A daily miasma of frivolity by two wanna-be cultural critics. Or: just, like, some good links, dude.

Tag Archives: medicine

Nov 12 2011
Mark Twain, probably

FDA clears novel heart valve that is implanted through arteries instead of open-heart surgery

FDA clears novel heart valve that is implanted through arteries instead of open-heart surgery

The AP:

Federal health officials have approved a first-of-a-kind artificial heart valve that can be implanted without major surgery, offering a new treatment option for patients who are too old or frail for the chest-cracking procedure currently used.

The Food and Drug Administration said late Wednesday it approved Edwards Lifesciences’ Sapien heart valve, which can be threaded into place through a major artery that runs from the leg up to the heart. Cardiologists say the highly anticipated new approach will help old, sickly patients who cannot undergo the more invasive open heart surgery, which has been used to replace valves for decades.

If you’re not familiar with the details of open heart surgery, the word “open” refers to the chest cavity being opened. I added the emphasis to “chest-cracking procedure” in the quote because that’s literally what happens: the rib cage is cracked open to provide access to the heart. We’ve been doing better in recent years with the development of robotic surgery and such, but this is still great news.

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Oct 04 2011
Mark Twain, probably

When the Nurse Wants to Be Called ‘Doctor’

When the Nurse Wants to Be Called ‘Doctor’

Gardiner Harris of The New York Times on the latest controversy tearing the U.S. apart: should you call a nurse with a doctorate “Dr.”?

Dr. Roland Goertz, the board chairman of the American Academy of Family Physicians, says that physicians are worried that losing control over “doctor,” a word that has defined their profession for centuries, will be followed by the loss of control over the profession itself. He said that patients could be confused about the roles of various health professionals who all call themselves doctors.

“There is real concern that the use of the word ‘doctor’ will not be clear to patients,” he said.

So physicians and their allies are pushing legislative efforts to restrict who gets to use the title of doctor. A bill proposed in the New York State Senate would bar nurses from advertising themselves as doctors, no matter their degree. A law proposed in Congress would bar people from misrepresenting their education or license to practice. And laws already in effect in Arizona, Delaware and other states forbid nurses, pharmacists and others to use the title “doctor” unless they immediately identify their profession.

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Jun 02 2011
Mark Twain, probably

Using viruses to target drug-resistant bacteria

Using viruses to target drug-resistant bacteria

Look a post that has nothing to do with video games! No wait come back —

We are losing the war against infectious bacteria. They are becoming increasingly resistant to our antibiotics, and we have few new drugs in the pipeline. Worse still, bacteria can transfer genes between each other with great ease, so if one of them evolves to resist an antibiotic, its neighbours can pick up the same ability. But Matti Jalasvuori from the University of Jyvaskyla doesn’t see this microscopic arms-dealing as a problem. He sees it as a target.

…

Bacteriophages (or “phages” for short) are viruses that infect and kill bacteria, and some of them specialise on those that carry plasmids. These bacteria may be able to resist antibiotics, but against the phages, their resistance is futile.

It seems to be pretty effective. (Don’t miss the moment of refreshing honestly and humility from a researcher featured in the popular press.)

(Via Lukas Mathis.)

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Apr 21 2011
Mark Twain, probably

Hand-washing rule cut out of Nevada patient safety bill

Hand-washing rule cut out of Nevada patient safety bill

Here’s Frank X. Mullen of the Reno Gazette-Journal reporting on why you probably want to avoid receiving medical care in the state of Nevada for the foreseeable future:

A provision that would require health care workers to wash their hands when they move between patients has been cut out of a patient safety bill, an omission opposed by advocates for patients and the elderly.

…

Assembly Bill 280 requires patient safety checklists and patient safety policies at hospitals and other health care facilities. A part of the bill specified that safety policies include requiring health workers to “wash their hands before and after every interaction with a patient and after coming into contact with a surface or object that may be contaminated.”

The bill was sent to the Senate this week with the hand-washing provision removed.

The reason? NO ONE KNOWS AT THIS POINT

The bill was amended in the Assembly, but neither Gold nor Winters was present when the wording was changed. Bill Welch, president of the Nevada Hospital Association, could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.

I’m reminded of the 2002 piece from The Onion titled “Nevada To Phase Out Laws Altogether,” which is not actually satirical because every word is 100% true.

“Laws have been good to the state of Nevada,” said Gov. Kenny Guinn between swigs of Jim Beam. “But ultimately, after carefully considering what’s best for the long-term economic growth and prosperity of the state, we decided that lawfulness just wasn’t a good idea.”

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