Although the terms are often used interchangeably, “cardiac arrest” and “heart attack” are actually not the same. Because both can be deadly and require immediate action, it is important to understand the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack. The...
What are the worst days to go to the hospital? Several factors, from the time of year to the day of the week, can affect how well a patient does in the hospital. A few weeks ago, we covered the Weekend Effect. In this installment, we address nights and seasons. The...
According to the Centers for Disease Control, stroke is a leading cause of death and serious impairment in the U.S. This installment introduces the most common type of stroke — acute ischemic strokes. What is Stroke? Stroke is the sudden death of brain cells due...
Sepsis is considered a silent critical illness that can lead to organ damage and even death. In this installment, we identify tools for detecting the illness before it is too late. What is Sepsis? Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the...
Several factors, ranging from the time of year to the day of the week, can affect how well a patient does in the hospital. In this installment, we look at weekends and a phenomenon dubbed “the weekend effect.” What Is the Weekend Effect? Published studies...
In 1999, a study by the Institute of Medicine estimated that 44,000 to 98,000 Americans die every year from medical error. Later, in 2013, a study by Johns Hopkins patient safety experts put the number at more than 250,000 deaths per year. But, what causes medical...
