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Use of Interpreters in Emergency Department May Reduce Errors

Ann W. Latner, JD May 16, 2012

Using professional translators for non-English speaking patients in the emergency department (ED) of hospitals may reduce miscommunications and errors, according to a recent study published online ahead of print in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Medical Malpractice Claims Level Off in Pennsylvania

Ann W. Latner, JD May 16, 2012

After a six-year decline in the filing of medical malpractice lawsuits, a new report shows that claims have now slightly risen in Pennsylvania.

Massachusetts Health Care Systems Pilot Medical Liability Initiative

Ann W. Latner, JD May 16, 2012

Studies have shown that when physicians apologize to patients for errors or unfortunate results, patients are less likely to sue and are more likely to have a more positive take on the event.

To Sell or Not to Sell

Tammy Worth May 16, 2012

Consultants offer advice on key issues to consider when selling a medical practice to a hospital.

No Increased Fracture Rate with Decreasing eGFR

Rosemary Frei, MSc May 16, 2012

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND—A new analysis suggests there is no association between lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and non-traumatic hip-, vertebral- or wrist-fracture rates. This contradicts earlier studies showing a four-fold higher fracture rate with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Optimal Sequencing of the New Prostate Cancer Drugs: An Interview with E. David Crawford, MD

Delicia Honen Yard May 15, 2012

Several new drugs have become available for treating advanced prostate cancer in the past year and a half. E. David Crawford, MD, head of urologic oncology at University of Colorado (UC) Hospital and an investigator at the UC Cancer Center, both in Aurora, and UC colleague Thomas W. Flaig, MD, recently published a review of these agents. Dr. Crawford talks to Renal & Urology News about the possible ways in which these drugs might be used.

High, Low PTH Raises Hypercalcemia Risk

Jody A. Charnow May 13, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Low and high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are associated with hypercalcemia, according to a study of 106,760 hemodialysis patients presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings suggest.

Novel Formulation Corrects Vitamin D, Lowers iPTH

Jody A. Charnow May 13, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—An investigational treatment safely and effectively lowers elevated plasma intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in patients with stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease and vitamin D deficiency, researchers reported at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Obesity a Barrier to Living Kidney Donation

Jody A. Charnow May 13, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Morbid obesity often is a barrier to living kidney donation, researchers reported at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Fluid Overload in Burn Patients Affects Survival

Jody A. Charnow May 13, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Fluid overload in adult burn patients is associated with increased mortality, data presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings suggest.

Peginesatide Requirements Do Not Differ By Race

Jody A. Charnow May 13, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Black hemodialysis (HD) patients with anemia require relatively more epoetin than their non-black counterparts to achieve similar hemoglobin (Hb) levels, but blacks and non-blacks required similar peginesatide doses, according to findings presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

SHPT Linked to Vitamin D Deficiency in CKD Patients

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to data presented at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Labs May Vary in iPTH Measurements

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Laboratories can differ in their measurements of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, resulting in varying treatment approaches for hemodialysis (HD) patients depending on the iPTH assay used, researchers reported at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings.

Renal Ultrasound Use for CKD Patients Unchanged Despite Guidelines

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Renal ultrasound use for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not changed significantly since the release of guidelines in 2002 recommending imaging studies for patients with CKD or who are at risk for it as a result of urinary stones, infections, and other factors.

PCa Patients on HD Would Benefit from Early Kidney Transplantation

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Hemodialysis (HD) patients awaiting a kidney transplant must have a two-year cancer-free period immediately preceding transplantation.

Higher Alkaline Phosphatase Raises Death Risk in HD Patients

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Elevated levels of serum alkaline phosphatase are associated with decreased long-term survival among hemodialysis (HD) patients, data presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings suggest.

CKD Elevates Risk of Post-Op AKI

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) before undergoing surgical procedures are at increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) post-operatively, researchers reported at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings.

Rapid Anemia Management May Reduce Hospital Readmission Rates

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Rapid anemia management (RAM) for patients with end-stage renal disease within seven days of hospital discharge decreases their rate of readmission, according to findings presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Hospitalized ESRD Patients Face Long Hemoglobin Recovery Time

Jody A. Charnow May 12, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Nearly two thirds of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) experience a drop in hemoglobin (Hb) level after hospitalization, and it may take months after hospitalization for Hb levels to recover, researchers reported at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

CKD Patients May Need Higher 25D Levels

Jody A. Charnow May 11, 2012

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25D) higher than 20 ng/mL would be required to normalize intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) in patients with stages 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) with vitamin D insufficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism, researchers concluded in a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation 2012 Spring Clinical Meetings.

Expert Q&A

Optimal Sequencing of the New Prostate Cancer Drugs: An Interview with E. David Crawford, MD

Several new drugs have become available for treating advanced prostate cancer in the past year and a half. Dr. Crawford talks to Renal & Urology News about the possible ways in which these drugs might be used.

Commentary

Prostate Cancer Screening: Moving Beyond PSA

The merits of PSA screening have been widely debated due largely to its low specificity for prostate cancer (PCa), especially for high-grade disease.

On The Forefront

Sickle Cell Trait and Medullary Renal Carcinoma

A 55-year-old Caucasian woman initially presented to one of Cleveland Clinic's regional outpatient urology clinics with gross hematuria and an obstructing right ureteral stone.

Legal Issues

After Radical Prostatectomy, Patient Learns He Never Had Prostate Cancer

Is honesty always the best policy? That is the question that a urologist had to grapple with in this case.

Renal Nutrition Update

High Protein Intake May Elevate Levels of Advanced Glycation End Products

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are byproducts of non-enzymatic chemical reactions between sugars and amino acids, lipids, or DNA. A wide range of molecules fall into this category.