A combined concern based on professional image and safety drives the American College of
Surgeons new communique on clothing. No dangling surgical masks, loose jewelry, grungy scrubs or uncovered ponytails or mutton-chop sideburns allowed. And, much like pro athletes, ditch the uniform (scrubs) for a jacket and tie for “encounters outside the OR.”

“The whole idea is to support professionalism on behalf of patients,” ACS Executive Director David Hoyt, MD, said in a news story.

The guidelines, which the ACS says were developed based on “based on professionalism, common sense, decorum, and the available evidence,” were designed standardize dress codes, which vary in different organizations.

“There’s a lot of confusion as to what is [Read More]

Hospitals and health systems across the country are partnering with Uber to help patients make it to appointments on time, according to a recent article in the Atlantic magazine.

Columbia, Md.-based MedStar Health is one such system. The nonprofit health care system began a partnership with Uber in January. Through the partnership, patients can use Uber can book trips via the MedStar website. Medicaid patients or those without the Uber app can set up rides by calling MedStar’s patient advocates directly.

The arrangement has been wildly popular. “We probably had 50 different systems across the country reach out to us and ask us, ‘How did you do it?’ I would say that [Read More]

The American Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the following statements this week regarding the Zika virus as they hosted a webinar for American’s physicians and clinicians on the current status of the outbreak.

“As the Zika virus outbreak continues to evolve and more Americans become impacted by the virus, we must ensure that our nation’s physicians, and all clinicians, are prepared to handle possible cases of the virus and are equipped with the most up-to-date information to answer patients’ questions. The AMA and CDC will be holding a live webinar tonight to provide physicians and other clinicians with an update on the current status of [Read More]

Wayne State University School of Medicine could be down 37 faculty members because of retirement and termination, according to The Detroit News.

The news was revealed via a letter to faculty members from Dean Jack Sobel, MD.

Eighteen faculty members have “agreed to retire, accept phased retirement or received notice of nonrenewal of their contract,” according to Dr. Sobel’s letter. Eleven others will be recommended for dismissal from their positions, and eight more chose to take part in separation agreements. Most of these eight will stay on staff at Wayne State until after Sept. 1.

These 37 members are part of the 700 researchers in the medical school’s basic sciences and clinical departments, [Read More]