Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Ophthalmology for May 2014. 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.
Lack of Data Plagues Physician Re-Entry Into Practice
FRIDAY, May 30, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There are significant barriers for physicians wishing to re-enter practice following a temporary leave and there are not many available resources to aid in the transition, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
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Global Prevalence of Obesity Increased From 1980 to 2013
THURSDAY, May 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The global prevalence of obesity is increasing in adults, as well as in children and adolescents, according to a study published online May 29 in The Lancet.
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Docs Must Consider Legal Issues Relating to Text Messaging
WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The legal issues surrounding text messaging by physicians need to be considered, according to an article published May 23 in Medical Economics.
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Most Wikipedia Health Articles Contain Errors
WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Ninety percent of health articles on Wikipedia contain errors, according to a new study published in the May issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Health Highlights: May 27, 2014
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Higher-Than-Expected Medicaid Enrollment Concerns States
WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Unexpectedly high numbers of Americans who were previously eligible for Medicaid but were not enrolled are now signing up, and states are facing unanticipated costs for that coverage.
Health Highlights: May 27, 2014
Surgical Site Infection Reduction Targeted As Cost-Saving Strategy
FRIDAY, May 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Surgical site infections (SSIs) are associated with significant excess costs, according to a study published online May 21 in JAMA Surgery.
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Workflow Changes Can Remove Practice Hassles
FRIDAY, May 23, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Physicians can implement workflow strategies that return their focus to patient care, according to an article published May 8 in Medical Economics.
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New Programs Aim to Forgive Student Medical Loans
THURSDAY, May 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Changes to the student loan environment will make it possible for a significant amount, if not all, of medical student loans to be forgiven, according to an article published May 8 in Medical Economics.
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Surgeries Shorter in Outpatient Surgery Centers
THURSDAY, May 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Outpatient surgeries take less time when performed in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) compared to hospitals, according to research published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
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Doctors' Use of Electronic Health Records More Than Doubles
WEDNESDAY, May 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 80 percent of doctors in the United States have switched from paper to electronic health records, new government statistics show.
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EHR Implementation Ups Nursing Documentation Time in OR
TUESDAY, May 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) operating room management system is associated with lengthier intraoperative nursing documentation time, especially during shorter ophthalmological procedures, according to a study published in the May issue of JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Intensive Therapy Not Superior for Diabetes Complications
MONDAY, May 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with routine care, early multifactorial therapy did not result in superior microvascular outcomes at five years in individuals with screening-detected diabetes, according to research published online May 1 in Diabetes Care.
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AMA Proposing Specialty Care, Payment Models to CMS
FRIDAY, May 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) and other specialty societies have created new care delivery and payment models that they expect to be supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, according to a recent AMA news release.
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'Handshake-Free Zones' May Be Coming to Health Care Settings
FRIDAY, May 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Regulations to restrict handshakes in the health care setting, along with more robust hand hygiene programs, may help limit the spread of disease, according to a viewpoint published online May 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Glaucoma Risk May Be Lower With Higher Folate Intake
THURSDAY, May 15, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of exfoliation glaucoma (EG)/secondary glaucoma (SEG) may be lowered with higher total folate intake, according to a study published in the May issue of JAMA Ophthalmology.
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CDC: Prescription Drug Use Continues to Climb in U.S.
WEDNESDAY, May 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Prescription drugs are playing an increasingly larger role in U.S. life, with nearly half of all Americans taking one or more medications, according to a report -- titled "Health, United States, 2013" -- produced by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Wasteful Medicare Spending Topped $1.9 Billion in One Year
TUESDAY, May 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare spent at least $1.9 billion in 2009 on 26 types of tests and procedures that offer patients few or no health benefits, according to a new study published online May 12 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Direct Pay Reduces Practices' Administration Hassles, Costs
MONDAY, May 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Direct-pay practice models can allow doctors to reduce, or possibly eliminate, the administrative hassles and costs of dealing with insurance, according to an article published April 24 in Medical Economics.
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Off-Label Cosmetic Facial Filler Use Tied to Significant Vision Loss
MONDAY, May 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Dermal injection of cosmetic fillers into the forehead can lead to irreversible blindness, according to a study published in the May issue of JAMA Ophthalmology.
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Physicians Need to Focus on Managing Their Own Stress
MONDAY, May 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Managing stress and finding a reasonable work-life balance is important for physicians, according to a viewpoint written by Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D., the immediate-past president of the American Medical Association (AMA).
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Specialty Care Shortage Leads to Lower Perceived Need for It
FRIDAY, May 9, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Children with special health care needs living in counties with lower subspecialty supply have lower perceived need for subspecialty care, according to a study published online May 5 in Pediatrics.
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Physicians Have Multiple EHR Documentation Strategies
THURSDAY, May 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There are multiple documentation strategies available for physicians to use to improve their interaction with patients and optimize their use of electronic health records (EHRs), according to an article published April 8 in Medical Economics.
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Most Docs Believe Patients Get Too Many Medical Tests
THURSDAY, May 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most physicians believe that doctors order too many medical tests, yet half admit to doing so themselves in response to a patient who insists, a new survey shows. The survey was part of the ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely initiative, which urges doctors and patients to avoid overused and inappropriate tests.
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Insurers: Sizeable Majority Has Paid ACA Premiums
THURSDAY, May 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A significant majority of Americans who signed up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act have completed the final step of enrollment by paying their first month's premium, insurers told a Congressional committee on Wednesday.
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AMA Develops Payment Guides for New Care Models
WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The American Medical Association (AMA) has developed new tools to aid physicians in understanding payment arrangements in evolving fee-for-value care models.
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Number of U.S. Elderly Will Double by 2050
WEDNESDAY, May 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- There will be almost twice as many elderly Americans in 2050 as there are now, posing serious issues for the nation's health care system, according to two U.S. Census Bureau reports released Tuesday.
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Repeat Data Breaches Among Health Care Orgs Down
FRIDAY, May 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Most health care organizations report having at least one recent data breach, but the number of organizations with more than five breaches has decreased, according to an article published April 8 in Medical Economics.
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White House Report Confirms Eight Million ACA Enrollees
FRIDAY, May 2, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Eight million Americans enrolled in private marketplace health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act between Oct. 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014, federal health officials confirmed Thursday.
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AMA Alliance Session Explores the Resilient Medical Family
THURSDAY, May 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Practical, evidence-base strategies should be employed to maintain a resilient medical family, according to an educational session to be hosted during the American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance National Conference, scheduled for June 8 to 10 in Chicago.
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AAO: Americans Need to Be More Aware of UV-Related Eye Health
THURSDAY, May 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Americans need to be more aware of the increased vulnerability to ultraviolet (UV)-related eye disease associated with common medications and light-colored eyes, according to a report published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
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WHO: Drug-Resistant Bacteria Now Found Worldwide
THURSDAY, May 1, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are now found worldwide, a situation that could have serious public health consequences, the World Health Organization warns in a new report.
Health Highlights: May 1, 2014
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