RedScrubs
The Resource for Medical Professionals

A recent study in Psychosomatic Medicine evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and psychiatric disorders. The study looked at data from 41,654 individuals in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Variables such as demographics were controlled for.

Bribing healthcare organizations to screen patients presenting to an emergency department is not the way to control healthcare costs. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is doing just that though. As part of a multi-million dollar incentive to the states it wants to divert patients with “non-emergency” medical problems away from local emergency departments and point them to other resources within the community. The goal is to decrease the cost associated with seeking care in that emergency department. This care is typically more expensive than care provided by clinics or a primary care provider.

We all are pretty much aware of the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. The caveat is what comes with our fresh array of produce. Recent research presented at the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society shows us just how important it is to wash our produce thoroughly before consumption – and that even this may not be enough to stave off the microbes found IN our food.

Asthma, pneumonia,upper respiratory infections. Where do they come from? What triggers an infection? Recent research seems to indicate that common house dust may be a trigger for many environmentally related illnesses. A story in the BMC Microbiology journal indicated that scientists had located approximately 500 species of bacteria including staphylococcus and streptococcus species in common house dust.

There is absolutely no evidence that following a neutropenic diet during cancer treatment works, prevents infections or improves immunity. It just makes common sense. During cancer treatment the immune system is often compromised. You need to do everything possible to keep the infections at bay. A neutropenic diet limits certain types of food in order to limit exposure to bacteria. They are designed to reduce the risk of food-borne illness (food poisoning) in individuals whose immunity is low due to low white blood cell counts.

RedScrubs has now been turning out its Weekly Wrap-up for one month and counting (sounds about right, as far as I can remember). The winner receives a free set of red scrubs from our partners at NW Scrubs.
Each week’s winner is notified that he, she or they have won the Scrubby Award. All the winner needs to do is respond with their name and shipping information. That’s it. No strings (except the one’s already in the britches) and not a catch involved. We are simply honoring your commitment to the medical blogging community.

Diabetes is a disease that comes with complications. These complications can include heart disease, stroke, eye damage, chronic kidney disease, foot amputations – complications that can cost a person with type 2 diabetes about $10,000 per year. In a one of a kind report issued last year, we were able to take a look at how many complications occur in an individual with type 2 diabetes.

Institutional costs are always top of mind for healthcare administrators and pose a constant challenge. While non-labor expenditures increased approximately 24 percent in recent years, labor costs are the largest component of healthcare expenditures. 1 Out of a total 44 percent increase in healthcare costs between 2001 and 2003, labor costs accounted for the majority at 38 percent. 1 Avenues where hospitals may use their labor resources most effectively are key in this era of cost sensitivity.

A study recently published in JAMA express highlighted the comparison between two diabetic treatments on progression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes. Up until this point, no study has shown an antidiabetic regimen to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis.

Commonly used glucose lowering agents include the sulfonyureas (ie. Glimerpiride), which are insulin secretagogues and thiazolidinediones, which are insulin sensitizers.