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Electronic Consultations May Benefit Allergy, Immunology Practice

Electronic consultations have improved care in many medical specialties, but have not yet been studied in allergy/immunology.

Company Reaches $1.4 Billion Settlement in Opioid Treatment Investigation

A drug company has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with the U.S. government over an investigation into the company’s marketing and sales of a prescription drug used to treat opioid addiction.

Health, Economic Burden of Uncontrolled Asthma Projected in the United States

The economic burden of uncontrolled asthma is considerable and is projected to continue increasing.

Kratom Use Associated With Significant Toxicities

The unregulated herbal supplement known as kratom, which is mainly used for self-treating pain or mood disorders in the United States, is associated with significant toxicities.

Disciplinary Action Needed to Curb Use of Unproven Stem Cell Therapies

State medical boards should consider investigating licensees suspected of violating professional standards when providing unproven stem cell interventions, especially those advertising treatment outside their scope of training.

FDA Rejects Dapagliflozin sNDA for Type 1 Diabetes

Dapagliflozin was recently approved for T1D in Europe and Japan.

Contrast Agent Gadavist Approved for Use in Cardiac MRI

Gadolinium-based contrast agents increase the risk for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis among patients with impaired elimination of the drugs.

CDC: Workplace Absenteeism High in 2017/2018 Flu Season

Workplace absenteeism during the high-severity 2017 to 2018 influenza season increased sharply in November and peaked in January, reaching a higher level than the average during the previous five seasons.

Aggressive Debt Collection Techniques Pursued by Several Hospitals

Hospitals with greater financial need are more likely to aggressively pursue debt collection, according to recently published research.

Sugary Beverage Consumption Linked to Increased Cancer Risk

Higher consumption of sugary drinks is associated with an increased risk for overall cancer and breast cancer.

Hospitalized Patients With Pneumonia Often Receive Excess Antibiotics

Patients hospitalized with pneumonia often receive excess antibiotic therapy.

Gaps in Opioid Prescription Patterns of Orthopedic Surgeons Identified

The vast majority of orthopedic surgeons recommend prescribing a nine-day supply of around-the-clock oxycodone doses following commonly performed orthopedic surgeries.

Recommendations for Caring for Those Who Are Incapacitated and Unrepresented

Despite the challenge of decision making for unrepresented patients, few laws or professional organization policy statements offer a solution.

WHO Updates List of Essential Medication for 2019

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for 2019.

President to Sign Order to Improve Kidney Disease Care

Significant changes in how kidney disease is treated in the United States are outlined in an executive order that was signed by President Donald Trump.

Lab Tests Show Experimental Ebola Treatments Effective

Two experimental Ebola treatments being used in the current outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have proved effective in laboratory tests with human cells.

Capping Work Hours in Residency Does Affect Later Outcomes

Exposure of U.S. physicians to work-hour reforms during residency training is not associated with post-training differences in patient mortality, readmissions, or costs of care.

Laboratory Directors Have Notable Financial Relationships With Industry

Researchers suggest that a large proportion of cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology laboratory directors have notable financial relationships with industry.

Disseminated Tuberculosis in Refugees Without HIV: Diagnosis and Treatment

Treating refugee patients with severe disseminated tuberculosis without HIV infection presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

A Characterization of the Neurologic Manifestations in Zika Virus Infection

Neurologic manifestations associated with the Zika virus encompass a large group of clinical neurologic manifestations. Researchers found a modified Rankin scale score may help identify the risk for mechanical ventilation in certain patients with the virus.