Carrying out laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) surgery using robotic procedures may increase the survival rate of prostate cancer patients, claims Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's multidisciplinary genitourinary (GU) cancer center. The Philadelphia hospital's study, carried out by urologic oncologists at the GU center, sampled fifty men who undertook robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP) and compared them against 197 men undergoing conventional LRP. As the study concluded, Costas Lallas, M.D., assistant professor of urology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, found "a significant improvement in the positive surgical margin rate with the addition of robotics to an established LRP."
Soldiers to get training in lifesaving techniques
The army has decided to begin training its staff lifesaving techniques. Ready to begin by the middle of June, the classes will take up one entire week out of the nine-week training program that soldiers have to undergo. Starting an IV and helping the injured breathe with the help of a tube would be a part of the training lessons according to Col. Kevin A. Shwedo, director of operations, plans, and training for the Army Accessions Command. He added that the focus would be on practical experience, giving soldiers "the greatest opportunity to evacuate an individual to a higher degree of health care." Formerly in each unit, a limited number of soldiers were trained on advanced lifesaving procedures. However, most of them were trained only for basic first aid practices, like bandaging and performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
New Jersey to open bureau to combat obesity
To combat obesity, New Jersey's health department is opening an office of nutrition and fitness in the state. It is likely to be the first office of its kind that would organize courses intended to reduce obesity. New Jersey will be the first state to create such an anti-obesity agency. A survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared New Jersey to be comprised of 23% obese and 37% overweight residents. Creating such a governmental organization was one of the proposals mentioned in the New Jersey Obesity Prevention Action Plan. A large task force set up by the state legislature has written the action plan.
Journal recommends gel-based hand sanitizers to improve hygiene in hospitals
Open-access journal Critical Care claims that the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers by the hospital health care staff can improve hand hygiene. In turn, good staff hygiene will reduce the chances of spreading infections in hospitals. The report, based on a study conducted by the online journal, boasted that instead of using any liquid-based product, using gel improved the skin texture of workers' hand and helped make hand hygiene satisfactory. To carry out the study, 102 health care staff was monitored and kept in the same intensive care unit. Though alcohol-based sanitizers are reported to be the standard method of hand hygiene globally, its practice amidst the hospital workers has not been researched on a large scale.
Martino Flynn adds consumer healthcare clients
Martino Flynn, LLC, a full-service public relations, advertising, and digital media agency has added two more pharmaceutical companies to its consumer healthcare clients. The new appointees, Insight Pharmaceuticals and Boiron USA, have become part of Martino Flynn's list of increasing clients in the healthcare department. These clients comprise pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, and medical device manufacturers. The firm utilizes its creativity in writing brand messages for companies like CooperVision, Blaine Pharmaceuticals, Preferred Care, Strong Hospital's University Urology Associates, and BD Medical. Martino Flynn's partner Kevin Flynn believes that "Martino Flynn has been successful in developing a specialty market within the healthcare industry." The firm will provide market support for national brands like Anacin, and it will also relaunch a homeopathic anesthetic Arnica for Boiron USA.
