November 2018 Briefing - Critical Care

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Critical Care for November 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

Case Description Can Reliably Define Acute Flaccid Myelitis

FRIDAY, Nov. 30, 2018 -- A case description can reliably define patients with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), according to a study published online Nov. 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.

FDA to Update Medical Device Approvals Process

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 -- A major update of the United States' system for approving medical devices was announced yesterday by the Food and Drug Administration.

Four Principles Underlie Patient and Family Partnership in Care

TUESDAY, Nov. 27, 2018 -- Patient and family partnership in care should include treatment of patients and families with dignity and respect, their active engagement in all aspects of care, and their contribution to the improvement of health care systems and education of health care professionals, according to a position paper published online Nov. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

ACA Coverage Substantial, but Did Not Impact Labor Markets

MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2018 -- Millions of workers gained insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without adverse effects on labor markets, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute.

Report: How Have Workers Fared Under the ACA?

CDC Announces Acute Flaccid Myelitis Task Force

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 -- A task force to investigate a rising number of cases of a rare polio-like disease among children in the United States has been created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Better Work Environment Tied to Better Patient Safety

TUESDAY, Nov. 20, 2018 -- The results of a recent survey of thousands of nurses and patients show that hospital patient safety remains a serious concern, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

CDC: 8.8 Percent Uninsured in U.S. in First Half of 2018

FRIDAY, Nov. 16, 2018 -- In the first six months of 2018, 8.8 percent of U.S. individuals of all ages were uninsured, which was not significantly different from 2017, according to a report published Nov. 15 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Abstract/Full Text

Name-Brand Medications Driving Spike in U.S. Drug Spending

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- Rising drug spending in the United States is being fueled by expensive name-brand prescription medicines, a new study shows.

Patient Experiences Shed Light on Diagnostic Errors

THURSDAY, Nov. 15, 2018 -- Data from patient- and family-reported error narratives indicate that problems related to patient-physician interactions are major contributors to diagnostic errors, according to a study published in the November issue of Health Affairs.

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AMA to Collect Data on Suicide Among Doctors-in-Training

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 -- By collecting data on suicides by medical students, residents, and fellows, the American Medical Association hopes to identify ways to reduce suicides among doctors-in-training. The data collection policy was approved at a meeting yesterday.

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Red Cross Issues Urgent Call for Blood Ahead of the Holidays

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 -- There is an urgent need for blood and platelet donations in the United States because donations during September and October fell 21,000 units short of hospital needs, the American Red Cross says.

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CDC Probe Continues as Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis Rise

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 14, 2018 -- Cases of a mysterious polio-like illness continue to mount in the United States, and health officials are scrambling to figure out the cause.

No Efficacy Signal for Fluoxetine in EV-D68 Acute Flaccid Myelitis

TUESDAY, Nov. 13, 2018 -- The antiviral agent fluoxetine is well tolerated but is not effective for patients with proven or presumptive enterovirus D68-associated acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), according to a study published online Nov. 9 in Neurology.

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CDC: Gun Deaths on the Rise in the United States

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 -- Homicides and suicides involving guns are on the rise in the United States, according to a federal government study.

In-Hospital Infection May Up Readmission After Stroke

THURSDAY, Nov. 8, 2018 -- For patients with ischemic stroke, infection during stroke hospitalization is associated with increased odds of 30-day readmission, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in Stroke.

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Medicaid Expansion Approved in Three Republican-Leaning States

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7, 2018 -- Hundreds of thousands more low-income Americans could get health insurance after voters in three Republican-leaning states approved Medicaid expansion in the midterm elections.

CNBC Article

CDC: Cases of Polio-Like Illness Still Increasing in the U.S.

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 -- Cases of a polio-like condition that mainly affects children continue to rise this year in the United States, health officials say.

More Information: CDC

Pressure Ulcer Rates Only Decreasing for Less Severe Sores

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 -- The incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) is much lower based on administrative data than chart review data, and decreases in incidence appear to be only seen with less severe sores, according to a study published online Nov. 5 in Health Affairs.

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Blood Donations Exceeded Demand After Las Vegas Shooting

TUESDAY, Nov. 6, 2018 -- Nearly 500 blood components were transfused in the first 24 hours following the Las Vegas shooting on Oct. 1, 2017, while more than 800 units of blood were donated in the immediate aftermath, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery.

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Surgery Restores Boy's Ability to Walk Post-Acute Flaccid Myelitis

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 -- A first-of-its-kind surgery has restored the ability to walk in a boy paralyzed by acute flaccid myelitis (AFM).

Notes Reflecting Financial Considerations ID'd in ICU

MONDAY, Nov. 5, 2018 -- Among patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), 4.2 percent of admissions have at least one note reflecting financial considerations, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Network Open.

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Sign-Up Season Begins on HealthCare.gov

FRIDAY, Nov. 2, 2018 -- The federal government website where Americans can sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act is up and running, officials said yesterday.

Financial Conflicts of Interest Prevalent Among CPG Authors

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- There is a high prevalence of financial conflicts of interest among authors of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) related to high-revenue medications and in gastroenterology, according to two research letters published online Oct. 29 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

2011 to 2015 Saw Decline in Health Care-Associated Infections

THURSDAY, Nov. 1, 2018 -- From 2011 to 2015, there was a reduction in the prevalence of health care-associated infections, according to a study published in the Nov. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Posted: December 2018