Veterans Healthcare: What Civilian Physicians Need to Know
November 7, 2016
There are approximately 21 million living U.S. military veterans, and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest health care system in the country. Despite its size, the VHA is overwhelmed by the need to provide healthcare to the huge number of eligible veterans. As a consequence of this high demand for care, Congress enacted…Read More
The Chief Complaint of Pain: A Pain for You and Your Patient!
October 31, 2016
A chief complaint of pain is one of the most common encountered by practitioners in any specialty. The pain may be acute or chronic. It may be located in the abdomen, chest, head or any other body part. It may be spontaneous in onset or may be due to an injury. It can range from…Read More
Confessions of an Antibiotic Abuser
May 23, 2016
The discoverer of penicillin, Sir Alexander Fleming, warned many decades ago that the “public will demand [the drug and]…then will begin an era…of abuses.” His prophecy has been realized, and I readily confess that I am guilty. During my 37 years in family practice and emergency medicine, I admit that I prescribed antibiotics for viral…Read More
Heart Disease in Women: Underdiagnosed and Undertreated
February 8, 2016
February is American Heart Month 2016 and an appropriate time to recognize the recent reduction in mortality rate from cardiovascular disease in women. The increased awareness of women and healthcare professionals has resulted in better care and is at least partially responsible for the lower death rate from heart disease seen over the past decade….Read More
Evidence-based Medicine: What’s the Buzz?
November 10, 2015
Healthcare is all abuzz about evidence-based medicine (EBM), and legions of clinicians are struggling with how to incorporate EBM into the new paradigm of providing the safest possible high-quality healthcare in the most efficient manner. Evidence-based Medicine: Origins and Definition The term “evidence-based medicine” was coined over 20 years ago by a group of physicians…Read More
Managing Patient Volume in ED
November 12, 2014
Are you prepared for surges in your ED patient volumes? As we head into the peak of flu season, many facilities are already feeling the effects of increased volumes, such as: Longer waiting times Staff exposed to more airborne illnesses resulting in increased sick time A shift in perceptions of care resulting in lower patient…Read More
