Archive for the 'Medicine' Category



Liposuction is a Quick Fix for Excess Fat

Friday 7 August 2009 @ 11:21 am

It was back in the 1980’s when the first successful liposuction procedure was carried out and this changed the way in which we looked at surgical body techniques. Since the 1980’s, liposuction procedures have grown to be more advanced and in our society today it stands as one of the safest as well as one of the most popular body surgeries in the world.

The concept of liposuction is a cosmetic operation with the intention of removing fat from different sites on your body. It is basically the removal of fat cells from your body using a stainless steel tube, known simply as a cannula. There are certain sites where you are able to have this procedure carried out, these sites are generally your abdomen, thighs, buttocks neck and the backs of your arms, the site that you have the procedure carried out on depends which is the prime problem area, however you can have the procedure carried out on various points of your body but there is a limit on the amount of fat this procedure can remove. The amount of fat that can be removed in one session varies depending on a range of factors such as the surgeon that is carrying out the procedure, the patient it is being carried out on and the method that is being used. However in general no more than 10 pounds is really taken in one session.

It is a joint decision between the patient and the surgeon about how much fat should be removed in one session, however there are certain points that need to be kept in mind, for example there are a lot of negative characteristics concerned with removing too much fat such as dents appearing in the skin from where too much suction has been applied. Also the more fat that is taken during one session, the higher your surgical risk.

There is one thing associated with this procedure that you need to keep in mind, this is the fact not everyone will be a good candidate for liposuction. In order to qualify to be a candidate for it you need to be over 18 and have a general good health, so if you have complications such as diabetes, infections or heart problems you won’t be considered to be a candidate for the procedure. It is also important to keep in mind the fact that the older you get the less likely it is that you will be considered for this procedure. The reason I say this is down to the fact as we age our skin losses its elasticity, meaning it will be difficult for your skin to form around your new shape.

The procedure of liposuction is very effective as it removes fat cells from very specific areas of the body and the recovery time from a session of it is generally very quick, meaning you are able to get back into your daily routine in no time. Just remember this isn’t a quick fix option so don’t just start taking care of yourself after the operation, start before and give yourself a new lease of life with the help of liposuction.

Smart Lipo or Laser lipo is safer, easier, and produces more beautiful results than ever before.
Please Visit http://www.laserlipoguide.com/Smartlipo.php

[tags]Smart Lipo, SmartLipo, Laser Lipo[/tags]




Cardiologist Testifies in Favor of Medical Device Safety Bill

Friday 7 August 2009 @ 9:53 am

Congress hearings into a bill that would provide injured patients the right to file a product liability lawsuit against the maker of a malfunctioning device, are continuing.

Dr. William Maisel, who is a cardiologist at Boston’s Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a director of the Medical Device Safety Institute, testified before Congress for a second time in four months, in support of the Medical Device Safety Act of 2009. Dr. Maisel also chairs the Food and Drug Administration’s Circulatory Advisory Committee. He testified that although the FDA does an “exceptional job” of monitoring medical device safety, it cannot be expected to monitor the safety of devices that it has already approved. According to Dr. Maisel, it’s simply not possible for the agency to monitor every single product that it approves. Medical devices are extremely complicated, and while the agency may find sufficient data to approve of a device before distribution in the market, the devices may reveal flaws that only make their presence felt after months and years of wear and tear. These flaws could result in serious injuries, or even death.

In May, Dr. Maisel testified before a House panel in support of the Medical Device Safety Act of 2009. The bill aims to overthrow the immunity that medical device companies enjoy from lawsuits. In Riegel vs. Medtronic, the Supreme Court decided in 2008, that because the device in dispute had been approved by the FDA, the company was immune to product liability lawsuits filed by patients who were injured after using the product. That interpretation has effectively meant that thousands of patients, who have been implanted with devices, have no recourse to civil justice in the event of injuries caused by a malfunctioning medical device.

Medtronic Inc., the company that was at the center of dispute leading to the Supreme Court ruling, has enjoyed immunity from lawsuits that would otherwise have been filed because of defects in pacemakers and Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators (ICDs). Across the country, including California, hundreds of patients have been injured from malfunctioning cardiac devices. In many cases, the device has emitted an electrical shock that was strong enough for the person to suffer serious pain, or even death. Removing the implanted devices requires extremely complicated and specialized surgery, that comes with the risk of failure. Several patients have died in the process of having the defibrillators removed. Other patients, who continue to live with the defibrillator, live in the fear that the electric jolt and the searing pain, will return. These patients have been effectively robbed of the right to hold Medtronic accountable, and to seek justice for their injuries.

California product liability lawyers and patient safety advocates have expressed their strong support for the Medical Device Safety Act of 2009. Even the New England Journal of Medicine has voiced its support for a patient’s rights to sue a company in case of medical injuries. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court held that patients, who have been injured through use of defective pharmaceutical drugs, can hold the drug maker accountable. We hope that patients injured by medical devices will soon have the same right.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims Please visit our website at
trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

[tags]los angeles personal injury lawyers, california accident attorney[/tags]




Laser Liposuction and the Benefits Associated

Thursday 6 August 2009 @ 7:52 pm

Since its introduction to a wide audience back in the 1980’s, liposuction has advanced and is now widely available to patients across the globe. There are now a number of ways in which you can have this procedure carried out as there are now several types of liposuction procedures available; however all of these procedures still work on the same basis, which is they all use an instrument known as a cannula. So what forms of this cosmetic surgery are available to you and which one is the best?

An example of a liposuction procedure that is available to you is known as tumescent, what this procedure involves is an injection of a large amount of anesthetic into the area that is being treated. Another example is ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL). What this procedure does is use sound waves as a means of liquefying the fat before it is then extracted from your body. Power assisted liposuction (PAL) on the other hand approaches the procedure by using what is known as a motor powered cannula. This instrument allows the surgeon to use smaller movements as a means of ensuring that the experience is as comfortable as possible for the patient. All of these are prime example of just how far this cosmetic surgery has been developed; this has however become even more advanced thanks to the introduction of laser liposuction, which is becoming one of the most popular of its kind.

It has been proven that laser liposuction is the safest, easiest and most effective of all procedures available to you. This is thanks to the technology that is involved in it. What is used in this procedure is a tiny cannula combined with sophisticated lasers, this produces a precise outcome while also encouraging your skin to tighten, meaning there is no need to use sutures in the process, keeping scars to a minimum.

There are a number of problem areas that you are able to use this form of the procedure on, some of the most common areas include the chin, stomach (including what have commonly become known as love handles), thighs and upper arms. The procedure can basically be used pretty much anywhere on your body; it is also a lot quicker than other forms of this treatment and instead of using a general anesthetic it simply requires a local anesthetic, meaning in some cases you can have the operation carried out in an hour and be right back into your daily routine.

So we know what pieces of equipment are used in this procedure but just how does it work? What the laser does is break down the membrane of the fat cells in your body so that the oil stored within them will emerge and be broken down by your liver. This is achieved by inserting a 1mm cannula that holds a fiber optic cable into your skin. It is this cable that delivers the laser through to the problem area.

One last point about laser liposuction that makes it stand out from other forms is once the treatment is completed collagen production is boosted ensuring the skin is tightened to leave a firm result, something you don’t get with a standard form of the cosmetic treatment. This is because traditionally it leaves your skin saggy.

Laser liposuction is the choice of many people who are undergoing this cosmetic treatment and by looking at the advantages mentioned above it is easy to see why. So if this is something that you would consider in the future my advice to you is seek laser liposuction as oppose to any alternatives as you get guaranteed results on any part of your body in the quickest time possible and with minimum negative impact on your body.

Smart Lipo or Laser lipo is safer, easier, and produces more beautiful results than ever before.
Please Visit http://www.laserlipoguide.com/Smartlipo.php

[tags]Smartlipo, Smart Lipo, Laser Lipo[/tags]




Why Do People Buy From an Online Pharmacy?

Thursday 6 August 2009 @ 7:00 pm

Purchasing stuff over the internet is becoming more and more popular. It is possible to buy pretty much anything over the internet. Almost everything is possible nowadays over the internet.

In the e-commerce potion of the internet more and more people are becoming involved. Transactions are both big and small. People from all around the world are purchasing stuff over the internet. Online pharmacies are popping up all over the internet and it really is not a big surprise.

As long as you have access to the internet you can purchase your medications online and receive them in a few days. It is easier to purchase over the counter medications over the internet.

There are few issues involved with purchasing over the counter medications online. There are more problems that you’ll encounter then you try to purchase prescription medications over the internet.

There are many online pharmacies that commit fraud by selling people medications that are expired or close to expiring. Many other online pharmacies sell pills at a much higher price.

The thing that the customer does not know is that they just wasted their money on that weren’t what they wanted. These pills will not do anything to you. The pills will not have any effect on you what so ever.

Some people still take advantage of online pharmacies. There are many different reasons to purchase medications over the internet. Medications imported from other countries such as Canada or Mexican are much cheaper than medications that are manufactured in the United States. You can cut the costs of these medications by purchasing them over the internet from an online pharmacy.

Many people purchase medications over the internet because of the added privacy that comes with purchasing medications over the internet. Many people would like to be anonymous when they purchase their drugs.

These people decide that they would rather purchase their medications over the internet instead of going to a doctor’s office to get a prescription and then going to a pharmacy.

Instead people are beginning to go to the doctor to get their prescription and then purchasing their prescription over the internet. People who are suffering from certain health issues will likely take advantage of online pharmacies in order to stay anonymous. Some of the conditions include depression, erectile dysfunction, or hair loss.

Many United States citizens who live near the Canadian border have been crossing over to purchase medications from Canada at a discounted price. Canadian pharmacies sell drugs at much lower prices than United States pharmacies so doing so can save you a lot of money. There is now an alternative to this. You can now purchase medications through the mail.

There is a process that Canadian pharmacies follow when they sell medications. These pharmacies require buyers to show them proof of identification. They also require a valid prescription from a licensed doctor.

Your medications will be shipping instantly if your doctor is licensed in Canada. If the doctor is not licensed in Canada then the prescription will need to be issued again by a doctor that is licensed in Canada.

Now adays purchasing medications from the United States, Mexico, or Canada can be done much easier over the internet. Sometimes you can get a better deal by shopping over the internet for medications. Other times you will not save any money from shopping online because of prescription services which can cost fees.

Seomul Evans is a SEO Services expert with a leading US based SEO and copywriter for leading Online Doctors.

[tags]Medical,medicine,health,doctors,prescriptions,drugs,physicians,health insurance,online,online prescr[/tags]




Laser Liposuction or Traditional Liposuction

Thursday 6 August 2009 @ 11:38 am

Liposuction is one of the biggest cosmetic procedures that is carried out globally. Millions of us undertake this procedure annually and as a result it has become incorporated into modern day surgeries. There are however now a number of versions of this treatment available, the most popular of which is defiantly laser lipo, which has continually been compared to the traditional form of the treatment. Both of these have their advantages but if you are considering having a form of this treatment carried out, it is a good idea that you look into the options that are available to you as a means of gaining an idea of which is best for what you are hoping to achieve.

Procedure
Each of these treatments work based on the same basic principle, which is to suction out unwanted fat from aspects of your body. However the way that these treatments are carried out is what differs. With traditional lipo a large surgical cannula is used along with a metal rod to break up fatty tissue. This is achieved by pushing and pulling the rod within the area where the treatment is being administered. This fatty tissue is then suctioned out via the cannula. Due to the often aggressive nature of this procedure you will suffer two major after effects, which are deep bruising and swelling.

Where the laser lipo is concerned, fat will be melted and then extracted from the body. Due to the fact the fat that is being extracted is melted, the incisions for the cannula are a lot smaller, as is the cannula itself. The cannula is roughly 3mm in size, meaning you won’t suffer severe bruises or swelling, any that you do suffer will pretty much be cleared up within a week. It is also this form of the procedure that helps tighten the skin. The surgeon also has the ability to change the energy of the laser so that it can accurately target the specific area of the body that the cosmetic procedure is being used on.

Side Effects
Bleeding is a common side effect associated to this procedure, especially the original form of it. This bleeding could potentially be heavy if a vessel accidently becomes damaged when the metal rod is in use. With all cosmetic procedures bleeding can be a problem, with more up-to-date and advanced forms of this procedure however bleeding is minimal, if at all.

Infections are sadly another example of a side effect that is often associated with this procedure. This is due to the wound that is created from where the cannula is inserted, unfortunately it is possible for stitches to become infected, prolonging the healing time. However if you opt for a newer version of this procedure, i.e. laser, your risk of infection is virtually eliminated as the location of your incision will be small, meaning no stitches or after care is required.

Healing Time
Traditional liposuction has a healing time that can take weeks. You have to wait for your stitches to heal and for the bruising and swelling to go down on the area you have had the treatment performed. With laser liposuction however you are able to go home the same day and within a few days you are able to carry on with your daily routine. You have hardly any after care to worry about and bruising and swelling is minimal, leaving your body looking natural in no time.

Liposuction is beneficially in a range of ways and can provide the answer to a number of body complaints.

Laser lipo is safer, easier, and produces more beautiful results than ever before.
Please Visit http://www.laserlipoguide.com/Smartlipo.php

[tags]Smart Lipo, SmartLipo, Laser Lipo[/tags]




Affordable Plastic Surgery Procedures: Sometimes What Seems Cheap May End Up Costing You More

Wednesday 5 August 2009 @ 2:38 pm

It is not a secret that every time we turn on the television or read a magazine we find models and celebrities with unreal bodies. Everything about them is perfect… or should I say too perfect? Whether these images are genuine or photoshopped, it does not matter, we just want to look like them.

And with that in mind we are willing to do anything. Being persistent is usually considered a good quality, but when it comes to plastic surgery procedures that trade of personality may lead us to trouble. Following their desire to look like celebrities, people who cannot afford a plastic surgery resort to unlicensed practitioners.

Working with an unlicensed practitioner is the biggest mistake one can make, when it comes to plastic surgery procedures. Some of the consequences of plastic surgery procedures performed by these practitioners include scars. You may think that a little scar is no big deal, but we are talking about huge ugly scars.

An unlicensed practitioner who was performing a chest enlargement procedure on a man on Florida gave his patient female breast implants. This is only one of many cases. These fake doctors also work with silicone injections, because they are more affordable than botox. It should be noted that this substance is not approved for cosmetic use.

There is a reason for this prohibition; silicon injections may cause death, and also serious health problems. There are also many cases of death by liposuction, when performed by unlicensed practitioners. Plastic surgery procedures should be performed only by certified licensed professionals to avoid its risks and dangers, this includes non-surgical procedures. Unlicensed practitioners lack of training and experience to perform plastic surgery procedures.

In some cases, the result of working with unqualified practitioners may include organ failure. These “doctors” have no qualms. They are willing to do anything to get your money. It is known that these unlicensed practitioners have injected substances such as brake fluid, paraffin wax, and bathroom caulking in their patients’ bodies.

Of course these practices may result in medical problems, including deformity, and in some cases death. I believe that the risks of working with cheap unlicensed practitioners are a steep price to pay. Anybody who has already made up his mind about undergoing a plastic surgical procedure should work with certified professionals.

There is no point in risking your life. For one thing, you may end up worse than before, but also, even though plastic surgical procedures are known to be expensive, nowadays many certified professionals offer payment plans. In this way, you will be able to afford a plastic surgical procedure, without risking your life.

An executive at Advertizia, Julian J. Lenox examines websites for Health Top 100, a specialized Health websites judgments storage. Learn more about Best Plastic Surgery Prices.

[tags]plastic surgery prices, cheap plastic surgery, affordable plastic surgery[/tags]




Reglan Side Effects Responsible For Serious Movement Disorder

Tuesday 4 August 2009 @ 5:48 pm

Recent reports indicate that a commonly prescribed medicine could be responsible for a serious movement disorder. The medication is known as Metoclopramide (also referred to by the brand name Reglan) and could cause a serious disorder known as Tardive dyskinesia, a disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the extremities. This could manifest itself as facial tics like grimacing, lip smacking and tongue protrusion, pursing of the lips, or impaired movement of the fingers. Additionally, some patients experience rapid eye movements or blinking. These symptoms are rarely reversible and there is no known treatment, though some patients have shown diminished or disappearing symptoms after treatment is stopped.

To this end, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has instituted several requirements for labeling of the medication. In February 2009, the FDA warned against long-term use of medication that contained Reglan. In March, the FDA included a section on Reglan in their monthly MedWatch Safety Alert newsletter, where they reported that long-term use of drugs containing Reglan could result in a tardive dyskinesia. In June 2009, the FDA published an announcement requiring all medications containing Reglan to carry a strong warning advising that the potential to develop serious side effects after use longer than four weeks. In addition to the warning label required by the FDA, manufacturers of medications are now required to implement what is known as a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy to ensure patients are provided with a medication guide that discusses this risk.

Metoclopramide or Reglan is used to treat several gastrointestinal disorders including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD). It works by increasing the movement of stomach muscles, thereby increasing the rate at which material is transferred from the stomach to the large intestine. It is available by prescription only, and is supposed to be a short-term remedy for most gastrointestinal problems. Many patients are prescribed less than three weeks worth of a medication containing Reglan. However, in a few cases, patients have been kept on a longer regimen of medication containing such a drug. Now, those patients should receive the same caveat from their physician as they will most likely receive from the label changes instituted by the FDA.

Tardive dyskinesia is a severe and chronic condition for which no known treatment exists. Since it is a deblilitating condition affecting the muscles, it may be difficult to find proper employment opportunities if affected by this condition. It is also possible that anyone who has been diagnosed with this condition after taking medications containing metoclopramide could develop a Reglan lawsuit. Such a lawsuit could provide monetary compensation for affected individuals which could be used to cover medical expenses, provide an increased quality of life. It is in the best interest of anyone who has been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia as a result of taking any medication containing Reglan to contact an experienced injury attorney to assist with the development of such a lawsuit.

LegalView.info hosts a wide range of legal resources regarding Reglan. Access to a potentialReglan Recall and a Reglan Lawyer are available free of charge from the website.

[tags]Reglan, Reglan Side Effects, Reglan Recall, Reglan Class Action Lawsuit, Reglan Lawyer,[/tags]




ePRO Clinical Solutions: Data Management & IT

Tuesday 4 August 2009 @ 4:51 pm

Clinical trial sponsors can collect patient reported outcomes electronically in multinational clinical trials. Advantages include significant improvements in clinic and subject compliance, data quality, data access and monitoring, as well as reduced staff and subject burden. Yet, ePRO clinical solutions can also present challenges. By understanding some important ePRO best practices, however, sponsors can overcome major challenges.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CHALLENGES
One of the major challenges faced when using Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes (ePRO) in multinational trials is ensuring the quality and reliability of the ePRO systems and data files. After all, even small problems with the systems or data can sometimes damage credibility, which can lead to decreased system usage, increased enrollment, queries, and other trial costs, and at worst, the discrediting of all the data.

Another challenge is the very large number of changing variables that need to be managed. These variables include:
- Complex protocols and lengthy questionnaires
- Long lists of countries, languages and translations
- Complex system requirements
- Interdependent schedules
- Long growing lists of issues
- A multitude of first patient dates
- International user support across different time zones in many languages.

Validity, or measurement equivalence with validated paper questionnaires, can also be a significant challenge. Due to the nature of the hardware and software, some systems cannot fully support existing validated paper questionnaires.

For instance, small hand-held devices generally have very restricted screen real estate. IVR systems are limited because subjects can only remember short questions and answers. In these and other cases, the questions and answers from a validated paper questionnaire often have to be modified in order to accommodate the technology.

In order to then ensure that the data from the electronic systems are equivalent to the paper-based questionnaire, it is often necessary to conduct a validation study comparing the data collected on the new electronic tool with the data collected on the validated paper questionnaire. These validation studies can add significantly to both costs and project timelines.

Finally, a challenge faced by many when using Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes in multinational trials is quality assurance and auditing. Some auditors have limited experience or knowledge of ePRO systems, leading to varied interpretations of industry regulations. These diverse regulatory interpretations can cause confusion, and also have considerable cost and timeline implications.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: BEST PRACTICES
The challenges described above sometimes appear daunting to a study team, even though they appreciate the potential. However, there are solutions. The best practices described below offer a method to manage the challenges.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: SYSTEM QUALITY AND RELIABILITY
All successful systems start with an unambiguous systems requirements document. The purpose of this document is to describe the system(s) to be delivered in detail, so that all team members have exactly the same expectations of what the system will do and what data the system will provide.

The process of writing and reviewing a detailed planning document, whether it be systems requirements, a clinical trial protocol, or otherwise, forces the author and the reviewers to think through options for processes and to discuss and tweak them until there is confidence among all participants that the best solution has been designed.

So, the systems requirements definition process, properly executed, produces quality thinking on system design and is the first step towards producing quality systems. In addition, because the deliverable is a written detailed document describing how the system will work, it prevents misunderstandings, confusion and frustration at a later stage when the systems are implemented.

A systems requirements document must show all screen shots exactly as they will look in the completed system. Every edit for every data entry field, all screen and system validation checks, and all system logic (skips, conditions, calculations, error conditions, messages, and so on) must be described clearly and in detail.

This documented presentation of the system both ‘on the surface’ and ‘beneath the surface’ (logic checks, and so on) enables the sponsor team and the ePRO provider to think about the issues carefully before programming starts. It will also make certain that the system design will ensure compliance with protocol, and that the resulting data files will meet the needs of the study.

The final systems requirements document must be signed by the key sponsors and ePRO provider team members, to show agreement and commitment from both parties on the details of all systems functions and operations. When evaluating providers, the sponsor should ask to see systems requirements documents from previous projects.

The sponsor should ensure that the providers have the skills to deliver a thoughtfully prepared systems requirements document which describes a high quality system with the attributes the sponsor desires: ease of use, protocol compliance, data quality controls, rapid data access, and so on.

To deliver consistently reliable systems, the Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes provider must also have the skills to develop and execute high quality system test plans. Test plans must include thoughtful test cases that address every requirement in the systems requirements document.

To ensure every systems requirement is covered, there must be a traceability matrix which matches each requirement in the systems requirements document to the relevant test cases in the test plan. This may seem obvious, but it is often not done.

For each systems requirement there must also be detailed test cases and scenarios for both valid and invalid data, as well as standard and non-standard user actions. The expected results for each test must also be documented in advance of the test cases to ensure the integrity of the test. In addition, the test plan needs to include large data input sets that represent a wide variety of diverse scenarios.

Furthermore, it is vital that the test plan include significant load and stress testing to ensure that the systems will function properly in real world conditions, when an exceptionally large set of data has been collected or when stressful situations are encountered.

When executing the test plan, the testing specialists must document whether the tests pass satisfactorily and ensure that every data file is correct, without exception. When evaluating ePRO providers, the sponsor should also review test plans and traceability matrices from previous projects to ensure that the provider has the skills to develop and execute test plans that meet the standards described above.

In addition to the formal testing performed by the provider, the sponsor must also carefully review the software by performing a user acceptance test. The purpose of this test is to ensure that both the ePRO team and the sponsor team agree that all systems requirements have been implemented as described in the
systems requirements document.

If the provider has executed a quality test plan, this sponsor process should be quick and easy, and should provide the sponsor team final control and peace of mind before delivering systems for the first patient date. However, if the provider has not performed adequate testing, quality issues may be revealed and the sponsor then has the opportunity to delay shipment and require corrective action before the systems are distributed to sites and become a burden in the field.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: COMPETENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Because there are so many moving parts in multinational trials, it is critical that the provider can develop and maintain complicated project plans. Project plans must include hundreds, sometimes thousands, of detailed tasks and expected durations, dependencies between them, and contingencies for unexpected events.

Because the ePRO project schedule typically involves hundreds of tasks, the provider must demonstrate competencies with an electronic project management tool so that a changing environment can be accommodated quickly. During the provider evaluation process, sponsors should also look at project schedules and project status reports from previous studies to help determine the providers’ project management skills.

In addition, good communication among the project team members needs to be the rule and not the exception. Regularly scheduled project management team meetings with key staff from both the sponsor and the provider are critical to review the status of project tasks, determine if changes are needed, and to resolve any issues that arise. These project status meetings are crucial in order to ensure that sponsor and ePRO team member efforts are complementary and effective.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: CHOOSE SYSTEMS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE VALIDATION ISSUES
To resolve the challenge of measurement equivalence between a validated paper questionnaire and an electronic device, sponsors can choose a technology where the validated paper questionnaire text does not need to be changed. Touchscreen tablet or internet-based systems typically offer this kind of flexibility.

Although it is beyond the scope of this article, the validation requirements for these technologies are very minimal.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: MANAGE QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDITORS
Given that many auditors have little experience with Electronic Patient Reported Outcomes, sometimes their statements can be confusing, and even frightening.

If an auditor imposes requirements that seem unreasonable, it is important to review the regulation(s) with the auditor and find more practical solutions. In most cases, there are various avenues to ensure regulatory compliance, and many of them are simple and cost-effective.

ePRO CLINICAL SOLUTIONS: CONCLUSION
The best practices discussed above can provide real tools for addressing the challenges that can arise in the implementation of Electronic Patient Reported

Outcomes in multinational clinical trials. While these best practices do not cover every possible situation that can occur, they will provide significant assistance in addressing key challenges, and put their clinical trials on a solid path to success.

Joy Hebert is a cofounder and COO of .assisTek, the global leader in ePROs on touch-screen tablets. For the last 15 yrs she has managed the development and implementation of ePRO systems in clinical studies worldwide. For more information about ePRO clinical solutions, visit our site.

[tags]epro clinical, epro clinical solutions, electronic patient report outcomes clinical[/tags]




What Is The Difference Between A Hospital Pharmacist And A Clinic Pharmacist

Thursday 30 July 2009 @ 9:00 pm

Hospital pharmacists are concerned with offering pharmaceutical services to a number of different types of hospitals, and hospital pharmacists differ from other types of pharmacists including clinic pharmacists for example. Some hospital pharmacists have more complex jobs such as complex clinical management of medication issues that a normal clinical pharmacist would not have to deal with. On the other hand, community pharmacists generally have other issues to consider including business and customer relation type issues.

On the other hand, the clinical pharmacist is someone that specifically provides patient care designed to optimize the use of medications while promoting complete overall wellness, health and the prevention of disease as well. The purpose of a clinical pharmacist is to care for patients in a health care setting. The clinical pharmacist movement originally began inside of clinics and hospitals, and clinical pharmacists are often required to collaborate with healthcare professionals such as physicians and nurses for example.

While a clinical pharmacist works more hands on with patients, hospital pharmacists are typically found on the premises of the hospital but not directly associating with patients. Hospital pharmacists work within hospital pharmacies, which are designed to stock a much larger range of medications than other types of pharmacies, including some medications that are specifically designed to be investigational or specialized in nature. Hospital pharmacists work to fill prescriptions that are called for by physicians, surgeons and other medical staff on the hospital premises. They usually stay in their pharmacy location just as a normal community pharmacist would, waiting for the prescription to arrive on the behalf of a doctor or a patient.

The biggest difference between a hospital pharmacist and a clinical pharmacist, then, is the level of hands on care that is provided to the patient on the behalf of the pharmacist. Hospital pharmacists mainly deal in the prescription medications, filling scripts and working with doctors. On the other hand, the purpose of a clinical pharmacist is to do the same with the addition of more hands on patient care. This is because the clinical pharmacist job is spawned from a clinical pharmacy movement that came about as a need for more hands on care by physicians and other medical staff.

Both of these types of pharmacists have their purposes, especially in a medical setting. The hospital pharmacist works primarily with the medical staff to make sure that prescriptions are doled out as needed, and the clinical pharmacist works closely with the patient to make sure that the right prescriptions are called for and that health and wellness is promoted. While a hospital pharmacist is going to collaborate primarily with professional health care workers in the hospital, the clinical pharmacist is much more likely to collaborate directly with the patient in order to make sure that the right prescription medications are offered for the right purposes.

Experts recruiting team talks to hundreds of pharmacists across the country ever day. They have a database of thousands of pharmacists, any of whom might be the pharmacist you’re looking for.

Staffing agency offering full time and part time pharmacy jobs. Visit us to learn more about the wide range of pharmacist jobs opportunities.

[tags]health,pharmacy,job,career,pharmacist,business,education,pharmacology,professional business, communi[/tags]




Blue M&Ms and Spinal Cord Injuries

Thursday 30 July 2009 @ 7:27 pm

A new study is showing that the same blue food color used in M&Ms, could also be used to reduce the extent of damage caused by spinal cord injuries.

According to AOL, news researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that the color compound Brilliant Blue G (BBG) when injected into rats suffering from spinal cord injuries, reduced the damage enough to allow the rats to walk again. The only side effects were that the rodents temporarily turned blue.

The study has been published in the “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” and were based on research conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center five years ago. In 2004, it was seen that Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) rushes to the spinal cord, soon after there is a spinal cord injury. A sudden rush of ATP kills off healthy cells in the area, magnifying the impact of the injury. However, when the researchers injected oxidized ATP to the site, it worked to block the effects of the ATP, dramatically reducing the damage caused by the ATP. The injured rats were able to recover from their spinal cord fracture sooner, and began to walk again.

According to the researchers, although the results were dramatic, they could not use the same method, i.e. injecting the oxidized ATP into the site, in human beings with spinal cord injuries. For one thing, injecting into a spinal cord that has just suffered severe damage, is hugely undesirable. Another method would have to be found to deliver the oxidized ATP to the injury site and block the ATP from killing healthy cells. Besides, oxidized ATP can have dangerous side effects, and therefore, cannot be injected into the human blood stream.

The researchers then discovered a molecule called P2X7, also known as the “death receptor.” The P2X7 is found heavily in the spinal cord, and it increases the significance of the spinal cord damage by allowing ATP to latch on to motor neurons and transmit the signals which kill them. The researchers knew that BBG could help inhibit the function of P2X7. BBG had been approved as a blue food dye by the Food and Drug Administration, and the researchers were encouraged to test the dye on the injured spinal cord. They injected the dye in rats with spinal cord injuries, and have been very pleased at the results. It all seems simple enough and safe too, but the researchers say it could be several years before these results can be extended to humans.

Spinal cord injuries are often seen in high-speed and other high impact accidents. These are some of the most catastrophic injuries, and leave a person with permanent impairment and immobility. The effect can be seen not just in the person’s ability to walk, but also in performing everyday routine activities that involve the use of the limbs, like eating, changing clothes, breathing etc. As California spinal cord injury lawyers, we often come across patients with such debilitating injuries, and hope that these new findings can, over time, translate to a complete cure for human beings too.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims Please visit our website at
trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

[tags]los angeles personal injury lawyers, california accident attorney[/tags]




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