Buddenhagen & Associates, Atlanta Legal Nurse Consultant Phone: 770-725-2997 Email: Liz@BuddenhagenLNC.com Fax: 770-725-4037, 112 Woodbrook Avenue, Bogart, Georgia 30622-1538 Blog: http://atlantalegalnurseconsultant.wordpress.com/ |
Atlanta Legal Nurse Consultant 770-725-2997
| Liz Buddenhagen, RN Atlanta Legal Nurse Consultant |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
News Briefs
Ophthalmologist Sues His Own Ambulatory Surgery Center
Outpatient Surgery Magazine/May 17, 2012
A physician partner at a Virginia surgery center is suing the facility for trying to block
his plans to open a competing center in the same area.
In a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and violation of federal arbitration rules,
ophthalmologist Glenn C. Campbell, MD, claims that Williamsburg, Va.-based
Riverside Doctors Surgery Center has "undertaken a coordinated effort to block the
opening" of his Advanced Vision Surgery Center. Dr. Campbell also charges that
Riverside is attempting to "exert control over various healthcare services" in the
Virginia penisula area.
At the center of the case is the non-compete clause included in a 2004 operating
agreement between Riverside and a group of physician partners, including Dr.
Campbell, to operate Riverside Doctors Surgery Center. Signing the agreement
prevented Dr. Campbell and the center's other physician-partners from opening
competing businesses in Williamsburg as well as nearby James City and York.
For the full story:
http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/news/2012/05/11-Ophthalmologist-Sues-Former-AS
C-for-Blocking-Plans-to-Open-Competing-Center.
FDA Questions and Answers on Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/Drug SafetyNewsletter/ucm142889.htm
"Since December 2006, FDA has continued to investigate reports of nephrogenic
systemic fribrosis (NSF) in patients who received gadolinium-based contrast agents
(GBCAs) to help define risk factors for NSF."
"GBCAs are approved by FDA for use with MRI as a contrast agent to provide an
improved image of body organs and tissues."
The concern regarding GBCAs is that certain patients, particularly renal failure
patients, are at increased risk for developing a serious systemic fibrosing disease,
NSF.
"NSF causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissue throughout the body. Patients
develop skin thickening that may prevent bending and extending joints, resulting in
decreased mobility of joints. NSF usually starts in the lower extremities. Fibrosis can
also develop in the diaphram, muscles in the thigh and lower abdomen, and lung
vessels. Over time, NSF becomes worse and can cause death."
"There is no known treatment for NSF."
Nearly All Anesthesiologists Report Drug Shortages
Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, April 19, 2012
Anesthesiologists are scrambling for sedation medications across the country, in
some cases postponing, or changing surgical procedures because of the shortages.
And in a few cases, patients have died because a needed medication wasn't
available...
Of all the responders, 97.6% said they were currently experiencing a shortage of at
least one drug.
Fentanyl appeared to be the drug that was the biggest problem, reported by 66.3%
of the survey respondents. Other drugs listed included thiopental, said to be in short
supply by 40.3%; succinylcholine, 21.2%; propofol 19.2%; and pancuronium, 15.2%.
For more on this article see
www.healthleadersmedia.com/print/PHY-279127/Nearly-All-Anesthesiologists-Report-
Drug-Shortages.
FDA OKs Implant to Treat GERD
By Cole Petrochko, Associate Staff Writer, MedPage Today, March 23, 2012.
Washington -- The FDA has approved a single-use, surgically-installed device for the
treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for patients whose symptoms
persist despite use of maximum lifestyle and medical therapy.
The LINX Reflux Management System is made up of a series of magnetic titanium
beads connected with independent titanium wires in a ring shape. The device is
implanted in the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent the backflow of stomach
contents.
Magnets in the titanium beads help keep weak lower esophageal sphincters closed
by overcoming pressure created by swallowing forces, while expanding to
accomodate normal swallowing of food or drink, according to a statement from the
FDA. (See MedPage Today for full article.)
Long Work Hours Linked To Adverse Events, Joint Commission Warns
By Karen M. Cheung, Fierce Health, December 14, 2011
The Joint Commission is calling attention to long work hours in a new Sentinel Event
Alert released today. With documented links between healthcare worker fatigue and
adverse effects, as well as lower productiviity, the accrediting body is warning
hospitals about the potential dangers of extended hours and excessive workloads.
Work schedules and shift length can affect providers' sleep and therefore their job
performance. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality sleep over an extended amount of
time can lead to confusion, irritability, memory lapses, loss of empathy, and
comprimised problem-solving, among other things, according to the Alert...
The tipping point, according to studies, is more than 12 hours of work.
American Heart Association: Vital Elements Often Missing from Sports
Physicals
By Todd Neale, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today/November 15, 2011
Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference.
These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published
in a peer-reviewed journal.
Orlando -- Compliance with American Heart Association guidelines for
pre-participation screening for cardiovascular abnormalities in young athletes is
poor, a survey of physicians and athletic directors in Washington state showed.
Only about 6% physicians were in complete compliance with the guidelines, and 13%
performed two-thirds or fewer of the 12 items recommended to be part of the
evaluation, according to Nicolas Madsen, MD, MPH, a pediatric cardiology fellow at
Seattle Children's Hospital.
The low percentage of physicians who adhered to the guidelines was driven by lack
of knowledge of the guidance -- only forty nine percent of pediatricians and forty five
percent of family physicians knew about them, Madsen reported at the AHA meeting
here.
Brain Takes Multiple Hits From Low B12 Levels
As reported by MedPageToday/By Crystal Phend/September 26, 2011
Low levels of B12 may contribute to cognitive problems for older adults in more than
one way, according to a cross-sectional study.
Markers of B12 insufficiency all predicted lower global cognitive scores over nearly
five years of follow-up, Christine C. Tangney, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center
in Chicago, and colleagues found.
"Insufficient vitamin B12 is very common in older people," she explained. "The older
we get we have a decreased ability to absorb B12 from our diet. ...Medications can
also impair absorption."
But middle age adults may be another important population for screening and
possible supplementation, Morris suggested (Martha Claire Morris, ScD, director of
nutrition at Rush).
Wake-up call: Quality and quantity of sleep are important for Cardiovascular
Disease risk
Heartwire/April 18, 2011/Lia Nainggolan
Geneva, Switzerland -- Those who sleep badly, and not for long, have a 65% increased risk of
cardiovascular disease - and even greater risk of coronary heart disease - compared with normal
sleepers, according to new research presented at the EuroPRevent 2011 meeting.
Researcher Marieke Hoevenaar-Bloom (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment,
Bilthoven, the Netherlands) explained that several investigations have found an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease in short sleepers compared with normal sleepers, but this is the first study
to take into account whether people rise feeling rested.
The results should help confirm that suboptimal sleep is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,
something she says is not widely appreciated in the cardiology community.
Short sleep duration was defined as six hours or less, while long sleep duration was sleeping for
nine hours or more per 24-hour period. Sleeping for seven to eight hours was designated as
"normal."
Ophthalmologist Sues His Own Ambulatory Surgery Center
Outpatient Surgery Magazine/May 17, 2012
A physician partner at a Virginia surgery center is suing the facility for trying to block
his plans to open a competing center in the same area.
In a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and violation of federal arbitration rules,
ophthalmologist Glenn C. Campbell, MD, claims that Williamsburg, Va.-based
Riverside Doctors Surgery Center has "undertaken a coordinated effort to block the
opening" of his Advanced Vision Surgery Center. Dr. Campbell also charges that
Riverside is attempting to "exert control over various healthcare services" in the
Virginia penisula area.
At the center of the case is the non-compete clause included in a 2004 operating
agreement between Riverside and a group of physician partners, including Dr.
Campbell, to operate Riverside Doctors Surgery Center. Signing the agreement
prevented Dr. Campbell and the center's other physician-partners from opening
competing businesses in Williamsburg as well as nearby James City and York.
For the full story:
http://www.outpatientsurgery.net/news/2012/05/11-Ophthalmologist-Sues-Former-AS
C-for-Blocking-Plans-to-Open-Competing-Center.
FDA Questions and Answers on Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents
www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/Drug SafetyNewsletter/ucm142889.htm
"Since December 2006, FDA has continued to investigate reports of nephrogenic
systemic fribrosis (NSF) in patients who received gadolinium-based contrast agents
(GBCAs) to help define risk factors for NSF."
"GBCAs are approved by FDA for use with MRI as a contrast agent to provide an
improved image of body organs and tissues."
The concern regarding GBCAs is that certain patients, particularly renal failure
patients, are at increased risk for developing a serious systemic fibrosing disease,
NSF.
"NSF causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissue throughout the body. Patients
develop skin thickening that may prevent bending and extending joints, resulting in
decreased mobility of joints. NSF usually starts in the lower extremities. Fibrosis can
also develop in the diaphram, muscles in the thigh and lower abdomen, and lung
vessels. Over time, NSF becomes worse and can cause death."
"There is no known treatment for NSF."
Nearly All Anesthesiologists Report Drug Shortages
Cheryl Clark, for HealthLeaders Media, April 19, 2012
Anesthesiologists are scrambling for sedation medications across the country, in
some cases postponing, or changing surgical procedures because of the shortages.
And in a few cases, patients have died because a needed medication wasn't
available...
Of all the responders, 97.6% said they were currently experiencing a shortage of at
least one drug.
Fentanyl appeared to be the drug that was the biggest problem, reported by 66.3%
of the survey respondents. Other drugs listed included thiopental, said to be in short
supply by 40.3%; succinylcholine, 21.2%; propofol 19.2%; and pancuronium, 15.2%.
For more on this article see
www.healthleadersmedia.com/print/PHY-279127/Nearly-All-Anesthesiologists-Report-
Drug-Shortages.
FDA OKs Implant to Treat GERD
By Cole Petrochko, Associate Staff Writer, MedPage Today, March 23, 2012.
Washington -- The FDA has approved a single-use, surgically-installed device for the
treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for patients whose symptoms
persist despite use of maximum lifestyle and medical therapy.
The LINX Reflux Management System is made up of a series of magnetic titanium
beads connected with independent titanium wires in a ring shape. The device is
implanted in the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent the backflow of stomach
contents.
Magnets in the titanium beads help keep weak lower esophageal sphincters closed
by overcoming pressure created by swallowing forces, while expanding to
accomodate normal swallowing of food or drink, according to a statement from the
FDA. (See MedPage Today for full article.)
Long Work Hours Linked To Adverse Events, Joint Commission Warns
By Karen M. Cheung, Fierce Health, December 14, 2011
The Joint Commission is calling attention to long work hours in a new Sentinel Event
Alert released today. With documented links between healthcare worker fatigue and
adverse effects, as well as lower productiviity, the accrediting body is warning
hospitals about the potential dangers of extended hours and excessive workloads.
Work schedules and shift length can affect providers' sleep and therefore their job
performance. Sleep deprivation or lack of quality sleep over an extended amount of
time can lead to confusion, irritability, memory lapses, loss of empathy, and
comprimised problem-solving, among other things, according to the Alert...
The tipping point, according to studies, is more than 12 hours of work.
American Heart Association: Vital Elements Often Missing from Sports
Physicals
By Todd Neale, Senior Staff Writer, MedPage Today/November 15, 2011
Note that this study was published as an abstract and presented at a conference.
These data and conclusions should be considered to be preliminary until published
in a peer-reviewed journal.
Orlando -- Compliance with American Heart Association guidelines for
pre-participation screening for cardiovascular abnormalities in young athletes is
poor, a survey of physicians and athletic directors in Washington state showed.
Only about 6% physicians were in complete compliance with the guidelines, and 13%
performed two-thirds or fewer of the 12 items recommended to be part of the
evaluation, according to Nicolas Madsen, MD, MPH, a pediatric cardiology fellow at
Seattle Children's Hospital.
The low percentage of physicians who adhered to the guidelines was driven by lack
of knowledge of the guidance -- only forty nine percent of pediatricians and forty five
percent of family physicians knew about them, Madsen reported at the AHA meeting
here.
Brain Takes Multiple Hits From Low B12 Levels
As reported by MedPageToday/By Crystal Phend/September 26, 2011
Low levels of B12 may contribute to cognitive problems for older adults in more than
one way, according to a cross-sectional study.
Markers of B12 insufficiency all predicted lower global cognitive scores over nearly
five years of follow-up, Christine C. Tangney, PhD, of Rush University Medical Center
in Chicago, and colleagues found.
"Insufficient vitamin B12 is very common in older people," she explained. "The older
we get we have a decreased ability to absorb B12 from our diet. ...Medications can
also impair absorption."
But middle age adults may be another important population for screening and
possible supplementation, Morris suggested (Martha Claire Morris, ScD, director of
nutrition at Rush).
Wake-up call: Quality and quantity of sleep are important for Cardiovascular
Disease risk
Heartwire/April 18, 2011/Lia Nainggolan
Geneva, Switzerland -- Those who sleep badly, and not for long, have a 65% increased risk of
cardiovascular disease - and even greater risk of coronary heart disease - compared with normal
sleepers, according to new research presented at the EuroPRevent 2011 meeting.
Researcher Marieke Hoevenaar-Bloom (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment,
Bilthoven, the Netherlands) explained that several investigations have found an increased risk of
cardiovascular disease in short sleepers compared with normal sleepers, but this is the first study
to take into account whether people rise feeling rested.
The results should help confirm that suboptimal sleep is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease,
something she says is not widely appreciated in the cardiology community.
Short sleep duration was defined as six hours or less, while long sleep duration was sleeping for
nine hours or more per 24-hour period. Sleeping for seven to eight hours was designated as
"normal."
Twitter @atlantalegalRN
LInkedin Liz Buddenhagen
Facebook
Liz Buddenhagen
LInkedin Liz Buddenhagen
Liz Buddenhagen