Palliative care works, so why is it rarely used? Follow the money
Two-thirds of people living with serious illnesses aren't getting a therapy that could benefit them in many ways: palliative care. More
“What we’ve seen should be a wake-up call to everybody”: Lown leaders discuss needed changes in healthcare
On the Race to Value podcast, Vikas Saini and Shannon Brownlee discuss Dr. Lown's legacy, trust as high-value care, hospital coordination, and much more. More
Evaluation of Hospital Cesarean Delivery–Related Profits and Rates in the United States
This cross-sectional study of discharge data from a national database of US hospitals examines the association of profits hospitals received from cesarean procedures and rates of cesarean delivery. More
Study: 94% of older adults prescribed drugs that raise risk of falling
Researchers at the University of Buffalo also found an increase in deaths related to falls. More
Assessment of the Appropriateness of Antimicrobial Use in US Hospitals
This cross-sectional study evaluates the appropriateness of antimicrobial use for hospitalized patients treated for community-acquired pneumonia or a urinary tract infection present at admission or for patients who had received fluoroquinolone or intravenous vancomycin treatment. More
Doctors Debate Use of Blood Thinners to Prevent Clots in Women After C-Sections
Nearly all women who deliver babies through cesarean section at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City receive injections of the blood thinner heparin for weeks after the procedure, to prevent potentially life-threatening blood clots. More
IR community calls for postpartum haemorrhage response team due to “underutilisation” of UAE in review of 10 million births in the USA
Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is used far less commonly than hysterectomy in the management of postpartum haemorrhage. More
Researchers study impact of pandemic cancer screening pause
Millions of colonoscopies, mammograms, lung scans, Pap tests and other cancer screenings were suspended for several months last spring in the United States and elsewhere as COVID-19 swamped medical care. Now researchers are studying the impact, looking to see how many cancers were missed and whether tumors found since then are more advanced. More
‘Painless’ Glucose Monitors Pushed Despite Little Evidence They Help Most Diabetes Patients
The numbers of people wearing these monitors are soaring as prices have fallen and device-makers promote them to doctors and patients. More
Recommendations From Breast Cancer Centers for Frequent Screening Mammography in Younger Women May Do More Harm Than Good
To reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with breast cancer, accessible and affordable screening, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance strategies that balance harms and benefits are needed. More
Rx for Change: Protect yourself (and your family) from medication overload
Randomized trial supports shorter antibiotic course for kids’ pneumonia
"We should work toward improving care for our patients with right-sized antibiotic courses." More
New lung cancer screening guideline comes with many caveats
The USPSTF's expanded screening guidelines bring up important questions of screening harms and benefits, generalizing clinical trial results, and the impact of screening on health disparities. More
Convalescent Plasma Strikes Out As COVID-19 Treatment
Infusing blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 into sick patients looks good on paper. But studies of the treatment haven't found benefits. More
Prevalence of Central Nervous System–Active Polypharmacy Among Older Adults With Dementia in the US
This pharmacoepidemiology study uses Medicare claims data to describe the prevalence of central nervous system–active polypharmacy among community-dwelling older adults with dementia in the US, including durations of exposure and number of drugs and drug classes. More
Researchers Attempt to Reduce the Placebo Effect in Drug Trials
Pharmaceutical company researchers develop a tool to suppress the placebo effect and improve their drug results. More
Opinion: Too many medicines can be its own medical hazard
Over-medication can be dangerous and patients should consult with medical professions to ensure an effective plan of treatment, Dr. Bob Newman writes in a guest column. More
Comparison of Palliative Care Delivery in the Last Year of Life Between Adults With Terminal Noncancer Illness or Cancer
This cohort study examines the delivery of palliative care among adults in their last year of life who died of terminal noncancer illness compared with those who died of cancer. More
Widely used convalescent plasma treatment doesn’t stop COVID-19 patients from getting sicker, study finds
The treatment was authorized for emergency use last summer, but clinical trials showed plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients didn't help fight illness. More
Study: Women often receive improper UTI antibiotic Rx
Nearly three fourths of US women with an uncomplicated urinary tract infection get antibiotics longer than necessary. More