-
The first part of this series discussed abdominal pain in pediatric patients. This second and final part will cover abdominal pain in elderly, immunocompromised, and pregnant patients. Those 65 years of age and older constitute the fastest-growing segment of the population, and currently comprise about 12% of the U.S. population. This means that abdominal pain in the elderly will be a commonplace occurrence in EDs.
-
With the advent of managed health care came the need for managed care organizations (MCOs) to develop ways to convince physicians of the need to cut unnecessary medical costs. The resulting growth of incentives to physicians both real and perceived brought on debate that has yet to abate among health care professionals, legislators, and the public.
-
When discussing death, always use language that the child will understand. Parents and health care providers should consider the following:
-
A Texas man whose family circumvented the national organ donor registry by mounting an Internet and billboard campaign asking for a donated liver not only was successful in obtaining a liver, but also succeeded in escalating the national debate over the ethics of soliciting anonymous directed donations.
-
Despite having been written 157 years ago, the American Medical Associations (AMAs) Code of Medical Ethics still is a critical tool for solving day-to-day ethical dilemmas, according to experts who recently evaluated the guide.
-
-
Children who know they will die soon face many common fears, including loss of control, pain, and causing sadness to their families. Swedish researchers have found that parents who talked openly with their dying children about these and other related issues did not regret it, while parents who avoided the painful discussions now wish they hadnt.
-
Judge approves physician- Aetna settlement; Some British med students justify sex with patients; Prosecution urged for flu vaccine price gouging; Health disparities persist between Hispanics, whites.
-
The most critical issue before, during, and after any emergency is communications, say the Florida home health managers who have faced multiple hurricanes during the 2004 hurricane season.
-
Although the safety of employees and patients as well as the resumption of care to patients is a priority for a home health agency following an emergency, dont forget to address financial and regulatory issues that affect your agencys operation.
