Author: Dr. Clemens

Uncategorized Published - 22 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Management of Persistent Pain in the Older Patient: A Clinical Review

Authors: Makris U,  et al Published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 312 (8), 825-836 (Aug 2014) Importance Persistent pain is highly prevalent, costly, and frequently disabling in later life. Objective To describe barriers to the management of persistent pain among older adults, summarize current management approaches, including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities; present […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Hospital prices up 1.7% year-over-year in August

The producer price index for acute-care hospitals increased 1.7 percent between August 2013 and August 2014, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall hospital prices also increased 0.1 percent between July and August. The PPI for hospitals measures “changes in actual or expected reimbursement received for services across the full range of […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
CMS: 7.3M signed-up for healthcare through exchanges

As of Thursday, 7.3 million people have both enrolled in and paid for health insurance plans, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced during a hearing of the House Oversight Committee. The announcement comes after a letter from Republican Senators John Barrasso of Wyoming and Tennesse’s Lamar Alexander to Tavenner, requesting an […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Opioid titration with sustained-release oxycodone and immediate-release morphine for moderate/severe cancer pain: a pilot assessment of the CoDem protocol

Authors: Samolsky Dekel BG et al Published in Journal of Opioid Management 10 (1), 29-38 (Jan-Feb 2014) OBJECTIVES: Opioid titration is the first challenging stage for rapid control of moderate/severe cancer pain. Evidence shows that sustained-release formulations may be used for opioid titration. We set a pilot assessment of the efficacy and tolerability of our […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Race Matters as a Factor in Pain Management, but Why?

As if managing the broad spectrum of patient pain were not complex enough, results from an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis study has found that patient race, provider bias and clinical ambiguity interact to influence providers’ assessment and treatment decisions. The researchers suggested that understanding these factors and their influence might be an important step toward […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Studies Promoting use of Antidepressants for Postoperative Pain may be Premature

A literature review published in the September issue of Anesthesiology suggests although a majority of studies report positive outcomes, there is currently insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of antidepressants for the treatment of postoperative pain. “There is a need for improved treatment options in the management of postoperative pain, and antidepressants could potentially […]

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Uncategorized Published - 18 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
5 tips for when you have to fire someone

Firing someone is always uncomfortable. And if you haven’t had to do it yet, keep reading, because there’s a good chance you will. When you find yourself delivering the bad news, here are five ways to take some sting out of the situation. Be truthful Employees should know exactly why they’re being let go. Don’t […]

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Uncategorized Published - 18 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Liposomal bupivacaine versus traditional periarticular injection for pain control after total knee arthroplasty

Published in J Arthroplasty. 2014 Aug;29(8):1687-90 Authors: Bagsby DT et al Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare a novel liposomal bupivacaine to traditional peri-articular injection (PAI) in a multi-modal pain protocol for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A retrospective cohort study compared 85 consecutive patients undergoing TKA with a traditional PAI of ropivacaine, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 18 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
No Effect of Acetaminophen in Acute Low Back Pain

The first randomized placebo-controlled trial of paracetamol (acetaminophen) for patients with acute low back pain has shown no effect of the drug on speed of recovery, pain, or many other factors associated with the condition. “The results suggest we need to reconsider the universal recommendation to provide paracetamol as a first-line treatment for low-back pain,” […]

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Uncategorized Published - 18 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Mistakes Prompt Insourcing of IV Sterile Compounding

Determined to cement access to reliable and safe sources for crucial IV drug admixtures, a growing number of hospitals are bringing production of compounded sterile products (CSPs) in-house and turning their backs on external compounding pharmacies. Such far-reaching decisions reflect the lingering distrust of outsourced CSPs, according to several administrators from hospitals that have made […]

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