An excerpt from Our Hospital.
Kush Kare Hospital in Columbia, New York, was the flagship of Kush Kare Private Equity Inc., a for-profit chain of hospitals across America. A for-profit that was listed on a lot of lucrative trading routes. Clearly its workings were murky—maybe not equity at all. A clever …
Battling COVID chaos and recruiting doctors
I’m so sorry, but the pain was too much, and I couldn’t continue. I have witnessed patients crying themselves to sleep while nurses held their hands, praying for their treatments to be approved, giving them one more chance at life. Nurses try to juggle 8, 9, 10, or more patients during their shifts, holding onto their compassion with the last thread of hope that things will improve. Yet, they’ve also …
In the trenches of health care: Facing unbearable strain
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Heather Furnas, an adjunct clinical associate professor at Stanford and an aesthetic surgeon, joins us as we delve into the intricate world of recommendation letters, biases in evaluations, and their impact on diverse fields. Heather lends her …
Authenticity and bias in recommendation letters [PODCAST]
It has been only two weeks since I realized the job I had was gone. As physicians, I think we have this idea of what our work will look like into the future. It is enshrined in pomp and circumstance from the start as we take an oath to “do no harm,” it’s encrusted with an unspoken culture of medicine that often asks us to give more than we thought …
When death comes to your job: Grieving what was and moving on
Did you know that according to research, teachers are more likely than doctors to become millionaires? How is that possible? Well, some of it has to do with the social pressure we face. However, a lot has to do with many of us thinking that because we are highly educated, we can also be effective financial advisors for ourselves. The reality is that for most of us, this is …
Choosing financial advisors for physicians
Many physicians reading this forum treat pain and addiction and may wonder what criteria the DEA believes to be indicative of a pill mill. The following is from a motion filed in federal court regarding the prosecution of a physician:
The government claimed in the motion that pill mills, “have been found to have common characteristics, including some or all of the following”:
DEA’s criteria for identifying pill mills: a physician’s analysis
National Latino Physician Day (NLPD) was established on October 1, 2022, as a day to celebrate Latino physicians in the United States, who represent 6% of the physician workforce. A strategic aim of NLPD is to simultaneously recognize the critical shortage of Latino physicians when compared to the U.S. population (19%), while sharing evidence-based data showcasing this disparity in Latino physician representation and its potential impact on worsening health care …
National Latino Physician Day: a crisis sparked the origin of a national day
During a total hip replacement, a patient experienced a brisk bleed and a drop in blood pressure that required intervention from the anesthesiologist. There was a discrepancy in the documented estimated blood loss, with the surgeon noting 30 0cc while the anesthesiologist recorded 1100 cc. The patient was hypotensive in the PACU and had a discolored leg with no …
For orthopedic surgeons, an all-of-the-above approach lowers liability risks
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Join Tomi Mitchell, a family physician, as we tackle the pressing issue of physician burnout. This episode delves into the stark disparity between perception and reality in medical careers, exploring strategies to combat burnout and prioritize well-being. …
A family physician’s burnout journey [PODCAST]
A guest column by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, exclusive to KevinMD.com.
The U.S. spends the largest amount of money on health care in the world – around $4.3 trillion annually. However, an estimated 20% to 30% of this is wasted, with no benefit reaching the populace. Culprits contributing to this waste include administrative …
The high “cost” of waste in U.S. health care, and what we can do about it
The principles governing the universe are not confined to physics and chemistry. In health care, a field that profoundly examines life’s intricacies, we find parallels with the three laws of thermodynamics. This article unveils these connections, offering a physician’s insights into the applications of these principles in patient care, medical innovation, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care.
The First Law of Thermodynamics: energy conservation
Thermodynamic principle: Energy in …
How the 3 laws of thermodynamics illuminate the pathways of health care and AI
The facelift procedure was first described in 1901 by Eugene Hollander and in 1916 by Erich Lexer. Over the last century, the facelift has become the gold standard for facial rejuvenation and continues to grow in popularity. One of the reasons we can attribute this growth spurt to is the options and advancements in how facelifts are handled. Let’s delve into the fascinating realm of modern facelifts, exploring the incredible …
Explore the rise in facelift options and embrace the trending popularity
An excerpt from The Healing Connection: A Partnership for Your Health.
The blood spurt was alarming though because it therefore indicated that the pressure in the venous system had to be sky high in order to shoot a column of blood in such a continuous arc over my right shoulder.
So, I …
Pericardiocentesis saves a life
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Join Dennis Hursh, an attorney with over 40 years of experience in health law. We explore the complex decisions physicians face when considering leaving a position without proper notice. Discover the legal, financial, and reputational consequences that …
Exploring consequences of early physician departures [PODCAST]
An excerpt from One Hundred Prayers: God’s answer to prayer in a COVID ICU.
(August 30, 2021) Susan was 44 years old and previously healthy; an ardent anti-masker. When she caught delta COVID, she took ivermectin, zinc and vitamin C. She arrived at our ER about a week later, requiring immediate …
A heartbreaking COVID-19 case: the importance of trust in medical care
Discover the ins and outs of nasal Narcan alongside psychiatrist Emily Watters. In this comic tutorial, she’ll walk you through the steps in her signature straightforward style, helping you grasp the essentials and empowering you to be a Narcan hero. (Click to enlarge.)
Learn to be a Narcan hero: a comic tutorial
“If you don’t know how to die, don’t worry; Nature will tell you what to do on the spot, fully and adequately. She will do this job perfectly for you.”
– M. Montaigne (1533-1592)
In 2021, former U.S. President Bill Clinton was rushed to a California hospital suffering from a urinary tract infection that had developed into sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection. According to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, …
The old man’s friend: Refuse antibiotics to achieve a peaceful death
When I was a child, I discovered I had superpowers. One day my mother left me at home with a list of tasks, chores and invented homework assignments to complete over summer break — the joys of having a mom who is also a teacher. As my eyes wandered down each line of the list, I decided now was the time for my rebellion.
I flipped the paper over, took a …
3 ways clinicians can unlock their career potential through writing
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Join Sarah Samaan, a retired cardiologist and physician development coach. Discover how burnout is a response to workplace stress, not a personal flaw, and how it relates to grief and compassion. Gain valuable insights into distinguishing burnout …
From stress to wellness: Navigating burnout in health care [PODCAST]
In 2018, physicians began #ThisIsOurLane, a movement arguing that gun violence is a public health epidemic that medical professionals have a vital role in dismantling. Gun suicide rates are increasing across America – particularly in states with the fewest gun laws. Guns are the most lethal method of self-harm, with a fatality rate of 90%, yet only 11 states are enforcing …
As suicide and gun violence rise, we need gun purchase waiting periods now
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