Locating the preferred imaging modality
Extensive radiologic tools exist to aid clinicians in the diagnostic process. The AHRQ National Guideline Clearinghouse allows clinicians to search the American College of Radiology ACR Appropriateness Criteria® to locate suggested criteria for ordering radiologic exams.
Guidelines provide the suggested radiologic procedure that may be ordered for each presenting condition with a rating scale to denote the applicability for each exam. For each procedure the rating scale indicates the level of appropriateness of the exam. The guidelines also contain the relative radiation level for each type of exam.
Additionally, a summar...
Source: Network News - January 4, 2017 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Patient Safety Source Type: news
Have You Gotten Your Flu Shot Yet?
“Photo” by frolicsomepl is licensed under CC0.
It’s not too late! While fall and 2016 have ended, winter has just begun, as of Dec. 21. There’s still nearly three months of cold weather ahead, which we generally associate with flu season.
The flu can be a serious threat to any person and persons who contract the virus can be hospitalized—nearly 970,000 Americans had to be in 2014. The flu shot seriously reduces this risk. Keep in mind that more than 40 million are affected by flu-related illnesses each year.
Getting the flu shot is especially important to seniors, young children, women who are planning t...
Source: Network News - January 3, 2017 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Public Health Source Type: news
Start the New Year Right with Healthy Eating
“Photo” by Kaboompics is licensed under CC0.
Two of the most common New Year’s resolutions every year are losing weight and staying fit and healthy. Key to keeping both of these resolutions is following a healthy eating plan, like the one outlined in Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The Guidelines are released every 5 years with the goal of providing recommendations for components of a healthy and nutritionally adequate diet that promotes health and prevents chronic disease for current and future generations.
Highlights of the latest Guidelines describe a ...
Source: Network News - December 22, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Consumer Health Source Type: news
The Libraries of the Future – Strategic Planning
This report calls for open collaboration both between and within institutions. For those in libraries, this re-visioning and goal process is familiar. In fact, the four pillars mentioned in this report can be found threaded throughout the NN/LM SCR’s Program Objectives of assessment, education, increased access, and advocacy.
Currently the NLM is accepting input for its own strategic planning to create the NLM of the future. If you are interested in providing input to NLM, please see the full request for information. Responses must be submitted by January 9, 2017.
Follow NN/LM SCR on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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Source: Network News - December 22, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Library Workforce NLM Announcements Source Type: news
Combatting Zika in Texas
“Photo” by SilasCamargo is licensed under CC0.
Texas recently saw its first case of locally transmitted Zika, meaning it was spread through infected mosquitos. Texas was generally always considered a location to watch for the spread of locally transmitted Zika because in the past, the state has seen mosquitos carrying dengue fever and chikungunya virus.
The Texas Department of State Health Services first started recommended testing for Zika in the Rio Grande Valley back in October, and the area saw its first local case at the end of November. Since this first confirmation, the state has seen several more locally trans...
Source: Network News - December 22, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Public Health Source Type: news
21st Century Cures Act
“Stethoscope” byRohvannyn is licensed under CC0.
On December 13, 2016, President Obama signed into law the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill passed both the US Senate and House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
This law will provide $4.8 billion in funding for the NIH to fund research projects dealing with transforming cancer treatments, brain disorders, and precision medicine. Additionally, there are provisions that should help increase access to mental health care in a variety of ways.
The law also funds $1 billion for state grants to help the growing problem of opioid addiction. However, this law doesn’t just...
Source: Network News - December 21, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Public Health Source Type: news
Fasting May Prevent Childhood Cancer
“Photo” by Alexas_Fotos is licensed under CC0.
UT Southwestern Medical Center announced recently the results of research they had been undertaking in regards to the effects fasting had on cancer. Interestingly enough, fasting helped prevent the most common childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Research was conducted on mice who underwent six cycles of one day of fasting and one day of eating. These mice were compared to other mice who ate normally. The research showed that after seven weeks of this the cancer was completely inhibited—there was a dramatic reduction in the number of cancerous cells in blood...
Source: Network News - December 20, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: General (all entries) Source Type: news
New Mexico Sees Two More Cases of Hantavirus
“Photo” by My Name is licensed under CC0.
New Mexico’s McKinley County recently announced it has confirmed two more cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. They are the seventh and eight cases of hantavirus confirmed in New Mexico this year. The 59-year-old man and 29-year-old woman diagnosed have been hospitalized.
Hantavirus is a disease carried by rodents and can be transmitted to humans through saliva, urine or droppings. People will often inhale the virus when cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting materials. In New Mexico, the primary culprit of hantavirus is the deer mouse, which carries the Sin Nom...
Source: Network News - December 15, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: New Mexico Public Health Source Type: news
Read Books to Live Longer
“hurry up, we’re dreaming!” byDennis’ Photography is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.No changes were made to this work.
Looking for a healthy pastime to get through the winter months? Why not try… curling up with a good book!
A recent study published in the September issue of the journal of Social Science and Medicine found a correlation between book reading and longevity. The research team behind the study, based at the Yale University School of Public Health, looked at the reading habits of a group of 3,635 adults over the age of 50 and tracked their survival rate over a 12 year period.
The team observe...
Source: Network News - December 14, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Public Health Source Type: news
SCR Regional Highlight: Stay Healthy This Holiday Season by Remaining Active at Holiday Outings!
Photos by NM BioPark Society.
Stay Healthy This Holiday Season by Remaining Active at Holiday Outings!
With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us may be dreaming of family gatherings with big family dinners to follow. And while it’s always nice to indulge every once in a while, you should also remember to remain physically active—even during the holidays!
Remaining active doesn’t have to mean leaving your loved ones to head to the gym though, there are many festive activities that will keep you in the holiday spirit, surrounded by family while still being active.
One event is the River of Lights—Holiday Lig...
Source: Network News - December 13, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: New Mexico SCR Regional Highlight Source Type: news
Winter is Coming: Be Prepared
“Dressing for Cold Weather” infographic from Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Colder temperatures are on the way if they’re not already upon you! With that in mind, the Oklahoma State Department of Health would like to remind everyone to be safe and keep warm this winter. Additionally, take proper precautions and ensure your family is prepared in the event of a major winter weather event.
For adults 65 and older and for babies, it’s very important to monitor the temperature of a house. Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and can’t produce body heat, and older adults produce less body heat....
Source: Network News - December 8, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Oklahoma Source Type: news
It ’s Never Too Late to Quit Smoking
“Photo” by realworkhard is licensed under CC0.
Research on smoking is finding that it’s never too late for a person to quit. Even if it’s at 60 years old, you can gain years back on your life.
It’s a long-known fact that cigarettes and smoking are harmful to a person’s health—it causes more than 480,000 deaths in Americans per year, nearly 1 in 5 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Besides just adding years to your life, quitting smoking also reduces a person’s heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
The research studied da...
Source: Network News - December 6, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: General (all entries) Source Type: news
Meet Me Monday: Brandy Klug, Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library
Brandy Klug is the Web Services Librarian at Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library at the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, TX. She currently manages the library’s web and social media presence and is very passionate about web development and design, usability testing, and social media strategy. Since May 1st, Brandy has also had the opportunity to provide interim web and social media support for the NN/LM South Central Region.
In addition to web services, Brandy has worked in a variety of other areas over the last 15 years including acquisitions, serials, cataloging, reference, instructional design, and electr...
Source: Network News - December 5, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Meet Me Monday Source Type: news
Texas Medicaid Cuts Hurts Rural Kids With Disabilities
Photo by Gabby Orcutt is licensed under CC0.
More than a year ago, Texas lawmakers ordered the state to cut the amount of money for therapists who work with children with disabilities. After the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit against the cuts, they are finally taking effect.
The cuts are significant—taking away $350 million in Medicaid reimbursement—and they impact some of the most vulnerable. These Texas children often are born premature, or with down syndrome, or with some other genetic disorder that delays them developmentally. And even as these providers lost money, they still served the children....
Source: Network News - December 1, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Public Health Source Type: news
Hospital Quality Data Available
“Photo” by SilasCamargo is licensed under CC0.
The Joint Commission has released its 2016 annual report on America’s hospitals. The report contains data contributed by more than 3,300 hospitals nationwide. Extensive changes were made to the metrics collected in past years. Several measures previously included were dropped from the data collection process because hospital performance was consistently high and considered to no longer represent a useful quality metric. The new process now gives organizations a choice in determining which measures to report. Additionally, eCQM (electronic clinical quality measur...
Source: Network News - November 30, 2016 Category: Databases & Libraries Authors: NN/LM South Central Region Tags: Patient Safety Source Type: news
