Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for August 2014. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Report Highlights Progress, Challenges in Health IT
FRIDAY, Aug. 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Progress has been made toward widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), although there are still barriers to adoption of advanced use of EHRs, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
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Photodynamic Therapy Beats Cryotherapy for Actinic Keratoses
FRIDAY, Aug. 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For actinic keratoses (AKs), photodynamic therapy (PDT) is associated with improved response compared with cryotherapy, according to a meta-analysis published online Aug. 27 in JAMA Dermatology.
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AMGA: Physician Turnover Still High in 2013
THURSDAY, Aug. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For the second year running, physician turnover remains at the highest rate since 2005, according to a report published by the American Medical Group Association (AMGA).
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Doctors Frequently Experience Ethical Dilemmas
THURSDAY, Aug. 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For physicians trying to balance various financial and time pressures, ethical dilemmas are common, according to an article published Aug. 7 in Medical Economics.
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Team Approach Improves Practice Efficiency
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The increasing administrative requirements of a medical practice are requiring a team-based approach to care, and physicians must learn to manage the team, according to an article published Aug. 7 in Medical Economics.
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Oral Contraceptive Equal to Antibiotics for Acne Care
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- At six months, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are comparable to systemic antibiotics for acne management, according to a review published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Restrictive, Non-Solicitation Covenants Are Valid
MONDAY, Aug. 25, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Restrictive and non-solicitation covenants are valid and can be enforced, according to an article published Aug. 5 in Medical Economics.
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U.S. to Tighten Access to Certain Narcotic Painkillers
FRIDAY, Aug. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is going ahead with tough new controls on painkillers containing hydrocodone, which has been tied to a surge in dangerous addictions across the United States.
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Organizations Can Help Docs Retain Their Independence
FRIDAY, Aug. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Ways for physicians to remain in independent practice are highlighted in an article published Aug. 7 in Medical Economics.
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Study IDs Risk Factors for Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa
FRIDAY, Aug. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Risk factors associated with severity of the disease may help guide therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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CDC: Teens Engage in Unsafe Skin-Protection Practices
THURSDAY, Aug. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Sunscreen use has decreased among adolescents, and a considerable proportion use indoor tanning devices, according to research published online Aug. 21 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
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Clinicopathology of High-Mitotic Rate Melanoma Described
THURSDAY, Aug. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- High-mitotic-rate primary cutaneous melanomas more often occur on the head and neck and in men, older patients, and those with a history of solar keratosis, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Pre-, Postnatal Smoke Exposure Affects Later Allergic Disease
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) in utero or during infancy impacts the development of allergic disease up to adolescence, according to a study published online Aug. 18 in Pediatrics.
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Organized Processes Help Practices Hire Well
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A defined process is necessary to help physicians hire the right staff for their practice, according to an article published July 24 in Medical Economics.
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Docs Must Consider Liability When Ordering Screening Tests
TUESDAY, Aug. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians and health care providers must be aware of their potential liability when ordering screening tests, according to an article published July 24 in Medical Economics.
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Boxed Warnings Are Common in Novel Therapeutics
TUESDAY, Aug. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Boxed warnings are common on recent drug approvals, and many occur years after approval, according to a research letter published online Aug. 15 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Early Research With Drug Restores Hair in Alopecia
MONDAY, Aug. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A drug used to treat a rare type of bone marrow cancer restores hair in patients with alopecia areata, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in Nature Medicine.
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Extra Time Spent Counseling, Coordinating Care Billable
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Extra time spent counseling patients and coordinating care can be billed using evaluation and management (E/M) and prolonged service codes, according to an article published July 24 in Medical Economics.
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Meta-Analysis Strategy Impacts Estimation of Tx Outcome
TUESDAY, Aug. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Estimation of treatment outcome varies with the meta-analysis strategy, according to a study published in the Aug. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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EHR Adoption Increasing, But Stage 2 Criteria Often Not Met
MONDAY, Aug. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most U.S. hospitals and office-based physicians have adopted electronic health records (EHR), according to two studies published in the August issue of Health Affairs.
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Issues to Consider With Integration of Telemedicine
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Integrating telemedicine raises various considerations, including operational and legal issues, according to an article published July 24 in Medical Economics.
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VA Health Care Reform Bill Signed Into Law
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A bill signed into law Thursday by President Barack Obama is meant to provide veterans with easier access to government-paid health care.
Health Highlights: Aug. 7, 2014
FDA Approves Orbactiv for Drug-Resistant Skin Infections
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The antibacterial drug Orbactiv (oritavancin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat drug-resistant skin infections in adults, the agency said in a news release.
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FDA: Some Home Tattoo Kits Recalled Due to Infection Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Inks in some home tattoo kits are contaminated and could cause skin infections, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
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Statins May Improve Wound Healing
THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Statin therapy can improve wound healing, according to a review published in the August issue of the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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Portable Shade Structure Use High for Soccer-Playing Youth
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The rate of use of commercially available portable shade structures is high among soccer-playing youths, according to a research letter published online July 30 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Variants ID'd in Phenytoin-Related Adverse Skin Reactions
TUESDAY, Aug. 5, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- CYP2C variants have been identified as being involved in phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions, according to a study published in the Aug. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Many Physicians Have Secondary Income
MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Many physicians report earning income from sources other than their primary practice/employer, according to an article published July 24 in Medical Economics.
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CMS Recognizes Telehealth in New Physician Fee Schedule
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued proposed rules for updates to the Physician Fee Schedule and will accept comments until Sept. 2, according to an article published July 7 in Medical Economics.
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Florida Officials Issue Warning on Vibrio Bacteria
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Florida health officials are cautioning visitors to the state's beaches about the threat of Vibrio vulnificus bacteria in warm seawater this summer.
Health Highlights: July 31, 2014
