Month: May 2016

Uncategorized Published - 13 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Sleep Deprivation Significantly Affects Mood Status of Anesthesiologists

The brain fog and clouded sensorium that follow a night call have long been accepted as part of the job by most anesthesiologists, but partial sleep deprivation significantly alters various aspects of mood and may ultimately affect the quality of patient care, a study has found. “It’s a given that residents work hours and hours, […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 13 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Three Quality of Recovery Scales

Authors: Paul S. Myles, M.B.B.S., M.P.H., M.D. et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Several quality of recovery (QoR) health status scales have been developed to quantify the patient’s experience after anesthesia and surgery, but to date, it is unclear what constitutes the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). That is, what minimal change in score would […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 13 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Endorphin Analogs May Offer Alternative to Opioids

Creating an analgesic devoid of unwanted side effects may seem like a pipe dream, but new research into analogs derived from natural compounds in the body have made bold progress. Developing a pain treatment that can provide effective analgesia and avoid unwanted side effects still stands as the holy grail of pain pharmacology, but researchers […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 13 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Busting Burnout: Healthy Anesthesiologists Make Safer Patients

Authors: Aimee M. Becker, M.D. et al ASA Monitor 05 2016, Vol.80, 8-11. Being a physician anesthesiologist can be a tremendously rewarding experience. It can also be tremendously stressful. We work long, irregular hours. We are tasked with ever-evolving administrative responsibilities that distract from patient care. We make critical decisions every day that impact patient well-being. And […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 12 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Boards Often Overlook Physician Sexual Misconduct, Study Says

Most physicians reported by hospitals, medical societies, and malpractice insurers to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) for sexual misconduct have never been disciplined by their state medical board for that behavior, according to a new study by the consumer watchdog group Public Citizen. To be sure, medical boards frequently discipline such physicians and report […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 12 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Physicians, Brett Favre Figure Into Pain Cream Scandal

The name of retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre has surfaced in the latest chapter of the federal government’s ongoing investigation into pain creams concocted and sold by compounding pharmacies. If the past is any indicator, physicians’ names could surface in the scandal, too. In January, federal and state law enforcement agents raided compounding pharmacies in […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 12 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Positive Long-term Results for Back Pain Procedure

A procedure that involves radiofrequency ablation of sensory nerves in the degenerated lumbar disc may give many patients with chronic low back pain significant relief. Researchers have now collected up to 12 months of data on patients undergoing the procedure — called intradiscal biacuplasty (IDB) — and it shows improved pain scores, functioning, and quality […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 12 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Supplements for Pain: Some Patients Find Relief, But Don’t Expect Miracles

Evidence for many pain supplements is preliminary or weak, according to some experts. But they’re generally safe—unless you’re taking blood thinners. Interview with Philip Gregory, PharmD, MS, FACN and Marc I. Leavey, MD. Many popular supplements used for pain relief may provide modest benefits for some patients, but are not a magic bullet, according to […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 12 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Medical Errors — Third-Leading Cause of U.S. Deaths?

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM Death certificates should allow “medical error” to be listed as a cause, researchers argue in The BMJ. Evaluating estimates published over the past decade, the authors figure that there are roughly 250,000 deaths attributable to medical errors in the U.S. each year. That would rank […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 11 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Restrictive versus Liberal Transfusion Strategy in the Perioperative and Acute Care Setting. A Context-specific Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Authors: Frédérique Hovaguimian, M.D., M.Clin.Res.Meth.et al       Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Blood transfusions are associated with morbidity and mortality. However, restrictive thresholds could harm patients less able to tolerate anemia. Using a context-specific approach (according to patient characteristics and clinical settings), the authors conducted a systematic review to quantify the effects of transfusion strategies. Methods: The authors searched […]

Read More