Saturday, May 22, 2010
New PubMed Articles 22 May 2010
1.
Frisbie JH, Sharma GV.
Spinal Cord. 2010 May 18. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20479769 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
2.
Concato J, Peduzzi P, Huang GD, O'Leary TJ, Kupersmith J.
J Investig Med. 2010 May 14. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20479661 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
3.
Tracy LA, Furuno JP, Harris AD, Singer M, Langenberg P, Roghmann MC.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 May 17. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20476891 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
4.
Berenguer CM, Ochsner MG Jr, Lord SA, Senkowski CK.
J Am Coll Surg. 2010 May;210(5):737-41, 741-3.PMID: 20421041 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
5.
Hawn MT, Snyder CW, Graham LA, Gray SH, Finan KR, Vick CC.
J Am Coll Surg. 2010 May;210(5):648-55, 655-7.PMID: 20421023 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
Edelman EJ, Gordon K, Justice AC.
AIDS Behav. 2010 May 20. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20490910 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
6.
Woodhead C, Rona RJ, Iversen AC, Macmanus D, Hotopf M, Dean K, McManus S, Meltzer H, Brugha T, Jenkins R, Wessely S, Fear NT.
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2010 May 20. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20490456 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
7.
Hynes DM, Tarlov E, Durazo-Arvizu R, Perrin R, Zhang Q, Weichle T, Ferreira MR, Lee T, Benson AB, Bhoopalam N, Bennett CL.
J Clin Oncol. 2010 May 20;28(15):2571-6. Epub 2010 Apr 20.PMID: 20406940 [PubMed - in process]Related citations
Friday, May 21, 2010
Diagnostic Technique for PTSD?
Patterns of Altered Cortical Perfusion and Diminished Subcortical Integrity in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A MRI Study. 05/21/2010. . In conclusion, PTSD is associated with a systematic pattern of physiological and structural abnormalities in predominantly frontal lobe and limbic brain regions. Structural, perfusion and diffusion MRI together may provide a signature for a PTSD marker. NeuroImage via PubMed
Orthopedic Trauma and Chronic Pain - Psychological Influences
Psychological Influences Predict Chronic Pain Following Orthopedic Injuries 05/21/2010. Can long-term pain and disability be predicted in individuals recovering from non-life-threatening orthopedic injuries? A team of Australian researchers writing in The Journal of Pain, the peer review journal of the American Pain Society, says yes and believes psychological factors, such as pessimism about recovery and depression, are major predictors of chronic pain in trauma patients. American Pain Society via Medical News Today
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Veterans and Disability for Alcohol or Drug Addiction
Veterans can receive Secondary VA Disability for Alcohol or Drug Addiction 05/20/2010. For VA claims purposes, there are 3 possible categories of disabilities involving alcohol or drug abuse. (Pay particular attention to the difference between “PRIMARY” and “SECONDARY” DISABILITES):
(1) The first category is PRIMARY alcoholism or drug abuse disability that develops during service. PRIMARY refers to an alcohol or drug abuse disability that arose during service from voluntary and willful abuse of alcohol or drugs. OBRA 1990 bars an award of service connection for the “primary” disability of alcoholism or drug addiction. OBRA 1990 also restricts the payment of compensation for secondary disabilities, such as cirrhosis of the liver, that result from PRIMARY alcohol or drug abuse disability…
(2) The second category is alcoholism or drug abuse disability that develops SECONDARY to a service-connected condition. OBRA 1990 DOES NOT RESTRICT service connection and the payment of disability compensation for these disabilities. When alcoholism or drug abuse disability is determined to be SECONDARY to, that is, caused by or aggravated by, a service-connected disability under 38 CFR SECTION 3.310(A), SECONDARY SERVICE CONNECTION MAY BE GRANTED and disability compensation may be paid for the alcoholism or drug abuse disability.
(3) The third category includes disabilities that RESULT FROM or are AGGRAVATED BY, the SECONDARILY SERVICE-CONNECTED ALCOHOLISM or DRUG ABUSE DISABILITY. If service connection is granted for alcoholism or drug abuse on a SECONDARY basis because it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, then any disability SECONDARY to the alcoholism MAY ALSO BE AWARDED SERVICE CONNECTION and COMPENSATION PAID for the conditions that are SECONDARY to the SECONDARILY SERVICE-CONNECTED “ALCOHLISM” or “DRUG ADDICTION.” For example, if a Veteran suffers from alcoholism SECONDARY to his PTSD were to develop CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER due to his ALCHOLISM, the Veteran should be able to receive SERVICE CONNECTION and the PAYMENT OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION for the CIRRHOSIS as a SECONDARY SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY. And as noted above, the Veteran may achieve eligibility for other VA benefits, and any survivors could be entitled to certain benefits, should the Veteran die as a result of the CIRRHOSIS… Veterans Today
(1) The first category is PRIMARY alcoholism or drug abuse disability that develops during service. PRIMARY refers to an alcohol or drug abuse disability that arose during service from voluntary and willful abuse of alcohol or drugs. OBRA 1990 bars an award of service connection for the “primary” disability of alcoholism or drug addiction. OBRA 1990 also restricts the payment of compensation for secondary disabilities, such as cirrhosis of the liver, that result from PRIMARY alcohol or drug abuse disability…
(2) The second category is alcoholism or drug abuse disability that develops SECONDARY to a service-connected condition. OBRA 1990 DOES NOT RESTRICT service connection and the payment of disability compensation for these disabilities. When alcoholism or drug abuse disability is determined to be SECONDARY to, that is, caused by or aggravated by, a service-connected disability under 38 CFR SECTION 3.310(A), SECONDARY SERVICE CONNECTION MAY BE GRANTED and disability compensation may be paid for the alcoholism or drug abuse disability.
(3) The third category includes disabilities that RESULT FROM or are AGGRAVATED BY, the SECONDARILY SERVICE-CONNECTED ALCOHOLISM or DRUG ABUSE DISABILITY. If service connection is granted for alcoholism or drug abuse on a SECONDARY basis because it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, then any disability SECONDARY to the alcoholism MAY ALSO BE AWARDED SERVICE CONNECTION and COMPENSATION PAID for the conditions that are SECONDARY to the SECONDARILY SERVICE-CONNECTED “ALCOHLISM” or “DRUG ADDICTION.” For example, if a Veteran suffers from alcoholism SECONDARY to his PTSD were to develop CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER due to his ALCHOLISM, the Veteran should be able to receive SERVICE CONNECTION and the PAYMENT OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION for the CIRRHOSIS as a SECONDARY SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY. And as noted above, the Veteran may achieve eligibility for other VA benefits, and any survivors could be entitled to certain benefits, should the Veteran die as a result of the CIRRHOSIS… Veterans Today
Three New VAOIG Reports
Audit of Oversight of Patient Transportation Contracts Report Number 09-01958-155, 5/17/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Combined Assessment Program Review of the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Saginaw, Michigan Report Number 09-03276-154, 5/18/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Inspection of the VA Regional Office Albuquerque, NM Report Number 10-00935-156, 5/20/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Combined Assessment Program Review of the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Saginaw, Michigan Report Number 09-03276-154, 5/18/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Inspection of the VA Regional Office Albuquerque, NM Report Number 10-00935-156, 5/20/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
GAO's Testimony on VA's Information Security Issues
Information Security: Veterans Affairs Needs to Resolve Long-Standing Weaknesses, by Gregory C. Wilshusen, director, information security issues, and Valerie C. Melvin, director, information management and human capital issues, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. GAO-10-727T, May 19. Highlights
New VA Health Kiosk for Veterans' Self-Assessment
VA to develop clinical kiosk for patient self assessment 05/20/2010. The Veterans Affairs Department plans to develop a kiosk-based system for its mental health clinics that would allow patients who have limited computer literacy or cognitive disabilities to conduct self-assessments of their conditions. With the audio and Web-based system, patients would sit at kiosks in VA health centers and, using a console and browser, conduct the assessment as part of their routine mental health care. Government Health IT
VA Health Service Contractor Contributed to Recent Data Breach
VA ramps up enforcement of contractor data security 05/20/2010. The Veterans Affairs Department will step up enforcement of its contractors to make certain that they meet information security requirements in protecting veterans’ personal health data. VA includes a clause in its contracts requiring information security safeguards, including encryption and policies limiting who can access personal data. But that is no guarantee that vendors follow through, said VA senior IT and procurement officials at a hearing May 19 of the House Veterans Affair Committee subcommittee on oversight and investigations. The hearing occurred in the aftermath of the April 22 theft in Texas of a laptop with the personal information of 644 veterans from the vehicle of an employee of a health services contractor. Government Health IT
Details of Recent VA Data Breach
VA data breaches involve records of more than 3,800 vets 05/20/2010. More than 3,800 veterans had their personal information compromised last month in two data breaches that have led to renewed criticism of the Veterans Affairs Department's data security.
On April 22, an unencrypted laptop belonging to VA contractor Heritage Health Solutions was stolen from a vehicle, compromising the records of more than 600 veterans, Rep. Harry Mitchell, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on oversight, said at a hearing Wednesday. And on April 24, a log book vanished from a medical lab that contained the records of 3,265 veterans. Both incidents were related to VA facilities in Texas. Federal Times
On April 22, an unencrypted laptop belonging to VA contractor Heritage Health Solutions was stolen from a vehicle, compromising the records of more than 600 veterans, Rep. Harry Mitchell, chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs subcommittee on oversight, said at a hearing Wednesday. And on April 24, a log book vanished from a medical lab that contained the records of 3,265 veterans. Both incidents were related to VA facilities in Texas. Federal Times
Suicide Rates in the Air Force on the Decline
Air Force Prevention Program reduces suicide rates significantly 05/20/2010. The U.S. Air Force Suicide Prevention Program (AFSPP) has reduced suicide rates significantly since it was launched in 1996, according to a new study that examined almost three decades of data. American Journal of Public Health via PhysOrg.com
New TBI and Mental Health Center for Veterans and Service Members in Bethesda
New TBI, mental health center to open in June 05/20/2010. A new 72,000-square-foot center for treatment of service members and veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and psychological health conditions will open June 24 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. The National Intrepid Center of Excellence, to be funded by private donations, is a project of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a nonprofit organization begun by the Fisher family for supporting service members and their families. Army Times
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
New PubMed Articles 19 May 2010
1.
Atchison EA, Gridley G, Carreon JD, Leitzmann MF, McGlynn KA.
Int J Cancer. 2010 Apr 5. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20473855 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
2.
Egede LE, Mueller M, Echols CL, Gebregziabher M.
Med Care. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20473215 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
3.
Johnson PJ, Carlson KF, Hearst MO.
Med Care. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20473210 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
4.
Byers MG, Allison KM, Wendel CS, Lee JK.
5.
Lynch JR, Frankovich E, Tetrick CA, Howard AD.
Am J Med Qual. 2010 May 14. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20472818 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
6.
Borkon MJ, Zaydfudim V, Carey CD, Brophy CM, Guzman RJ, Dattilo JB.
Ann Vasc Surg. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20471791 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
7.
Jafari-Saraf L, Gordon IL.
Ann Vasc Surg. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20471788 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
8.
Jakupcak M, Tull MT, McDermott MJ, Kaysen D, Hunt S, Simpson T.
Addict Behav. 2010 Apr 14. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20471180 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
9.
Lewis G.
Lancet. 2010 May 12. [Epub ahead of print] No abstract available. PMID: 20471077 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
10.
Samet JM, McMichael GH 3rd, Wilcox AJ.
11.
Lynch CP, Strom JL, Egede LE.
12.
Bikson K, McGuire J, Blue-Howells J, Seldin-Sommer L.
Soc Work Health Care. 2009 Nov;48(8):736-49.PMID: 20182986 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
13.
Fareed A, Casarella J, Roberts M, Sleboda M, Amar R, Vayalapalli S, Drexler K.
Using Wii to Improve Balance After TBI
Kansas State University researchers have found that Nintendo's Wii Fit helped improve balance for a solider with a traumatic brain injury, a problem many soldiers are facing after serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Kansas State University via PhysOrg.com
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Coming Soon on PBS: The Wounded Platoon
The wounded platoon 05/18/2010. Since the Iraq War began, soldier arrests in the city of Colorado Springs, Colo., have tripled. At least 36 servicemen based at the nearby Army post of Fort Carson have committed suicide, and 14 Fort Carson soldiers have been charged or convicted in at least 11 killings. Many of the most violent crimes involved men who had served in the same battalion in Iraq. Three of them came from a single platoon of infantrymen. FRONTLINE tells the dark tale of the men of 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry, and how the war followed them home. It is a story of heroism, grief, vicious combat, depression, drugs, alcohol and brutal murder; an investigation into the Army's mental health services; and a powerful portrait of what multiple tours and post-traumatic stress are doing to a generation of young American soldiers. Frontline
VAOIG Review of Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Saginaw, Michigan
Combined Assessment Program Review of the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Saginaw, Michigan Report Number 09-03276-154, 5/18/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
New PubMed Articles 18 May 2010
1.
Offen N, Smith EA, Malone RE.
Am J Public Health. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20466954 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
2.
Chou MM, Ke YM, Wu HC, Tsai CP, Ho ES, Ismail H, Jaraquemada JM.
3.
Mancino M, Curran G, Han X, Allee E, Humphreys K, Booth BM.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2010 May;36(3):155-60.PMID: 20465373 [PubMed - in process]Related citations
4.
Matthieu MM, Welch B, Morrow-Howell N, Proctor E, Nickel M, Navarro J, Moon A.
Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2010 Apr;40(2):125-32.PMID: 20465347 [PubMed - in process]Related citations
5.
Karel MJ, Gurrera RJ, Hicken B, Moye J.
6.
George TJ Jr, Laplant KD, Walden EO, Davis AB, Riggs CE, Close JL, George SN, Lynch JW.
7.
Norman SB, Wilkins KC, Tapert SF, Lang AJ, Najavits LM.
8.
Carrión-Baralt JR, Suárez-Pérez E, del Rio R, Moore K, Silverman JM.
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Apr;58(4):798-9. No abstract available. PMID: 20398171 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
9.
Kaye EK, Valencia A, Baba N, Spiro A 3rd, Dietrich T, Garcia RI.
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Apr;58(4):713-8.PMID: 20398152 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
10.
Rudolph JL, Inouye SK, Jones RN, Yang FM, Fong TG, Levkoff SE, Marcantonio ER.
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010 Apr;58(4):643-9. Epub 2010 Mar 22.PMID: 20345866 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
11.
Lin PJ, Maciejewski ML, Paul JE, Biddle AK.
Am J Manag Care. 2010 Mar;16(3):191-8.PMID: 20225914 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free ArticleRelated citations
12.
Copeland LA, Berg GD, Johnson DM, Bauer RL.
Am J Manag Care. 2010 Mar;16(3):158-65.PMID: 20225911 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free ArticleRelated citations
Book Review: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Basic Science and Clinical Practice
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Basic Science and Clinical Practice 05/18/2010.This is an exceptionally well-written and edited text, with a fine selection of chapter authors. Editors Terence Keane and Joseph LeDoux have reputations as international experts in the areas of clinical assessment and treatment and the underlying cortical and subcortical processes that are disrupted in patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Priyattam Shiromani is a well-known researcher in the areas of sleep, neural circuitry, and molecular neuroscience. The text is divided into 6 sections: "Amygdala and Fear," "Animal Models of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Arousal," "Stress Hormones in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," "Brain Imaging in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," and "Treatment Strategies." The subtitle sounds more balanced than the actual content of the book. Of the 18 chapters, only 3 deal exclusively with treatment strategies, and one of these addresses virtual reality therapy, an experimental approach that currently has not achieved acceptance in mainstream clinical work. JAMA
Soft Tissue Stress Monitor
Finding the soft spot 05/18/2010. There's currently no reliable tool to help prosthetic developers fit artificial limbs without ensuing discomfort or pain, or tell medical personnel when bed-ridden patients need to be moved to avoid bedsores and other problems.
But help is now on the way. Prof. Amit Gefen of Tel Aviv University's Department of Biomedical Engineering has developed the prototype for a new device he calls the Soft Tissue Stress Monitor, designed to alleviate some of the deep tissue damage and problems suffered by the amputated and infirm. The science behind his device was recently published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. American Friends of Tel Aviv University
But help is now on the way. Prof. Amit Gefen of Tel Aviv University's Department of Biomedical Engineering has developed the prototype for a new device he calls the Soft Tissue Stress Monitor, designed to alleviate some of the deep tissue damage and problems suffered by the amputated and infirm. The science behind his device was recently published in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering. American Friends of Tel Aviv University
TBI Associated With High Rates of Depression
Study finds high prevalence of depression after traumatic brain injury 05/18/2010. During the year following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury, a majority of patients experienced major depression, according to a study in the May 19 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on mental health. JAMA via PhysOrg
Monday, May 17, 2010
VA To Simplify Agent Orange Claims Process
VA plans to build an Agent Orange disability claims system 05/17/2010. The Veterans Affairs Department plans to build a system to process simplified claims for Vietnam veterans exposed to the toxic chemical Agent Orange, creating its first fully automated disability claims network. The system will support processing for what VA calls Agent Orange presumptive claims, which until March included 12 diseases associated with exposure to the defoliant that was widely used during the Vietnam War. In March, VA issued a notice in the Federal Register informing the public of its intent to add three classes of diseases to that list: certain leukemias, Parkinson's disease and ischemic heart disease. NextGov
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Three New VAOIG Reports
Healthcare Inspection Alleged Quality of Care Issues and Privacy Violations Battle Creek VA Medical Center Battle Creek, Michigan; Report Number 10-00355-153, 5/14/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Combined Assessment Program Review of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Report Number 09-03275-147, 5/13/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Audit of National Call Centers and the Inquiry Routing and Information System; Report Number 09-01968-150, 5/13/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Combined Assessment Program Review of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas; Report Number 09-03275-147, 5/13/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
Audit of National Call Centers and the Inquiry Routing and Information System; Report Number 09-01968-150, 5/13/2010 | Summary | Report (PDF)
New PubMed Articles 16 May 2010
1.
Chew RB, Bryson CL, Au DH, Maciejewski ML, Bradley KA.
J Behav Health Serv Res. 2010 May 13. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20464519 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
2.
Seaman J, Leonard AC, Panos RJ.
Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2010 Apr 7;5:89-97.PMID: 20463890 [PubMed - in process]Related citations
3.
Richardson JD, Thompson JM, Boswall M, Jetly R.
Can Fam Physician. 2010 May;56(5):430-3, e169-73. No abstract available. PMID: 20463271 [PubMed - in process]Related citations
4.
Bartels CM, Bell CL, Shinki K, Rosenthal A, Bridges AJ.
Rheumatology (Oxford). 2010 May 12. [Epub ahead of print]PMID: 20463190 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]Related citations
5.
Adabag AS, Wassif HS, Rice K, Mithani S, Johnson D, Bonawitz-Conlin J, Ward HB, McFalls EO, Kuskowski MA, Kelly RF.
6.
Ebrahimzadeh MH, Hariri S.
7.
Dunn AS, Passmore SR, Burke J, Chicoine D.
8.
Green BN, Johnson CD, Lisi AJ.
Mil Med. 2009 Jun;174(6):vi-vii. No abstract available. PMID: 19585764 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Related citations
Two New Data Breaches of Veterans' Personal Information
VA reports new data breaches 05/16/2010. The Veterans Affairs Department has notified lawmakers of two recent data breach incidents, according to a House committee aide. One breach was a contractor's laptop that was stolen on April 22 and contained unencrypted personal information on 616 veterans. The second breach occurred this month and involved "thousands" of veterans' personal information at a VA facility, according to the congressional source familiar with the breach, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Both incidents occurred in Texas. Federal Times
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