Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Otolaryngology for April 2016. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Hearing Aids Linked to Stronger Scores on Mini-Mental Exam
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — New research suggests that hearing aids might help prevent or slow the development of dementia in elderly people with hearing loss. The study was published online April 25 in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
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Wide Variation in Health Care Costs Across the U.S.
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Health care prices vary widely across the United States, even within the same state, according to a study published in the April issue of Health Affairs.
New Six-Item Scale Predicts Sleep Apnea in Children
FRIDAY, April 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A newly developed six-question scale has good predictive utility for identifying obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, according to a study published online April 25 in Pediatric Anesthesia.
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Article Discusses Workplace Violence in Health Care
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is a lack of data relating to the prevalence of workplace violence in health care and how to address it, according to a review article published in the April 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Review: Type 2 Diabetes Linked to Hearing Impairment
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Type 2 diabetes may raise the risk of hearing loss, according to a review published recently in Current Diabetes Reports.
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Multiple Techniques Available for Sunken Superior Sulcus
THURSDAY, April 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Depending on clinical features, multiple techniques exist for correcting sunken superior sulcus, according to a review published online April 20 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
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U.S. Health Report Card Finds Racial, Ethnic Disparities Persist
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An update on Americans’ health finds that racial and ethnic disparities persist, with significant gaps in obesity, cesarean births, and dental care. But advances have been made in some important areas, including infant mortality rates, women smokers, and numbers of uninsured, according to the new report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Doctors Have a Only a Few Weeks Left to Review Financial Data
WEDNESDAY, April 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, physicians have only a few weeks left to review and report disputes relating to their financial ties to drug and medical device manufacturers, according to the American Medical Association.
A Doctor’s View: EHRs Impair Physician-Patient Relationship
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Electronic health records (EHRs) may be impairing the physician-patient relationship, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Positive Midface Rejuvenation With Mesh Suspension Thread
MONDAY, April 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Midface rejuvenation using novel modified mesh suspension thread produces positive aesthetic results and minimal complications, according to a small study published online April 18 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
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Physicians Can Get Involved in Developing Payment Models
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Doctors can be involved in developing new payment models for their practices, according to the American Medical Association.
Two Scales Correlate in Assessing Facial Paralysis
FRIDAY, April 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is moderately good agreement between the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (FGS) and the eFACE digitally graded facial measurement scale in assessing patients with facial paralysis, according to a study published online April 21 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Article Offers Ways to Address Overlooked Details in Practice
MONDAY, April 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Looking at a family medicine practice with fresh eyes can help address unsightly issues that patients notice, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
2016 Match Marks Record Highs for Registrants, Matching
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The 2016 Match was the largest ever recorded by the National Resident Matching Program, with a higher match rate that 2015, according to a report from the American Medical Association.
Decrease in Medicare Spending for 2012 ACO Entrants
FRIDAY, April 15, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Early reductions in Medicare spending were seen for the first full year of Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) contracts for 2012 Accountable Care Organization (ACO) entrants, according to a study published online April 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Health Care Workers Skip Hand Washing One-Third of the Time
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Staff at many outpatient health care facilities in New Mexico failed to follow recommendations for hand hygiene more than one-third of the time, according to findings published in the April 1 issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Hepatitis C Found to Up Odds for Certain Head and Neck Cancers
THURSDAY, April 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hepatitis C may increase the risk for certain types of head and neck cancers, according to a study published online April 13 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Doctors Can Be Misled About FDA ‘Breakthrough’ Drug Designation
TUESDAY, April 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Use of the word “breakthrough” in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s expedited approval process could mislead doctors about the new drugs’ actual benefits, according to a research letter published in the April 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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VA Commission on Care: Eliminate VA Medical Centers
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A radical proposal has been suggested for eliminating all Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and outpatient facilities in the next 20 years, floated by seven of 15 members of the VA Commission on Care, according to an article published in the Military Times.
Doctors Report on Success of Throat Reconstruction
MONDAY, April 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — An American man who underwent throat reconstruction seven years ago has no dysphagia and can eat normal food, according to a report published online April 8 in The Lancet.
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World Trade Center Exposure, Eosinophilia Predict Sinus Surgery
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Sinus surgery is more common among firefighters who responded during the first two days of the World Trade Center disaster than those who had less intense or shorter exposures, according to a study published online April 8 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. The same was found to be true for those firefighters who were at the site for six months or more.
Cushing’s Sx Described in Infant Treated With Ophthalmic Steroid
FRIDAY, April 8, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a case report published online April 7 in Pediatrics, iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome (ICS) is described in an infant following intranasal usage of dexamethasone ophthalmic solution.
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Medical Costs Up for Late Middle-Aged With Hearing Loss
THURSDAY, April 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Hearing loss is associated with higher medical costs for late middle-aged adults, according to a research letter published online April 7 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
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Are Guidelines Needed to Assess Competence of Aging Physicians?
FRIDAY, April 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The question of whether national guidelines need to be developed for assessing the competence of aging physicians was discussed during a recent meeting of key stakeholders, according to a news release from the American Medical Association (AMA).
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