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New study shows compelling case for link between autism, antidepressant…
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareAutism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Although many causes have been proposed, the cause is still questionable and ultimately unknown. However, a recent study shows a potential link between autistic-like behavior in adult mice and exposure to a common antidepressant in the womb. One of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants is fluoxetine (Prozac), a serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The researchers investigated adult mice born to mothers treated with fluoxetine over a 15-day time period, which corresponds to the second trimester in humans, compared with those born to mothers given normal saline.
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HHS finalizes rule requiring drug prices in TV ads
Scott E. Rupp PharmaceuticalFrustrated viewers of nearly every television program barraged by advertisements of drug commercials that feature all the medicine’s benefits, the litany of potential side effects, etc. — but who receive no pricing information — are getting a little reprieve. Those ads will soon change slightly, according to the Trump administration, which has finalized a rule that will require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the price of their products in television advertising as soon as summer 2019.
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New study: Hepatitis C-negative patients may safely receive positive hearts,…
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareA group of transplant surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston decided to investigate whether organs from donors with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) could be safely transplanted into recipients without the virus. They reported their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine. Hearts and lungs from donors infected with HCV are usually discarded out of concerns of spreading the viral infection, despite the immediate need for such organs. Organs for donation increasingly carry the hepatitis C virus, as people who use inject drugs and share needles are at high risk of HCV infection.
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6 ways your hospital can reduce patient anxiety
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareIn a hospital, you're always trying to improve patient satisfaction — but you might be overlooking the most crucial area that needs fixing. Anxiety is a well-established issue at varying levels for many patients facing a procedure, extensive treatment, or just waiting for test results. However, many physicians don't see the importance of systematically addressing it. It's important to do so, though. Implement these scientifically proven strategies to provide more calm and ensure better feedback for your organization.
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Why understanding the time pyramid is critical for healthcare administrators
Catherine Iste Healthcare AdministrationEverything that falls under the auspices of healthcare administration is complex. From budgets to billing and policy to care management, healthcare administrators at any level must understand, manage, and optimize complicated systems. As such, the actions of one healthcare administrator can impact a significant number of departments, teams and employees. Because of this, it is critical for administrators to become familiar with and embrace the time pyramid.
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New study suggests levetiracetam for epileptic seizures in children when…
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareEmergency department (ED) clinicians typically treat status epilepticus with benzodiazepines, followed as necessary with phenytoin, but this approach often leads to intubation and ventilation. Now, the results of a study from researchers in New Zealand and Australia suggest there is a better way to treat severe epileptic seizures in children, and the results of the study will likely change how ED doctors around the world manage status epilepticus in pediatric patients.
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Improving guidance to patients, family caregivers on care facilities
Christina Thielst Healthcare AdministrationFamily caregivers and patients struggle with choosing quality care facilities. This includes both those who have not yet been hospitalized and those who are being discharged to a lower level of care. Unfortunately, sometimes they find their choice isn’t the best fit or safety concerns arise. Delays in choosing a facility increase the risk of discharge for hospitalized patients. Choosing the wrong facility can also strain resources with an unnecessary hospitalization or re-hospitalization. A recent Kaiser Health News article addresses the need for smarter decisions on where to recover after a hospitalization, starting with better guidance from hospitals themselves.
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US tariffs on Chinese imports grow
Seth Sandronsky Civil & GovernmentThe cost of trade between China and the U.S. is rising. Tariffs, or taxes, on $200 billion of Chinese imports to the U.S. rose from 10% to 25% one minute after midnight on May 10. "The tariff increase inflicts significant harm on U.S. industry, farmers and consumers," Douglas K. Barry, director of communications and publications for the U.S.-China Business Council told MultiBriefs in an email. "American agricultural exports to China are particularly impacted. According to our recent survey, some states' exports were down 50%. The entire American agricultural sector is feeling the stress."
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Despite controversy, HHS releases conscience protection rule for healthcare…
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office for Civil Rights has released a new final rule designed to protect individuals and healthcare entities in HHS-funded programs from discrimination on the basis of their exercise of conscience. It will take effect in approximately two months. The "conscience rights" rule will allow healthcare workers to refuse care based on religious or moral objections and will grant protections to healthcare workers who refuse to provide services such as abortion or transition care for transgender individuals.
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Australian researchers develop new animal model of schizophrenia
Dorothy L. Tengler Mental HealthcareThe exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, but current research suggests that it is a multifactorial disease based in genetics, susceptibilities, and environment. Ultimately, better treatments are urgently needed. Recently, neuroscientists at The University of Queensland's Brain Institute developed a new animal model of schizophrenia where dopamine is specifically elevated at the dorsal striatum — a model that was inspired from animal models of Parkinson's disease where dopamine is deficient.
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