Outcomes for Spinal Fusion Surgery Worse in Black Patients
Postop complications, readmission, longer stay, higher costs more likely compared with white patients
Health Care Utilization Up for Seniors With Untreated Apnea
Beneficiaries with OSA also demonstrate higher annual costs across all points of service
Potent, Unregulated Steroid Creams Readily Available in U.S.
Potentially harmful, illegal topical steroids are being sold over the counter in foreign import stores
Postdischarge Mortality Up for Patients With Heart Failure
Of conditions targeted by Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, only heart failure mortality increased
Sexual Frequency Linked to Age of Onset of Natural Menopause
However, no correlation seen for living with male partner with age of natural menopause
CDC: HIV-1/HIV-2 Differentiation Test Increasingly Used in U.S.
Number of HIV-2 diagnoses remains low; more false positives seen with greater use of differentiation test
First-Biopsy Results for Deceased Donor Kidneys Questioned
No association seen between first-biopsy findings and posttransplant outcomes for deceased donor kidneys
Prenatal Exposure to Both Alcohol, Cigarettes Ups SIDS Risk
Risk greater for infants whose mothers report both prenatal drinking, smoking beyond first trimester
Major Insurers Offer $55 Million to Lower Generic Drug Costs
Nonprofit Civica Rx reached deal with Blue Cross Blue Shield and 18 of its member organizations
Surgical Gown Shortage Reported in the United States
Recall of 9 million gowns due to possible contamination could affect timing of surgeries
