In the News


Niacin added to statin therapy doesn't reduce cardiovascular events, study finds

Adding niacin to statin therapy didn't reduce cardiovascular events in high-risk patients despite improvements in cholesterol levels, a new study found.

Survey shows potential gaps in oncologists' pain management practices

Oncologists may not always adequately treat pain in cancer patients, according to a recent survey.

MKSAP Quiz: interventions to decrease risk of surgical site infection

This week's quiz asks readers to evaluate a 55-year-old man with a history of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Hypertension in young adulthood increases later mortality risk

Elevated blood pressure in early adulthood is associated with a greater risk of death decades later, including overall mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, although not from stroke, a study found.

In-person and remote programs lead to weight loss in primary care

More than a third of obese patients successfully achieved significant weight loss in two different two-year programs led by primary care physicians and funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Thrombolysis may benefit acute ischemic stroke patients with diabetes and prior stroke

Thrombolysis appeared to benefit patients with acute ischemic stroke who had concomitant diabetes or a history of stroke, according to a new study.

Draft criteria on medication use in older adults posted for public comment

The American Geriatrics Society has released an updated draft of its Beers criteria for potential inappropriate medication use in older adults and is calling for public comment.

CMS delays version 5010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that it will not initiate enforcement action related to noncompliance with the version 5010 electronic claims transaction standards until 90 days after the Jan. 1, 2012 compliance date. This effectively moves the enforcement date to March 31, 2012.

P.O. boxes no longer permitted as billing provider address

Beginning in 2012, clinicians will no longer be permitted to use post office boxes or lock boxes as billing provider addresses.

The next issue of ACP Hospitalist is online

The November issue of ACP Hospitalist is now online.

Correction to a previous issue

An item in the Nov. 15 ACP InternistWeekly required correction.

And the winner is …

ACP InternistWeekly has tallied the voting from its latest cartoon contest, where readers are invited to match wits against their peers to provide the most original and amusing caption.