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Doctors

Poll: Nursing tops the list of most trusted professions

December 16, 2011

Nurses continue to dominate in people's perceptions of the most trustworthy profession, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Pharmacists and doctors and nurses — oh my!

Jacqueline Vance December 13, 2011

As I was thinking about packing for a recent convention — and those who know me know a lot went into wondering about how many pairs of shoes I could get into my suitcase — I started thinking about the healthcare conventions I go to. Specifically, I reflected on just how different the Q&A sessions are.

Transitions of Care III — Scarier than a horror movie: Medication errors

Jacqueline Vance August 11, 2011

We've been talking for a while about transitioning of our residents to and from the facility and some of the problems associated with it. But let's talk now about just one huge problem, that big elephant in the room: medication reconciliation. This stuff is scary.

IOM report sparks discussion over role of advanced-practice nurses

October 21, 2010

A new report urging policies that promote more independence for advanced-practice nurses (APNs) has instigated disagreements between nursing organizations and physician groups.

Many doctors unknowingly prescribe drugs 'off-label,' study finds

August 26, 2009

A large number of physicians don't know when they are prescribing drugs, including antipsychotics, "off-label," according to a recent report.

Telemedicine found effective at treating nursing home residents with Parkinson's

June 18, 2009

Telemedicine improves both motor function and quality of life in nursing home residents with Parkinson's, according to a newly released report.

Study: Special stockings don't help stroke patients

May 28, 2009

It is common for doctors to provide special stockings to stroke patients to prevent blood cuts. But a new study finds that they not only fail to reduce the chances of a clot, but they cause problems such as skin ulcers and blisters.

Study: Only about half of terminal patients discuss hospice with physicians

May 27, 2009

While discussing end-of-life issues with doctors has been shown to benefit patients and families, approximately half of terminally ill patients refrain from these discussions, according to a new study.

Stimulus money could bolster e-prescribing practices, report finds

March 18, 2009

As many as three out of four doctors may be using e-prescribing technology within five years, according to a recently released report.

Wal-Mart to sell low-cost electronic health record systems to docs

March 12, 2009

Known for its low-cost food, clothing and appliances, Wal-Mart soon will be offering reasonably priced electronic health record systems.

Ferrini named 'Medical Director of the Year'

March 09, 2009

Rebecca Ferrini, the full-time medical director at Edgemoor Hospital in Santee, CA, was honored Friday as the 2009 Medical Director of the Year by the profession's main association.

Docs ignoring majority of medication safety alerts, study shows

February 17, 2009

Physicians are overriding a vast majority of safety alerts about potentially bad drug interactions, a new three-state study finds. Doctors, probably more annoyed than enlightened, instead are relying on their own judgment rather than that of commercial services, researchers said in last week's edition of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Doctor with ties to nursing home controversy a victim in car bombing

February 09, 2009

Dr. Trent P. Pierce, a former nursing home medical director involved in legal controversy, was the victim of a car bombing at his West Memphis, AR, home late last week. The 54-year-old chairman of the state medical board remained in critical condition as of press time. Authorities said they had no suspects in the attack.

SNF rates should remain unchanged in 2010, MedPAC says

January 12, 2009

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) last week recommended a freeze on reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation centers for fiscal year 2010.

Medicare, Medicaid short physicians, hospitals nearly $90 billion annually

December 10, 2008

Medicare and Medicaid underpay physicians and hospitals by roughly $88.8 billion every year, which means privately insured patients are picking up the tab, according to a new study.

Study: 1 in 5 nurses use electronic health records, quality linked to usage

December 08, 2008

A total of 20% of nurses--or 1 in 5--use electronic health records. Facilities where use of EHR by nurses is prevalent are more likely to report nursing excellence and improved quality of care, according to a recent study.

Nursing homes lead healthcare field in use of electronic health records

November 10, 2008

A new report shows that, when it comes to adopting electronic health records, nursing homes around the country are leading the charge in healthcare.

Washington approves assisted-suicide law

November 06, 2008

Voters in the state of Washington this week approved a ballot-initiative that legalizes medically assisted suicide. It is now the second state in the union, along with neighboring Oregon, to approve such a measure.

Research: End-of-life discussions improve quality of life for families, patients

October 09, 2008

Discussions about end-of-life issues between patients, doctors and families improve the quality of life for the terminally ill. They also have "cascading benefits" for both patients and their loved ones, according to new research.

Patients' wishes may be overlooked in end-of-life decisions

September 02, 2008

Families and physicians are often left to make end-of-life decisions for patients, and these choices are more complicated than many realize, according to a new study.

Despite warnings, antipsychotics for elderly on the rise

August 27, 2008

Physicians have not sufficiently heeded warnings about prescribing antipsychotic drugs for seniors with dementia, Canadian researchers suggest.

Fall-prevention awareness can cut ER visits, save money, state finds

August 12, 2008

Fall-prevention education can help reduce the number of emergency-department visits and healthcare costs in Connecticut, a state-funded report found.

Most Americans favor overhaul of healthcare system

August 08, 2008

Roughly 82% of Americans believe in significantly changing the U.S. healthcare system, citing experiences with disorganized doctors, expensive insurance and unnecessary treatments as reasons for change, according to a new survey.

Seniors don't raise many surgical concerns with doctors, study finds

August 01, 2008

Whether or not to undergo a surgical procedure can be a tough call, and most patients come armed with many concerns to talk through with their doctors. But a recent study finds that seniors just aren't asking many of those questions.

Genes cause aging? New research suggests so

July 25, 2008

While no one knows for certain what causes us to age, prevailing wisdom suggests it's a buildup of stresses and the cumulative effects of disease. The surprising results of a recent study, however, say otherwise.

HHS program to pay healthcare professionals who e-prescribe

July 22, 2008

The Department of Health and Human Services has announced a new incentive program to help spur the advancement of electronic prescribing practices.

President could issue veto of Medicare bill today

July 15, 2008

President Bush today may veto H.R. 6331, a measure that would temporarily delay the full implementation of therapy caps and a 10.6% cut in Medicare physician pay.

Bush may veto Medicare bill

July 11, 2008

President Bush indicated Thursday that he plans to veto the Medicare bill that would restore the exceptions process for Medicare Part B therapy caps and would block a scheduled physician payment cut.

Senate passes Medicare bill, Kennedy returns for vote

July 10, 2008

After keeping the healthcare community in a state of uncertainty for several days, the Senate late Wednesday passed the Medicare bill that continues the exceptions process for Medicare Part B therapy caps and delays other onerous healthcare regulations.