The University of Maryland Medical Center has joined other area hospitals in instituting a new visitor policy today in an effort to protect visitors, staff and patients from H1N1 influenza, or swine flu now widespread in the Baltimore region.

The new policy says:

+No one under 18 is allowed in inpatient units, unless they are parents of hospitalized children.

+There is a 2-person limit on visitors per patient.

+All visitors must check in at either the Greene Street or Gudelsky Reception Desk.

+Visits are not permitted by anyone with flu symptoms, including fever, cough or sore throat.

Officials say children and teenagers have been restricted because they are  among those most affected by the swine flu outbreaks and are at highest risk of complications and death.

Officials also say patient care leaders may alter the policy on an individual basis if it's in the best interests of patients. That could mean excluding visitors altogether or allowing additional visitors for compassionate care reasons.

The hospitals plan to put up posters announcing the new policy.

Associated Press photo

Posted by Meredith Cohn at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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You can get just about anything online these days. Problem is, some of it isn't what it seems.

As the swine flu continues to sicken people, it has also created a market for treatments. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning everyone to take care because some of the stuff isn't real.

The FDA has rooted out all kinds of bogus treatments, including shampoos, dietary supplements and air purifiers that claim to prevent the flu. Officials have also tested samples of "Tamiflu," the drug treatment for the flu, and found them to be talk and aspirin or something else.

Don't be fooled. Search for fraudulent products here:

Posted by Meredith Cohn at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Happy Friday. Here's your weekly health news roundup. Enjoy.

+   As the fond tributes continue to roll in for the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, the NYT takes an in-depth look at Kennedy's battle with an aggressive and incurable brain tumor, glioblastoma, and how his fight mirrors the nation's 40-year war on cancer. In the wake of his death, could Congress could put aside the recent ugly debates on health care reform and actually pass legislation?

+   In other health care overhaul news, seniors are particularly skittish about proposed reforms, hospitals might actually profit from health care changes and a profile in the latest issue of Harvard Magazine goes deep on Dr. Atul Gawande, surgeon and writer who has unearthed a fascinating tale about excessive health care spending.

+   Maryland's budget woes are hitting health programs hard. In slashing $454 million from the state's $13 billion budget, officials will close an Eastern Shore psychiatric unit and cut millions in  funding to cancer research at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins.

+   Lots of swine flu updates as schools nationwide reopen, preparing for an onslaught of the virus this fall. New government data show children are 14 times more likely to get the H1N1 virus than adults, while others study whether the virus is more likely to affect blacks and Latinos . Got questions about swine flu? Have your say with public health officials on Monday and Tuesday through an online chat at www.WebDialogues.net/H1N1.

+   OK. This is just too much for me. Triathlons. For kids. As young as 3. Really?

And with that, have a great weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Yes! It's Friday. Hope everyone had a wonderful week. Here's your roundup of health news.

The big news in the health care reform front was the preisdent's shifting stance on the so-called public option. On Monday, it seemed Obama was ready to cave to critics and drop the idea of a public insurance option. Then, the White House backtracked, saying it wasn't shying away. We admit it; we're confused. Also confusing is what might replace the public option -- nonprofit co-ops. What are those, you ask? Folks here , here and here offer a few explanations.

In other health care news, the Brits are defending their system against U.S. attacks. Others ask if it's even fair to compare the American system with Canada's and countries in Europe.

Remember the craziness over "death panels" last week? Well put that silliness aside and read this very well-done piece about how doctors -- specifically palliative care specialists -- navigate end-of-life issues.

Stephanie wrote earlier this week about swine flu, er, H1N1 vaccine trials in kids, who are among the five priority groups who would get the shot. But maybe those priority groups are all wrong, says a new analysis by Yale and Clemson researchers. Instead of health care workers and pregnant women, the vaccine should be given first to children 5-19 and their parents to be most effective, the study says.

Cake that's good for you? Sign me up. The American Cancer Society asked the baking society to come up with a more nutrious birthday cake. Recipes included.

You know what's not good for you? Zombies. But how does one prepare for say, a zombie invasion and a subsequent assault on public health? I know, this has been keeping me up at night too. Well, someone actually did the math. The folks at the WSJ's health blog explain.

And with that, have a healthy and happy weekend!

Wired magazine photo

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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It's been a frenetic week on the health care reform front. Couple that with some interesting studies and other health tidbits and here you have it -- your weekly installment of health news:

+   Health care overhaul goes over-the-top: Stephanie summed up above the latest drama with the Senate's end-of-life provision and the ugliness of town halls meanwhile, I blogged earlier about the misinformation over euthanasia claims in the health care bills. With that in mind, here's a roundup of fact-check links to help you sort the real from the absurd. This is great, too: Seven lies about health care reform.

+   Sleep out for medical care: Town halls aside, some folks are actually trying to get health care to people who need it. In Los Angeles, hundreds slept outside to a basketball arena to get free medical care. The effort was founded by a man who spent years in the Amazon rain forest helping folks in need.

+   Swine flu and you: I reported this week on the start of trials for a swine flu vaccine at the University of Maryland, which aims to have initial results about whether the shot is safe and effective within weeks. Meanwhile, H1N1 infection is on the rise among soldiers in Iraq. Add the President of Costa Rica to the people sickened by the pandemic. Look out for Stephanie's story this weekend about the efforts to make a universal flu vaccine.

+   Stealing not uncommon among children: A doctor tells us stealing in childhood does not mean your kid will grow up to be a criminal. Young kids are still figuring out what the rules are and child development experts call a minor shoplifting incident a "teachable moment." 

+   Sleep genes: My husband can survive on four hours sleep. Me? I need eight or I'm a cranky mess. A new study says a genetic mutation could be why some people can function on less sleep than others.

+   Surviving allergy season: I know I've been sneezing up a storm. You too? Here are some tips for getting through it.

And with that, have a happy and healthy weekend.

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Happy Friday. Here's your dog-days-of-summer weekly installment of health news. Enjoy.

+   Lawmakers may be on summer vacation, but there has been no end to the political maneuvering on health care reform. Yesterday, the pharmaceutical industry made a deal with the Obama administration to save the nation $80 billion over the next decade.  Meanwhile, town halls on reform have become a free for all on both sides. And some say that the some of the reform rhetoric is trying to scare seniors by asking "will reform promote euthanasia?"

+   The American Psychological Association said that mental health professionals shouldn't tell gay clients they can change their sexual orientation through therapy. There's no evidence that such therapy works, the organization said.

+   Who is to blame when a diagnosis is missed? Some say doctors and patients both share responsibility.

+   The NYT takes an interesting look at another barrier at finding a cure to cancer: not enough people participating in clinical trials. Forty years since the government declared a "war on cancer," death rates have barely budged.

+   Stephanie blogged earlier about the phenomenon of donating a kidney to a stranger. Well, with a money-laundering scheme in the news involving kidneys, some are asking why not buy a kidney?

+   With an eye toward pandemic preparedness, Stanford's hospital and clinics are experimenting with a drive-thru emergency room. Being able to treat patients without having them leave their cars could help triage patients in the event of a pandemic emergency. Can we get fries with that? Doubtful.

And with that, have a happy and healthy weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The health care reform debate keeps on churning, new cautions on swine flu and ... doctors giving up their lab coats? Here are the health news highlights from this week. 

+   The CDC suggests that the key to bringing down health care costs is to get people to lose weight, raising a bunch of questions about how the government and businesses can push Americans to shed the pounds. How about a fat tax? Could a tax on fatty foods help cover the cost of reform? Or, maybe employers should give discounts to their workers who slim down? Meanwhile, others ask, why should employers have a say in our health care at all? 

+   A federal panel advises pregnant women, children and health care workers should be among the five priority groups to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. But how will they convince folks to get the shot? And are the priorities fair?

+   Tanning beds are as dangerous as cigarettes, says a new study. That hasn't stopped people from using them, however.

+    Rice Krispies help improve immunity? The new box claims it is loaded with vitamins that can do just that, begging an interesting question of FDA regulators.

+  And you thought doctors were up in arms about health care reform... Well, here's something that might surprise you. There's a debate in docs circles about whether they should ditch their trademark white coats. This is my favorite quote from the story: "When a patient shares intimacies with you and you examine them in a manner that no one else does, you’d better look like a physician — not a guy who works at Starbuck’s.”

And with that, have a happy and healthy weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Happy Friday! Here's your weekly installment of health news: the big stuff and the tidbits you may have missed.

+   In the latest health care news, President Obama made a personal plea for reform in a press conference Wednesday night asserting "it's not about me". This, after appearing on the Today show urging politicians to put away their swords. Then, congress said yesterday that it wouldn't pass a bill by the president's August deadline. Which begs the question: what does it all mean for us? Here are 10 questions that break down the nuts and bolts.

+   Stephanie blogged earlier this week about the fuss in the blogosphere that Regina Benjamin is too chunky to be a good surgeon general. But not all doctors are born fit and trim. Here's an interesting look at how physicians, too, struggle with their weight.

+  Up at night? You're not alone. Insomnia affects millions -- but what treatments work and which don't?  And here's a look at treating kids who struggle with sleep.

+   Hot dogs cause cancer? A vegan advocacy group in New Jersey is suing to get the big hot dog makers place warnings on their products saying consuming them increases the risk of cancer.  Advocates compare the processed meat-cancer link to cigarette's and lung cancer, while the hotdog industry insists the claims are bogus. Meanwhile, here's my favorite quote from the story: "Vegans complaining about hot dogs is like the Amish complaining about gas prices," said Susan Thatcher of Irvine.

+  Now here's one to scare all the hipsters: skinny jeans could be dangerous, says a medical advisor at Consumer Reports. Squeezing into a tight pair could possibly cause bladder infections, fertility problems and blood clots. Really?

And with that, have a great weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Happy TGIF! We hope everyone had a great week. Here's your Friday rundown of health news.

+   Don't expect news on the perils of swine flu to let up, even if fall flu season is still months away. The World Health Organization says the H1N1 pandemic is spreading too fast to count. Meanwhile, summer camps continue to report swine flu cases and Maryland recorded its third death from the virus on Wednesday. With everyone looking to a vaccine being ready this fall or winter, some folks are asking: will you vaccinate?

+   The latest health care reform news points to more partisan wrangling to come on a proposal that is not anywhere near final. The folks at Kaiser Health News offer a look at how reform could make it difficult for folks who currently have employer-based coverage to swap plans. And the New York Times magazine offers a philosphical approach at rationing health care.

+   The Alzheimer's Association met this week and issued a flurry of new findings on the illness. Stephanie blogged below about genetic testing for the disease. There were also interesting findings on a promising new drug and whether moderate drinking could cut the odds of getting the disease. And here's a great piece that attempts to understand dementia and "wandering."

+   The New York Times Well blog looks at a study on mothers of children with developmental disabilities. Here's an interview with a researcher who ponders the unique stress of raising a child with autism.

+   We've all been known to ask Dr. Google to help us diagnose our health problems. But one doc explains why Wiki isn't the best medical resource.

And with that, have a wonderful weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 1:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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As we celebrate the end of week two in blogdom -- thanks for reading all! -- we bring you some interesting health stories you might have missed.

+  This is a must read for anyone interested in the local food movement. This "Street farmer" brings organic produce to the inner city in a huge way. He's pragmatic, not preachy and even eats a doughnut every once and a while. And check out those worms!

+  In healthcare reform news, lots of updates: Hospitals agree to $155 million in cuts from government programs to cover the cost of reform. The Washington Post asks what are the limits to health care spending and who will make the tough choices about the cost limits? The Wall Street Journal's Health Blog breaks down reports about the many ways the reform effort may actually be stalling. Meanwhile, others say the entire reform question ignores illegal immigrants.

+  Stem cells to sperm?  British researchers claim it's possible. No proof whether these swimmers can fertilize an egg, but, well perhaps?

+  Consumer Reports breaks down underpayments by insurance companies and how out-of-network costs can rack up.

+  Lots of unsettling news about obesity, from soaring rates nationally to a study on how financial and work stress can make us load on the pounds, to this strange tidbit: living with a significant other can, ahem, make you fat.

And with that, we wish you a great weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
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If you're anything like me, you had a super hectic week leading to this holiday weekend. Now that we've made it -- whew -- here are some great health and medicine stories you might have missed.

Fascinating read from Sunday about how the grant system for cancer research awards small projects unlikely to make huge strides in finding a cure.

On the healthcare debate front, here's a great piece that looks at the big ticket issue: costs. So what happens to costs when you expand health care? Do they really go down? Or do they go up?

Two anti-smoking drugs will carry the Food and Drug Administration's most serious warnings after reports of people exerpiencing mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts.

A big picture look at the FDA's new powers to regulate tobacco.

Here are a couple of the many takes on the medical details behind Michael Jackson's death and whether Steve Jobs should talk publically about his pancreatic cancer.

And here's one for all the nurses out there who are tired of stereotypes about their profession -- I know my Mom is reading, so it goes out to her too. ;)

Have a great weekend!

Posted by Kelly Brewington at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: News roundup