People in Kentucky with rare forms of cancer often face limited options for treatment. The rarity of their diseases limits the number of patients that scientists can study. The low numbers of patients mean that fewer researchers focus on their diseases, and little...
Medical Malpractice
Rheumatologists to look out for vasculitis mimics
Rheumatologists in Kentucky and across the U.S. often meet patients with what seems like vasculitis: that is, an inflammation of the blood vessels. However, there are many conditions that mimic vasculitis, so a high degree of suspicion is necessary. This was the...
Sepsis care bundle might lead to overtreatment, say researchers
An editorial published by Annals of Emergency Medicine advances an argument that a care bundle developed by the Surviving Sepsis Campaign may actually increase the risk of inappropriate treatment or misdiagnosis in Kentucky and across the country. The care bundle is...
Surgeons behaving badly raises risk of complications for patients
The way that a surgeon interacts with co-workers could influence outcomes for patients in Kentucky and around the country. A study published in JAMA Surgery looked at 202 surgeons who had reports of negative behavior filed against them by co-workers. The researchers...
How time outs affect the chances of wrong-site surgery
Wrong-site surgeries are all too frequent in Kentucky and the rest of the U.S. In fact, some reports say there are 20 to 40 wrong-site surgeries every week in this country. Orthopedic, dental and spinal surgeries are often wrong-site surgeries. WSS most often occurs...
Electronic health records systems may be harmful to children
Persons in Kentucky as well as in other parts of the country may not realize the potential harm that electronic health records (EHR) may be exposing to children and infants. A study conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts in two separate children's hospitals identified...
An overview of robotic surgical procedures
Patients in Kentucky and throughout the country may see better outcomes if they opt for a robotic surgery. However, this type of surgery is often more technically challenging than an open surgery. Therefore, it is important that it be performed by a surgeon who has...
How non-technical skills reduce chance of surgical errors
Experts say that 45 percent of adverse medical events involve surgical patients. Of those events, 35 to 66 take place in the operating room. Kentucky residents should know that complications during surgery do necessarily develop because of any lack of technical skills...
Work-related stress leads to more surgical errors
It's no secret that stress can make workers inattentive and careless. For doctors in particular, however, even something as small as a negative thought or a loud noise can be dangerous. Residents of Kentucky should know that researchers at the Data Science Institute...
Kentucky Supreme Court ends medical review panels for malpractice
In a unanimous decision, the Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled against medical review panels for malpractice claims. The state government had imposed the requirement that malpractice claims undergo review by medical panels before advancing to court in 2017. The medical...
