Polyalkylimide Dermal Fillers Linked to Inflammatory and Granulomatous Reactions
Polyalkylimide implants (PAI) used as dermal fillers can infrequently result in delayed and recurrent chronic inflammatory and granulomatous reactions, according to the results of a study published in the May issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
Can Pharmacists Improve the Accuracy of Medication Histories?
Pharmacist- Versus Physician-Obtained Medication HistoriesReeder TA, Mutnick AAm J Health Syst Pharm. 2008;65:857-860 Study SummaryAbout 60% of hospitalized patients have at least 1 error in their medication history that is taken upon admission.[1] The investigators in this study compared medication histories that were obtained by hospital pharmacists with those obtained by physicians. The study was […]
Why Should I Report an Adverse Drug Event?
When I was in charge of the postmarketing drug safety program at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 1980s, 1 particular drug report became etched in my memory.
Chewing Gum May Enhance Recovery After Colon Surgery
Several small clinical trials have suggested that chewing gum after surgery to remove a part of the colon can enhance intestinal recovery, and some have suggested that this can result in a shortened hospital stay for the patient. Now, a meta-analysis of 5 clinical trials, involving a total of 158 patients, has found that the […]
U.S. Government to Release Revised U.S. HIV Estimates
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Tuesday it will soon release long-awaited revised estimates of how many Americans become infected with the AIDS virus every year.
New AHA Obesity Statement Urges Clinicians to Think Beyond Clinical Treatment and Prevention
Think bigger: that's the thrust of the American Heart Association's (AHA) new scientific statement on obesity prevention [1]. To have any meaningful impact on the obesity epidemic, clinicians need to go beyond clinical prevention and treatments for obesity and use influence and advocacy to effect social and environmental change, authors of the statement say.
Autogenous Tendon Grafting Effective for Extensor Tendon Reconstruction
Autogenous palmaris longus tendon grafting is effective for repairing ruptured extensor tendons in the wrist in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to a report in the April 24th Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research.
Universal Truths Abide in Medicine, Even in Parallel Universes
Medicine is practiced differently around the world, and yet some aspects — especially the frustrations — are fairly universal. Where better can you experience the similarities and differences than in the blogging world, where clinicians share stories from their practices and their personal lives? Two physician bloggers, known as "Dr. Dino" and "Dr. Emer," provide […]
NPI required for all HIPAA Standard Transactions on May 23, 2008
As of May 23, Medicare FFS will require and send NPI-Only in ALL provider identifier fields for all HIPAA and paper transactions where a provider identifier is required. If you send Medicare a transaction with a Medicare legacy identifier in any of the provider fields, your claim will be rejected. These transactions include all electronic […]
Concurrent Epidural and IV Opioids Safe for Pain in Children
Postoperative pain in children with cancer can be safely managed with simultaneous epidural and intravenous opioids, according to researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
