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Uncategorized Published - 17 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
FDA Okays Naloxegol (Movantik) in Opioid-Induced Constipation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved naloxegol (Movantik, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals), a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic noncancer pain. OIC is a common adverse effect of opioid use. An estimated 40% to 80% of patients receiving long-term opioid therapy experience OIC, which […]

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Uncategorized Published - 17 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Spinal Manipulation Associated with Short-Term Relief of Back-Related Leg Pain

Spinal manipulation therapy plus home exercises is more effective than home exercises alone for treating back-related leg pain, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Nearly 200 patients with subacute or chronic back-related leg pain were randomized to either spinal manipulation plus home exercises and advice or home exercises and advice alone […]

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Uncategorized Published - 17 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Finally, Migraine-Specific Preventive Therapy Is on the Horizon

Authors: Dodick DW et al., Lancet Neurol 2014 Sep 13:885 A phase II study of a monoclonal antibody shows great promise for the first specific migraine-prevention therapy. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been a long-standing therapeutic target of interest in migraine. Small-molecule CGRP receptor antagonists demonstrated effectiveness for the treatment of acute migraine attacks, but […]

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Uncategorized Published - 16 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Postoperative cognitive function following general versus regional anesthesia: a systematic review

Published in J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2014 Oct;26(4):369-76 Authors: Davis N et al Abstract The effect of anesthetic technique on postoperative outcomes remains in question. This systematic review compares the role of regional versus general anesthesia, with a particular focus on postoperative cognitive function. Potentially relevant articles were identified by searching publicly available computerized databases for […]

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Uncategorized Published - 16 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Cerebral Glucose Metabolism and Sedation in Brain-injured Patients: A Microdialysis Study

Published in J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2014 Aug 20 Authors: Hertle DN et al BACKGROUND: Disturbed brain metabolism is a signature of primary damage and/or precipitates secondary injury processes after severe brain injury. Sedatives and analgesics target electrophysiological functioning and are as such well-known modulators of brain energy metabolism. Still unclear, however, is how sedatives impact […]

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Uncategorized Published - 16 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation Increases Long-Term Risk for Stroke

Authors: Gialdini G et al., JAMA 2014 Aug 13; 312:616 Usually considered secondary to the stress of surgery, perioperative AF was associated with elevated risk for ischemic stroke 1 year later. Perioperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in cardiac surgery and is also seen in noncardiac surgery. Because AF is thought to be secondary to […]

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Uncategorized Published - 16 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Self-Test: Gaining compliance from stubborn employees

Working alongside difficult people can be hard enough. But managing someone with whom you have a personality clash can cause major tension. Experienced managers know how to separate emotions from the work at hand when dealing with employees. Rather than dwelling on an employee’s negative personality traits, smart managers focus on tasks, projects and results. […]

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Uncategorized Published - 16 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
Management of persistent pain in the older patient: a clinical review

Published in JAMA. 2014 Aug 27;312(8):825-36 Authors: Makris UE et al 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 rehabilitative approaches; and highlight aspects of the patient-physician […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
The AccuVein Does Not Improve Nurse Placement of IVs

Authors: Aulagnier J et al., Published in Acad Emerg Med 2014 Aug 21:858 In a randomized trial, the AccuVein transillumination device did not improve the speed, success rate, or discomfort of peripheral intravenous cannulation. Ultrasound has been shown to be effective in reducing time needed to obtain IV access (NEJM JW Emerg Med Jan 4 […]

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Uncategorized Published - 15 September, 2014    By - Dr. Clemens
5 ways CEOs can actually change hospital culture

I wanted to share this since most of our readers practice in a hospital setting. Hospital CEOs should focus less on talking about an organization’s culture and more on the elements that make up a hospital’s culture, such as mindset, methods, strategies and structures, former physician John Kenagy, M.D., founder of Kenagy & Associates said. […]

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