Antibiotics for the treatment of simple appendicitis: Are we there yet?
by Skeptical Scalpel Here are a few thoughts about the latest chapter in the never-ending debate...
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Author: SkepticalScalpel
What sport is best for achieving greater longevity?
by Skeptical Scalpel Pop quiz: The physical activity associated with prolonging your life the...
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Patients prefer doctors who wear white coats
Over the last few years, controversy about what physicians wear has simmered. The debate has...
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Can common sense be taught?
by Skeptical Scalpel An attempt to teach common sense to computers is underway at the Allen...
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Artificial intelligence in medicine. Not ready for prime time
by Skeptical Scalpel July was an interesting month for artificial intelligence in medicine. A...
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Medical errors will never be 100% eliminated. Here’s why
A patient with progressive neurologic disorder had a gastrojejunal tube placed for feeding. In a...
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What is a “trauma activation” and why does it cost so much?
An 8-month-old baby fell 3 feet and hit his head on a carpeted floor in a San Francisco hotel...
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More doctors in trouble
Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Randal Haworth is accused of “playing hard-core pornography and...
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Can homeopathic sound waves cure Ebola?
An even better question is, “What are homeopathic sound waves?” The inventor of homeopathic sound...
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How are hospitals doing with “Just Culture”?
Just Culture refers to a values-supportive model of shared accountability. It’s a culture...
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Former doctor arrested on fraud charges—again
One time New York orthopedic surgeon Spyros Panos, who served 3 years in federal prison for...
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Charges dropped against surgeon accused of assaulting nurse
Last month in this space, I wrote about “Things doctors should not do—like attacking their nurses”...
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“Officials find NYC hospitals riddled with shocking violations.”
I know it’s only the New York Post, but that headline could not be more misleading: The article...
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Things doctors should not do—like attacking their nurses
Do not [allegedly] assault the nurses. A former nurse at a surgery center affiliated with...
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Things medical personnel should not do
Here are some tips from an experienced former provider—me. Nude Pictures… Do not take nude...
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Going off the deep end about water
The latest water craze has generated a lot of discussion. The New York Times reported that some...
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Can Incident Reports Backfire?
Incident reports are frequently submitted by hospital personnel. Did you ever wonder what happens...
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Ordering unnecessary laboratory tests continues to be a problem
Unnecessary testing wastes money and can lead to further testing. Why does it occur? Almost 60% of...
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Surgeon sued for talking on cell phone during an operation
A surgeon took a Spanish language proficiency test while performing varicose vein surgery on a...
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Patient satisfaction surveys are worthless
For several years, Medicare has tied hospital reimbursement to its definition of quality of care....
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