Articles Tagged With:
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Rheumatic Heart Disease — The Global Situation
With advances in access to good medical care, the global burden of rheumatic heart disease is declining. However, there still is significant disease in resource-limited regions of the world.
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Chagas Seroprevalence in Military Personnel in Texas
A cross-sectional study of military trainees and instructors who spend significant time in field conditions was performed at Joint Base San Antonio to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection. None tested positive by polymerase chain reaction nor by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or indirect immunofluorescent antibody.
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Extreme Weather and Infectious Diseases: What Will Follow Hurricanes Harvey and Irma?
Among the dangers faced after a severe weather event is an increased risk of various infections.
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Zika Virus Disease: A Primer for the Primary Care Physician
Zika virus disease is a global issue, but with the recent hurricanes and flooding in Texas and Florida, mosquito-borne illnesses may become more prevalent. This article discusses the latest recommendations for the prevention of Zika viral disease, the populations and regions still at increased risk, and the latest and most promising research being conducted to develop a Zika virus vaccine and treatment.
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‘Ever-Expanding Options’ Prolong Life, but Spark Conflicts
Surrogates may be struggling to let go of a loved one, may not understand clinical realities, or may have religious or cultural beliefs about withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining medical interventions. Regardless of the reason, families sometimes want to “do everything” when the clinical team feels it’s time to stop.
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Study: Only About One-third of Adults Completed Advance Directives
Only about one-third (37%) of U.S. adults had completed any type of advance directive, found a recent review of studies.
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Revised Common Rule Is Changing Informed Consent
The recently updated Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects, also called the Common Rule, is changing informed consent practices in two important ways.
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Can Intoxicated Patients Provide Informed Consent for Research?
It’s not uncommon for ED patients to present with acute intoxication. This complicates not only their clinical care, but also the informed consent process. A recent study set out to determine to what extent acute alcohol intoxication affects capacity to assent, consent, or refuse research participation.
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Unethical Marketing Practices for Stem Cell Treatments Continue
Recently passed legislation allows Texas clinics to bypass FDA approval for investigational stem cell treatments for patients with certain severe chronic diseases or terminal illnesses. The law alarmed ethicists who have been monitoring these practices.
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Patients Without Surrogates Pose Ethical Challenges at End of Life
The issue of incapacitated patients lacking surrogates has received growing attention, resulting in a newly updated position statement and several case studies.