Medscape Today Headlines

On-Demand Preferred to Daily Chest Radiographs for Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 12:33:05 EST

A randomized study suggests that on-demand vs daily chest radiographs could reduce costs and radiation exposure without compromising safety in mechanically ventilated patients.
Medscape Medical News

Enrollment Halts in Randomized Trial of CPR for Out-of-Hospital Arrest

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:25:46 EST

No survival differences after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were seen at a preliminary DSMB review in the ROC PRIMED trial, which compared early vs delayed post-CPR assessment for defibrillation and tested the effectiveness of a device for optimizing intrathoracic pressure during CPR.
Heartwire

Dutch Pull Pfizer Vaccine Batch After Infants Die

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 18:13:39 EST

Dutch authorities say they have banned use of a batch of Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N) Prevenar, or Prevnar, after three infants died within two weeks of receiving the anti-infection vaccination.
Reuters Health Information

A Successful Campaign Against Antibiotic Overuse

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:02:36 EST

Antibiotic overuse was addressed by a multiyear national program that was successful in reducing use. Commentary offered by John G. Bartlett, MD.
Medscape Infectious Diseases

Limiting Working Hours May Compromise Surgeons' Education and Patient Care

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:56:16 EST

Reducing the number of hours physicians in training can work may compromise their education and put care of patients in jeopardy, surgeons warn.
Medscape Medical News

Most Medicaid Programs Fail to Provide Unrestricted Access to Smoking Cessation Therapies

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 10:06:25 EST

Although the majority of state Medicaid programs offer coverage for some tobacco-dependence treatment, the majority fall far short of a stated mandate to provide unrestricted access to therapies.
Medscape Medical News

Prehospital Triage "Immediately Successful" in Boosting Rates of Thrombolytic Therapy for Stroke

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 09:56:01 EST

Toronto researchers report that a citywide prehospital protocol raised their rates of thrombolytic treatment to among the highest in North America, underlining, they say, the critical importance of organized stroke care.
Medscape Medical News

Meningococcal Vaccines: A Neglected Topic in Travel Medicine?

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Awareness of the risk for meningococcal disease among travelers is generally poor, even though case fatality rates are high and the disease can be fatal within 24 hours.
Expert Review of Vaccines

FDA Launches Program to Reduce Drug-Related Injuries

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:49:39 EST

The FDA has announced the launch of the Safe Use Initiative program to reduce drug-related injuries from patient errors or procedural errors by pharmacies or other healthcare providers.
Medscape Medical News

AMA Supports Latest House Reform Bill But Links It to Medicare Payment Bill

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 17:28:27 EST

The AMA supports a massive House healthcare reform bill that may soon come to a vote, but it must also pass a separate bill on Medicare reimbursement that would avert a 21.2% pay cut for physicians.
Medscape Medical News

Nicotine Patch Plus Lozenge Best Therapy for Smoking Cessation

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 16:09:07 EST

The first head-to-head study of smoking cessation therapies shows combination treatment with a nicotine patch plus lozenge doubles the rate of abstinence at 6 months.
Medscape Medical News

Will There Ever Be a Big Brown Ribbon Outside the White House?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 15:52:42 EST

In his latest video blog, Dr. John Marshall questions why the pink ribbon/breast cancer awareness promotion attracts more publicity than any other disease campaign.
Medscape Hematology-Oncology

Hospitalization, Death From H1N1 Influenza Can Occur at Any Age

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:07:01 EST

Infants had the highest hospitalization rates from H1N1 influenza, but persons aged 50 years or older had the highest mortality rates once hospitalized.
Medscape Medical News

Diet Rich in Processed Food Linked to Increased Risk for Depression

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:38:27 EST

A diet rich in processed foods has been linked to an increased risk for depression, whereas a whole food diet that includes fish, fruit, and vegetables appears to be protective.
Medscape Medical News

Medicaid Policy Changes Affect Delivery of Mental Health Services

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:10:15 EST

Recent changes in Medicaid policy are forcing state mental health agencies to be more accountable for the services they provide and are also empowering consumers of those services.
Medscape Medical News

Exploring Genetic Susceptibility to Autism: An Expert Interview With Hakon Hakonarson, MD, PhD

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:55:18 EST

Dr. Hakon Hakonarson reviews the latest findings on genetic susceptibility to autism spectrum disorders and discusses what impact they might have on clinical practice in the future.
Medscape Genomic Medicine

Can the Nurse Practitioner Write a Prescription For Someone Who Is Not a Patient?

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:54:06 EST

It might seem like an innocuous favor, but prescribing for someone who is not a patient can be illegal or unethical.
Medscape Nurses

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Part 2: Prevention and Long-term Treatment

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:52:50 EST

Treatment of COPD requires familiarity with numerous medications. Dr. Staton provides an overview of the efficacy of available medications and how to tailor them to specific patients.
Medscape Internal Medicine

Testing for H1N1 Influenza in the Emergency Department

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:39:25 EST

James Wilde, MD, discusses the recommendations for testing of H1N1 and how to determine when isolation of patients who are ill is needed in the emergency department.
Medscape Emergency Medicine

Lymphoma Vaccine Trial: One Step Forward in Long Trek

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This article discusses the results from the trial for BiovaxID, a vaccine for follicular lymphoma, which were presented at this year's ASCO annual meeting.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute