Critical Care SmartBrief

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March 1, 2013

Right Care. Right Now.

Critical Care Update

Study: PTSD can be a long-term problem for some ICU patients
Study data showed 35% of ICU patients with an acute lung injury who were on a mechanical ventilator experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder up to two years post-discharge, Johns Hopkins University researchers reported online in Psychological Medicine. They said the next step is to look at whether changing ICU care can prevent PTSD, and suggested possible interventions such as psychological rehabilitation and using ICU diaries. HealthLeaders Media (2/27), MedicalDaily.com (2/27)

Few infection preventionists are involved in EHR rollouts
A study of more than 40 hospital infection preventionists who work in states with health information exchanges found that although 70% of respondents have access to EHRs, only one-fifth participated in selecting or implementing the technology. Researchers said this may explain why hospital EHRs often don't have the most useful tools for infection control and monitoring. The findings were published in the American Journal of Infection Control. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/25)

Medicine in the News

Partnership for Patients campaign sees improvements in safety
The more than 3,700 hospitals in the Partnership for Patients initiative to improve patient safety have made gains in reducing 30-day readmission rates, infections, falls and early elective deliveries, officials said. “The trends on other harm areas are moving in the right direction but not fast enough,” said Dennis Wagner, program co-director. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (2/26)

FDA plans to create new pharma quality office
The FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research is establishing a new drug quality office, FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg announced at the annual conference of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association. The new office will enforce existing quality standards instead of creating new quality requirements, she added. "Quality is one of our highest priorities" this year, she said. Bloomberg BNA (free content)/Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report (2/27)

Trends and Technology

Telemedicine will connect VA hospital to emergency scenes
A contract was awarded by the Ann Arbor, Mich., Veteran Affairs hospital's Office of Emergency Management to Troop Health Initiatives for a telemedicine system that can connect hospital specialists with first responders and health professionals in the field. Through the use of the JEMS Technology Disaster Relief Telehealth System, specialists can access live video transmitted by providers at an emergency operations site and provide advice. Healthcare IT News (2/27)

Grant aimed at 3D brain modeling in traumatic injuries
Studies of the biomechanics of the brain previously achieved in 2D will now involve 3D at Washington University in St. Louis with a $2.25 million grant from the NIH. The goal of researchers led by Philip Bayly is to develop 3D computer models to provide better insights into strain and damage to the brain during traumatic injuries. News-Medical.Net (2/25)

SmartQuote

Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius."

--Sir Arthur Conan Doyle,
Scottish-born writer

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