Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Factcheck.org Reviews Vice-Presidential Facts

FactCheck.org: Cheney & Edwards Mangle Facts



Tuesday, October 5, 2004

Let's Be Clear: Edwards Sued Doctors

Just one note on the debate before bed. John Edwards would you have you believe he's proud of representing the underprivileged against drug companies and insurance companies. He may have done some of that, but his specialty was suing doctors; most often for cerebral palsy and 'birth trauma'. (A causality which has been disproved.)

[via Overlawyered]

Harvest of Organs Was 'Homicide'

The Australian: Harvest of organs was 'homicide':

""A US coroner issued a homicide finding yesterday after determining that two hospitals allowed vital organs to be removed from a man before they had proven he was brain dead.

William Rardin's cause of death was "removal of his internal organs by an organ recovery team", ruled coroner Mark Young in Montrose County, Colorado.

He said he did not believe the case should be a criminal matter, but suggested it "should lead to a clarification of what the accepted standard is".

Mr Young said the two hospitals did not follow "accepted medical standards" or meet state guidelines in determining that Rardin, 31, was brain dead after he shot himself last month.""

What were the tests done at the hospital to determine brain death? Splashy headline, but we need more facts to really know what went on.

Donor card, anyone?

Financial Data on 527 Plans

TaxProf Blog has Financial Data on 527 Groups:

[Via Instapundit.com]

Medscape Bioterrorism Resource Center

Medscape maintains an excellent Medscape Bioterrorism Resource Center. Registration does not appear to be required for access to this resource, either.

""This Resource Center provides clinicians with the latest news, reference material, literature selections and continuing education about potential bioterrorism agents. It is designed to help healthcare professionals identify the signs and symptoms of such agents and thus be better prepared to respond in the event of a bioterrorism outbreak.""

Topics covered include:

Anthrax
Smallpox
Plague
Botulism
Tularemia
Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Biotoxins

The question I have to answer is:
a) should I have myself re-vaccinated and
b) should I approach my wife about having our two sons vaccinated.
Any informed opinions are welcomed

.

Brain MRI Successfully Adapted for Intraoperative Use

Brain MRI Successfully Adapted for Intraoperative Use in Germany.

A neurosurgeon's wet dream

FDA Public Health Advisory: Safety of Vioxx

FDA Public Health Advisory: Safety of Vioxx from the FDA and also a FAQ.

As far as I have been able to find out, the results that led to the early termination of the APPROVe trial have not been published. What seems to have happened is that the trial was terminated because interim analysis revealed the increased risk of heart attacks in those taking Vioxx for more than 18 months. Of note is the fact that the study enrolled fewer than three thousand patients, yet still possessed enough power to allow this conclusion, which suggests to me that complications were not rare (in which case a much larger study sample would have been needed to demonstrate this result).

Medscape CME:Alvimopan Shortens Postoperative Ileus

From Medscape CME (registration required): Alvimopan Shortens Postoperative Ileus for 0.25 credits.

The Bomb In My Garden

I just started reading 'The Bomb In My Garden' (Amazon), written by the Iraqi scientist who was formerly the director of Saddam's nuclear centrifuge program. The back cover contains strong recommendations from both James Fallows and David Kay, both of whom are knowledgeable and trustworthy, in my view. Allow me to quote from the preface:

""There was no active nuclear program before the invasion of Iraq. However, Saddam certainly had the capabilities and, it must be presumed, the intention to restart it some day when the world was no longer watching him so closely. As long as tyrants like Saddam are willing to intimidate frightened scientists into doing their bidding, the threat of covert nuclear programs will continue. I hope that my story can help the public understand how such dangerous programs are developed so that they can be stopped wherever possible.""

Even if it takes a bunker-busting nuclear weapon, in my view...



Monday, October 4, 2004

MGHAnes

MGHAnes:

""Skyscape has released MGHAnes™ which is the Skyscape version of Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital, 6th Ed.

The best-selling handbook, Clinical Anesthesia Procedures of the Massachusetts General Hospital, Sixth Edition, is now available in PDA format. This easy-to-navigate handheld reference provides instant access to current, comprehensive, concise, consistent, and clinically relevant guidelines for anesthesia procedures throughout the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. Coverage includes a comprehensive, alphabetical drug appendix, adult and pediatric resuscitation guidelines, malignant hyperthermia protocols, an anesthesia machine checklist, and information on complementary and alternative medicine and end-of-life issues

""

[Via The Palmdoc Chronicles]

Vioxx: How Safe Is FDA Approval?

Vioxx: How Safe Is FDA Approval?:

""The problems with Vioxx, taken off the market last week, raise questions about the Food and Drug Administration's safety review process. Observers say longer clinical trials should be required.""

[Via Wired News]



Sunday, October 3, 2004

Take A Poll, Enter Drawing For iPod

Polling Point is doing a 2004 Media Bias Study. If you have an opinion on the job the mainstream news anchors are doing, why not take a few minutes and give them your opinion...and enter a drawing for a mini iPod Mini at the same time?!

Did Kerry Cheat in First Debate?

"No props, notes, charts, diagrams, or other writings or other tangible things may be brought into the debate by any candidate." So states the memorandum of understanding between the two campaigns regarding the debates. Yet, this video shows John Kerry taking something out of his pocket at the beginning of the debate and placing it on his lectern. Please explain, Mr. Kerry. Perhaps it was a picture of Teresa to inspire you?

is this Kerry cheating?

[via American Daughter]

Menstrual Migraines and Period Control

Menstrual Migraines and Period Control:

" "Not all headaches are created equal: migraine headaches affect more than twice as many women as men. Interestingly, in 60-70% of women, the headaches are related to the menstrual cycle. Period-related headaches that occur from one week to 3 days before the start of your period are called premenstrual migraines. The ones that occur from 3 days before the start of your period to 2 days afterward are called true menstrual migraines....
""

[Via The Well-Timed Period]

What's Michael Moore Up To?

It seems Michael Moore is turning his camera on drug makers and health unsurers.

""Companies have warned their sales representatives to be on the lookout for camera phones and reports of Moore representatives offering $50,000 to doctors' offices to place hidden cameras or $5,000 to sales representatives willing to be filmed, according to a representative of one drug maker, who asked not to be identified.

"Moore's spokesman would not comment on any production activity or allegations of payments to drug company employees.""



Saturday, October 2, 2004

Pennsylvania malpractice roundup

Pennsylvania malpractice roundup:

""The IssuesPA/Pew Poll has found that a remarkable 26 percent of Pennsylvanians polled "said rising malpractice insurance costs have forced their family to change doctors in the past year", and that state residents polled also favored a constitutional cap on pain and suffering damages by a margin of 68 percent to 24 percent...""

[Via Overlawyered]



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