Author: Dr Clemens

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Mitigates Opioid-induced Worsening of Sleep-disordered Breathing Early after Bariatric Surgery

Authors: Sebastian Zaremba, M.D. et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Bariatric surgery patients are vulnerable to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) early after recovery from surgery and anesthesia. The authors hypothesized that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves postoperative oxygenation and SDB and mitigates opioid-induced respiratory depression. Methods: In a randomized crossover trial, patients after bariatric surgery received […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Feasibility of Report Cards for Measuring Anesthesiologist Quality for Cardiac Surgery

Anesthesia & Analgesia: May 2016 – Volume 122 – Issue 5 – p 1603–1613 AUTHORS: Glance, Laurent G. MD et al BACKGROUND: In creating the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, Congress has mandated pay-for-performance (P4P) for all physicians, including anesthesiologists. There are currently no National Quality Forum–endorsed risk-adjusted outcome metrics for anesthesiologists to use as the […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 May, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Effect of Exogenous Albumin on the Incidence of Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery with a Preoperative Albumin Level of Less Than 4.0 g/dl

Authors: Eun-Ho Lee, M.D. et al  Anesthesiology 5 2016, Vol.124, 1001-1011 Background: Hypoalbuminemia may increase the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). The authors investigated whether the immediate preoperative administration of 20% albumin solution affects the incidence of AKI after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Methods: In this prospective, single-center, randomized, parallel-arm double-blind trial, 220 patients with preoperative […]

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