December, 2018

Age 75 or older? You still need mammograms!

December 27, 2018

Women age 75 years and older should continue to get screening mammograms, according to a new study. There is a high incidence of breast cancer found in this age group and mammography plays a critical role in the early detection – it can show changes in the breast up to Read More

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all military families

December 20, 2018

We have a medical error epidemic!

December 15, 2018

Medical errors are third leading cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease and cancer, causing at least 250,000 deaths every year. A new documentary, set to air Monday, December 17, 2018, on HBO, explains the magnitude of this patient safety problem and why many are saying we are Read More

Beware: YouTube videos are wrong on prostate cancer

December 14, 2018

Of the 150 most popular YouTube videos on prostate cancer, 77 percent had factual errors or biased content in either the video or its comments section. In addition, only 50 percent of the videos analyzed described correctly the current standard of care in prostate cancer screening and treatment. Researchers at Read More

Saving Twins and Triplets – preventing stillbirths

December 10, 2018

In 2011, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) established guidelines covering the additional care that should be offered to women with twin and triplet pregnancies above that routinely offered to all women during pregnancy. It aimed to reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes in the mother Read More

Most people lie to their doctors

December 7, 2018

According to a recent national survey, 60 to 80 percent of respondents lied to their doctors about their daily routine, such as diet, exercise and even whether they were taking their medications regularly. This can have negative consequences for a patient; it is impossible for doctors to give the best Read More

Traumatic brain injury can cause ADHD

December 2, 2018

Scientists have discovered that there are at least two forms of ADHD: one caused by a traumatic brain injury (even a mild one) and the other caused by genetic factors. While the study reporting these findings discussed the implications for children who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries in such things Read More

To save lives doctor should repair a hip fracture “before the sun has set twice.”

November 26, 2018

Delays until hip fracture repair surgery is done are common.  Patients may have to wait until a surgeon or an operating room becomes available.  While it is generally accepted that early operative intervention improves survival by reducing patients’ exposure to immobilization and inflammation, there has been considerable debate about the Read More

Fear of litigation & the decision to perform C-sections

November 18, 2018

A headline describing the results of a recent study read: “[f]ear of litigation is a key factor in decision to perform C-sections.” However, when reading the report published by the study’s authors, the conclusion was actually that the clinicians’ personal beliefs were the major factor that influenced the decision to Read More

Inducing labor at 39 weeks may improve outcomes

November 14, 2018

The usual practice of doctors handling uncomplicated pregnancies has been to induce labor only after reaching the full-term 40-week mark, and many do not induce until 41 weeks. The thought was that inducing labor increases the risk of complications. A new study suggests that thought might be wrong, and it Read More