Study Questions Need For All Appendix Surgeries
A recent study from Britain found that as many as four out of five appendicitis patients may just need antibiotics, rather than surgery. The researchers looked at four different studies involving 900 cases where patients were treated with either surgery or antibiotics. According to the study, treatment with antibiotics cured 63 percent of appendicitis cases, …
Doctoring While Distracted? Smartphones May Increase That Possibility
We’ve talked a bit about the dangers of using cell phones and other distracting electronic devices while driving. However, according to a story recently on NPR, cell phones and iPads may also be a hazard in hospitals. The NPR story mentions a case involving a 56-year-old man who was admitted to a hospital from his …
Common Surgery Devices More Harmful, Study Finds
A new study by European researchers shows that problems with patients’ voices and throats after surgery is more common than medical experts may have thought. The researchers looked at the results of more than a dozen studies in order to see how frequently patients experienced injury or other complications from breathing tubes or masks used …
Chicago Teaching Hospitals Have Increased Rates of Medical Complications
When it comes to medical care, choosing the right hospital could greatly limit, or increase, the chances of complications occurring–according to new Medicare data. The findings point to increased rates of complications at prestigious area teaching hospitals including four in Chicago.
As ADHD Diagnoses Rise, So Does Use of Dangerous Prescription Drugs
A new study involving doctors at Northwestern University is among the first to look at how often doctors diagnosed children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the past decade. According to the report, the number of children found to have ADHD rose by 66 percent. The authors also looked for links between the numbers of …
Largest Home Health Fraud Costs Millions, Endangers Patients
Our warnings about fraud continue, as the government recently indicted a Texas doctor and several medical administrators in the largest home healthcare fraud ever discovered in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement of the scheme occurred just before Patient Safety Awareness Week, which began on March …
Deadly Bacteria Adds to Problems in Elder Care
A few recent articles have focused on quality of long-term care for the elderly in Chicago, uncovering some disturbing trends. Investigators are sifting through complaints (many by employees themselves) about supply and medicine shortages, too few staff and unclean conditions. Added to this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a report …
Fake Avastin Incident Underscores Problem Of Imposter Drugs In Worldwide Supply
A recent bogus cancer medication scare caused many patients and doctors to worry about the safety of medications provided by drug companies, pharmacies, clinics and medical suppliers across the United States. The drug scam caused a stir in Chicago when the area’s Cancer Treatment Center received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letters that …
Patients Could Be At Risk Because Illinois Doesn’t Review ‘Problem Doctor’ Database
According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, in the past 20 years over 200 Illinois doctors have had their ability to treat patients revoked or limited by hospitals and managed care organizations. Some of these organizations even said the doctors presented a serious threat to patients. Yet the Illinois agency responsible for medical …
Disclosure of Medical Errors Lagging Among Radiologists
Radiologists need to speak more directly and clearly to patients about medical errors, according to a recent editorial on the issue. Other medical fields have education focused on helping doctors learn how to talk clearly to patients, but radiology hasn’t yet followed suit. According to one expert, “Ethical, medical, Joint Commission, and other legal considerations …
