Medscape Emergency Medicine Headlines

Did US Make Mistake in Leaving Adjuvants out of H1N1 Vaccines?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

As US health officials struggle to vaccinate tens of millions of Americans against the pandemic of swine flu, some are looking regretfully at one easy way to instantly double or triple the number of doses available: using an adjuvant.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine May Cut Swine Flu Risk

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:06:49 EST

Researchers say seasonal flu provides some cross-immunity against H1N1 swine flu.

H1N1 Flu Wave Peaking in US?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:54 EST

New cases of the H1N1 flu have declined, but deaths and hospitalizations are still rising.

Investigators Point to Unethical Reporting in Gabapentin Studies

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:47:46 EST

Internal company documents obtained during litigation suggest Pfizer influenced outcomes in published trials, report researchers.

Sen Grassley Questions Top Medical Schools About Ghostwriting

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:48:39 EST

As part of his mission to see more financial transparency in medicine, Sen Grassley has asked eight top US medical schools about their policies on ghostwriting.

House Passes Medicare SGR Fix

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:11:22 EST

The House passed a bill that would rewrite the controversial sustainable growth rate formula and eliminate a 21.2% Medicare pay cut for physicians scheduled for 2010.

EFFECT: Public Reporting of Hospital Performance Improves Quality of Care?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:49 EST

Publicly released report cards based on hospital performance did not result in a measurably greater systemwide improvement in two composite AMI or CHF process-of-care indicators in a Canadian study. But they did appear to stimulate some important changes in delivery of care that could have led to some better outcomes.

New Senate Healthcare Reform Bill Features Public Option With Opt-Out

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:45 EST

The Senate bill would cost $849 billion through 2019, but it would ultimately shave $127 billion off the federal deficit while reducing the number of uninsured by 31 million people.

CT-STAT: CT Angiography Rules Out CAD Faster and Cheaper Than Standard Care

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:18:42 EST

The use of coronary CT angiography in the emergency room can successfully triage at-risk chest-pain patients and can do so faster and less expensively than standard diagnostic testing.

The Legal Pitfalls in Prescribing Opioids

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:01:22 EST

Should you worry when prescribing opioids that the drugs might end up on the street? How can you protect yourself? Review the legal nuts and bolts of opioid prescribing.

Epinephrine Use Among EMS Providers Varies Widely By State

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:12:33 EST

Only two thirds of states require emergency medical services (EMS) providers to carry and use epinephrine, even though all 50 states allow some level of its use.

Part 2: The Case of the Emergency Room Physician Who Burned Out: Diagnosing and Treating His Substance Abuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:17:28 EST

In part 2 of the new series on the Impaired Physician, substance abuse develops in Dr. X. Is it now time to turn him in?

Women With SCA Less Likely Than Men to Have Structural Heart Disease

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:19:12 EST

In a study, women were significantly less likely than men to have a diagnosis of structural heart disease (left ventricular dysfunction or coronary artery disease) before sudden cardiac arrest.

Surgical Masks vs N95 Respirators: Research and Practice

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:36:50 EST

A well-designed study examines the efficacy of surgical masks in protecting healthcare workers against influenza. William R. Jarvis, MD, comments in this video blog.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Trauma Patients With ICU Lengths of Stay 30 Days and Greater: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

A 7-year retrospective study evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of trauma patients with lengths of stay 30 days and longer, focusing on predictors of prolonged stay and mortality.

Infection With Community-Onset Staphylococcus aureus and Influenza Virus in Hospitalized Children

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

The worst outcomes of influenza in children occur in those with bacterial coinfections. This research has implications for the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.

Chest CT Angiograms to Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism Twice as Likely to Find Other Pathology

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:31:44 EST

Chest CT angiograms ordered to diagnose PE in the emergency department find twice as many pulmonary nodules, adenopathies, and other abnormalities as embolisms, causing a lot of anxiety for patients.

Acute Phosphate Nephropathy

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Can drinking lots of water and other cautions prevent acute phosphate nephropathy after receiving oral sodium phosphate treatments?

Chronic Pain Linked to Risk for Falls in Older Adults

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

A study shows that chronic pain in 1 or more locations that is severe or that interferes with daily activities is associated with a greater risk for falls in older adults.

Health Care Reform May Hurt Hospital Credit

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:41 EST

High-cost urban U.S. hospitals may face debt rating downgrades if large cuts to Medicare funding are implemented as part of U.S. health care reform, Moody's Investors Service said on Monday.