Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Nephrology 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.
More Information
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.
More Information
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).
More Information
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.
More Information
Clinical Resolution of Stiff Person Syndrome With Auto-HSCT
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with stiff person syndrome (SPS), autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) can induce prolonged clinical remission, according to a case report published online Aug. 25 in JAMA Neurology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
HTN Self-Management Beneficial in High-Risk Patients
TUESDAY, Aug. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Self-monitoring with self-titration of antihypertensive medications is associated with lower blood pressure for patients with hypertension at risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Aug. 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
More Information
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.
Full Article
More Information
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.
More Information
FDA Approves Cerdelga for Type 1 Gaucher Disease
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Cerdelga (eliglustat) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat type 1 Gaucher disease, a rare inherited disorder caused by the body's insufficient production of a key enzyme.
More Information
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.
More Information
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.
Full Text
Editorial
Atypical Antipsychotics Up Renal Injury Risk in Seniors
TUESDAY, Aug. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Use of atypical antipsychotic drugs is associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in older adults, according to research published in the Aug. 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Gender Gap Seen in Desire for Living Kidney Transplant
MONDAY, Aug. 18, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Black women undergoing hemodialysis are less likely to want a living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), despite being more likely to receive unsolicited offers for kidney transplant, compared with black men, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
More Information
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.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
Abstract - Adler-Milstein
Full Text
Abstract - Furukawa
Full Text
Review: Troponin Has Prognostic Value in CKD Without ACS
MONDAY, Aug. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) without suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS), troponin levels may have prognostic and diagnostic value, according to two reviews published online Aug. 12 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract - Michos
Full Text
Abstract - Stacy
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
More Information
Nomogram Predicts Risk of Second Kidney Stone Episode
FRIDAY, Aug. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The Recurrence of Kidney Stone (ROKS) nomogram identifies patients with kidney stones who are at high risk for a second symptomatic episode, according to research published online Aug. 7 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
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
Mortality Up With CKD in PCI Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with long-term mortality in patients with, but not those without, chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Insulin Sensitivity Is Key Renal Marker in Youth With T2DM
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Among adolescents with type 2 diabetes, insulin sensitivity is an important marker of renal health, according to research published online July 28 in Diabetes Care.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
More Information
Best Outcomes Seen at Systolic BP of 130 to 139 mm Hg
MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with treated hypertension, worse outcomes are seen for those with systolic and diastolic blood pressures lower and higher than 130 to 139 mm Hg and 60 to 79 mm Hg, respectively, according to a study published in the Aug. 12 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Model Can Predict Risk of Renal Scarring in Children
MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A model including temperature, ultrasonographic findings, and etiologic organisms is able to predict renal scarring in children with a first urinary tract infection, according to research published online Aug. 4 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Interventions Avert Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
MONDAY, Aug. 4, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A quality improvement program helps prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, according to research published online July 29 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
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.
More Information
Ferric Citrate May Reduce Dialysis Patients' Rx Needs
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Ferric citrate may reduce the need for dialysis patients to take multiple drugs that treat complications related to kidney disease, according to a study published online July 24 in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
