Study finds room for improvement in angioplasty, shows what can be done to cut risks

Each year, more than 600,000 Americans have angioplasty procedures to open clogged arteries near their hearts, and treat or prevent a heart attack. But a new study shows that the quality and risk of their treatment can vary widely depending on where they go – and demonstrates how it could be improved. more  

Neuronal receptor response may help explain Alzheimer’s memory loss

Based on laboratory research, scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center have a new theory as to why people with Alzheimer's disease have trouble performing even the simplest memory tasks, such as remembering a family member’s name. more

Children four and younger more likely to be hospitalized after unintentionally swallowing medicines than all other unintentional injuries

Keeping medications out of the easy grasp of children four and younger in the home is a significant health issue in the United States because they are more likely to be hospitalized for unintentionally swallowing medications than other causes of unintentional injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). more  

Influenza vaccination of health-care personnel: Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

This report summarizes recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concerning influenza vaccination of health-care personnel (HCP) in the United States. These recommendations apply to HCP in acute care hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, physician's offices, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics, and to persons who provide home health care and emergency medical services. The recommendations are targeted at health-care facility administrators, infection-control professionals, and occupational health professionals responsible for influenza vaccination programs and influenza infection-control programs in their institutions. HICPAC and ACIP recommend that all HCP be vaccinated annually against influenza. Facilities that employ HCP are strongly encouraged to provide vaccine to their staff by using evidence-based approaches that maximize vaccination rates. more

Public health response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita --- Louisiana, 2005 

On August 24, 2005, Tropical Depression 12 became Tropical Storm Katrina, the 11th named storm of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season (1). Late on August 25, Katrina made initial landfall in south Florida as a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. more

Study finds no evidence the melatonin helps with jet lag or secondary sleep disorders  

There is no evidence that melatonin is effective in treating secondary sleep disorders or preventing jet lag, finds a study published online by the BMJ today. more

Teenagers + kissing = 4 x risk of meningococcal disease

Intimate kissing with multiple partners almost quadruples a teenager’s risk of meningococcal disease, finds a study published online by the BMJ today. more