More Costly Prescription Drugs in 2009 for Medicare Part D Recipients

Each year from November 15th through December 31st, Medicare Part D beneficiaries are able to make enrollment changes in their health and prescription drug coverage, which is known as open enrollment. This year, many of these beneficiaries have been notified by their insurers that either their co-pays or deductibles will be going up, and in some cases, subscribers will see an increase in both costs. Worse, some plans that were previously offered in the past will no longer be available in 2009, causing subscribers to select new policies all together. Many insurance companies have been focusing their advertising on these Medicare Part D recipients, knowing that they may be shopping around for a new policy during this time. It is possible for these recipients to research available policies and calculate possible costs by visiting www.medicare.gov.

The Part D prescription drug plan was only added to Medicare in 2006 to provide coverage to social security recipients that could not otherwise afford prescription drug benefits. However, with rising costs, some people that require costly prescription drugs on a regular basis may be motivated to research other policies, since their co-pays and deductibles are likely to go up in 2009. People subscribing to Medicare Part D’s largest plan, AARP’s MedicareRx Preferred plan, are likely to see their premiums go up to $34.92 per month, an increase of almost 20 percent. Subscribers to Medicare Part D’s third largest plan, Humana, may see an increase in their premiums of more than 50 percent, with co-pays for generic prescriptions going up to $7 and co-pays for preferred drugs going up to $40, increases of 75 and 60 percent, respectively.

The U.S. Government has no influence over the premiums set by insurance companies, although these insurers are required to be approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) before making plans available. People enrolled in Medicare’s prescription drug plan deserve quality benefits and should not have to worry that they cannot afford to purchase the prescription drugs they need. When insurers raise costs and begin to cut benefits, it is more likely that beneficiaries will have to make compromises to be able to afford coverage. If you or a loved one has received unacceptable medical care and has questions regarding a possible medical malpractice case, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos. Our firm serves clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Increase in Heart Failure Cases in U.S.

When a person’s heart experiences a shortage of oxygen, resulting from an enlarged heart’s inability to pump blood to the organs adequately enough, that person is experiencing heart failure. About 660,000 patients are diagnosed with heart failure each year, some of which result in death when left untreated. In the past 30 years, the number of senior citizens presenting to the nation’s hospitals with heart failure has more than doubled, an increase that researchers expect to continue unless something is done. In addition to that, as the baby boomers reach 65 and join the senior citizen category, there will more likely than not be an increase in the number of heart failure cases, simply because there will be more seniors. These statistics were compiled from the medical records or more than 2 million seniors (65+) in the U.S. between 1980 and 2006. Researchers compared the discharged information of these patients with census population data, reporting that in 1980, there were 348,866 heart failure cases, which rose a staggering 131 percent to 807,082 in 2006. In addition, the risk of being hospitalized for heart failure doubled in seniors age 75 to 84 when compared with those age 65 to 74. In people over age 85, that risk of heart failure hospitalization was fourfold that of the 65 to 74 group.

The study was led by an associate professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics of the Drexel University School of Public Health in Philadelphia and was presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association in New Orleans. The study noted that as heart failure hospitalization rates have increased over the past three decades, hospitalization rates for stroke and coronary artery disease have been declining since the mid-eighties. As for the cost associated with hospitalizations and other treatments for heart failure, the American Heart Association estimated this year alone, that figure will reach nearly $35 billion in the U.S.

High blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity and diabetes may all increase a person’s chances of heart failure, so it is crucial to treat these health problems promptly and completely. Other factors, including smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise may all increase a person’s risk of heart failure. In most cases, doctors are able to treat heart failure by administering drugs that expand the arteries and veins, allowing the heart to pump blood to the organs more easily. Doctors may also use beta-blockers, which slow a person’s heart rate, control their blood pressure and open up vessels to improve blood flow. Another treatment for heart failure which is used less often by doctors is CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy). This treatment helps the heart get back into its appropriate rhythm with the help of a pacemaker, which coordinates the beating of the right and left ventricles of the heart.

Heart failure is a potentially deadly health problem, especially if left untreated or if treated incorrectly by a doctor or hospital. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free and visit www.ask4sam.net

The 2008 National Poll on Children’s Health

The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at the University of Michigan began conducting their National Poll on Children’s Health (NPCH) in 2007 in order to measure what Americans thought were the most important health issues facing children in the U.S. When conducting the surveys, the NPCH uses responses from about 2,000 adults in the country, that may or may not have children of their own. The survey uses a web-based system by Knowledge Networks, which selects a different sample for each poll to resemble the U.S. population. NPCH selects the top twelve issues that the people surveyed believed were the most concerning regarding children’s health. The survey allows people to choose from 20 issues, with depression, suicide, driving accidents, school violence, asthma, autism, eating disorders and neighborhood safety not making the top 12 list.

The first poll in 2007 revealed that smoking, drug abuse and obesity (in that order) were the most significant health issues for children. In the most recent poll conducted in 2008, childhood obesity jumped to number one, knocking drug abuse and smoking down to the second and third spots. The concern for obesity in children has grown as a result of the decrease in physical activity and the lack of healthy foods in the diets of many children. The results were listed in order of importance as follows:

1. Childhood obesity
2. Drug abuse
3. Smoking
4. Bullying
5. Internet safety
6. Child abuse and neglect
7. Teenage pregnancy
8. Alcohol abuse
9. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
10. Sexually transmitted infection
11. Harmful chemicals in environment
12. Less physical activity

The poll also yielded some interesting results when it came to the different categories of Americans surveyed and what they felt were the most important issues. In adults that were not parents of children, the most important issues were drug abuse, smoking, internet safety and sexually transmitted infections. Teen pregnancy was the biggest concern for Black adults, while Hispanic and white adults rated this issue as a less of a concern. Hispanic adults believed that the top two concerns among children were smoking and drug abuse. When it came to household income, the survey revealed that people with higher incomes did not see drug abuse as one of the most important issues, while low-income households rated obesity and internet safety as less important.

Still, with obesity as the number one concern in the 2008 poll, it is important for parents, schools and health care systems in the U.S. to do their part and make sure kids start eating healthier and getting adequate exercise. Also, with drug abuse and smoking still ranking high on the list, it is vital to address these issues to keep children safe and healthy. If your child has been hurt by a hospital, at school or at daycare, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk County, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Medicare’s New Nursing Home Rating System

Medicare recently developed a new rating system for nursing homes, allowing the public to view ratings for over 16,000 nursing homes throughout the United States using the Nursing Home Compare feature on their website. Medicare’s ratings were determined by health inspections, staffing, quality measures and the number of beds available based on complaint investigations, inspection records and other data collected this past year. The data also revealed some other interesting information, allowing Medicare to compare not-for-profit nursing homes with those that operate for profit. Of the for profit nursing homes, 27 percent received a one-star rating, overall, with just 9 percent received the highest five-star rating. As for the not-for-profit homes, only 13 percent received a one-star rating, while 19 percent received the five-star rating. One reason for the significant difference in ratings between the for-profit and not-for-profit nursing homes may be that the for-profit homes usually have fewer staff members, making them less able to reach higher standards of quality and care.

The Nursing Home Compare part of Medicare’s website allows people in search of a nursing home to care for their parent or loved one to see when the home was certified, whether they accept Medicare and Medicaid, how many beds they have and the date and results of their last health and fire safety inspections. It is important for people in search of a nursing home to do additional research and not just this website as their main source of information. Visiting possible nursing homes and asking others that may know of a suitable home may also be helpful in choosing the right place for a parent or loved one.

Sadly, not all nursing homes offer the best quality of care, which sometimes results in harm to their elderly patients. If you suspect a problem in the nursing home of a loved one, please call or e-mail us. Our New York negligent security lawyers know how to help families whose loved ones have suffered injury, pain, damage or emotional trauma because of nursing home negligence. We can help you remedy the situation and get you or your loved one the compensation you deserve. Proudly serving those in the Nassau County, Suffolk County, Brooklyn, & Bronx, New York area.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

CT Scans v. Angiograms

In a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland found that the newer CT scans were less accurate than the older angiogram method for finding blockages in blood vessels. The CT scan yields 3-D images of the heart through multiple X-rays in order to see if people with chest pains have a blockage. However, the scans are relatively new and are not necessarily beneficial to the patient. In fact, CT scans, also known as multi-detector computed tomographic andiography, expose patients to significant levels of radiation, which may cause other health problems down the road. One positive aspect of the CT scan is that it is less invasive than the traditional angiogram, in which a tube is inserted into an artery traveling from the leg up to the heart, releasing a dye that illuminates blockages when X-rayed. Still, the scan does require several X-rays to create the 3-D image of the heart, increasing the patient’s exposure to radiation.

The study included 291 patients that had an angiogram, in addition to a CT scan. What doctors at Johns Hopkins found was that the CT scan produced more false negatives for blockages and was less accurate overall when compared to the angiogram results. Another negative is that in some cases, patients that receive a CT scan also require an angiogram to get additional information, which can create a cost issue, with each CT scan costing roughly $700 and each angiogram costing about $1500. Still, some doctors that support the CT scan say that it is useful in figuring out which patients will need additional treatment for their heart, without any invasive tests.

Patients are urged to talk to their doctors in detail about both procedures before deciding which is right for them. With any new test or procedure, it is possible that a doctor will encounter more problems than with one they have performed many times. If you or a loved one has questions regarding surgical, procedural or other hospital mistakes, please contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos. We serve clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases, as well as clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Treating Breast Cancer with Estrogen

Each year, metastatic breast cancer takes the lives of an estimated 40,000 women. Reachers are constantly exploring new options for treatment of this cancer, and in many cases, drugs being used for an extended period of time by breast cancer patients often become ineffective. One surprising treatment that doctors are now prescribing for women with metastatic breast cancer is estrogen, which is known for aiding in the growth of a tumor. However, in a new study presented at the annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, it was found that estrogen therapy brought tumor growth to a standstill in 30 percent of the women involved. For some of the women that took part in the study, not only did they see their tumors stop growing, they saw them shrink in size.

The estrogen therapy study included postmenopausal women, with an average age of 59, that had advanced metastatic breast cancer that was also considered estrogen-receptor-positive cancer. These women’s bodies were no longer benefitting from aromatase inhibitor (AI) drugs, which lower estrogen levels. Eventually, the tumors had altered themselves and became resistant to the AI drugs, allowing the cancer to grow without estrogen. Researchers introduced the estrogen to lab-grown breast cancer cells, observing them as their growth slowed down significantly. However, since these types of treatments become uneffective with long-term use, the estrogen therapy did eventually stop working. Fortunately, most women with metastatic breast cancer are able to switch back to the drugs they were previously taking to treat their cancer and prevent growth. Some patients are even able to go back and forth between the estrogen therapy and the AI estrogen-lowering drugs.

For women with metastatic breast cancer that are interested in learning if this estrogen therapy would benefit them, it is necessary to have PET (positron emission tomography) scans done before and after an estrogen treatment test. The PET scans will allow doctors to see whether or not the estrogen therapy will treat the cancer effectively. Anyone looking to find out more about this type of treatment should talk to their doctor and do extensive research before starting treatment.

With all new treatments, there is a greater chance that a doctor or hospital will make a mistake, causing the patient additional problems. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York related to breast or any other type of cancer, please contact the attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Hospital Checklist for Patient Safety

In most cases, doctors, nurses and other hospital employees take every precaution to make sure a patient’s surgery goes smoothly and does cause any additional problems. However, in some cases, mistakes are made due to negligence or lack of communication and complications arise during surgical procedures. Thankfully, a new checklist, which will obligate doctors and nurses to make absolutely sure that every step of a procedure has been completed carefully, will become mandatory in New York’s city-run hospitals at the start of 2009. Six of the 11 city-run hospitals, including Coney Island Hospital, Kings County Hospital, North Central Bronx Hospital, Jacobi Medical Center, Lincoln Hospital and Elmhurst Hospital Center, are the first in the U.S. to use the Surgical Safety Checklist. Those Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens medical centers adopted the new policy this past August in their operating rooms, making a conscious effort to prevent mistakes during surgery and increase communication before, during and after the procedure.

This new checklist, which was introduced to the six initial hospitals by the city’s Health and Hospitals Corporation, includes three categories that prompt surgeons and nurses to check before the induction of anesthesia, before skin incision and before the patient leaves the operating room. The lists include items such as making sure surgical sponges and other instruments are removed before incisions are closed, verifying any patient allergies and having all surgical team members introduce themselves and state their role before the procedure begins.

The Surgical Safety Checklist was created by the World Health Organization and is being used as a part of the patient-safety initiative at the city’s Health and Hospitals Corporation to make hospitals safer and allow less of a possibility for mistakes. So far, the safety guidelines have reduced procedure-caused infections by 55 percent and ventilator-caused infections by 78 percent.

Mistakes do happen and it is almost impossible to reduce all risk, so it is important to know if a doctor or hospital caused additional harm when a patient has had a procedure or treatment. If you or a loved one has any questions, please contact the hospital and physician medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us at 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Larger Window for Stroke Rehabilitation

In the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death, after heart disease and cancer, and a main cause of long-term disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thankfully, new tests done by research scientists have found that people that have suffered a stroke can be rehabilitated for six months or more after the stroke has occurred. In the recent past, it was believed that stroke sufferers only had the three to six month period after their stroke to regain lost functions through rehabilitation. Now, through the use of new robotic technology and fMRI (functional MRI), which assess the small changes in the oxygenation level of the blood that happen as a result of brain activity, researchers found that it is possible to rehabilitate patients for more than six months.

The study included several right-handed patients that had suffered a stroke involving the left side of the brain six or more months earlier, which impaired the use of their right sides, including their hand. The patients were instructed to exercise their hand by squeezing a robotic device for one hour per day for three days for a period of four weeks. Researchers performed fMRI exams on the patients before, during and at the end of four week period, and again after a period of time had passed. The results of the fMRI tests demonstrated that more than six months after a stroke, the brain's cortex was able to regain lost function through these types of exercises, which improved the use of the functions of the hand. In addition, fMRI showed that even after the patients had stopped the exercises, the functions of the cortex continued to increase.

Each year, an estimated 700,000 strokes occur in the U.S., leaving 80 to 90 percent of those that survive with significant weakness on the side of the body affected by the stroke. Of the stroke cases where a person’s hand is affected, about 65 percent are still not able to use their hand in a functional way after six months. With the results of this new study, stroke survivors may be able to continue their rehabilitation more than six months after their stroke to help regain lost function.

This groundbreaking study was presented at the annual Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) annual meeting as the fist study to track stroke rehabilitation using fMRI to view images of the brain.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a stroke and has medical malpractice questions, please contact the stroke malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free at 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Cancer Death and Incidence Rates Drop

The Journal of the National Cancer Institute online recently reported that in the United States, the rates of new diagnoses and deaths from cancer have shown a decrease for the first time since 1998, when reporting began. The report noted that though the death rates for cancer have been dropping in recent years in both men and women, this is the first report that also shows a drop in the incidence of cancer, or newly diagnosed cases. In total, the incidence rate dropped 0.8% each year from 1999 to 2005 for all cancers, in both men and women. Men showed a decrease in both the death rates and new cases for lung cancer, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer, the most common cancers found in males. As for women, it was reported that the incidence and death rates fell for breast cancer and colorectal cancer, the two most common cancers found in females.

One not so positive statistic that was reported was the increase of lung cancer deaths and newly diagnosed cases in the South and Midwest. Eighteen states had higher rates of lung cancer deaths and new lung cancer cases, likely due to the lack of smoking bans in these areas. In addition to absence of non-smoking laws, these states have also not raised their excise taxes on cigarettes as many other states have done, giving smokers less of an incentive to quit. However, overall in the U.S., lung cancer deaths have been decreasing in men for the past decade, while the rates for women have stopped rising and are leveling off at this point. Specifically in the state of California, which banned smoking in most workplaces in 1995 and in most bars and casinos in 1996, the number of lung cancer deaths and newly diagnosed cases dropped in women. As for men in California, the report stated that lung cancer deaths fell an average of 2.8% each year from 1996 to 2005.

According to the National Cancer Society, roughly 30% of all cancer-related deaths in the United States are caused by smoking cigarettes, with about 80% of those deaths involving lung cancer. Cigarette smoking can also cause cancer of the larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and bladder, in addition to kidney, pancreatic, cervical, and stomach cancer.

The report was compiled by the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the leading cancer and medical research organizations.

All forms of cancer are serious and usually require significant amounts of treatment or intricate procedures. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

How to Find the Best Cardiologist

When a person requires the care of a cardiologist to treat a heart condition or problem, it is important to find a doctor that fits their needs best. Aside from asking your primary care physician for a referral, it may be helpful to ask friends and family for advice on choosing a doctor, or the name of a cardiologist that they have used or know has a good reputation. However, it is also important to make your own evaluation after meeting a doctor for the first time, just to make sure they are a good fit. One way to seek out a good cardiologist is by utilizing the internet and other sources to research the credentials and certifications of your potential doctor. The Physician Profile on the New York State Department of Health website is a good source for researching and finding the right doctor. Most hospitals also offer directories on their websites that allow patients in search of a doctor to look through the credentials, certifications, subspecialties, education, training and possible malpractice information, in addition to other medical history. One credential patients may want to look for when seeking a cardiologist is Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC), which is an elected fellowship for heart specialists based on the achievement, community contribution and peer recommendations of the doctor.

It is also important to choose a cardiologist that is associated with a credible hospital or medical center. Hospitals that have a positive reputation have acquired that reputation because of the care their employees provide, meaning that the best doctors usually work at the best hospitals. So, it may be helpful to search the directories of credible hospitals and medical centers in your area when looking for a cardiologist. Smaller hospitals and practices can also get recognized for the quality of care they provide, so it is important to do the research and not simply select the biggest hospital.

Another critical factor to look at when selecting a cardiologist is the level of experience the doctor has in the field, especially if you are require a specific procedure or treatment. Before scheduling a particular surgery or procedure, make sure the cardiologist you are using has performed the procedure enough times so that you trust their expertise and feel comfortable with the choice you have made. The more times a doctor has done a procedure or administered a particular treatment, the less likely it is that there will be an error or complication.

Women, in particular, need to do extra research when looking for a cardiologist because when a woman has heart disease or experiences a heart attack, their symptoms are not the same as men. Therefore, it is important to find a doctor that has a history of dealing with female patients, making sure that their training and knowledge of women's health is up to date with new developments. Women in search of a cardiologist may want to check out specialists or clinics that are devoted to treating heart disease and other heart-related health issues in women.

Last but definitely not least, patients making a decision about a cardiologist should make sure that they are able to communicate with their chosen doctor, and that the doctor communicates back. It is important that the doctor you choose is able to answer any questions you may have about your treatment, procedure, or general care, and answers these questions clearly and in a way you can understand. Many doctors are only interested in the medical side of things, dismissing the concerns of the patient. It is critical to find a cardiologist that is interested in both the quality of medical care they are administering, as well as addressing any worries or questions the patient may have. Overall, it is important to feel comfortable with the doctor you have chosen and be able to talk to him or her about anything related to your medical care.

Just because a doctor is a good communicator does not necessarily mean that they are experienced in their particular field, so it is important to find a cardiologist that has extensive experience as well as good communication skills. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us at 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Cutting Back on the Salt

For many people, purchasing food items that are low-fat or fat-free makes them feel like they are making a healthy choice for themselves and their families. However, what most people don’t realize is that many of these fat-free or lower-fat products may actually have a whole lot more salt in them than their full-fat alternatives. Food producers add extra salt to make up for the flavor that is lost when the fat content is reduced or eliminated, so it is important to read the labels and understand what you are buying. Especially for people that are looking to lower their consumption of saturated fats, it is essential that they also keep their sodium intakes in check.

Too much sodium in a person’s diet can lead to hypertension, or high blood pressure, which may eventually result in a heart attack or stroke. However, a healthy level of sodium intake does have benefits, such as stabilizing the body’s fluids. Still, doctors recommend that people keep their blood pressure at a healthy level in order to avoid the harmful effects of hypertension. It is recommended that most people in good health consume about 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, according to organizations like the USDA and the American Heart Association. However, it is estimated that most people in this country consume daily sodium levels closer to 4,000 milligrams. A major contributor to having higher sodium levels are processed foods, which have high salt contents to help preserve the foods and give more flavor.

It is important to be conscious of sodium at all stages of food purchasing and preparation, as well as with foods that are prepared outside of the home by restaurants and other food vendors. Also, it may be helpful to reduce sodium intake by choosing organic foods, which are sometimes lower in salt than other products. Making sure to prepare meals using fresh meats, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, as well as grains and low-fat dairy products may also be beneficial. If a canned vegetable or other type of food is going to be used in preparing meals, try to rinse the products to reduce the sodium content. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, the more salt a person consumes, the more they crave it. So, by cutting back on the amount of sodium consumed daily, a person’s craving for salt will also be diminished.

A high level of salt in a person's diet may put them at greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack due to elevated blood pressure. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients with Nassau and Suffolk County medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Bronx medical malpractice and Queens medical malpractice cases. Silberstein, Awad & Miklos also serve clients located in Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us at 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Caffeine’s Effects on Pregnancy

In a study published by the British Medical Journal this month, it was reported that women that consume caffeine while pregnant increase their risk of fetal growth restriction, which is characterized by a fetal weight that is below the 10th percentile for gestational age as determined through an ultrasound. The study involved healthy, pregnant women, evaluating caffeine intake during their pregnancy, including their caffeine consumption one month prior to conception. The study found that fetal growth restriction was seen more often in women that consumed higher levels of caffeine, with women consuming more than 300 milligrams of caffeine per day having a 40% higher chance of having a baby with fetal growth restriction when compared with those that consumed less than 100 milligrams a day. Women that consumed 100 to 199 milligrams of caffeine daily had a 20% higher chance, while women that consumed between 200 and 299 milligrams a day had the highest risk, with a 50% higher chance that their baby would have fetal growth restriction.

Researchers believe that caffeine may be to blame for some cases of fetal growth restriction because it is able to enter the placenta, allowing the mother to pass caffeine along to the fetus. In women with faster caffeine clearance (how quickly caffeine is metabolized), it was found that the relationship between caffeine intake and fetal growth restriction was much stronger than in those that metabolize caffeine more slowly. Another factor that increases the risk of fetal growth restriction is smoking, which doubles the risk of the fetus being below the 10th percentile for gestational age. Researchers compared the effect of caffeine on pregnancy with that of alcohol, saying that the two substances have similar ramifications and that women should avoid consuming caffeine one month prior to conception, stop consuming alcohol after conception, and avoid smoking.

Fetal growth restriction may result in reduced birthweight, requiring additional medical care for the infant. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the malpractice lawyers of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Pregnancy Weight Gain May Cause Health Risks

In a study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, it was found that women that gain an excessive amount of weight while pregnant put their newborns and themselves at risk during and after the birth. Mothers that take “eating for two” literally and consume twice as much as when they were not pregnant tend to gain too much weight during their pregnancy, making it more difficult to drop the weight after the baby is born. Women that put on more than 40 pounds during their pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a larger baby, which can result in the need for a cesarean section, or tearing and bleeding if the baby is delivered vaginally. Larger babies also run the risk of breaking their collar bone during the delivery. In addition to the problems that may occur during the birth, larger babies are also prone to obesity and type 2 diabetes later on in life.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon, looked at the weight of the mother and the baby at birth. Of the 41,540 pregnancies and births examined in Washington, Oregon and Hawaii, 20% of women that gained over 40 pounds during their pregnancy gave birth to larger babies, while less than 12% of women that gained less than 40 pounds had larger babies. The study also tested the mother for gestational diabetes, which increases a mother’s risk of having a bigger baby. About 29.3% of the pregnant women that gained more than 40 pounds and had gestational diabetes gave birth to heavier babies, compared with the 9.3% of women that gained less than 40 pounds and did not have gestational diabetes.

Revisions are currently being made to guidelines set in the early 1990s by the Institute of Medicine for pregnant women. The guidelines recommend that underweight women with a BMI (body mass index) below 19.8 gain 28 to 40 pounds during pregnancy, normal weight women with a BMI of 19.8 to 26.0 gain 25 to 35 pounds, and overweight women with a BMI above 26.0 gain 15 to 25 pounds. Gaining too little weight while pregnant may also result in health problems for the mother and child, so staying within a healthy range is important. Doctors should discuss weight gain with pregnant patients in order to keep them within a healthy range.

Though the mother’s weight may cause complications when giving birth, the doctors or nurses that provided care or performed the delivery may be to blame if problems occur. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the malpractice lawyers of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

The 12 Best Children’s Hospitals for 2008

Hospitals that treat sick children make an extraordinary commitment to those children and their families that they will provide the best care possible. These facilities and their teams specialize in treating the physical and emotional needs that these children face when dealing with their diseases and sicknesses. In order to best treat their patients, these hospitals utilize the most cutting-edge equipment and technology. U.S. News and World Report began ranking hospitals in 1990, basing its ratings on hospital reputation, outcome of patient care and care-related measures, which includes volume, nursing and credentialing processes. The recent announcement of the top 12 children’s hospitals in the United States were in the category of general pediatrics, and were ranked as follows:

1. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
2. Children’s Hospital Boston
3. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
4. Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
5. Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
6. Texas Children’s Hospital
7. Children’s Hospital, Denver
8. Children’s Hospital, Seattle
9. Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles
10. Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh
11. New York Presbyterian Medical Center
12. Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford

The hospital that received the number one ranking, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, also ranked first in the specialties of neonatal care, cancer facilities and respiratory disorders. Children’s Hospital Boston, which received the second best rating, was ranked first in the areas of heart conditions, heart surgeries and digestive disorders. Johns Hopkins Children’s Center received the top ranking in the specialties of neurology and neurosurgery, while ranking fourth overall.

This ranking information is useful to the medical facilities because it allows them to see what areas they are in need of improvement and where they are achieving excellence. The data is also helpful to the families of sick kids all over the county because they are able to see where the best children’s hospitals are while also being able to find out what hospitals rank highest in the specialty of care their child requires.

Unfortunately, not every child is able to get to such reputable hospitals to receive the treatment they need. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the malpractice lawyers of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call toll free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Cholesterol Drug Crestor May Benefit Healthy People

In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine and funded by the makers of Crestor, AstraZeneca, it was found that the drug may be beneficial to people with healthy cholesterol levels by helping to reducing their risk of heart disease. Crestor, which is a statin, is normally prescribed to people that need help lowering their cholesterol. In the U.S., an estimated 36 million people qualify for a prescription to some type of statin drug, a number which will grow significantly because of this study’s findings.

According to the study published earlier this month, statins have proven effective in the 7,000 men and 5,000 women included in the trials who all had good cholesterol levels. The participants, coming from 26 different countries, had an average LDL level (bad cholesterol) of 108 and an average HDL level (good cholesterol) of 49. All of the participants, however, had an elevated hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), suggesting inflammation that can lead to coronary heart disease. The study participants took either a 20 milligram dose of Crestor (chemical name rosuvastatin calcium) or a placebo pill. In less than 2 years, the risk of stroke, heart attack and death dropped by nearly half (44%) in those that took Crestor, when compared with those taking the dummy pill. In addition to that, those that were taking the statin drug also saw a 50 percent drop in their LDL level (bad cholesterol) and a 37 percent drop in their hs-CRP levels.

Authors of the study estimate that 250,000 heart attacks, strokes, cardiac deaths and hospitalizations could possibly be avoided if these new candidates took statins over the next 5 years to lower their hs-CRP levels, and their overall risk. If changes are made to the current guidelines for statin prescriptions, people with good cholesterol levels would need to have a blood test done to see if their hs-CRP levels were high. If their levels were high enough for concern, these candidates would be able to begin taking the statin drugs and start lowering their risk of these serious health problems. More research still needs to be conducted before the guidelines will be changed, though this study did reveal some very useful information.

Coronary heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the malpractice lawyers of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Medical Residents Need More Rest to Increase Safety

In a report released this past Tuesday by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a new rule was implemented, allowing doctors-in-training to take an undisturbed five-hour break to rest after the first 16 hours of a 30 hour shift. A regulation implemented five years ago by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education put a cap on the number of hours these new doctors, allowing a maximum of 80 hours to be worked per week, with a maximum shift of 30 hours. Before this cap was enforced, some residents were working a 110 hour work week, on average. In a government requested study by the IOM, it was found that hospitals often demand longer shifts and longer work weeks, disregarding the limits put on medical residents’ work hours. Also, the fact that if a patient is in need of medical attention, a doctor can not just leave when their shift is over, tacking on additional hours to their already lengthy days. These extended work hours cause exhaustion in these young doctors, which leads to medical errors. In a separate study done in this field, it was found that residents make more mistakes during longer shifts. Still, it is hardly possible to determine if the time caps had any effect on the safety of patients, since it is reliant on so many components.

The Institute of Medicine is struggling to come up with a way to balance the education of these resident doctors and the safety of the patients they are treating, allowing them enough time to learn their specialty while not depriving them of much needed sleep. These young doctors, straight out of med school, work as residents for three to seven years, learning and training to be the best they can in their chosen area of medicine. In order to reduce the number of errors made by medical residents, the IOM suggests that more practiced physicians supervise the young doctors them more closely and that hospitals increase the number of involuntary days off and hours off between lengthy shifts. Also, the Institute recommends that a longer overlap of residents’ shifts, which would make it easier to pass patients off to the next doctor.

Any mistake made by a doctor or hospital, whether it be due to lack of sleep or lack of care, is not the fault of the patient. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the malpractice lawyers of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call us toll-free at 1-877-ASK4SAM and visit www.ask4sam.net

Fan May Reduce Risk of SIDS

SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, is the name given to the unforeseen, unexplained death of an infant under the age of one year. SIDS deaths cannot be attributed to any other cause and it is currently the leading cause of death for infants from one month to one year old . In a recent study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine involving 500 infants from 11 counties in California, it was found that a fan may help in reducing the risk of SIDS by circulating air and allowing the infant to get sufficient oxygen. It is believed that a cause for SIDS may be brain abnormalities, which can restrict an infant’s ability to gasp and wake up when they are not getting enough oxygen.

Experts have several recommendations for lowering the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, including putting babies to sleep on their backs and using a firm mattress. They also recommend that parents keep toys and pillows out of the crib when infants are sleeping, as well as making sure infants do not get too warm. The newest recommendation that suggests using a fan while infants sleep still requires more research. However, the study found that SIDS was reduced by 72 percent when a fan was used, with only 3 percent of infant deaths occurring while a fan was in use. The use of a fan was also found to especially reduce the risk of SIDS in infants sleeping in poor conditions.

The study was funded by grants from the National Institute of Health and is the first of its kind to look at the use of a fan to reduce the risk of SIDS.

SIDS may be the cause of the sudden, unexpected death of an infant, though a proper investigation should always take place in order to rule out other causes of death, especially if the infant is under the care of a hospital or daycare center. If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions in New York, please contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos serving clients in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.

Call toll-free 1-877-ASK4SAM