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Public disclosure linked to far fewer payments to physicians

Patients will soon be able to access information about their physicians financial relationships, as a result of The Physician Payment Sunshine Act. It is unclear how this information will affect the patient-physician relationship.

Discussions often don’t occur on use of sedation at the end of life

While most Dutch respondents to a 2011 survey indicated that they initiated open discussions about sedation proactively, American respondents reported fewer such discussions, with most occurring late in the dying process.

"Disclosure gap" remains, despite overall trend toward transparency

Disclosure after medical errors is still not done consistently, partly due to clinicians continued concerns regarding liability exposure.

Workplace violence a growing threat

The video is chilling to anyone, but especially to nurses who can imagine being in exactly the same vulnerable position. A man’s brutal attack on unit nurses at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN, is putting the spotlight on violence in healthcare facilities and the potential harm facing the victims and the hospital.

Hospital reduces alarms by 80% with changes

A pediatric hospital reduced unnecessary alarms by 80% by implementing changes at the bedside. Alarm fatigue has been cited as a significant threat to patient safety.

Study: Physician CPR policy not disproportionately applied

There is no evidence that a policy empowering physicians not to offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is disproportionately applied to vulnerable populations, according to a recent study.

Global health inequity in Ebola treatment is major ethical concern

Ethical concerns involving prevention and treatment of Ebola mirror those surrounding other public health threats in developing countries.

Good communication can prevent end-of-life conflicts

Poor communication between providers and the patient or family is the underlying reason for many ethics consults involving conflicts over end-of-life care.

Is physician interfering with ethics consult? Determine his or her intention

Physicians or other healthcare professionals occasionally try to impede ethical discussions for a variety of reasons.

Updated position statement on feeding tubes in advanced dementia patients

In light of multiple recent studies linking feeding tubes in patients with advanced dementia with numerous treatment burdens and complications, the American Geriatrics Society released an updated position statement in July 2014 on this practice.