A new Behaviour Pain Assessment Tool (BPAT) provides a simple way to evaluate pain in critically ill patients, including those who aren’t able to communicate their pain verbally, according to a study published in the journal Pain. Based on 8 observable pain behaviours, the BPAT is particularly useful in identifying patients experiencing severe pain during procedures […]
Read MoreAmong patients with acute low back pain, spinal manipulation therapy (SMIT) was associated with modest improvements in pain and function at up to 6 weeks, with temporary minor musculoskeletal harms, according to a study published by JAMA. Back pain is among the most common symptoms prompting patients to seek care. Lifetime prevalence estimates of low […]
Read MoreWhen the state of New Jersey decided to target physicians prescribing fentanyl sublingual spray (Subsys, INSYS Therapeutics) in an off-label manner, it not only made headlines but opened up an ethical debate that spanned medical specialties and state boundaries: Should drugs be used for off-label purposes? And what role should state agencies play in the […]
Read MoreAUTHORS: Chang, Jee-Eun MD et al Anesthesia & Analgesia: March 31, 2017 BACKGROUND: Although minor, a sore throat after endotracheal intubation can adversely affect patient satisfaction and postoperative function. We compared the effects of 2 endotracheal tube cuff shapes on postoperative sore throat. METHODS: One hundred ninety-one adult patients were included in the study. After induction […]
Read MoreThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued two new committee opinions — one on managing opioid use disorder in pregnancy, and the other on counseling adolescents about contraception. In the first, ACOG emphasizes that all pregnant women should be screened for substance use at the first prenatal visit (several screening tools are provided in […]
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