Study finds failure to diagnose AMD
Some older people in New York who are in the early stages of age-related macular degeneration may not be properly diagnosed. A study by researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham that was published in “JAMA Ophthalmology” found that one quarter of patients who had signs of the condition were not diagnosed.
Cause of disease linked to childhood seizures identified
Statistically, not too many new parents in New York will have an infant with infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), an early childhood seizure disorder. But when children do have it, it can contribute to intellectual and developmental delays and issues with physical movements related to cognitive processing. Even when children with EIEE are on medication, frequent and debilitating seizures may still occur as much as 50 times a day. Researchers have now identified the genetic cause of this neurological disorder.
Avoiding medical errors in the hospital
People in New York who have to seek medical care at the hospital may be better served by not going in the afternoon. Like in other occupations, people who work in the hospital are likely to experience fatigue and a reduction in productivity after lunch. However, when nurses and doctors experience fatigue, the outcome can be life-threatening.
Mothers at risk of injury or death in childbirth
When mothers in New York go to the hospital for childbirth, they may expect to receive exceptional care to protect their health and lives during delivery. However, the United States has the highest maternal injury and mortality rate among developed countries. Every year, around 700 mothers die in childbirth and 50,000 mothers suffer severe injuries.
Physician burnout and medical errors
The results of a national survey indicate that over 50 percent of doctors in New York and the rest of the nation are burned out. The results also indicate that those doctors have a higher likelihood of committing medical errors.
Errors with electronic health records vary across systems
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association indicates that the reliability and usefulness of electronic health records may vary widely across different systems. EHR error rates also varied among the different tasks physicians were asked to perform, and were as high as 50 percent for certain tasks. That could be important information for New York patients.
IV drug shortages can result in medical errors
In New York hospitals, drug shortages can be a major obstacle. When there are shortages of certain drugs, medication errors may be more likely to occur, especially if they have an impact on the methods for compounding sterile products. Establishing preparedness processes and best practices can help ensure that hospitals are prepared for shortages and able to mitigate any errors these shortages could potentially cause.
Antibiotic overuse can harm care facility patients
People in long-term care facilities in New York and around the country can be at particular risk of harm due to medication errors and the improper prescription of antibiotics. In particular, when antibiotics are used improperly to treat urinary tract infections, patients can be put at elevated risk of harm, especially due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a major threat not only inside long-term care facilities but to overall public health.
Doctor facing multiple malpractice lawsuits
Patients in New York and throughout the country trust that their doctors will treat them with care and respect. However, one cosmetic surgeon who is known for posting videos of dancing while performing procedures is the subject of multiple medical malpractice lawsuits. The suits claim that the patients had infections and suffered from brain damage because of the doctor’s negligence.
Safety grades shed light on hospital care quality
New Yorkers may be concerned about the quality of care they will receive when they enter the hospital for surgery or other serious medical treatment. A spring 2018 safety report card issued by the Leapfrog Group noted that standards had improved at four hospitals in Central New York while safety grades had declined at four additional medical centers in the region. The report is issued twice a year and assigns letter grades– A, B, C, D and F — to hospital safety practices across the country.