High-Intensity Ultrasound Destroys Esophageal Tumors

Intraluminal high-intensity ultrasound appears to be an effective treatment for esophageal tumors, which are usually not amenable to curative resection, and can even achieve complete tumor necrosis, according to French researchers who are the first to use this approach in a small pilot study. Their findings are published online on June 5 by the Journal […]

Fragmented Care Prolongs Hospital Stay

The number of physicians overseeing a patient's care has a significant effect on that individual's length of stay in the hospital, according to a study of more than 10,000 hospitalized patients. Much attention has been paid to the effect of hospital staffing problems on clinicians with respect to issues such as work–life balance, said lead […]

Safe STEP Program Effective for Getting Older Hospitalized Patients Home

An innovative program helps elderly patients avoid the pitfalls associated with making the transition from hospital to home, Param Dedhia, MD, instructor in the Collaborative Internal Medicine Service, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, reported here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting.

Some Tips for Examining Young Children

By Dr. Ramaz Mitaishvili  1. Examine a child sitting on parent's lap and try to be at the child's eye level.2. First examine the child's toy then the child and if possible let the child do some of the exam (e.g., move the stethoscope). Then go back and exam places "we missed".3. Ask toddler to […]

How much will acupuncture cost?

A practitioner should inform you about the estimated number of treatments needed and how much each will cost. If this information is not provided, ask for it. Treatment may take place over a few days or for several weeks or more. Physician acupuncturists may charge more than nonphysician practitioners.