Top stories in health and medicine, July 25, 2014

From MedPage Today: Vitamin D Megadoses Safe in Frail Elderly. Giving a very high dose of vitamin D — 20,000 IU per week — to older patients in nursing homes keeps them sufficient in the vitamin and appears to be safe. Medicare Tests Exceptions to 3-Day Rule. Medicare officials have allowed patients at dozens of hospitals participating in pilot projects across the country to be exempted from the controversial requirement that limits nursing home coverage to seniors admitted to a hospital for at least 3 days. Acetaminophen Fails in Back Pain Trial. The use of acetaminophen for acute low-back pain was no more effective than placebo, with similar times to recovery regardless of whether the drug was taken regularly or as needed. Study Quantifies Cancer Risk of Morcellation. One of every 368 women treated with a power morcellator had unsuspected uterine cancer identified during or after their procedures, a review of more than 200,000 patients showed. Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: News Cancer Endocrinology orthopedics Source Type: blogs