phoenix, simulates real-life patient care situations, allowing learners to practice on sophisticated mannequins in a no-risk environment.

3 May 2010

Intensive Care News and Research

Electrical muscle stimulation prevents critical illness polynueromyopathy

11 leading medical societies support Health Care Truth and Transparency Act of 2010

Experts address fundamental questions related to renal failure in ICU

Tracking genes in infant's intestine helps compare early development of breast-fed and formula-fed babies

Study evaluates cost-utility of MARS treatment in ALF patients

Nurses give evidence of the horrifying day in Dr. Jayant Patel’s surgery

Patients who participate in physical therapist-led exercise achieve higher functional mobility: Report

Texas CHIP program faces budget uncertainties while Arizona Governor restores funds for health care programs for the poor

Postpartum hemorrhage increases 28% between 1995 and 2004

A checklist to stay healthy at every age

Study on risk factors, potential harm associated with medication errors at hospital admission

CAS Medical Systems reports revenues of $8.5 million for first-quarter 2010

Six abstracts featuring FORE-SIGHT system presented at Pediatric Academic Societies meeting

Pilot pneumonia-prevention program reduces postoperative pneumonia in hospital surgical ward: Research

CA-BSI can be reduced in children through quality improvement efforts: Study

Older children hospitalized with pandemic H1N1 influenza in 2009: Study

Implementation of quality improvement intervention reduces medication use in premature babies: Study

MEDNAX first-quarter revenue increases 10% to $332.9 million

Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates associated with CPOE system: Researchers

Medical education becomes reality at new Mayo Clinic Multidisciplinary Simulation Center in Arizona

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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