Don’t be surprised if you get a bill for that note your doctor sent you through his clinic’s patient portal. About 1 in 7 patients have been billed for messages sent to them through a patient portal, according to a new study published April 4 in JAMA Health Forum. “Even though we don’t know the… read on > read on >
A notorious hospital-associated infection has been spreading through hospitals much more readily than people suspected, a new study says. The bacterium Clostridium difficile – commonly called C. diff – spreads within intensive care units more than three times as much as previously thought, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. C. diff can spread covertly from… read on > read on >
Ozone air pollution increases the risk of asthma among preschoolers and kindergarteners, a new study says. Relatively small increases in ozone smog in a child’s first two years of life is associated with an increased risk of asthma and wheeze at 4 to 6 years of age, researchers reported April 2 in JAMA Network Open.… read on > read on >
Wondering what recovery is really like after knee replacement surgery? Dr. Ayesha Abdeen, chief of hip and knee replacement surgery at Boston Medical Center, breaks down exactly what to expect — from managing pain in the first few days to getting back on your feet and returning to the activities you love. Total knee replacement… read on > read on >
A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from cutting $11 billion in public health funding — at least for now. U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy, who was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, said Thursday that she would grant a temporary restraining order. The request came from 23 states and the District of… read on > read on >
Common chemicals used in plastic and personal care products may interfere with brain development in babies, a new study says. Phthalates are found in many everyday items, like food packaging, shampoo, toys and vinyl flooring. They help make plastics soft and carry scents in products. But they may also harm unborn babies’ brains when mothers… read on > read on >
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has delayed the full approval of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine. The decision had been expected by April 1, but the agency now says it needs more information before moving forward. The Novavax shot is already available under emergency use. But full FDA approval would allow the vaccine to be… read on > read on >
Antidepressants appear to increase people’s risk of sudden cardiac death, a new study says. People taking the mood meds are more likely to die suddenly from heart problems, and their risk rises the longer they’re on the drugs, according to findings presented Monday in Vienna at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. “Exposure… read on > read on >
Disrespected by a neighbor or colleague? Eyerolls from servers at a restaurant or store? Denied a job or a mortgage due to skin color? More than half of Americans have experienced some such form of discrimination, and this mistreatment dramatically increases their risk of depression or anxiety, a new study says. Nearly 56% of Americans… read on > read on >
Hospitals could be short-changing patients if they lean too heavily on nurse staffing agencies or overtime hours, a new study says. Patients are much more likely to develop bedsores at short-staffed hospitals that regularly bring in travel nurses or require nurses to work overtime, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. “Our study shows that when… read on > read on >
