In the past decade, heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as an intriguing parameter for interrogation of autonomic nervous system functioning. It relies on the physiologic phenomenon of changing heart rate with respiration, a process heavily reliant on input from…
Spinal blocks are administered by anesthesiologists for a variety of lower body surgeries including genitourinary tract procedures, cesarean sections, orthopedic hip or knee replacements, and lower abdominal surgeries like hernia repairs. Spinal anesthesia is achieved by a single shot of…
In today’s world with the intersection of healthcare and economics in the spotlight, there is huge pressure on hospitals to reduce spending. With sometimes uncertain reimbursement, keeping costs low is vital to maintain both healthy patients and a healthy budget.…
Every so often, a curious patient will ask how the drugs they receive work exactly. Seeing as “No one knows for sure” is hardly a reassuring response, I typically go into a simplified discussion of intravenous agents and their known…
A new study suggests that direct-to-consumer telehealth may increase access to care but does not decrease spending. Direct-to-consumer telehealth offers patients access to a physician via telephone or videoconferencing. Health plans and employers generally view telehealth as a way to…
Much of what makes modern anesthesia carry a lower risk than the anesthetics of yesteryear relates to consistency: standard monitors, evidence based guidelines, the ready availability of equipment and personnel to be able to respond to an emergency. Few things…
Spine surgery is performed for a variety of conditions including scoliosis, malignancy, herniated disks, degenerative spine disease, and spinal stenosis. The scope of surgical techniques range from quick minimally invasive single-level procedures to prolonged operations involving multiple spinal levels with…
There are two major methods by which companies provide health coverage for their workers – fully insured health plans and self funded health plans. Each kind of plan has advantages and disadvantages, and employers are careful to select the best…
A growing number of leaders in the healthcare industry are looking to blockchain technology as a means of increasing the accessibility and interoperability of medical information. First used to record trades of the online crypto-currency Bitcoin, blockchain technology documents online…
Smaller-scale inpatient facilities, termed “micro-hospitals”, have emerged as an alternative to traditional health care facilities and seem to be growing in popularity nationwide. Already in 19 states, according to a recent US News & World Report, micro-hospitals serve as a…