In the News


Missed diagnoses and drug errors make up bulk of primary care malpractice claims

Missed or delayed diagnoses, particularly of cancer and myocardial infarction in adults and meningitis in children, were the most common cause of malpractice claims brought against doctors in primary care, a British meta-analysis of studies performed in different countries found, while medication errors were the second most common reason for claims.

Concomitant aspirin common in afib patients taking oral anticoagulants

Concomitant aspirin use appears common in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are taking oral anticoagulants and is associated with significantly increased bleeding risk, a new study has found.

MKSAP Quiz: 3-week history of fatigue, weight loss

A 58-year old woman is evaluated for a 3-week history of fatigue and weight loss. The patient has no significant medical history and takes no prescription medication, but she does take a daily over-the-counter multivitamin and a calcium supplement. She has a 50-pack-year smoking history. Following a physical exam, lab tests and chest radiograph, what is the most likely cause of her hypercalcemia?

Appropriate use criteria offered for noninvasive vascular tests of more than 100 clinical scenarios

Eleven medical societies drafted detailed criteria to help clinicians optimize the appropriate use of noninvasive vascular tests in patients with known or suspected disorders of the venous system, such as venous insufficiency; varicose veins; blood clots in the leg, arm or abdomen; and pulmonary embolism.

Specialty groups offer guide on which lab tests are best for diagnosing infectious diseases

The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology have published a guide to help physicians determine which tests are most useful in diagnosing infectious diseases.

Education program for prescribing opioids now available

ACP and its curriculum partner Pri-Med have launched “SAFE Opioid Prescribing,” an online training program to educate clinicians about safety and efficacy when prescribing opioids.

IOM report calls for overhaul of nation's health care system

A new report published by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is calling for an overhaul of America's health care system. The report, “Best Care at Lower Cost: The Path to Continuously Learning Health Care in America (2012),” provides evidence that the nation's system is too costly to sustain and suffers from inefficiencies, an overwhelming amount of data, and quality barriers that hinder progress in improving health.

Who's tops at your hospital? Tell us by tomorrow!

ACP Hospitalist is seeking candidates for its sixth annual Top Hospitalists issue in November, which will feature the best and brightest in hospital medicine. Let us know what your colleagues have accomplished in 2013.

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.