December 2013 Briefing - OBGYN & Women's Health
Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in OBGYN & Women's Health for December 2013. 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.
Troubled Launch of ACA Tops Health News for 2013
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- As 2013 nears to a close, the year's top health news story -- the fumbled debut of the Affordable Care Act continues to grab headlines. President Barack Obama, in November, said he was "sorry" to hear that some Americans were being dropped from their health plans due to the advent of reforms -- even though he had repeatedly promised that this would not happen.
CDC: More Than One in 10 Kids Diagnosed With ADHD
FDA Urges Tighter Controls on Certain Prescription Painkillers
CDC: Evocative Campaign Motivates Smokers to Quit
Lower Microbial Diversity for Infants Who Develop Colic
Low Gut Bacterial Richness Linked to Obesity
Donor Fecal Infusion Effective for C. difficile Infection
Full Article - 2013 Top Health News
What Yoga Can and Can't Do for You
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Results from medical research on yoga are mixed, according to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, though the findings tend to be more positive than negative.
Acupuncture Improves Breast Cancer Treatment Symptoms
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitors (AIs), real acupuncture (RA) and sham acupuncture (SA) seem to improve patient-reported outcomes, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in Cancer.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Extra Steps Urged for Regulating Compounding Pharmacies
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Additional steps are needed for regulating compounding pharmacies, according to a perspective piece published online Dec. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Alendronate Reduces Adjacent-Level Vertebral Fractures
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For females with osteoporosis, the rate of adjacent-level vertebral fractures is relatively low, with reduced odds with bisphosphonate therapy, according to a study published in the Dec. 1 issue of Spine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Mortality Up in Postmenopausal Women With Anti-CCP+ RA
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Mortality rates are higher in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, according to research published online Dec. 23 in Arthritis & Rheumatism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Bacterial Infections During Pregnancy May Up Risk of Autism
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Pregnant women who are diagnosed with infections, particularly bacterial infections, during a hospital admission have an increased risk of delivering a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to research published online Dec. 23 in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Uncertainty Noted in Seemingly Stable Medical Liability Climate
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Although the medical liability climate seems stable, the impact of health care reform on the market is uncertain, according to an article based on two reports published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Surge in Federal Health Insurance Exchange Enrollments
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- More than 1.1 million people enrolled in a qualified health plan through the federally operated marketplace, or exchange, from Oct. 1 through Dec. 24, government officials said Sunday. More than 975,000 of those enrollments came in December, Marilyn Tavenner, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said in a blog post.
Fewer Opioid Treatment Centers Offering HIV, STI Testing
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer U.S. opioid treatment programs are offering on-site testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to a research letter published in the Dec. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Exposure Therapy Superior to Counseling in Girls With PTSD
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Prolonged exposure therapy is superior to supportive counseling in adolescent girls with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to sexual abuse, according to research published in the Dec. 25 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)
AMA IDs Five Issues Relating to Progress in SGR Repeal
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The implications of progress toward repeal of the Medicare sustained growth rate (SGR) formula are discussed in a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Daily Walking Linked to Decreased Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For adults at high cardiovascular risk with impaired glucose tolerance, baseline and change in objectively-assessed ambulatory activity are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events, according to a study published online Dec. 20 in The Lancet.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Black Women Lose Less Weight Despite Similar Dieting, Exercise
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Because of lower energy requirements, black women lose fewer pounds than white women even if they follow the same dietary restrictions and exercise regimens, according to research published online Dec. 20 in the International Journal of Obesity.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
ACA Success Hinges on Young Adult Enrollment
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Enrollment of young adults is a crucial component of the viability of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a health policy brief published Dec. 16 in Health Affairs.
Impact of Planned Medicaid Expansion Discussed
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The planned expansion of Medicaid will offer benefits to those in participating states, according to an article published online Dec. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Pay Increasingly Tied to Quality Metrics
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician groups are increasingly incorporating quality metrics into their internal reimbursement structure, according to an article published Nov. 25 in Medical Economics.
Greater Fiber Intake Leads to Lower Risk of Cardiac Events
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Increased dietary intake of fiber is linked with lower risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease, with every 7 g per day intake of total dietary fiber associated with a 9 percent lower relative risk, according to research published online Dec. 19 in BMJ.
Testosterone May Undermine Flu Vaccine Effectiveness for Men
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Differences in expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism regulated by testosterone may explain why men have less robust immune responses than women, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
HPV 6, 11, 42/Combo Detection Doesn't ID CIN 2+, 3+ Risk
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) 6, 11, 42 or combination infections does not identify increased three-year risk of cervical precancer, according to a study published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Emphasizing Environmental Causes of Obesity Is Motivating
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Messages that acknowledge personal responsibility, while emphasizing environmental causes of obesity, seem to motivate individuals to engage in healthy diet and exercise behavior, according to a study published Dec. 12 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Preventing Chronic Disease.
Toxic Employees Are Damaging to Medical Practices
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Toxic behavior can harm medical practices and should not be tolerated, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Sporting Success Can Have Demographic Repercussions
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Human emotions on a large scale, such as the euphoria following a soccer victory, can have demographic repercussions, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
Exercise Counteracts Metabolic Effects of Short-Term Overeating
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Most of the metabolic effects of overeating for a week can be counteracted by also doing vigorous exercise, according to a study published in the Dec. 15 issue of The Journal of Physiology.
Public Tends to Follow Celebrities Even on Medical Issues
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Celebrities have credibility as sources of medical advice, even if they are ill-informed or are spreading potentially harmful information, according to research published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
Peanuts During Pregnancy Reduces Offspring Allergy Risk
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The offspring of mothers who consume peanuts or tree nuts (P/TN) during pregnancy are less likely to be allergic to these foods, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
USPSTF Supports Counseling, BRCA Tests for At-Risk Women
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are identified as being at risk for BRCA mutations be offered counseling and genetic testing, according to a final recommendation statement published online Dec. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text - Evidence Review
Full Text - Recommendation Statement
Free Preventive Services for >25 Million Medicare Beneficiaries
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- As a result of the Affordable Care Act, during the first 11 months of 2013, more than 25.4 million people covered by Original Medicare received at least one preventive service at no cost, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Cardiovascular Disease Linked to Cognitive Decline in Older Women
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For elderly, postmenopausal women, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with increased risk of cognitive decline, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Longer Maternity Leave May Reduce Postpartum Depression
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Longer duration of maternity leave is associated with improved mental and physical health in new mothers, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
New Rule May Exempt Many From Health Plan Penalty
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Consumers whose individual health insurance policies have been cancelled for failing to meet the minimum requirements of the Affordable Care Act may now apply for a "hardship exemption," Obama administration officials announced late Thursday.
High Patient Satisfaction With Patient-Centered Medical Homes
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A significant majority of patients report experiencing a high quality of care at federally-supported health centers, according to a study published in the November/December issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Evidence-Based Guidelines Issued for Hypertension Management
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Evidence-based guidelines for the management of hypertension in adults for 2014 have been issued by the Eighth Joint National Committee, according to a special communication published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial 1
Editorial 2
Editorial 3
Tomato-Based Diet Ups Adiponectin Level in Older Women
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer, consumption of a tomato-based diet is associated with increased adiponectin concentration, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Docs Must Help Patients Take Responsibility for Medical Costs
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Given that increasing numbers of patients have high-deductible health insurance, doctors and practice staff need to help patients assume financial responsibility for costs relating to medical services and procedures, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Weight Loss Provides Lasting Cardiometabolic Benefit
FRIDAY, Dec. 20, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Weight loss is associated with long-term improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Physicians Must Be Proactive in Risk Management
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Risk is inherent in the practice of medicine, but physicians can take steps to prevent patient injury and avoid lawsuits, according to an article published Dec. 10 in Medical Economics.
Modeling Study: Similar Effects for Statin or Apple a Day
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- An apple a day or a statin a day are equally likely to keep the doctor away, according to a modeling study published online Dec. 17 in BMJ.
Maternal Vitamin D Tied to Risk of Small for Gestational Age
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is associated with the risk of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) offspring, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Maternal Antidepressant Use Not Significantly Linked to Autism
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy is not associated with a significantly higher risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring, according to a study published in the Dec. 19 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Fracking Chemicals May Affect Hormone Function
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The majority of water samples collected from sites in a natural gas drilling-dense region of Colorado have higher levels of estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, or anti-androgenic activities than control sites with limited nearby drilling operations, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in Endocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Few Residency Programs Teach Cost-Conscious Medicine
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Few residency programs have a formal cost-conscious care curriculum, according to a research letter published online Dec. 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Older Women Spend Two-Thirds of Waking Time Sedentary
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For older women, more than 65 percent of waking hours are spent in sedentary behavior, although the sedentary bouts are usually of short duration, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC Highlights Achievements of 2013, Goals for 2014
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The top five gains made in improving health security at home and around the world in 2013, and the top five areas for improvement in 2014 have been highlighted in an end-of-year report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Exercise Ups Sexual Function in Women on Antidepressants
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Exercise improves sexual function in women experiencing sexual side effects due to antidepressants, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in Depression and Anxiety.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
GlaxoSmithKline to End Payments to Prescribing Doctors
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says it will stop paying doctors to market its drugs at conferences and will no longer reward sales agents whose physician customers write the most prescriptions. Monday's announcement is apparently a first for a major drug company. But other companies may be considering similar moves, The New York Times reported.
Funding for Medical Communication Firms Analyzed
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Medical communication companies (MCCs), responsible for medical education programs, may receive substantial financial support from pharmaceutical and medical device companies, according to research published in the Dec. 18 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)
Many Physicians Will Stop Practicing Due to ACA
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- About half of physicians say that they plan to practice medicine for a shorter time or leave as soon as feasibly possible due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to an article published Nov. 29 in Medical Economics.
Screening Tools ID Postnatal Depression in Teen Moms
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For adolescent mothers, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and two subscales are accurate for identifying postnatal depression, according to a study published online Dec. 16 in Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Access Challenges Up for Those With Public Insurance
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Adverse experiences with physician availability are more likely among those with public insurance, and almost 15 percent of people in the United States were uninsured in the first half of 2013, according to two December data briefs issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Report - Gindi
Report - Martinez and Cohen
FDA Questions Effectiveness, Safety of Antibacterial Soap
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule requiring antibacterial soap manufacturers to demonstrate that their products are both effective at preventing illness and safe for long-term daily use.
Bills for SGR Repeal Pass Senate, House Committees
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. Senate Finance Committee have passed their versions of the bill to repeal Medicare's failed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
Comorbidity Strongly Influences Survival in Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Death rates from cancer continue to decline in the United States, but the presence of comorbidity can be an important influence on overall survival, according to a report published online Dec. 16 in Cancer.
Word of Mouth Still Tops Ways People Find Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Roughly three-quarters of young adults use personal recommendations to select a physician, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Medicare's Graduate Medical Education Spending Imbalanced
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- There is an "imbalance" in how Medicare distributes its $10 billion a year for graduate medical education (GME), according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Urine-Based Assay Diagnoses Chlamydia in 20 Minutes
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A rapid and sensitive assay requiring no special equipment can detect Chlamydia trachomatis directly from urine samples with high accuracy, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Prophylactic Progestin Cuts Odds of Recurrent Preterm Birth
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Progestin prophylaxis and accelerated access to the first clinic visit decrease the odds of spontaneous preterm birth among women with a history of preterm birth, according to a study published online Dec. 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AAP Advises Pregnant Women and Children to Avoid Raw Milk
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against the consumption of raw milk, especially among pregnant women, infants, and children, because of the risk of bacterial infections, according to a policy statement published online Dec. 16 in Pediatrics.
Determinants of Patient Loyalty to Provider Identified
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Determinants of patient loyalty have been identified and include confidence in care provider and coordination of care, according to a report published by Press Ganey.
New Rule Tweaks Affordable Care Act Deadline
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The Obama administration is taking steps to prevent consumers who buy health plans sold through state and federal exchanges from experiencing any gap in coverage this January. Under new rules, health insurers must accept payment up until Dec. 31 for coverage that begins the following day. Earlier guidance did not establish a payment deadline, allowing insurers to set their own dates. "And we're recommending that insurers extend this deadline further," U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during a Thursday news conference to announce the changes.
JC Metric Accurate for Elective Early-Term Delivery
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The exclusion criteria for the current Joint Commission (JC) measure PC-01 identify most valid indications, represented by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes, for planned early-term deliveries, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
ASCO Report Highlights Progress Against Cancer in Last Year
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Progress against cancer is described in the ninth annual report of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, published online Dec. 10 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Study Quantifies Male Dominance in Scientific Production
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Men dominate scientific production worldwide, accounting for a higher percentage of authorships and greater impact, according to research published in the Dec. 12 issue of Nature.
Injunction Stops Insurer From Dropping Physicians
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- United Healthcare has been given a last-minute temporary restraining order preventing it from removing thousands of physicians from its Medicare Advantage networks in Connecticut, according to an article published Dec. 6 in Medical Economics.
Many U.S. Couples Pay High Costs for Fertility Treatment
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Couples seeking fertility care face high out-of-pocket (OOP) costs that vary according to which type of treatment they select, according to research published in The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Exposure to Smoke Linked With Increased Risk of Stillbirth
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking, cannabis use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and illicit drug use, independently and in combination, are linked with increased risk of stillbirth, according to research published online Dec. 6 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Practices Often Do Not Plan for Future
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Most physician practices do not treat their practices as businesses and plan for the future, but they should develop and follow a strategic plan, according to an article published Nov. 10 in Medical Economics.
Recommendations Issued to Prevent VTE in Maternal Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and the National Perinatal Association have developed safety recommendations aimed at preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in maternal patients.
CDC: Health Insurance Among Young Increased After ACA
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Since the Affordable Care Act extended dependent health coverage to young adults up to 26 years old, the percentage of this age group with private health insurance has increased and the percentage with gaps in insurance coverage has decreased, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Human Error Most Often Responsible for Birth Asphyxia
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Substandard care is common in birth asphyxia, and is most frequently due to human error, according to a study published online Nov. 17 in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.
Less Exercise Linked With Higher Mortality in Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- In a cohort study of women runners and walkers, less exercise and larger breast cup size were associated with increased mortality from breast cancer, according to research published online Dec. 9 in PLOS ONE.
Outpatient Docs Report More Burnout Than Inpatient Docs
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Outpatient physicians report more emotional exhaustion than inpatient physicians, according to a review published in the November issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Health Information Technology May Cut Demand for Physicians
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Health information technology (IT) may cut demand for physicians in the future, according to a review published in the November issue of Health Affairs.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
With Looming ACA Uncertainty, Budget Exercise Necessary
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Constructing a budget for 2014 is critical for physicians even with the uncertainties surrounding the Affordable Care Act, according to an article published Nov. 10 in Medical Economics.
Meta-Analysis: Healthier Diet Patterns Do Cost More
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Healthy food/diet patterns cost more, according to a meta-analysis published online Dec. 5 in BMJ Open.
CMS Finalizes 2014 Physician Payment Rates, Policies
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The final payment rules for 2014 include a proposal to support care management outside the routine office interaction and policies to promote high quality care and efficiency, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Medical Students Find Mind-Body Regulation Training Helpful
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A practical approach may be used to offer mind-body regulation training to medical students, according to research published in the Fall issue of the Annals of Behavioral Science and Medical Education.
Issues Surround Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Concerns surround implementation of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), according to a policy brief published online Nov. 12 in Health Affairs.
Serum 25(OH)D Marker of Ill Health, Not Causative Agent
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) seems to be a marker of ill health and not a causal factor, according to a review published online Dec. 6 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Final Rule Aims to Lower Costs, Simplify Outpatient Payments
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The final hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) payment rule will give hospitals and ASCs the ability to lower costs, according to a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Predictors of Cesarean Delivery ID'd Among Extremely Obese
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- For extremely obese women, predictors of cesarean delivery (CD) include body mass index (BMI), as well as maternal age, parity, and cervical dilation at the time of admission, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Gestational Diabetes
THURSDAY, Dec. 7, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D deficiency is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), with higher levels of CYP24A1 protein production and messenger RNA expression in placental tissue from women with GDM, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Handoff Program Cuts Medical Errors, Adverse Events
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of a multifaceted handoff program can reduce medical errors and preventable adverse events, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
CDC: Pregnancy Rates Down Over Last Two Decades
THURSDAY, Dec. 5, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Pregnancy rates are 12 percent lower in the United States compared with two decades ago, with steep declines seen in teen pregnancy rates, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
AMA's RUC Committee to Work on Improving Transparency
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The 31-member Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) of the American Medical Association will begin publishing minutes, dates and locations of meetings, and votes for individual current procedural codes, according to an article published Nov. 11 in Medical Economics.
Health Reform in Mass. Didn't Change ICU Utilization
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Initiation of health care reform in Massachusetts correlated with a reduction in intensive care unit (ICU) patients without insurance but did not significantly change ICU use or mortality among ICU patients, according to a study published online Nov. 22 in Critical Care Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Investment Program Can Cut Global Health Disparities by 2035
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Global health disparities could be reduced considerably by 2035 using an investment framework, according to a report published Dec. 3 in The Lancet.
Fewer Attempted Labors Drive Increase in Cesarean Rate
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Increases in the primary cesarean delivery rate appear to be driven by changes in rates of attempted labor as well as changes in rates of labor success, according to research published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Low Rate of Malignancy for BI-RADS Category 3 Lesions
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- A low malignancy rate is observed for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 3 breast lesions detected by screening ultrasonography (US), according to research published in the December issue of Radiology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Lifestyle Factors Impact Risk of Hearing Loss in Women
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Higher body mass index (BMI) and larger waist circumference are positively associated, and physical activity is inversely associated, with the risk of self-reported hearing loss, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Medicine.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Modest Increases in Minority Faculty Seen at Med Schools
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Underrepresented minority faculty made only modest gains in increasing their presence at U.S. medical schools from 2000 to 2010, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Med Student Clinic Attendance Boosts Overall Exam Scores
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Attendance at clinical and tutorial-based activities is positively correlated with overall examination scores for fourth-year medical students, according to a study published in the Dec. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Physician Texting While 'Doctoring' May Be Hazardous
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician texting while doctoring could be hazardous, according to an ideas and opinions piece published in the Dec. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Nonantibiotic Prophylaxis Can Benefit Recurrent UTI
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Various nonantibiotic prophylaxis options are available, some of which may be beneficial for adults with recurrent urinary tract infections, according to a review and meta-analysis published in the December issue of The Journal of Urology.
Abstract
Full Text
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Universal Transvaginal Ultrasound Found Cost-Effective
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Under most assumptions, universal transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is more cost-effective than an initial transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) screening for measuring cervical length and identifying women at increased risk of preterm birth, according to research published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA Starts Regulating Compounding Pharmacies
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday began the process of regulating compounding pharmacies. Under the Drug Quality and Security Act, signed into law Nov. 27 by President Barack Obama, these pharmacies are being encouraged to register with the FDA. The agency will then classify them as outsourcing pharmacies, enabling them to sell bulk drugs to hospitals and other health care facilities.
Maternal, Pregnancy, Birth Risk Factors Identified for ADHD
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Maternal, pregnancy, and birth risk factors have been identified among children with stimulant medication-treated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with little gender difference, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in Pediatrics.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Volunteering Overseas Revives Physicians' Outlooks
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Physician volunteer programs can revive doctors' passion for medicine, according to an article published Nov. 11 in Medical Economics.
Health Insurance Coverage Changes Don't Change Behaviors
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Change in health insurance coverage is associated with a change in adherence to preventive care, but is not associated with a change in health behaviors, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Multiple-Child Pregnancies Hike Birth Costs in the U.S.
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2013 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with singleton births, delivery of multiple-child pregnancies substantially raises health care costs paid by insurers and patients in the United States, according to research published in the December issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.