Category Archives: Health

From the NYT: “Meditation has long been used to induce calm and physical relaxation. But research on its potential uses for treating medical problems “is still in its very early stages,” and designing trials can be challenging, said Richard J. … Continue reading →

Some folks have asked if there was a video of today’s end-of-live choices discussion. A video wasn’t done but this is a presentation done recently at Town Hall. Talk at Seattle’s Town Hall about planning for the end of our … Continue reading →

At the end-of-life choices discussion this afternoon, the subject of VSED was raised. Stopping eating and drinking as a means of exiting this world is probably as old as mankind itself and may occur much more often in nursing homes … Continue reading →

Pneumonia is defined as an inflammation of lung tissue which is most commonly caused by an infectious agent. Not at all uncommon, it’s often just a nuisance. Take a Z-pack and all’s well when we have so-called walking pneumonia. We … Continue reading →

by David Arterburn, MD, MPH, senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute and affiliate professor in the University of Washington School of Medicine “In a large study of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients around the country, we found that those who … Continue reading →

From Dick Dion and the Puget Sound Business Journal: “Washington state hospitals and care facilities are known for providing some of the best care in the nation — when it comes to treating patients. But a new report actually ranks … Continue reading →

This rather mysterious condition is well presented in this NIH document. Here’s a brief excerpt: “Several large studies have shown that eye pressure is a major risk factor for optic nerve damage. In the front of the eye is a … Continue reading →

“Change can come slowly in medicine, but it does come. In 2013, the American Geriatrics Society updated its recommendations against feeding tubes for older patients with advanced dementia. The Choosing Wisely campaign, which publishes lists of procedures and tests that … Continue reading →

Epinephrine has been around for decades. In the ER’s it comes in simple ampules. but for home use in emergencies, it’s packaged in pre-loaded syringes. This is vital for kids with allergies to such things as peanuts, and also to … Continue reading →

There are only two countries in the world that permit direct advertising to the general public which promote prescription medications – New Zealand and the USA. In an Op-ed to the NYT, a grieving husband writes about the loss of his … Continue reading →

There’s pretty good evidence that we are overdoing some tests and procedures. These not only add to expense but may cause harm. Group Health’s MacColl Institute is doing something about this with patient and provider education. If you want to … Continue reading →

If you want to see what an angel looks like, look at a baby. But if you want to know what an angel does, learn about the Hospice nurse – and the caregivers. Meg Harkins let me know about the … Continue reading →

Alice Mailloux passed me an article from the WSJ about the antimicrobial effects of copper. For example, “Since receiving a grant to install copper surfaces in Pullman Regional Hospital in Pullman, Wash., Ed Harrich, director of surgical services there, said … Continue reading →

Did you know that claims for supplements don’t have to be verified by the FDA? Did you know that some can make you sick? Did you know that the ingredients on the label may not even be in the supplement? … Continue reading →

The next CPR/AED training for residents is scheduled for September 13th. The sign-up sheet is in the binder in the lobby. This excellent training for sudden cardiac arrest is held by Medic II, which has trained thousands in the Washington … Continue reading →

From the Wall Street Journal: “For decades physicians and other experts in sports medicine have theorized that a cramp was the result of a muscle that was dehydrated, or starved of electrolytes, or suffering tears in its micro-fibers and cell membranes. … Continue reading →