tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-347648242012-01-23T23:11:08.191-08:00Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.comBlogger9271100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-80502943507904482682011-08-11T14:20:00.000-07:002011-08-11T14:20:24.045-07:00

Click here to access...and click here to access the June report if you missed it like I did.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-86924077592880661182011-08-08T17:34:00.000-07:002011-08-08T17:35:31.186-07:00

From the New York Times: Dr. Bernadine P. Healy, the first woman to lead the National Institutes of Health and the first physician to lead the American Red Cross until she was forced out in a storm of criticism over flawed responses to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, died on Saturday at her home in Gates Mills, Ohio. She was 67. Click here to access the article.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-65422425431738393482011-04-21T15:11:00.001-07:002011-04-21T15:11:18.499-07:00

Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-54955516938132114032011-03-13T16:21:00.001-07:002011-03-13T16:21:56.409-07:00

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-43482838242054132232011-03-06T09:30:00.000-08:002011-03-06T09:31:13.265-08:00

From the New York Times article: A large West Virginia hospital seriously overradiated patients suspected of having strokes with CT scans for more than a year after similar episodes prompted federal officials to alert hospitals nationwide to be especially careful when using those types of scans, interviews and documents show. ... “The events of the past year have certainly raised awareness of

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-13535346136649038072011-02-18T13:37:00.000-08:002011-02-18T13:38:12.714-08:00

as Best Artist of the Year (Pro) in the Rondo Awards which celebrates the best in classic horror.  Click here for more information.  Thanks!

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-13312993089184679642011-02-03T11:31:00.000-08:002011-02-03T11:31:19.066-08:00

Looks like there are a number of good articles in the February issue of Health Affairs.  Click here to access the TOC (subscription required).

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-8800310085714500262011-01-26T09:55:00.000-08:002011-01-26T09:55:27.290-08:00

now available online...click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-58144834407849647902011-01-09T09:50:00.000-08:002011-01-09T09:50:06.503-08:00

From the JAMA article "Non–Evidence-Based ICD Implantations in the United States": Conclusion Among patients with ICD implants in this registry, 22.5% did not meet evidence-based criteria for implantation. Click here to access the article abstract.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-49729139302428541112010-12-28T16:37:00.000-08:002010-12-28T16:37:52.882-08:00

From the New York Times article "Unearthing Prehistoric Tumors, and Debate": Often thought of as a modern disease, cancer has always been with us. Where scientists disagree is on how much it has been amplified by the sweet and bitter fruits of civilization. Over the decades archaeologists have made about 200 possible cancer sightings dating to prehistoric times. But considering the difficulties

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-15828517955022403342010-12-26T15:47:00.000-08:002010-12-26T15:47:22.859-08:00

Google "Body Browser" to access.  I haven't looked at it yet but it might be a good patient education tool.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-63218380264203372642010-12-25T16:20:00.000-08:002010-12-25T16:21:55.188-08:00

From the Plos One article "Placebos without Deception: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Irritable Bowel Syndrome": Placebos administered without deception may be an effective treatment for IBS. Further research is warranted in IBS, and perhaps other conditions, to elucidate whether physicians can benefit patients using placebos consistent with informed consent.Click here to access this

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-2835365004531609142010-12-21T14:36:00.000-08:002010-12-21T14:36:09.213-08:00

Included in this issue is the executive summary of the ACCME Board of Directors meeting, held November 18 – 19, 2010.  Click here to access the newsletter.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-8166315089662037082010-12-06T11:08:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:08:55.475-08:00

From the New York Times article "Doctor Faces Suits Over Cardiac Stents": The Senate Finance Committee, which oversees Medicare, started investigating Dr. Midei in February after a series of articles in The Baltimore Sun said that Dr. Midei at St. Joseph Medical Center, in Towson, Md., had inserted stents in patients who did not need them, reaping high reimbursements from Medicare and private

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-81379754231852655152010-12-04T12:21:00.000-08:002010-12-04T12:21:25.353-08:00

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-39265478723573799272010-11-21T12:50:00.000-08:002010-11-21T12:50:42.786-08:00

Yep, definitely nepotism, but I wanted to let "my world" know about the new blog started by my nephew Erik's wife, Meadow.  Both Erik and Meadow are art teachers at Watts Atelier in the beach community of Encinitas, California -- both also freelance.  Meadow actually makes the period costumes for her paintings...her first blog posting is about how she is making a regency bonnet for a client...

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-22803645098347575342010-11-11T14:27:00.000-08:002010-11-11T14:27:38.423-08:00

This issue contains an article on team-based continuing education!  Check it out by clicking here.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-7090066459253036822010-11-08T15:11:00.000-08:002010-11-08T15:11:16.061-08:00

From the FierceHealthcare article: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) today announced that, effective immediately, it will permit nurse practitioners (NPs) to participate in its health care provider networks as independent primary care providers. Previously, CareFirst permitted NPs to participate in its networks, but they were only permitted to practice independently of physicians in

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-30075902800486368632010-11-08T09:55:00.000-08:002010-11-08T15:11:49.146-08:00

The North American Association of Medical Education and Communication Companies (NAAMECC) recently changed its name to the National Association of Medical Education Companies (NAMEC).  Click here to access their website.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-59172766328911118032010-11-02T10:34:00.000-07:002010-11-02T10:34:34.427-07:00

September 2010 - Volume 85 - Supplement, A Snapshot of Medical Student Education in the United States and Canada: Reports from 128 Schools

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-1755258077561744932010-10-31T13:40:00.000-07:002010-10-31T13:40:52.639-07:00

Erik, you've hardly changed at all! 

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-14047797033666452922010-10-17T11:07:00.000-07:002010-10-17T11:07:20.706-07:00

From the New York Times article "Physician Revives a Dying Art: The Physical": He is out to save the physical exam because it seems to be wasting away, he says, in an era of CT, ultrasound, M.R.I., countless lab tests and doctor visits that whip by like speed dates. Who has not felt slighted by a stethoscope applied through the shirt, or a millisecond peek into the throat?Some doctors would

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-86155194594723654142010-10-08T13:14:00.000-07:002010-10-08T13:14:57.122-07:00

This issue is packed with a number of articles on health reform and comparative effectiveness research.  Click here to access the TOC (sub. req.).

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-53882022177381457332010-10-03T11:24:00.000-07:002010-10-03T11:24:12.676-07:00

From the New York Times article "Side Effects May Include Lawsuits": FOR decades, antipsychotic drugs were a niche product. Today, they’re the top-selling class of pharmaceuticals in America, generating annual revenue of about $14.6 billion and surpassing sales of even blockbusters like heart-protective statins. ... Anointed with names like Abilify and

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-23542379501473721712010-09-26T14:44:00.000-07:002010-09-26T14:44:20.864-07:00

From the New York Times article "Mammograms' Value in Cancer Fight at Issue": Starting in their 40s or 50s, most women in this country faithfully get a mammogram every year, as recommended by health officials. But the study suggests that the decision about whether to have the screening test may now be a close call. ... Previous studies of mammograms, done decades ago, found they reduced the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-64113544391065765162010-09-25T14:56:00.000-07:002010-09-25T14:56:19.035-07:00

Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-62005969184288313402010-09-08T15:27:00.001-07:002010-09-08T15:27:38.103-07:00

Click here to check it out.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-64437334184441935672010-09-04T15:56:00.000-07:002010-09-04T15:56:12.470-07:00

Key findings from this report:Over the last 10 years, the percentage of Americans who took at least one prescription drug in the past month increased from 44% to 48%. The use of two or more drugs increased from 25% to 31%. The use of five or more drugs increased from 6% to 11%. In 2007–2008, 1 out of every 5 children and 9 out of 10 older Americans reported using at least one prescription drug in

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-62776483370847168102010-09-03T18:46:00.000-07:002010-09-03T18:46:15.631-07:00

From the ABMS news release:A new study on the quality of physician care provides evidence of the benefit of specialty board certification and suggests the necessity of continuous professional development programs, such as the American Board of Medical Specialties Maintenance of Certification® (ABMS MOC®) program. ... The study also found two other important quality distinctions relevant to the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-13587925557853087032010-08-31T19:50:00.000-07:002010-08-31T19:50:42.724-07:00

Yep...check out the article "Contemporary cesarean delivery practice in the United States" just published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology by clicking here.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-46196022221674835762010-08-23T18:18:00.000-07:002010-08-23T18:18:09.170-07:00

Hat tip to Pharmalot.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-968765592843388992010-08-22T13:02:00.000-07:002010-08-22T13:03:48.347-07:00

Hat tip to Sue P.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-43898411634658171202010-08-20T08:31:00.000-07:002010-08-20T08:31:07.270-07:00

From Dr. Chen's New York Times column: Despite the best efforts of health care professionals, bad things can happen in hospitals. Up until more recently, when errors occurred, the scenario that played out was always the same. Clinicians, devastated but fearful of litigation, would shut down. Patients and their families, grieving but desperate to make sense of the event, would find that their

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-72668951378606083362010-08-13T11:57:00.000-07:002010-08-13T11:57:43.735-07:00

Have y'all heard of this group?  If not, click here to check it out.  Interesting...

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-36234013840114235702010-08-08T16:55:00.000-07:002010-08-08T16:55:49.805-07:00

 Can you guess which specialty is sued most often?  Click here to access AMA's press release on this report.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-62264593565575697722010-08-02T17:02:00.000-07:002010-08-02T17:02:35.097-07:00

Click here to read the Wall Street Journal's Health Blog's posting on this bill.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-72893939050366321452010-08-02T16:53:00.001-07:002010-08-02T16:53:55.108-07:00

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-42576889521817313512010-07-26T15:42:00.000-07:002010-07-26T15:42:19.421-07:00

From the abstract of the Pediatrics journal article "Errors of Diagnosis in Pediatric Practice: A Multisite Survey": The overall response rate was 53% (N = 726). More than one-half (54%) of respondents reported that RESULTS The overall response rate was 53% (N = 726). More than one-half (54%) of respondents reported that they made a diagnostic error at least once or twice per month; this

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-87950990641521098722010-07-25T09:13:00.000-07:002010-07-25T09:14:21.450-07:00

From the New York Times article: Perhaps the only consistent thing about Britain's socialized health care system is that it is in a perpetual state of flux, its structure constantly changing as governments search for the elusive formula that will deliver the best care for the cheapest price while costs and demand escalate. Even as the new coalition government said it would make enormous cuts in

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-10172631009936683072010-07-19T19:10:00.000-07:002010-07-19T19:10:44.341-07:00

From the Physicians Consulting Network's press release: Compared to two years ago, primary care physicians (PCPs) and specialist doctors alike have dramatically increased their use of electronic health records (EHRs), and they are expecting to spend less time with sales reps in the coming six months. The study of nearly 11,000 health care professionals also shows that more than half of PCPs and

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-35011568023245853352010-07-18T10:26:00.000-07:002010-07-18T10:26:24.504-07:00

From the LA Times article: The suspension of some research at a prominent Columbia University brain-imaging lab because of sloppy practices could have repercussions beyond that laboratory, potentially affecting brain-imaging studies nationwide and raising questions about the safety of participants, research experts said Saturday.Click here to access the article. 

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-45773674311897559522010-07-15T20:24:00.000-07:002010-07-15T20:24:56.314-07:00

From the SAMHSA news release: “The non-medical use of prescription pain-relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, and its tragic consequences are seen in substance abuse treatment centers and hospital emergency departments throughout our nation” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “This public health threat demands that we follow the President’s

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-88149875851121496432010-07-13T18:41:00.000-07:002010-07-13T18:41:13.259-07:00

From the New York Times article: The federal government issued new rules Tuesday that will reward doctors and hospitals for the “meaningful use” of electronic health records, a top goal of President Obama.The rules significantly scale back proposed requirements that the health care industry had denounced as unrealistic. ... Standards in the new rules are less demanding and more flexible. Doctors

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-465085108624274192010-07-08T09:49:00.000-07:002010-07-08T09:49:44.563-07:00

The report includes a link to the 2009 Annual Report as well as a link to complete a survey.  Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-16091400866665858062010-07-08T07:22:00.000-07:002010-07-08T07:22:02.702-07:00

From the Arlington Advocate article: Reversing course on a new law aimed at diminishing the influence ondoctors of pharmaceutical and medical device companies, the House on Wednesday voted to strike the so-called gift ban law, which critics say has hurt commerce in the medical and restaurant industries. It will be interesting to see what happens during the reconciliation process that needs to

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-59754124154519869202010-07-08T06:47:00.000-07:002010-07-08T06:47:59.443-07:00

From the Baltimore Sun article: President Barack Obama bypassed the Senate Wednesday and appointed Dr. Donald Berwick, a Harvard professor and patient care specialist, to run Medicare and Medicaid. ... Medicare has been without an administrator since 2006, and the White House says the need to fill the post is critical because of its role in implementing the new health care law. Medicare is to be

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-6019568703440081392010-07-05T20:17:00.000-07:002010-07-05T20:17:17.337-07:00

From the New York Times article: The health care industry has a garbage problem.It’s not just that hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics and other health facilities generate several billion pounds of garbage each year: buried in that mountain of trash are untold numbers of unused disposable medical devices as well as used but recyclable supplies and equipment, from excess syringes and gauze to

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-15084295423926850312010-07-03T16:11:00.000-07:002010-07-03T16:11:24.484-07:00

Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-32184424070233103512010-07-03T16:00:00.000-07:002010-07-03T16:00:18.889-07:00

Click here to check it out.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-63588183815796162972010-07-01T19:06:00.000-07:002010-07-01T19:08:08.038-07:00

From the AAMC press release: A new report by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) urges U.S. teaching hospitals to establish policies that manage financial relationships between physicians and industry so that they do not influence patient care. "In the Interest of Patients: Recommendations for Physician Financial Relationships and

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-60843908360695642542010-06-29T17:16:00.000-07:002010-06-29T17:19:24.592-07:00

Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-21100716559631890382010-06-28T17:08:00.000-07:002010-06-28T17:10:06.818-07:00

Click here to access the news release (a link to the additional guidance is provided within the news release).

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-74487079127551943792010-06-25T19:33:00.000-07:002010-06-25T19:35:25.608-07:00

The results of a survey on physician attitudes about the marketing practices of industry has just been published in the Archives of Surgery and might provide some insight.  Click here to access the article (free full text!).  Hat tip to FierceHealthcare.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-31943590705216395732010-06-25T19:10:00.000-07:002010-06-25T19:10:49.360-07:00

From the FierceHealthcare article: ...first-year residents would be more closely supervised by experienced doctors, and the maximum length of their work shifts would be cut from 24 hours to 16 hours. In addition, all residents and their supervisors would be required to explain their roles to patients, making it clear that supervisors are ultimately in charge of their care.Click here to access the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-67387846286162963122010-06-25T11:08:00.000-07:002010-06-25T11:10:38.248-07:00

Click here to access the EFPIA press release.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-19828315021062478212010-06-25T09:32:00.000-07:002010-06-25T09:32:25.924-07:00

PharmedOut is at this very moment conducting their conference "Prescription for Conflict: Should Industry Fund Continuing Medical Education?".  Click here to access the conference agenda.  Click here to read Policy and Medicine's blog posting on this conference.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-68932695270241692172010-06-24T19:23:00.000-07:002010-06-24T19:26:57.725-07:00

From the New York Times article: Dr. James O. Woolliscroft, dean of Michigan’s medical school, said leading faculty members “wanted education to be free from bias, to be based on the best evidence and a balanced view of the topic under discussion.”  ... The debate over whether the medical profession should develop an industry-free model of postgraduate education is a delicate one. A conference at

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-37343805685401223762010-06-24T19:17:00.000-07:002010-06-24T19:17:38.770-07:00

on Monday afternoon, June 28th in the Windy City.  Contact Marcia Martin at ACCME for more information.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-2423498028007882522010-06-22T19:05:00.000-07:002010-07-01T19:12:32.147-07:00

From the JAMA article "Adherence to Surgical Care Improvement Project Measures and the Association With Postoperative Infections": Our results are consistent with previous findings regarding public report of process-of-care quality data. Based on our findings, the individual item performance rates reported publicly do not fulfill their stated purpose of pointing consumers toward high-quality

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-53069083334124306672010-06-19T21:27:00.000-07:002010-06-19T21:27:09.905-07:00

From the New York Times article "Surgeon vs. Knee Maker: Who's Rejecting Whom?: IT was a long, fruitful medical marriage that is fast becoming an angry public divorce, one that offers a rare look at a clash between a top-shelf consultant and his corporate patron over patient safety. ... Amid the booming use of artificial joints in the United States, the breakup between Dr. Berger and Zimmer

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-22161821437864216692010-06-17T17:37:00.000-07:002010-06-17T17:37:09.063-07:00

From the Reuters article: Emergency department visits involving the nonmedical use of pain drugs such as oxycodone rose to 305,885 in 2008, from 144,644 in 2004, according to a study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."We urgently need to take action," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement, noting that

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-57227925387542987562010-06-14T17:33:00.000-07:002010-06-14T17:33:06.384-07:00

From the FiercePharma article: Is U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns the new Big Pharma watchdog? The chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is already spearheading an investigation into Johnson & Johnson's recent consumer-drug recalls. And now, he's launched a probe into Wyeth's marketing of the transplant drug Rapamune.Click here to read more.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-8584624415258401792010-06-13T10:12:00.000-07:002010-06-13T10:12:24.889-07:00

 From the New York Times article:  Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke were 1.5 times as likely to suffer from symptoms of psychological distress as unexposed nonsmokers, the study found, and the risk increases the greater their exposure to passive smoking. Click here to access the NYT article. Click here to access the Archives of General Psychiatry article (free text).

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-86849190069514078252010-06-11T12:59:00.000-07:002010-06-11T12:59:25.694-07:00

Be certain to check out CHECKUP WITH EDITOR SUE PELLETIER!  A good read, as they say, for a Friday afternoon...click here to access CHECKUP.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-63710510171289259192010-06-09T17:06:00.000-07:002010-06-09T17:06:49.362-07:00

From the North County Times article: Tri-City Medical Center's chief executive said Monday that he intends to fire five employees, and discipline a sixth, who allegedly discussed patient information on an Internet site. In a statement released by the hospital, CEO Larry Anderson said Tri-City will pursue termination hearings for the five employees who "used social media to post their personal

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-19504908615926661782010-05-20T18:33:00.000-07:002010-05-20T18:33:11.468-07:00

The News section includes: ACCME Releases March Board Of Directors Meeting Executive Summary, Updated Provider Lists Program & Activity Reporting System Exhibition Phase Closes May 21 ACCME Supports Maintenance of Licensure Initiative 2010 AHME/AODME Educational Institute Features CME Programming Click here to access the May issue.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-66932807729795349982010-05-13T15:18:00.002-07:002010-05-13T15:18:41.279-07:00

Interesting study published in the April 26, 2010 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine entitled "Association of Interruptions With an Increased Risk and Severity of Medication Administration Errors".  From the abstract:Each interruption was associated with a 12.1% increase in procedural failures and a 12.7% increase in clinical errors. The association between interruptions and clinical

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-5263382918059539582010-05-12T09:15:00.000-07:002010-05-12T09:15:32.610-07:00

The FDA just launched the Truthful Prescription Drug Advertising and Promotion (Bad Ad Program).  From the Reuters online article: U.S. health officials are encouraging physicians to report misleading promotions from pharmaceutical salespeople who pitch medicines in doctors' offices or over dinner. The effort announced on Tuesday aims to increase regulators' reach into the largest area of

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-90347068673693697422010-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:002010-05-06T12:33:01.680-07:00

From the iHealthBeat.com article: For the study, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital compared the administration of medications before and after bar codes were added to the hospital's electronic health record system (Reinberg, HealthDay/Businessweek, 5/5). The researchers found that after bar code technology was added to EHRs, patients were: 57% less likely to receive the wrong drug; 42%

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-75557547843150124832010-05-04T19:46:00.000-07:002010-05-04T19:46:37.490-07:00

From the American Academy of Dermatology: At first glance, Hartford, Salt Lake City and Denver might not seem to have much in common. But a new survey by the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) found these three cities outshine other U.S. cities in heeding dermatologists' advice on preventing and detecting skin cancer. The “Suntelligence: How Sun Smart is Your City?” online survey polled

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-8874569048774721242010-05-04T12:39:00.000-07:002010-05-04T12:39:12.794-07:00

Interesting data from the latest on the series of national physician surveys conducted by Jackson Healthcare on the impact of defensive medicine; some key findings: 76 percent of respondents reported that defensive medicine decreases patients’ access to healthcare. 72 percent of respondents reported that the practice of defensive medicine negatively impacts patient care. 71 percent of respondents

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-59250433956034987542010-04-30T13:35:00.000-07:002010-04-30T13:36:20.220-07:00

Health Affairs has just published a great article on the administrative burden of billing for health care. From the article abstract:The U.S. system of billing third parties for health care services is complex, expensive, and inefficient. Physicians end up using nearly 12 percent of their net patient service revenue to cover the costs of excessive administrative complexity. A single transparent

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-68942606024698776662010-04-30T02:17:00.000-07:002010-04-30T02:17:02.432-07:00

is now online. Check out this informative missive by clicking here.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-18531262618915538962010-04-21T13:40:00.000-07:002010-04-21T13:40:06.651-07:00

From the CMSS's press release:The Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS) today announced the release of the CMSS Code for Interactions with Companies. The code provides detailed guidance to medical specialty societies on appropriate interactions with for-profit companies in the health care sector. The voluntary code is designed to ensure that societies’ interactions with companies are

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-79568270842716374352010-04-16T17:09:00.000-07:002010-04-16T17:09:15.394-07:00

Check out the Top 50 Continuing Medical Education Blogs as defined by Nurse E.D.U. by clicking here. And, gosh, thank you!

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-15454634309017807032010-04-12T19:16:00.000-07:002010-04-12T19:16:38.213-07:00

Check out an article whose lead author is Dennis Quaid, yep, you read it correctly, the actor teamed with some health care professionals to write "Story Power: The Secret Weapon" which was published in the March issue of the Journal of Patient Safety. As you might recall Quaid's twins were overdosed with heparin but survived this medical error. Click here to read this important article (free full

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-69065099173930886222010-04-01T22:36:00.000-07:002010-04-01T22:36:15.921-07:00

From the New York Times article:Pfizer, the world’s largest drug maker, said Wednesday that it paid about $20 million to 4,500 doctors and other medical professionals for consulting and speaking on its behalf in the last six months of 2009, its first public accounting of payments to the people who decide which drugs to recommend. Pfizer also paid $15.3 million to 250 academic medical centers and

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-46424626306974313882010-03-30T13:12:00.000-07:002010-03-30T13:12:14.828-07:00

is now available; click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-63396454368465027352010-03-27T15:31:00.000-07:002010-03-27T15:32:11.048-07:00

From the New York Times article "Doctors Offer Thoughts on Cutting Health Care Costs":How can the country reduce health care costs while not compromising quality? During the health care debate, government officials, insurers, drug companies and medical associations all weighed in with their opinions. But what about the people who receive so much of our out-of-pocket health care payments: the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-31295738187769955142010-03-24T21:50:00.000-07:002010-03-24T21:50:46.831-07:00

From the Associated Press article:Texas Tech University's medical school will soon become the first in the U.S. to offer aspiring family doctors a three-year degree at half the cost of a traditional four-year path, university officials said. The program, which begins this fall, is aimed at addressing a national shortage of family physicians. One study estimates the country will need about 39,000

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-3256395488543974162010-03-23T16:22:00.000-07:002010-03-23T16:22:48.382-07:00

The Pew Prescription Project has just posted a fact sheet this new law—an excerpt:The Physician Payments Sunshine provisions in health care reform legislation require drug and medical device manufacturers to publicly report gifts and payments made to physicians and teaching hospitals. The Physician Payment Sunshine provisions were included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-7860865833983406292010-03-23T12:51:00.000-07:002010-03-23T12:51:37.572-07:00

From the Associated Press article:Stylish hospital gowns that snap down the side were unveiled in Britain on Tuesday, intended to replace those shapeless cloth sacks with useless ties that flash open at the worst possible moments.I love it! Click here to access the AP article and see some photos.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-3439108323013539492010-03-22T14:02:00.000-07:002010-03-22T14:07:39.138-07:00

From the New York Times article:The Stanford University School of Medicine plans on Monday to introduce rules that would prohibit its volunteer teaching staff — called adjunct faculty — from giving paid speeches drafted by the makers of drugs or medical devices. Stanford already has one of the most comprehensive policies in the country governing the interactions between academic faculty and the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-83673271308444898152010-03-20T23:13:00.001-07:002010-03-20T23:23:26.248-07:00

From the infectioncontroltoday.com article:Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs) are quickly becoming a significant issue in healthcare based upon recent studies. Preliminary data collected from nursing homes and highlighted in a Supplementary Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory shows that almost 40 percent of gastrointestinal infections reported are CDIs."Our first look at infection data

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-52272196742413458972010-03-12T13:13:00.000-08:002010-03-12T13:23:30.110-08:00

The Healthcare Management Council, Inc. has released news that a 200-bed hospital can save up to $2 million a year by eliminating HACs. From their news release:Using federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) indicators, HMC has analyzed the performance of hundreds of facilities ranging in size from 75 beds to over 800 beds. Now in a recent study, HMC identified the top Hospital

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-4112210182239767292010-03-09T17:11:00.000-08:002010-03-09T17:25:34.314-08:00

From Daniel Callahan's article (The Hastings Center):As presently organized, Medicare violates every rule of an efficient enterprise. It has no CEO with powers of a kind expected in business. Its stakeholders, the Congress, have a right to interfere with its day-to-day operation. It has no annual budget or the fiscal discipline that imposes. It can set few limits to its expenditures, even to the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-9825236109353283302010-03-04T15:17:00.000-08:002010-03-09T17:27:30.916-08:00

From the NYT article:Q. You write that doctors have an ethical responsibility to advocate health care reform. Why?A. Doctors have two responsibilities. First, they have a moral duty as an individual advocate. A doctor has a responsibility to his or her individual patients to make them healthier and to help them live longer.But doctors have a second moral duty: they have an obligation to the

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-4357936416230062662010-03-03T06:37:00.000-08:002010-03-03T06:40:04.427-08:00

From the AAFP News Now article:The AAFP is supporting two proposals recently made by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, or ACCME. One would modify the ACCME's complaints and inquiries process with the aim of balancing transparency in the CME enterprise with CME providers' confidentiality. The other would acknowledge that CME should facilitate changes in knowledge,

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-60592427258691514832010-02-26T09:30:00.000-08:002010-02-26T09:37:28.215-08:00

and includes information on the Program & Activity Reporting System (PARS), a step-by-step tutorial on Learning from Teaching, a brief survey to solicit input on ACCME Education and Training web pages, plus more! Click here to access.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-26188841695354647502010-02-20T14:18:00.000-08:002010-02-20T14:22:07.862-08:00

From the Senator's letter to the president of WebMD:Recently, it was brought to my attention that WebMD Health Corporation (WebMD) is running a depression screening advertisement on television. This advertisement encourages the viewer to take a screening test sponsored by Eli Lilly on WebMDs website. I am concerned about the independence between WebMD and industry since many people access WebMD

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-43706139276475733552010-02-13T17:58:00.000-08:002010-02-13T18:00:14.829-08:00

From the MedPage Today news item:Just in time for Valentine's Day, researchers have reported that chocolate may keep sweethearts safe from stroke.To reach that conclusion, Sarah Sahib, BScCA, of McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and colleagues reviewed three studies, two of which showed that chocolate significantly reduced stroke risk, likely because of its flavonoid content.Click here to

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-15057865482961579942010-02-09T11:03:00.000-08:002010-02-09T11:09:35.330-08:00

The University of Utah School of Medicine CME folks had an interesting poster at the recent Alliance conference in New Orleans...they've set up an online system for their physicians whereby the physicians can search the Internet and get CME credit for doing so. And, apparently, they are willing to share their low-cost online program with others! Click here to access more information on this

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-75496014216341099362010-01-28T19:36:00.000-08:002010-01-28T19:41:40.564-08:00

From the Los Angeles Times article:State officials have fined 13 California hospitals for medical errors that in some cases killed or seriously injured patients, according to a report made public Wednesday.California Department of Public Health officials have required hospital officials -- who may appeal the fines -- to submit plans to correct the problems.Three hospitals in Los Angeles County

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-3253885128557077442010-01-22T15:53:00.000-08:002010-01-22T15:55:33.811-08:00

...and it contains three calls for comments; click here to access the newsletter!

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-65296445931161971952010-01-22T15:15:00.001-08:002010-01-22T15:21:13.730-08:00

The newsletter contains a number of good articles (at least read the lead article) as well as a link to the 2010 edition of State Medical Licensure Requirements. Click here to access the newsletter. If you just want the updated State Medical Licensure Requirements, click here.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-48314659149745021582010-01-18T10:10:00.000-08:002010-01-18T10:33:58.093-08:00

The British National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has guidelines on medication adherence, which we all know is a problem. Click here to access the quick reference guide for these guidelines.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-87030955556704123472010-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:002010-01-11T15:11:27.894-08:00

From the New York Times article:Stanford University on Monday will announce plans to develop new continuing education programs for doctors that will be devoid of the drug industry influence that has often permeated such courses....Dr. Philip Pizzo, dean of the Stanford medical school, says Pfizer will have no say on how the three-year grant will be spent. The university plans to set up unbiased

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-14412959767771769232010-01-04T19:33:00.000-08:002010-01-04T19:40:21.951-08:00

Don't know how I missed this, but here it is now. From Senator Grassley's early December press release:Senator Grassley has asked 33 medical groups for information about the financial backing they get from the pharmaceutical, medical device and insurance industries.“These organizations have a lot of influence over public policy, and people rely on their leadership. There’s a strong case for

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-60630278751589938882009-12-29T16:38:00.000-08:002009-12-29T16:44:23.247-08:00

Click here to see the new form; click here to see an example completed form (gosh, there ARE other people out there with my sense of humor). Click here to access the JAMA editorial on this new form.

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34764824.post-47986388144505432992009-12-24T13:32:00.000-08:002009-12-24T13:39:15.247-08:00

From the AAFP News Now article:According to a new report from the Institute of Medicine, or IOM, there are a number of deficiencies with the current continuing education, or CE, system for health professionals in the United States. The report is calling for the creation of a national, interprofessional CE institute to achieve a new vision of continuing professional development for health

Debbie Gisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435539424173663944noreply@blogger.com0