Find all of our “October, 2008” entries here.
Our October, 2008 Archives
Top BLOG Post 10-27-2008
Here is our Top Blog Post for today, brought to you by NW Scrubs:
- Septic, Better Decide Fast
Many hospitals have begun to be based on striving for quality assurance outcomes. Indicators like how fast you take care of an M.I., the antibiotics used and sepsis are all areas under intense scrutiny these days. It is easy to take care of an easy diagnosis, but what about the chronically old, elderly adult ridden with strokes, cancer and immunocompromised. They are not so easy and fast to diagnose. A lot of grief can result from a septic patient.
Top NEWS Post 10-27-2008
Here is our Top News Post for today, brought to you by MedReader:
- New MS Therapies Show Promise
Multiple sclerosis affects over 400,000 Americans. Now two drugs show promise in treating this disease. Oral fumurate, or BG00012 (an experimental drug) and Campath (a leukemia drug) substantially reduce symptoms in relapse-remitting multiple sclerosis. Although effective, a second trial showed that Camuth had significant side-effects such as bleeding problems, a greater risk of thyroid disorder and a higher incidence of infections. Longer term, phase III trials are already underway with BG00012 to see if the relapse prevention is enough to recommend the drug.
Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome, A Consensus Statement
Post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS) is characterized by brain injury, myocardial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, often complicated by the unresolved pathophysiological process that caused the cardiac arrest.
Together these processes are associated with high mortality rates. A study of cardiac arrest resuscitation conducted in 2006 found that in hospital mortality was 67% among adults and 55% among children, despite all surviving the initial cardiac arrest.
RedScrubs Weekly Wrap-up 10-24-08
Fall is upon us, and Dr. Incognito is trying to keep warm in what seems to be “winter-like” temperatures in my part of the country. It is enough to make one want to sit in the den sipping hot tea and reading medical blogs. In fact, this is exactly what’s been happening each day as I’ve been scrolling through the blogosphere to find the best ones for our viewers. Speaking of blog posts, if you have one you would like to submit, you can do so anytime here.
So, in keeping with our tradition of hand-picking the best medical blog, the winner of this week’s Scrubby Award is:
Rub a Dub Dub by Aggravated DocSurg
Honorable Mentions
- Brain Scan Predicts Reaction to Antidepressant By Treatment Online
- Treating ADHD Is A Walk In The Park? By John Grohol, Psy.D
NICE Issues Guidance on the Prevention and Treatment of Surgical Site Infections
A recent procedural-specific analysis was performed for surgical site infections (SSI) for 6 procedures at 24 community hospitals in the southern U.S. The analysis revealed a significant number of SSIs based on the measurements used. Overall, a total of 2,257 SSI’s were identified during the study period (1.19 SSIs per 100 procedures) of which 1,093 (48.4%) were complex (.58 complex SSI’s per 100 procedures). In the UK, SSI’s are one of the most important causes of healthcare-associated infections, similar to the problems encountered in the U.S. A prevalence study conducted in the UK revealed that approximately 8% of patients have a health care associated infection (HCAI). SSI’s accounted for 14% of these infections and nearly 5% of patients who had undergone a surgical procedure were found to have an SSI. Clearly, SSI’s are a problem worldwide and an area we can certainly improve in.
Top MEDICAL VIDEO 10-24-2008
Here is our Top Medical Video for today, brought to you by ScrubTV:
- The Ins and Outs Of Calorie Restriction (SIRA)
Dr. Laura Dugan, Departments of Medicine & Neurosciences at UCSD, discusses what we have learned about the aging process from lower organisms, and what is known to date about humans and calorie restriction. Targeted dietary approaches such as calorie restriction have the potential to contribute to a longer “health span” and to successful aging. The video clip is about 28 minutes long.
Top BLOG Post 10-24-2008
Here is our Top Blog Post for today, brought to you by NW Scrubs:
- Calorie Restriction and IGF-1, In Rodents vs. Humans
“Over the past decade, it had become increasingly clear that many aspects of aging are conserved across species.” For example, reduced function mutations in the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway increase maximal lifespan and health span in many species. However, the long-term effects of calorie restriction with adequate nutrition on circulating IGF-1 levels in humans are virtually unknown. An interesting discussion on the role of calorie restriction and the importance of protein intake is explored here.
Top NEWS Post 10-24-2008
Here is our Top News Post for today, brought to you by MedReader:
- Study Shows How Antibiotic Sets Up Road Block To Kill Bacteria
Scientists have taken a critical step toward the development of new and more effective antibacterial drugs by identifying exactly how a specific antibiotic sets up a road block that halts bacterial growth. The antibiotic, myxopyronin, is a natural substance that is made by bacteria to fend off other bacteria.
Top MEDICAL VIDEO 10-23-2008
Here is our Top Medical Video for today, brought to you by ScrubTV:
- Mad Cow Dementia and Neurodegenerative Disease
Twenty-five years ago little was known about the causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Now, however, it is clear that they are the result of the abnormality in the processing of proteins. Of all the laboratory studies done on neurodegenerative diseases, the most unexpected findings had to do with the discovery of the prion protein and infectious prions. The concept of prions has provided an explanation of how a disease can be both infectious and genetic and has revealed previously unknown neurological diseases. Presentation is approximately 1 hour, 17 minutes.
