SCoA News
X-ray of ducts during gallbladder surgery not linked with reduction in risk of common duct injury
Science Daily, Aug. 28, 2013
In an analysis of a procedure used to help prevent common duct injury during gallbladder removal surgery, use of intraoperative cholangiography (radiologic examination of the ducts during gallbladder surgery) was not associated with a reduced risk of common duct injury, according to a UTMB study in the August 28 issue of JAMA. Authors are Kristin M. Sheffield, Dr. Taylor S. Riall, Yimei Han, Yong-Fang Kuo, Dr. Courtney M. Townsend and Dr. James S. Goodwin.
SCoA to participate in Galveston Walk to End Alzheimer's Oct. 12, 2013
Join the team!
The Galveston Walk to End Alzheimer's is at Stewart beach on October 12th, 9am. We have a UTMB-Geriatrics/SCOA team that you can join. The link to the Team Page is act.alz.org/goto/GeriatricsSCOA. Then, click on "Join My Team". You may donate if you like (from a dollar to any amount). We would really like to get more people to join the team--there is no registration fee and it is very easy to register! There is a "team kickoff/event" at Chilis on the Seawall on September 18th. Chilis will donate a portion of their proceeds to the event. If you have any questions, please contact Krista Dunn: kdunn@alz.org or Ellen Register: jeregist@utmb.edu, 409.772.2473 or 409.266.9634. Thanks for your support!
University of Texas Medical Branch study explores NP regulations
Nurse.com, Aug. 5, 2013
Continuing coverage: A new UTMB study looked at the growth in care provided by nurse practitioners from 1998 to 2010 using state records and national Medicare data. The researchers found that the number of patients seeing nurse practitioners as their primary care provider is on the upswing. In 1998, only 0.2 percent of Medicare patients nationwide used nurse practitioners as their primary care provider, versus 2.9 percent in 2010, according to the release.
"We wanted to look at what happened in states that allowed nurse practitioners more or less authority," Yong-Fang Kuo, PhD, lead author of the study, said in a news release. "As you would expect, it makes a big difference. We can now clearly show that states with fewer regulations means more patients get the primary care they need."
National Institute on Aging - New Blog
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at NIH has a new blog for scientists and those considering a career in research. Each week, we cover a new topic: funding, fellowships, training opportunities, grantsmanship tips, research priorities, and other issues that may be of interest to you. Subscribe to get a weekly email notifying you about new posts.
Just enter your email address in the Subscribe box on the blog webpage. Or, grab the NIA blog RSS feed.
UTMB awarded $4.9 million grant to improve health care for the elderly
UTMB Newsroom, May 21, 2013
UTMB has been awarded a $4.97 million grant from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) for a center on "Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) in the Elderly" led by Dr. James S. Goodwin, director of UTMB's Sealy Center on Aging. "The overall goal is to promote patient-centered care, by determining the range of different outcomes most important to patients with different diseases, and how well currently available treatments help achieve those outcomes," said Goodwin.
ETGEC-C Launches New Website
The East Texas Geriatric Education Center-Consortium is pleased to announce the release of our new website at http://etgec.utmb.edu. The ETGEC-C, in partnership with the Texas Area Health Education Centers East (Texas AHEC East), specializes in providing education and training efforts targeting all health professionals and students in health professions. Its purpose is to address health trends impacting older populations in medically underserved areas. These trends include changes in Medicare proposed due to health care reform, how society views aging and disease, and important updates on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Please visit our new site and share it with your colleagues, friends, and family who are interested in caring for older adults.
Experts offer small, easy steps to aging well
The Galv Daily News, April 29, 2013
Small lifestyle changes, such as staying more connected to family and friends, getting more sleep and preparing foods differently, can go a long way in slowing aging and the onset of related diseases, researchers say. "The single most important thing, in my opinion, is exercise," said Dr. James S. Goodwin, director of UTMB's Sealy Center on Aging. Dr. Robert Hirschfeld also advocates staying active - both physically and cognitively - to slow the effects of aging. That means turning off the TV and getting out there. Read the full article.
CERCIT Launches Cancer Screening Query Tool:
The CERCIT web site (txcercit.org) has added an online cancer screening query tool that references 100% Texas Medicare data obtained under CMS DUA# 21332. The goal of the CERCIT project investigators is to provide a tool for researchers and the general public that can be used to generate simple estimates of the percent of Medicare beneficiaries who received at least one screening test in each year for a screening mammogram, PSA or colonoscopy. Visit the CERCIT web site for more information and click on the "Data" tab.
Submit Sealy Center on Aging related news to the webmaster by email at rmgrover@utmb.edu.