Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical Device Employees Are Often In The O.R., Raising Concerns About Influence
The “reps,” who are there to answer any technical questions that arise during surgery, also often cultivate close relationships with the doctors, leading to questions about how much influence they wield.
‘Durable Cure’ Is Goal For Childhood Cancer, But Recent Patients Have Persistent Issues
People treated in the 1990s report worse health problems later in life than those treated in the two previous decades.
Study Offers Young Doctors Strategies To Deal With Discrimination
A survey of experienced physicians offer interns and residents suggestions about how to handle patients who are prejudiced.
Insurers May Insist On Counseling Before Genetic Tests For Breast Cancer
Doctors are concerned that requiring referrals to genetic counselors can deter women from going forward with testing for genetic mutations that cause breast cancer.
Attending To The ‘Human Element’ Is Key To Keeping Patients Healthy
Research to be published in full this fall details how medicine’s “implicit bias” — whether real or perceived — undermines the doctor-patient relationship and the well-being of racial and ethnic minorities as well as lower-income patients.
What Happens When A Living Kidney Donor Needs A Transplant?
A new study examines how well efforts are working that prioritize the needs of these patients if they end up needing a kidney transplant of their own.
Patients, Fearing Pricey Follow-Ups, May Shy Away From Some Colon Cancer Tests
Most screening tests for colon cancer are covered by insurance but if they come back positive, they may require a diagnostic colonoscopy and that may not be covered completely by insurance.
Gas Relief Drops, Often Added To Medical Scopes, May Pose Danger
In a small study, Minnesota researchers found that the infant drops used to increase visibility during procedures may create a “perfect habitat” for bacteria and make scopes harder to clean.
Congressman Decries Olympus’ Failure To Warn U.S. Hospitals About Tainted Scopes
U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) renews his call for tightened laws that would force manufacturers to notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when they issue safety warnings in other countries related to the design and cleaning of their devices.
Olympus Told U.S. Executives No Broad Scope Warning Needed Despite Superbug Outbreaks
Internal emails show that after the Tokyo-based device maker alerted customers in Europe in 2013, it told its U.S. operation not to widely warn U.S. doctors and hospitals. Since then, at least 35 patients have died after being sickened in outbreaks.