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The ADS-B dilemma: How soon should HEMS operators act?
Michael P. Koval Medical & Allied HealthcareA significant mandate for HEMS operators is looming on the horizon. The FAA requires that aircraft operating in certain classes of airspace must be equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Out by Jan. 1, 2020.
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The amazing health benefits of chocolate
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Food & BeverageResearch has shown health benefits in the regular consumption of chocolate. However, it depends on the chocolate. The sugary, fat-imbibed cocoa confection most often consumed is far different than the cacao bean drink used for medicinal purposes in ancient cultures. But if the sugar is limited and the milk omitted, a dose of dark chocolate can be considered healthy.
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Advances in point-of-care ultrasound in emergency medicine
Dr. Afsaneh Motamed-Khorasani Medical & Allied HealthcareSince the introduction of the bedside ultrasound to emergency medicine more than 20 years ago, many new applications have evolved for it. Meanwhile, the scope of bedside ultrasound continues to grow tremendously. As a result of continuous progress in this field, point-of-care ultrasound scanning is now a focused ultrasound scan that is mainly performed by nonimaging clinicians in the physical examination of the patients.
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Cannabis, cognition and confusion in research
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Mental HealthcareOf the 22 states in the United States that allow for the medical use of marijuana, 13 specify Alzheimer's disease (AD) as one of the approved conditions. Some studies report benefits to AD patients, but other research is inconclusive.
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Using EMR databases to conduct clinical research
Maria Frisch Medical & Allied HealthcareElectronic medical records contain enormous amounts of information that could be used in clinical research and quality improvement. However, ethical concerns — such as patient consent and minimization of reidentification — abound.
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Is medical tourism ever safe?
Dr. Jonathan Kaplan Medical & Allied HealthcareAnother horror story involving medical tourism came out of the Dominican Republic last week. A woman from New York went down to the island nation for a tummy tuck and apparently died on the table. While details are murky at this point, there are a few lessons that can be drawn from this situation.
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Don’t get bitten: Protect yourself from Lyme disease
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Recreation & LeisureIt's summer, and that means spending more time outdoors. While having fun in the sun, it's important to take the right safety precautions for your health. According to the National Institutes of Health, "tick-borne diseases are found in many areas across the country, and they're on the rise."
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The frustrating lack of comparative effectiveness — Part II
Mike Wokasch PharmaceuticalLet's assume that a credible, third-party source with therapeutic, statistical and analytic expertise has established definitive evidence that one drug is better than others in treating a particular disease in certain types of patients. They publish the treatment guidelines in a peer-reviewed reputable medical journal, issue press releases and present their findings at relevant medical meetings. Would the guidelines be followed?
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Researchers show the danger of dormant viruses in the body
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareSepsis is caused by many different types of microbes, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. This is a major challenge in the intensive care unit of hospitals, where it is one of the leading causes of death. Now, a provocative study links prolonged episodes of sepsis to the reactivation of otherwise dormant viruses in the body.
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Deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa reaches historic levels
Joan Spitrey Medical & Allied HealthcareAs of July 8, there have been 888 confirmed cases of Ebola with 539 deaths in West Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The outbreak has spread to three countries thus far — Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia — and is the most severe ever recorded.
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