Dec. 26, 2005: Table of Contents

American Medical News vol. 48 no. 48
Top stories - Government - Profession - Business - Opinion - Health - 2005 index

PLEASE NOTE: Access to American Medical News content is restricted. Details

"C. diff could be changing. We don't fully understand why right now," says L. Clifford McDonald, MD, a medical epidemiologist at the CDC and author of a report expressing concern that the organism may be in mid-leap from hospital-based and antibiotic-associated to circulating in the community and affecting low-risk populations.

Hospital-free ED
In the country's fast-growing suburbs, the freestanding emergency department -- without a hospital physically attached -- is the latest wave in medical facilities.
In Business

Remembering Vietnam
It's been 30 years since the United States ended its involvement in the war. Two physicians who participated in the AMA's Volunteer Physicians for Vietnam reflect on their service.
In Profession

Government & Medicine

Most large companies will keep retiree drug benefits -- for now
A government subsidy will help many large employers maintain such plans in 2006, but fewer firms are sure about their plans for future years.

Physicians could face dilemma over New Hampshire abortion law decision
Some doctors question the state's attempt to legislate their medical judgment in an emergency. Other disagree and say the law works.

Government news briefs:

Wis. governor vetoes noneconomic damages caps in medical liability
Florida contingency fee fight continues
Medicare lawsuits filed
Lawmakers investigate QIOs

Professional Issues

Remembering Vietnam: 2 physicians' stories
Nearly 800 doctors volunteered through an AMA program to care for Vietnamese civilians during the Vietnam War. Here are the memories of two of them.

Online CME course proves that it has lasting impact
Researchers track how much physicians actually learned and retained in the domestic violence course.

U.S. physicians create medical campus in India
Now in its third year, the school is in its final phase of construction.

Professional Issues news briefs:

AMA waives fees for members hit by hurricanes
Parents less likely to sue if told about medical errors
Research shows resident work-hour reform doesn't remove all dangers
JCAHO honors quality chief for patient safety leadership

Business

Hospital-free ED: A growing trend
In the country's fast-growing suburbs, the freestanding emergency department -- without a hospital physically attached -- is the latest wave in medical facilities.

Practice Management: Start early to groom doctors as group leaders

Business news briefs:

Blues association forms bank
Orthopedic income grows slightly
Scrushy leaves HealthSouth board

Opinion

The ethics of quarantine: Treading carefully
The AMA Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs offers a timely framework from which physicians can consider their obligations if a crisis triggers implementation of this public health intervention.

Letters:

A terminally ill patient should have the right to decide how and when to die

Health & Science

CDC questions C. difficile's tie to antibiotic use
Judicious antibiotic use and careful hygiene practices, including washing with soap and water, are important in curbing new outbreaks.

Unintended acetaminophen overdoses rising
The drug is viewed as safe when taken at the right dosage, yet many experts are concerned that inadvertent overuse may be too easy.

Health news briefs:

Blood test detects West Nile virus
Hotel chain goes smoke-free
Ads influence what kids want to eat
Minority participation in clinical trials found to be an issue of access

The doctors are in the house
The AMA's House of Delegates is holding its Interim Meeting Nov. 7-10 in Houston, addressing issues such as health system reform and physician payment.
AMA House - Slideshow - Updates