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Legal Risks if Psychiatric History Clouds Medical Decision-Making
Patients with these life-threatening medical conditions may report mood swings, personality changes, irritability or aggression, depressed mood, anxiety, or trouble concentrating. If appropriate history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing are not completed, medical emergencies can be missed. This is particularly common if physical exam findings are subtle.
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New Details Emerge About Acute Flaccid Myelitis, Cases Could Surge This Year
Researchers uncovered evidence indicating enterovirus D68 directly infects neurons in the spinal cord, prompting an immune response that leads to the limb weakness that is characteristic of acute flaccid myelitis. Investigators shed important light on the disease process that takes place in children who develop this polio-like illness. This is progress that can help lead to better treatments.
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Work on Improving the Care of Children with Medical Complexity
Emergency physicians identified significant challenges in providing high-quality emergency care to these patients. These include time constraints, the need to adequately review the expansive medical record for key information, and the need to contact known physicians when making treatment and disposition decisions. Respondents indicated communication with known providers and use of emergency information forms summarizing the child’s medical history were helpful.
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Med/Mal Concerns if ‘Float’ Nurses Cover the Department
Of 2,575 nurses from 50 states and Washington, DC, 26.5% reported they were “floated” or reassigned to a clinical care area that required new skills or that was outside their competency, according to a survey. Almost half reported receiving no education or preparation before they were assigned to the new unit.
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EDs Need Process for Incidental Radiology Findings
To lower the risks of “failure to notify” claims, institute clear protocols on who is responsible for dealing with abnormal test results. Educate patients on how to find out about their test results; this includes obtaining updated contact information. Finally, use electronic alerts to notify patients and providers when tests results are ready.
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An Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Could Be a Game-Changer
The application for the first OTC birth control pill in the United States marks a new chapter in the ever-changing reproductive healthcare environment of 2022. In June, Perrigo Company announced its HRA Pharma arm submitted an application to the FDA to approve its progestin-only daily birth control pill, Opill, for OTC status.
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Research Shows High Levels of Interest for OTC Medication Abortion
A recent study that is part of a long-term research project about the possibility of OTC medication abortion found a high interest, among abortion patients, in accessing OTC abortion pills.
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It Is a New Day for Reproductive Providers
For many in the fields of family planning and reproductive health, it is a new day — but it is not going to be a better day.
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Repercussions of State Abortion Bans
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade changes nearly everything for physicians who provide abortion care, especially for those in states that have banned the procedure. Reproductive health providers in abortion-ban states may face criminal charges if they perform an abortion — even when the pregnant patient’s life and health are at risk.
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How to Answer Patients’ Questions After Abortion Bans
If you are a reproductive health clinician, OB/GYN, or someone who wants to avoid pregnancy until you are ready, then it is only natural to be worried and afraid in today’s environment in which Roe v. Wade is gone — and the rights to contraceptive care also seem to be on the chopping block in some states. Contraceptive Technology Update asked various medical, legal, and digital security experts for answers to patients’ questions.