Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Pulmonology for July 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.
Learning to Change Important for Improving Practice
TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Although physicians typically struggle with change, relying on habits created in their practice, learning to change is important in order to improve practices and better deal with the changes sweeping through medicine, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Front Desk Staff Can Set Up a Practice for Successful Billing
TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Allowing front desk staff adequate time and an uninterrupted environment to focus on billing can prevent problems later on, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Few Published Programs Address Medical Trainee Mistreatment
TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are very few published descriptions of programs that address the mistreatment of medical trainees, according to a review published online July 27 in JAMA Network Open.
Medical Boards May Contribute to Mental Health Stigma for Doctors
MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Existing policy has been amended to encourage licensing boards to require disclosure of physical or mental health conditions only when these would negatively impact a physicians’ ability to practice medicine, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Four Strategies Help Doctors Make Personal, Professional Gains
MONDAY, July 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In an article published in Physicians Practice, four strategies are presented to help physicians make personal and professional gains.
Cross-Continuum Communication Beneficial After Discharge
FRIDAY, July 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cross-continuum communication after hospital discharge can improve patient outcomes and overall health, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Readmission Rate 19.2 Percent After Acute Exacerbation of COPD
FRIDAY, July 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The rate of 30-day index readmissions after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is 19.2 percent, according to a study published in the July issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Assessing, Improving Patient Satisfaction Cuts Malpractice Risk
THURSDAY, July 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Assessing and improving patient satisfaction can help physicians avoid being sued for malpractice, according to an article published in Physicians Practice.
Reducing Computers in Rounds May Cut Communication Barriers
THURSDAY, July 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Reducing the number of computers on wheels in a surgical intensive care unit can reduce barriers to communication during patient presentations, according to a research letter published online July 18 in JAMA Surgery.
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Insurers May Be Underpaying Doctors
THURSDAY, July 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Insurance companies sometimes underpay doctors the contracted amount for a service or procedure, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Tools, Methods of RCTs Can Be Adapted to Real-World Settings
WEDNESDAY, July 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Use of appropriate statistical methodology can allow for the synthesis of data collected as part of traditional clinical trials with real-world data, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online July 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Physicians and Practices Should Prepare for Emergencies
TUESDAY, July 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Practices and physicians should prepare for emergency situations, such as natural disasters, network communications failures, and active shooter situations, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
11 Infant Deaths Halt Trial of Sildenafil in Pregnant Women
TUESDAY, July 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There have been 11 lung-related infant deaths after pregnant women in the Netherlands were given sildenafil (Viagra) to boost the growth of their babies while in the womb.
VA MISSION Act May Up Costs, Lower Vet Health Care Quality
TUESDAY, July 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Veterans Affairs Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (VA MISSION) Act may increase costs and reduce quality of health care for veterans, according to an Ideas and Opinions piece published online July 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Walmart Generic Drug Discounts Often Offer More Patient Savings
MONDAY, July 23 2018 (HealthDay News) — Walmart’s Generic Drug Discount Program (GDDP), which sells many commonly used generic medications for $4 per 30-day supply, offers savings over Medicare for some generic cardiovascular medications, according to a research letter published online July 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Medical Organizations Must Address Sexual Harassment
MONDAY, July 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical institutions and organizations need to ensure there are proactive interventions to transform the workplace in order to address sexual harassment and discrimination, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Portable Sleep Monitoring Accurate in Heart Failure Patients
MONDAY, July 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure, portable sleep monitoring with respiratory polygraphy can accurately diagnose sleep apnea, according to a study published in the July issue of CHEST.
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Embezzlement Not Uncommon in Medical Practices
MONDAY, July 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Embezzlement occurs frequently in medical practices and steps should be taken to prevent it, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Increased Coverage in States With Medicaid Expansion
FRIDAY, July 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Coverage rates and access to care are significantly higher in states with Medicaid expansion, compared with non-expansion states, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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Complementary Medicine Use Ups Refusal of Usual Cancer Therapy
FRIDAY, July 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cancer who receive complementary medicine (CM) are more likely to refuse conventional cancer treatment (CCT), according to a study published online July 19 in JAMA Oncology.
Same-Day Appointment System Implemented in Health Network
THURSDAY, July 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A same-day appointment system can feasibly be introduced, according to the experiences of one health network presented in an article published in Managed Healthcare Executive.
Variations in Practice Patterns Seen in Patients Treated for COPD
THURSDAY, July 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There are significant variations in practice patterns and resource utilization in patients treated by teaching staff for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), compared to non-teaching staff, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
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Patients Care About the Clothes Doctors Wear
THURSDAY, July 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients do in fact care what doctors wear, according to a study recently published in BMJ Open.
Seven Strategies Can Help Practices Manage Staff Time Off
WEDNESDAY, July 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Several strategies can be implemented to help address management of staff time off, allowing mutual respect for the employee and employer requests, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Overall Cancer Mortality Rates Decreasing for Men and Women
WEDNESDAY, July 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cancer incidence rates have decreased among men but remained stable among women, while cancer death rates are decreasing for both men and women, according to a report published in the July 1 issue of Cancer.
Risk of CRC, Non-CRC Death Up With Positive Fecal Hb Test
WEDNESDAY, July 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with a positive fecal hemoglobin (f-Hb) test result have an increased risk of dying from colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-CRC causes, according to a study published online July 16 in Gut.
CDC: ‘Tips’ Campaign Has Helped a Number of Smokers Quit
WEDNESDAY, July 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The ongoing Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) campaign, which features stories of former smokers living with smoking-related diseases and disabilities, has had a considerable impact, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Impact of the Campaign
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Trials Supporting FDA Approval of Breakthrough Drugs Examined
TUESDAY, July 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pivotal trials supporting U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals granted Breakthrough Therapy designation often lack randomization, double-blinding, and control groups, according to a research letter published in the July 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Alternative Payment Models Should Include Precision Medicine
TUESDAY, July 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association has committed to working to integrate precision medicine into alternative payment models (APMs), according to an article published in the association’s AMA Wire.
FDA Establishes New Task Force on Drug Shortages
TUESDAY, July 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In a recent statement, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced the formation of a new drug shortages task force to thoroughly explore the reasons why drug shortages remain a persistent challenge.
Adoption of EHR Linked to Reduction in Mortality Rates
MONDAY, July 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) is associated with a reduction in mortality rates in U.S. hospitals, according to a study published in the July issue of Health Affairs.
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eCare Plan Set to Improve Doctor/Pharmacist Relationship
MONDAY, July 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Pharmacist eCare Plan is designed to improve communication between pharmacists and physicians by allowing documentation to be available via electronic health records (EHRs), according to an article published online in Drug Topics.
PM2.5 Contributes to Burden of Diabetes Mellitus Globally
MONDAY, July 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (PM2.5) makes a substantial contribution to the burden of diabetes, according to a study published in the July issue of The Lancet Planetary Health.
Physician Burnout Tied to Higher Risk of Medical Errors
MONDAY, July 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout, fatigue, and work-unit safety grades are independently associated with medical errors, according to a study published online July 9 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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Data Support FDA Restrictions on Child Cough and Cold Medicines
FRIDAY, July 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New research supports expanded restrictions on opioid-containing cough and cold medications (CCMs) for children, according to a short communication published recently in Clinical Toxicology.
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Virtual Assistants Not HIPAA Compliant
FRIDAY, July 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Virtual assistant programs like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa are not yet in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), warns an article published in Medical Economics.
Gender Bias in Medicine Has Far-Reaching Consequences
FRIDAY, July 13, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Overlooking women in medicine can have far-reaching consequences, according to a perspective piece published in the June 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
AMA Aims to Boost Affordability of ACA Marketplace Plans
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates has adopted policy to increase the number of people who obtain coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by making marketplace plans more affordable.
2001 to 2015 Saw Decline in Self-Employment in Health Care
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2001 to 2015 there was a decrease in the percentage of health care professionals who are self-employed and a decrease in the earning gap between self-employed and employed health care professionals, according to a study published online July 12 in JAMA Network Open.
Patient Experience Officers Can Play Key Role in Medical Offices
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A patient experience officer is an increasingly important new role in physician practices, according to an article recently published in Physicians Practice.
Asthma, Uncontrolled Asthma Associated With Risk of A-Fib
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is a correlation for asthma and lack of asthma control with the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online July 11 in JAMA Cardiology.
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Drop in Childhood Pneumococcal, Hib Deaths From 2000 to 2015
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) deaths in children decreased between 2000 and 2015, following introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and Hib vaccine, according to a study published in the July issue of The Lancet Global Health.
Peer-Led Education Helps Physicians Save Time With EHRs
THURSDAY, July 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A peer-based education program can improve the efficiency of electronic health record (EHR) use, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
FDA Requires Safety Label Changes for Fluoroquinolones
WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has strengthened current warnings in the prescribing information about fluoroquinolone antibiotics causing significant decreases in blood glucose as well as mental health side effects.
Press Release
Safety Announcement
Circadian System, Misalignment Have Distinct Impact on Insulin
WEDNESDAY, July 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The endogenous circadian system, behavioral cycle, and circadian misalignment have distinct effects on insulin sensitivity and β-cell function, according to a study published online June 4 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Misleading Popular Videos Impact Attitudes About Tobacco
TUESDAY, July 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Misleading portrayals of tobacco’s health consequences in popular YouTube videos can increase positivity toward featured products including hookahs and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
International Group Develops Best Practices for Drug Packaging
TUESDAY, July 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Nine new drug labeling and packaging guidelines have been developed with an aim of reducing medication errors, according to a report published in Drug Topics.
AMA Calls for Inclusive Family, Medical Leave Policies
TUESDAY, July 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) calls for inclusive family and medical leave policies to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) workers who care for relatives, spouses, and partners.
Error Rate 7.4 Percent in Speech Recognition-Assisted Notes
TUESDAY, July 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The error rate in speech recognition (SR)-assisted documentation is 7.4 percent, according to a study published online July 6 in JAMA Network Open.
CDC: Wildfire Smoke Poses Health Risks
MONDAY, July 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Wildfire activity continues to increase throughout the western states, as well as in Alaska, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas, but there are steps those living in wild fire areas can take to minimize smoke exposure.
CDC Recommendations
National Interagency Fire Center
Sleep Apnea Linked to Changes in the Brain in Older Adults
MONDAY, July 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with changes to the structure of the brain that are seen in the early stages of dementia, according to a study published online July 5 in the European Respiratory Journal.
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Doctors Usually Empathetic in Pediatric ICU Care Conferences
MONDAY, July 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Physicians frequently respond with empathy during pediatric intensive care unit care conferences, though their responses are often buried within other data or missed, according to a study published online July 6 in JAMA Network Open.
FDA: Zephyr Endobronchial Valve Approved for Severe Emphysema
FRIDAY, July 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new device, the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve (Zephyr Valve), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of breathing difficulties associated with severe emphysema.
IT Solutions for Easier EHRs Save Physicians Time, Burnout
FRIDAY, July 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Yale Medicine is effectively targeting electronic health record (EHR) use and functionality as a way to improve physician job satisfaction and reduce burnout, according to an article published in the American Medical Association’s AMA Wire.
Organic Solvents + Genetics May Increase Risk of Multiple Sclerosis
FRIDAY, July 6, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The combination of genetics and exposure to organic solvents in paints and varnishes increases the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online July 3 in Neurology.
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Hospitals Face $218B in Federal Payment Cuts From 2010 to 2028
THURSDAY, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cumulative reductions in federal payments to hospitals from 2010 to 2028 are estimated to reach $218.2 billion, according to a study commissioned by the Federation of American Hospitals and the American Hospital Association (AHA).
Patient Complaints Mainly About Rudeness, Rushing, Reproach
THURSDAY, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Understanding patients’ complaints about practice can be instructive for physicians, according to an article published June 6 in Physicians Practice.
WHO Calls for Renewed Effort to Combat Chronic Disease
THURSDAY, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The World Health Organization (WHO) Independent High-Level Commission has proposed six recommendations to address the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), according to a report published online June 1 in The Lancet.
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22.9 Percent of U.S. Adults Meet Aerobic, Strength Activity Goals
THURSDAY, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In 2010 to 2015, 22.9 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 to 64 met the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities during leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), according to a study published in the June 28 issue of the National Health Statistics Reports.
Patients Comfortable With Doctors Having Tattoos, Piercings
THURSDAY, July 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patients do not appear to mind if doctors have tattoos or piercings, according to a study published online July 2 in the Emergency Medicine Journal.
Smoking Marijuana May Be Tied to Cough, Sputum Production
TUESDAY, July 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Smoking marijuana seems to be associated with increased risk of cough, sputum production, and wheezing, according to a review published online July 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Intensive Management Program Benefits High-Risk Patients
MONDAY, July 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For high-risk patients, use of an intensive management program is associated with greater receipt of outpatient care with no increase in total costs, according to a study published in the June 19 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Patient Engagement in Asthma Treatment Plans May Improve Quality of Life
MONDAY, July 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Older adults with asthma and a greater desire for involvement in decision making have higher asthma-related quality of life, according to a study published in the July issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
About 10 Percent of Youth Report Smoking Hookah
MONDAY, July 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — About 10 percent of youth report smoking hookah, with smoking mainly occurring in the home environment, according to a study published online July 2 in Pediatrics.
Use of Palliative Care, Oxygen Therapy Increasing for COPD
MONDAY, July 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the use of formal palliative care services and long-term oxygen therapy has increased but remains low, according to a study published online June 11 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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