E-Prescribing Decreases Medication Errors In Hospitals

A study published in this week's PLoS Medicine shows that commercial electronic prescribing systems (commonly known as e-prescribing, in which prescribers use a computer to order medications for their patients through a system with the help of prompts, aids, and alerts) could substantially reduce prescribing error rates in hospital in-patients.

In the study, led by Professor Johanna Westbrook from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, the authors studied the introduction of the Cerner Millennium e-prescribing system into one ward in one hospital (Hospital A), and used three other wards as controls. At another hospital, the authors compared the error rates on two wards before and after the introduction of the e-prescribing system iSoft MedChart.

The study looked at both procedural (e.g., incomplete, unclear medication orders) and clinical (e.g., wrong dose, wrong drug) orders, and rated the severity of the errors (minor to serious). The researchers found that on the three intervention wards where an e-prescribing system was implemented the procedural prescribing error rates fell by over 90%.

The researchers found that serious clinical errors declined significantly by 44% on the three wards that used the e-prescribing system whereas the serious clinical error rate fell by 16.7% in control wards that did not get the system.

The overall rate of clinical errors (those rated as minor to serious combined) did not fall due to the fact that the e-prescribing systems unwittingly introduced some new types of errors called "system-related errors." These included, for example, when a prescriber accidently selected the wrong drug from a drop-down menu item. These system-related errors accounted for 35% of errors occurring in the intervention wards.

These findings are important as medication errors using hand-written scripts (for example, prescribing the wrong drug or giving a drug by the wrong route), frequently occur in health-care settings and are responsible for thousands of deaths every year.

The authors admit that the study has limitations, such as the lack of randomization and lack of control wards in Hospital B, but conclude: "Implementation of these commercial e-prescribing systems resulted in significant reductions in prescribing error rates with a significant decline in serious errors observed."

For Reduce Pain Massages Base on Science Can help

According to a study published online in Science Translational Medicine by researchers from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, massages aid the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle, and help to reduce inflammation. Many athletes would attest to the fact that massages help in treating pain, and speed up recovery, but now scientists have the evidence to go along with their testimonies.

The researchers looked at the genetic data of muscle biopsies taken from 11 young men's quadriceps after strenuous exercise sessions on a stationary bike. One of the 11 men was chosen to have one of his legs massaged. Prior to the massage, biopsies had been taken of both legs, another was taken 10 minutes after the massage, and the third, 2.5 hours later.

Massage therapy is the 5th most globally used form of alternative medicine - with about 18 million people taking part in massage therapy methods. Although there have been studies that say long-term massage therapy can help with range of motion and chronic pain, the biological benefits of massage for skeletal tissue were previously unclear.

This study was funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, and a donation from the Warren Lammert family.

Fruit And Vegetables Consumption Responsible for Skin Tone

Most people know eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is good for long term health, but unfortunately, not that many actually consume the recommended daily amount. Now scientists at the University of St Andrews in the UK are hoping to appeal to another motivator: vanity. They report in a study published recently in the American Journal of Public Health, that eating more fruit and vegetables can change skin tone, lending it a healthier glow, within a matter of weeks.

Apparently it is all down to carotenoids, the orangey-red pigments found in fruits and vegetables.

Study supervisor Professor David Perrett and colleagues found that just two extra portions of fruit and veg a day for six weeks was enough to cause a detectable change in skin tone.

For the study, they recruited 35 students and followed their diet and changes in skin colour over 6 weeks. They also monitored how much of a change in skin colour had to take place before it was noticed by others.

The results showed that participants that increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables over the observation period showed a change in skin colour, toward more of a golden healthy glow. Those whose diet went the other way, with less fruit and veg, showed a reduction in skin tone.

In a media statement released this week, lead author Ross Whitehead, a researcher at St Andrews, said:

"People who eat more fruit and vegetables have a 'golden' skin tone that looks healthy and attractive. Our latest research finds that even small improvements in diet produces visible benefits to skin colour."

He said they were very surprised at how quickly the change occured.

Perrett said:

"Although skin colour varies markedly across the world, we find similar effects across different cultures - for Asians and Europeans alike a good diet is associated with an attractive skin tone."

"The message that a good diet improves skin colour could improve health across the globe," he added.

The researchers note that 75% of Britons do not eat the goverment-recommended "5 a Day": five portions of fruit and/or vegetables. They say this is particularly shocking when you consider that the UK recommendations are lower than those of many other countries: for instance in the US, the government suggests active men should be eating up to "13 a day". However, the Americans appear to be faring as poorly as the Brits in turning the ideal into reality.

Perhaps it is time to appeal to vanity, or something that will yield tangible benefit in a shorter time, argue the researchers.

Co-author Dr Gozde Ozakinci lectures in Health Psychology at St Andrews. He said:

"Appearance can be a powerful motivator. It is being used in other health campaigns to persuade people to avoid smoking, excessive sun exposure and alcohol consumption, all of which may speed up ageing. Our research points to the different benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables on a healthy skin appearance."

Whitehead said:

"Most of us know we should eat plenty of fruit and veg, yet we are not sufficiently motivated to actually go ahead and eat a healthy diet.Government strategies aimed at improving diet typically only offer information about why a healthy diet is good for us. These strategies have, so far, had no real impact on the nation's eating habits."

"We hope that by highlighting the rapidly achievable benefits of a healthy diet on our attractiveness will be a stronger incentive for people to eat more healthily. Knowing you are going to look more attractive in a few weeks may be more persuasive than the promise of health benefits later in life," he added.

He and his colleagues conclude:

"This approach represents a novel direction for the field and is potentially suitable for cost-effective, population-level dissemination through the visual media."

The researchers believe eating much larger amounts of fruit and vegetables could make skin take on an even healthier glow in the long run.

They are currently carrying out trials in Scotland, investigating whether people can be persuaded to change their diets if they can see the positive changes that result.

Funds from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Unilever Research & Development USA are helping to pay for the study, while Perrett leads it under a British Academy Wolfson Research Professorship.

sugary drinks: 1 out of 2 Americans drink every day

When it was first invented, soda pop was a treat most people had once in a while for special occasions. Now it's a daily fixture in American life -- in bright containers glowing inside vending machines, chugged from 32-ounce bucket-like containers at self-service stations and served as the default beverage in fast-food meals. In today's carbonation nation, half of the U.S. population over age 2 consumes sugary drinks daily, according to a report released by National Center for Health Statistics. The sugary drinks include sodas, sweetened waters, and energy, sports and fruit beverages. Not included in the total were diet drinks, 100% fruit juices, sweetened teas and flavored milk. The report states that sugary drinks have been linked to "poor diet quality, weight gain, obesity, and in adults, type 2 diabetes." Male teens are the most frequent consumers and guzzle about 252 to 273 calories every day from various drinks, the report says. Their one-day consumption is more than half the weekly intake suggested by the American Heart Association, which recommends no more than three 12-ounce cans of soda in one week (equivalent to 450 calories). The consumption of such sugary drinks has increased over the last 30 years, the report stated. A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that soda drinking for youths between the ages of 6 and 17 was at 37% in the 1970s and then 56% in the 1990s. This latest research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that from 2005 to 2008, consumption increased again. "If you look at male children, 70% consume on a given day," said lead author Cynthia Ogden, a CDC epidemiologist who specializes in obesity. The analysis was based on 17,000 participants who were asked to recall what they ate in the last 24 hours in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The American Beverage Association denied that its products fueled obesity: "Contrary to what may be implied ... sugar-sweetened beverages are not driving health issues like obesity and diabetes." It pointed to market data indicating that the calories in beverages decreased by 21% from 1998 to 2008, while obesity rates climbed. It also stated that sugar-sweetened beverages account for 7% of calories in the average American diet. "That means Americans get 93 percent of their calories from other foods and beverages," the group stated. The latest CDC research released Wednesday also found similar results: Kids and teens get about 6.7% to 8.2% of their daily caloric intake from the beverages, and adults get about 5% to 8%. But the extra calories from drinks could add several pounds every year, said Marisa Moore, a nutritionist. "A lot of times, people don't think of beverages as part of their daily total calories," she said. "When I think about soda drinking -- in general, it provides empty calories. It takes the place of more nutritious options." She suggested alternatives like water, sparkling water, tea and skim milk. The CDC's report found major differences in soda consumption depending on race, sex and income level. In every age category, males consumed more sugary drinks than females. This could be because males consume more calories than females, Ogden said. In terms of race, black children got about 8.5% of their total daily calories from sugary drinks, compared with 8.2% for Mexican-American and 7.7% for white children. Black adults received 8.6% of their daily calories from sugary drinks, and the figure was 8.2% for Mexican-Americans and 5.3% for whites. There was also a direct association between income level and sugary beverage consumption. Adults living in a family of four earning approximately $29,000 per year got 8.8% of their daily calories from sugary drinks, compared with 4.4% for those who earned about $77,000. Last year, New York attempted to end subsidizing the purchase of sodas in the food stamps program, saying the benefits were used to fuel a serious public health problem. But this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture rejected the city's proposal, citing agency concerns that "the scale and scope" of banning soda would be "too large and complex." The Big Apple has actively campaigned for soda reduction with a stomach-churning ad that likened drinking soda to chugging dollops of fat. The recent CDC report also found that while half of the population doesn't drink sugary beverages, about 25% consumes amounts of the drinks that total fewer than 200 calories per day. About 5% drink about 567 calories on any given day, which amounts to more than four 12-ounce cans of cola. Sugary drinks became ingrained in American daily life because of effective ad campaigns, fast-food restaurants and increased serving sizes, said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest. But the tides are turning, he said. The group announced a campaign Wednesday called Life's Sweeter to nationally organize civic associations, minority groups and religious communities to reduce soda consumption. "There's pretty much a consensus among health officials that soft drinks are a major cause of obesity," Jacobson said. Boston's government buildings have banned soda, several public school systems have kicked them out of their campuses, and the Cleveland Clinic has stopped selling the beverages in its hospitals. "There's a real movement in that direction, and the soda industry recognizes this and is diversifying away from traditional carbonated drinks to bottled water and noncarbonated things like energy drinks and sports drinks," Jacobson said. "The soft drink industry is very nervous and will diversify to maintain their profits." While energy drinks and sports drinks may have fewer calories and less sugar, they enjoy health halos that are not warranted, he said. Pediatricians: No energy drinks for kids; greatly limit use of sports drinks Dr. Sandeep Gupta, director of the Pediatric Overweight Education and Research Program at Indiana University Health, said it's easy to be misled by drink labels. "Many times, they don't know," he said about his pediatric patients who guzzle sugar-sweetened beverages with labels touting vitamins and antioxidants. "The marketing is so skewed. 'Get your 100% vitamin C, juice.' They don't tell you how much sugar is there. Look at the back, not the front of the package."

In Common Foods, Cold and Flu Treatments Can Be Found

In Common Foods, Cold and Flu Treatments Can Be Found

Autumn is here and with it brings dropping temperatures, wind, rain, and the possibility of cold and flu. While there is no known cure for either, your kitchen is stocked with many foods that can help relieve symptoms and speed your recovery.

Lemonade: This is wonderful to soothe sore throats, cleanse the blood, and loosen mucous. Add the juice of half a lemon and one teaspoon of maple syrup to a cup of warm water.

Chicken Soup: Use of chicken soup goes back to the twelfth century, to a Jewish physician and philosopher, Maimonides, who recommend chicken soup to treat colds and flu.

Mustard: Mustard packs reduce fever, eliminate toxins and help heal the mucus membranes in the lungs.

Ginger: Ginger tea can help kill germs, as an antiviral and is also very good for an upset stomach. 
Boil two tablespoons of grated fresh ginger in two cups of water for fifteen minutes, remove from the heat and steep for ten minutes. 
Drink as needed. Adding ginger to a bath stimulates the lymph and speeds lymph drainage. Pulverize a quarter cup of fresh ginger and place in cheesecloth and soak in the tub as water fills.

Garlic: Common household garlic is great as a preventative and as a treatment for colds and flu. 
Raw garlic has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. 
Researchers in England found that garlic can speed up recovery from the flu and increase resistance. Garlic can cause increased bleeding, so those taking medications for bleeding should take care when adding extra garlic to the diet.

Peppermint: Mint tea helps to break a sweat. Make a tea and go quickly to bed where you will sweat out the fever.

Castor Oil: Castor oil pack placed on the chest can open the airwaves and bring circulation to the lungs. Massage Castor oil on the chest, cover with muslin or flannel, and place a warm hot water bottle over the chest.

Oranges and Fruit: Research has shown that Vitamin C found in orange juice, taken daily, can shorten the duration of the flu. 
A recent study showed that 1,000 mg of vitamin C every six hours can effectively relieve, or even prevent, flu symptoms.

Yogurt: 
Acidophilus culture restores intestinal flora.

For Inflammation and Trauma Natural Treatment: Arnica Montana

For Inflammation and Trauma Natural Treatment: Arnica Montana

Arnica Montana is one of the most valuable homeopathic remedies. Also known as Leopard’s bane, this member of the Compositae—or Sunflower —family is used as a specific to reduce bruising and swelling, particularly after physical traumas such as falls or blows. It can be applied in a cream, gel, salve, or tincture, or taken internally.

Used by Native American and Europeans for centuries, Arnica was first described in the sixteenth century by the naturalist Tabernae Montanus, for whom it is named. The plant grows in the mountains in Europe and Siberia, where the grazing goats and oxen eat it. The yellow flowers, which are the medicinal part of the plant, are two to three inches in diameter and look similar to a daisy, hence its name Mountain Daisy. Because Arnica requires specific soil conditions, it has proved difficult to cultivate and the natural supply has become endangered.

Arnica is a wonder drug for treating trauma. It can be used to aid injuries from accidents and hemorrhages, both internal and external. Arnica can be given to treat the acute and chronic effects of injuries, but its main area of effect is for shock and trauma. It offers quick relief of concussions and contusions, aiding in the re-absorption of blood from injured tissues.

Inflammation is a reaction caused by damaged cells. It produces chemicals that cause tissue to swell and dilate. This reaction allows more blood to reach the effected area, to bring nutrients and oxygen to speed healing. This is a healthy reaction, but in times of great trauma, the increase in pressure caused by the swelling can be damaging in itself, for example in head injuries. And when the inflammatory process is continual, as in chronic disease, the swelling begins to deteriorate the tissue because of the continued overheating caused by the inflammation.

Arnica reduces inflammation response and can be used to aid recovery from overuse injuries or for overstrenuous skiing, or other sports related strains. A research project in Switzerland on 204 arthritis patients showed that Arnica gel reduced the pain and increased the function in sufferers. Arnica gel decreased the number of painful joints, and decreased the duration of pain. When patients compared the effects of the Arnica gel to ibuprofen, they preferred the Arnica gel.

Another study showed improvement in osteoarthritis in knee joints after three weeks of using Arnica gel. Arnica has no side effects when used externally, but can cause skin irritation with prolonged usage (peeling, blisters, eczema). It should not be used on broken skin or open wounds.

Risks in Older Women can be posed by Multivitamin and Iron Supplements

Risks in Older Women can be posed by Multivitamin and Iron Supplements

A long-term study has revealed the startling revelation that certain supplements taken by older women could pose a health risk. The nineteen-year study found that women who took supplements, particularly vitamin B-6, folic acid, iron, magnesium, zinc and copper— often found in combination in multivitamins—could increase risk of early death by 6 percent.

The study, out of Finland and published in The Archives of Internal Medicine, followed 38,000 women with an average age of 62, for almost two decades.  Of the group, 85 percent took at least one supplement a day.

At the start of the study, the women reporting use of vitamins and supplements were found to be healthier overall than those women who were not taking regular doses of multivitamins or supplements. In fact, they had healthier diets and were less likely to be overweight or have diabetes or hypertension.

But as time progresses, those supplements may do more harm than good, particularly if they are in a higher dosage than is recommended. High doses of certain supplements can be toxic to the body.

Of particular concern, according to the study, is copper, which poses a 45 percent risk of early death, folic acid (15 percent), Vitamin B and iron (10 percent), and magnesium and zinc (8 percent).

"Looking at our findings, and combined with previous studies, the overall main message is that there are no benefits to taking multivitamins or supplements, at least if the hope is to prolong life or prevent disease or cancer," said coauthor Jaako Mursu, an epidemiologist with the University of Minnesota.

The best bet for a longer, healthier life is good diet and exercise, and eschewing habits such as tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use.