In recent years, the incidence of bicycle-related injuries has more than doubled, according to a new study led by researchers from UC San Francisco. The researchers used a national injury surveillance database to study trends in bicycle injuries from 1998 to 2013. They found that the rate of hospital admissions associated with bicycle injuries more… Continue reading Bicycle Injuries and Older Riders
Tag: hospital
A Healthier Picture for Medicare Patients
The health picture is brighter for older Medicare patients: In a 15-year study, Yale School of Medicine researchers saw an estimated 20% drop in mortality, about 30% fewer hospitalizations, and 40% reduction in deaths after hospitalization. The findings were published In JAMA’s theme issue on Medicare and Medicaid at 50. In the study, researchers took… Continue reading A Healthier Picture for Medicare Patients
Spinal Injuries Increasing Among Seniors
You probably associate hip injuries with falls among older people, but now research shows that fall-related traumatic spine injury is also a huge and increasing problem. The research, from investigators at Vanderbilt University, was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study, which analyzed data from 63,109 patients with acute traumatic spinal… Continue reading Spinal Injuries Increasing Among Seniors
When Hospitalization Happens to Dementia Patients
From the National Institute on Aging A trip to the hospital with a person who has memory loss or dementia can be stressful for both of you. This outline, from experts at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), can relieve some of that stress by helping you prepare for both unexpected and planned hospital visits.… Continue reading When Hospitalization Happens to Dementia Patients
Medical Costs and Retirement: The Facts
“Growing old ain’t for sissies.” – Bette Davis Ms. Davis was right. Between the stiffness, sore joints and pains that come with growing older, aging can get pretty rough. The golden years should be a relaxing time to enjoy life and play with the grandkids. Unfortunately, because of health-care costs and poor planning, too many… Continue reading Medical Costs and Retirement: The Facts
Four Lessons Hospitals Could Learn from Disney World
Recently, I returned from a trip to Disney with my family. It was my third time at the parks, but this trip was different. My wife and I were thrilled to have brought our three children, son in law, and, most importantly, our two grandchildren. Seeing my three and a half year old grandson, Erez,… Continue reading Four Lessons Hospitals Could Learn from Disney World
Better Care Needed for Sepsis Patients
Health-care practitioners need to provide more individualized care to patients who have suffered sepsis so they won’t have to be readmitted to a hospital, researchers said. A study published in JAMA looked at data from 2,6000 survivors of sepsis, a critical illness that shuts down internal organs following an infection. About 42 percent of the… Continue reading Better Care Needed for Sepsis Patients
Watch Out for Hypothermia: The “Indoor Cold”
Almost everyone knows about winter dangers for older people such as broken bones from falls on ice or breathing problems caused by cold air. But not everyone knows that cold weather can also lower the temperature inside your body. This drop in body temperature is called hypothermia, and it can be deadly if not treated… Continue reading Watch Out for Hypothermia: The “Indoor Cold”
The Wrong Kind of Monitoring in Hospitals?
Millions of physiological alarms in hospitals are triggered each month, and the technology needs to be improved to avoid further “alarm fatigue” among health care providers, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and the University of California said their study of alarm fatigue was the first ever… Continue reading The Wrong Kind of Monitoring in Hospitals?
Can Financial Incentives Solve Persistent Senior-Health Issues?
A unique, interview-style study has zeroed in on financial and educational issues that need more attention as older adults go from hospital to rehabilitation centers to home – and too often back again. A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University found that the participants in the interviews called for better attention in preventing errors… Continue reading Can Financial Incentives Solve Persistent Senior-Health Issues?
New Ways to Combat MRSA in Hospitals
New guidelines aim to reduce the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), improve patient safety and prioritize current prevention efforts underway in hospitals. This drug resistant bacterium is a common source of patient morbidity and mortality in U.S. hospitals, causing nearly twice the number of deaths, significantly longer hospital stays and higher hospital costs than other forms of the bacteria.