Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Nursing for July 2007. 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.
Nursing, Other Occupations Linked to Adult Asthma
FRIDAY, July 27 (HealthDay News) -- A substantial number of adult asthma cases are due to occupational exposure, particularly in nursing, or inhalation accidents such as fire or chemical spills, according to a study in the July 28 issue of The Lancet.
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ICU Pneumonia Risk Rises with Decline in Nursing Staff
WEDNESDAY, July 25 (HealthDay News) -- Lower nurse-to-patient ratios are associated with increased likelihood of ventilator-associated pneumonia in the intensive care unit, according to a report published July 19 in the journal Critical Care.
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Hip Protector Ineffective for Nursing Home Residents
TUESDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Among elderly nursing home residents, the use of a hip protector does not reduce the incidence of fracture, according to study findings published in the July 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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System Improves End-of-Life Care for Seriously Ill
THURSDAY, July 19 (HealthDay News) -- An electronic record system increases the use of advance directives for the care of seriously ill individuals, including do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and limitation of other life-sustaining treatments, according to a report in the July issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Hospitals That Ace Quality Measures Have Lower Mortality
MONDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Hospitals scoring highest on publicly reported performance measures for myocardial infarction, heart failure and pneumonia have lower mortality rates compared to low-scoring hospitals, according to a report published in the July/August issue of Health Affairs.
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Visual Impairment Often Neglected in Nursing Home
THURSDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- More than half of nursing home residents may have serious visual impairments and as many as two-thirds of them aren't receiving eye examinations, according to study findings published in the July issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
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Jogger with iPod Suffers Indirect Lightening Strike
WEDNESDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Jogging in a thunderstorm with an iPod and being indirectly struck by lightning led to burns, hearing loss and fractures in a case reported in the July 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Shorter Treatment Less Effective for Some Types of Hepatitis C
WEDNESDAY, July 11 (HealthDay News) -- Patients infected with certain genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a higher sustained virologic response to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin when they are treated for the standard 24 weeks rather than 16 weeks, according to the results of a study in the July 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Many Adults Don't Change Behavior in Heat Waves
FRIDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- While most adults are aware of heat warnings, few change their behavior or know how to take precautions during heat waves, according to a report in the July issue of the International Journal of Biometeorology. The media, health departments and others have done a poor job in educating the public about how to reduce their risk of illness and death during heat waves, the report indicates.
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Decline in Sense of Smell Precedes Mental Decline
FRIDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- In older adults, impaired ability to identify odors may be the harbinger of future mild cognitive impairment that is frequently a precursor to Alzheimer disease, according to the results of a study published in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.
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FDA Approves Generic Versions of Lamisil
FRIDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to several manufacturers to produce generic versions of Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride), a prescription drug sold in tablet form to treat nail fungus infections and as an over-the-counter cream to treat athlete's foot. The patent for Lamisil expired on June 30.
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Merck Recalls Three Lots of Invanz Due to Glass Shards
FRIDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Three lots of Invanz (ertapenem sodium) were recalled this week due to two incidents in which pieces of broken glass were found in the reconstituted solution for injection. Merck & Co., Inc., of Whitehouse Station, N.J., issued a letter to health care professionals noting that it is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to inform its direct customers of the recall.
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Some Naturopathic Physicians Provide Pediatric Care
TUESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- Some naturopathic physicians, who treat the whole person by natural means including nutrition and exercise, provide substantial amounts of pediatric care, according to a report in the July issue of Pediatrics.
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