Group backs flu shots for all health workers

The Infectious Diseases Society of America says all health workers should be required to get annual flu shots to help prevent the spread of the illness to patients. The group said only about 40 percent of doctors, nurses and other health care workers currently receive flu vaccinations. Reuters

Editor’s Note: If you work in a facility, you may want to read this story and share with your colleagues.

Rapid flu tests aid fight against overprescribing antibiotics

Researchers have found that the use of rapid result influenza tests helps to curtail the overprescription of antibiotics. Antibiotics, which do not help viral infections such as influenza, are frequently incorrectly prescribed, a phenomenon that is thought to aid the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Reuters UK

Editor’s Note: Overprescribing continues to be a problem in the United States with serious implications. This study hopefully provides a test that physicians can use to address the issue. Educating consumers is one of the roles of case managers especially in the ED.

FDA panel backs five-in-one vaccine

FDA advisers recommended approval of Sanofi Pasteur’s five-in-one children’s vaccine Pentacel. The vaccine is designed to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and bacterial infection caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib. Newsday/AP

Editor’s Note: Pediatric case managers should find this news important to their practice.

CDC: Percentage of women receiving mammograms drops

In what health officials say is a troubling sign that the battle against breast cancer is stalling, the percentage of women 40 and older who received mammograms has fallen slightly in recent years, according to the CDC. The rate dropped from 76.4 percent to 74.6 percent between 2000 and 2005, after what the American Cancer Society says was a dramatic rise over the previous two decades. Forbes/AP

Editor’s Note: This is a story that all women should read. Getting a mammogram is the first step in identifying early problems.

Study: Uterine-artery embolization shrinks fibroids

Injecting tiny beads into the arteries that supply blood to uterine fibroid tumors helps shrink the fibroids and works as well as the more traditional hysterectomy or myomectomy, according to research conducted at 27 British hospitals. Embolization offers a faster recovery, but may require additional treatment later on in some women. Reuters

Editor’s Note: Advances in the industry may help limit more invasive procedures.

MRIs better at detecting stroke than CTs

A study of 356 patients suspected of suffering from a stroke found that CT scans accurately diagnosed the condition only 26 percent of the time while MRI scans did so accurately 83 percent of the time. Some experts suggest MRI scans should replace CTs as the standard diagnostic, but others are concerned that MRIs take longer to read and may delay important immediate treatment. The Seattle Times/AP

Editor’s Note: Important information for those who work in the acute care setting.

Aspirin urged for cancer patients who have heart attacks

Researchers in Texas say aspirin can save the lives of cancer patients who have heart attacks. The study noted many doctors are reluctant to prescribe aspirin to cancer patients because of potential bleeding problems, but the research suggests the risk of death is greater without aspirin. The Washington Post

Editor’s Note: Interesting information for those who work with cancer patients. Patients with cancer are more susceptible to DVT/Embolis so this is important information to share with physicians.

Officials urge more U.S. awareness of bird flu

U.S. health officials at a recent hearing urged the Senate to increase public awareness about the possible outbreak of a deadly strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus. “People who fail to prepare for a flu pandemic are going to be tragically mistaken,” warned CDC chief Dr. Julie Gerberding, who later went on to call a flu outbreak inevitable.” Yahoo!/Reuters

Editor’s Note: Case managers should look at their local government’s preparedness programs and see where they can assist if the pandemic hits the United States.

Study: Medicare bonuses improve care

The latest results from a three-year experiment indicate that quality of care improves at hospitals that are paid more to follow medical recommendations. The study of 266 hospitals found that heart attack patients are more likely to get aspirin when they arrive at the hospital and more patients receive vaccinations to prevent pneumonia under the program, but even hospitals receiving the largest Medicare bonuses said the agency needs to do more to encourage better care. The New York Times (registration required)

Editor’s Note: Case managers involved in quality activities can use this information internally to see where your organization falls.

Pennsylvania governor tackles hospital-acquired infections

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s health plan for the state includes new regulations requiring hospitals to take steps to prevent costly and deadly infections among patients. Rendell said that, over time, the state would stop paying health care providers for care associated with hospital-acquired infections or medical errors. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editor’s Note: Pennsylvania is getting tough on problems that decrease quality of care. Case managers who work within organizations should take the time to read this as you may learn some tips you can use in your setting.

Niacin gets more attention as cholesterol fighter

Medical experts say niacin, the ordinary B vitamin, has been widely ignored as a cholesterol treatment despite its proven effectiveness. In its therapeutic form, niacin can increase HDL as much as 35 percent and also lowers LDL. The New York Times (registration required)

Editor’s Note: Additional information to help lower cholesterol.