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Uncategorized Published - 23 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Effects of immediate-release opioid on memory functioning: a randomized-controlled study in patients receiving sustained-release opioids

Published in Eur J Pain. 2014 Apr Authors: Kamboj SK et al.,  BACKGROUND: The effects of opioid medication on cognitive functioning in patients with cancer and non-cancer pain remain unclear. METHOD: In this mechanistic randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of patients (n = 20) receiving sustained-release and immediate-release opioid medication as part of their palliative care, we […]

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Uncategorized Published - 23 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Tolerability of the capsaicin 8% patch following pretreatment with lidocaine or tramadol in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain: A multicentre, randomized, assessor-blinded study

Published in Eur J Pain. 2014 Mar Authors: Jensen TS et al.,      BACKGROUND: Application of the capsaicin 8% patch is associated with treatment-related discomfort. Consequently, pretreatment for 60 min with anaesthetic cream is recommended; however, this may be uncomfortable and time consuming. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, randomized (1:1), assessor-blinded study in patients with […]

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Uncategorized Published - 22 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Do Hospital CEOs or NFL Coaches Have Better Job Security?

Healthcare CEO and NFL head coach are both high-pressure, high-visibility, results-driven, highly competitive, and well compensated occupations with high turnover rates. Think twice before you answer. By the time you read this, thousands of fans will have goosed the last Thursday night TV ratings and have found out who their favorite NFL team picked in […]

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Uncategorized Published - 21 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Routine Defibrillation Testing Not Required During ICD Implantation

Although commonly performed in patients undergoing ICD implantation, routine defibrillation testing may increase complications without producing any improvement in outcomes, according to presentation at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting in San Francisco. Researchers in the international SIMPLE trial randomized some 2500 patients to testing or no testing. By 3 years’ follow-up there was no difference […]

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Uncategorized Published - 21 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Frailty Score May Help Predict Mortality Risk After Surgery

A new frailty score derived from the comprehensive geriatric assessment may predict postoperative mortality in the elderly better than conventional methods, researchers conclude in JAMA Surgery. Nearly 300 patients aged 65 and older who were undergoing elective surgery at a single hospital were scored on nine preoperative characteristics: malignancy, comorbidities, albumin level, activities of daily […]

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Uncategorized Published - 20 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: $4.8 Million Settlement for Breach

Heftiest HIPAA Penalty Yet from Federal Regulators This is an important article for our readers to see how serious the federal government is about HIPAA violation enforcement. The Department of Health and Human Services has issued its largest HIPAA enforcement actionto date, entering settlements totaling $4.8 million with two New York organizations tied to the […]

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Uncategorized Published - 20 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Surgeries at ambulatory centers are quicker and cheaper than at hospitals

A new study says ambulatory centers perform surgery more efficiently than hospitals and could allow the nation’s health care providers to keep pace with demand. The study, published in the May issue of the journal Health Affairs, was authored by health economists Elizabeth Munnich of the University of Louisville and Stephen Parente of the University […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Health Plans Join Prescription Painkiller Abuse Battle

For the past decade, healthcare providers have been in the vanguard of efforts to combat the abuse and diversion of opioid pain medications such as Oxycontin. Now state and federal officials and health plans are joining the fray. For the rest of his time on Earth, one of my best friends will be walking the […]

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Uncategorized Published - 19 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Fewer in US lack health insurance, but issues remain

I thought this might be interesting for our readers.  The decline coincided with the October 2013 launch of the health insurance exchanges that allowed people to buy coverage on their own under the Affordable Care Act and accelerated as the deadline to buy coverage neared, the nonpartisan research organization said. Gallup said enrollment rates could […]

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Uncategorized Published - 18 May, 2014    By - webmaster
Anesthesia Management: Healthcare spending surges in first quarter

Health care spending rose at the fastest pace since 1980 in the first quarter as the new health insurance law prompted many more Americans to visit doctors and hospitals. Analysts say the sharp increase reflects other trends that should continue to drive up both medical spending and costs in 2014 after years of slow growth. […]

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