JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants articles from February 2004

JAAPA-Journal of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants archives from February 2004

AAPA and AMA launch PA credentialing service.(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... A newly launched, state-of-the-art PA credentialing service means more than just convenience for hospital credentialing staffs and managed care organizations (MCOs). The venture between the AAPA and the American Medical Association (AMA)...

PAs and the flu season.(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... Because of concerns about influenza vaccine shortages, the CDC has issued recommendations on vaccination, respiratory hygiene, and treatment. PAs should target those at highest risk for vaccinations. The most up-to-date information is available...

Need to prepare for the PANCE or PANRE exam?(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... Students about to graduate and PAs about to recertify need a study tool that will reinforce knowledge and build confidence. To prepare for the PANCE and PANRE exams, take a look at the new 2003 edition of A Comprehensive Review for the...

Two new grant programs from the PA Foundation.(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... To commemorate its upcoming 25th anniversary, the PA Foundation has launched Healthy Neighborhoods and the Global Outreach Program. All AAPA members are eligible to apply for these grant programs. Information is available at...

Learn about disclosure issues online and earn CME.(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... The AAPA is offering Patient Communication and Adverse Outcomes, an online CME course to help PAs learn how to deal with disclosure issues. Those who successfully complete the course will receive 2 hours of CME credit and a premium reduction on...

The NCCPA has moved.(From the AAPA: news of current interest)
February 1, 2004... The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants has a new address: 12000 Findley Rd, Suite 200, Duluth, GA 30097. The post office box and e-mail addresses remain the same. New phone number: (678) 417-8100. New fax number: (678)...

Pharmacology 101 pop quiz.(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... Remember the burst of anxiety (accompanied by palpitations and moist palms) you felt when a teacher announced a pop quiz? Like most of us, your thinking probably went something like this: "Oh, no! I haven't done the reading in a week. I'm...

Parents should avoid ipecac in unintentional poisonings.(Journal Club)
February 1, 2004... Bond GR. Home syrup of ipecac use does not reduce emergency department use or improve outcome. Pediatrics. 2003;112:1061-1064. As part of an injury prevention program, home use of syrup of ipecac under the direction of poison control staff...

The government weighs in on obesity screening.(Journal Club)
February 1, 2004... U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for obesity in adults. December 2003. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsobes.htm. Accessed January 21, 2004. This newest, evidence-based recommendation from the U.S....

Cases of syphilis are rising in men.(Journal Club)
February 1, 2004... Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Primary and secondary syphilis--United States. 2002. MMWR Morb Mortal Wky Pep. November 21, 2003;52:1117-1120. Not too long ago, public health officials predicted that syphilis would soon join...

Elevated CRP levels increase hypertension risk in women.(Journal Club)
February 1, 2004... Sesso HD, Buring JE. Rifai N, et al. C-reactive protein and the risk of developing hypertension. JAMA. 2003;290:2945-2951. * This prospective cohort study started in 1992 with 20,525 US female health professionals aged 45 years or older who...

BP: 144/92: LDL-C: 154: good enough? Or good enough to increase the odds of an MI in the next ten years?(Advertisement)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2004... The data are clear: concurrently, even mild-to-moderate elevations of blood pressure and cholesterol can mean an increased risk of cardiovascular events. (1-3) Studies such as the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT), an...

Finding and treating the cause of hyperthyroidism: early recognition of thyroid dysfunction is important, especially in the elderly, since treatment can improve symptoms dramatically and avert serious complications.(Recertification Refresher)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... In 1835, Robert Graves identified a disorder that is characterized by the triad of goiter, palpitations, and exophthalmos (proptosis); the cause of these symptoms was later identified as nonthyrotropin thyroid-stimulating factor, an IgG...

Cough, fever, a lung mass, and a complex history: a cavitary mass on a chest radiograph represents a diagnostic quandary that must be resolved quickly to prevent dangerous complications or the spread of contagious disease.(Case Report)
February 1, 2004... A 15-year-old boy arrived at a clinic complaining of fever, chills, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. His temperature was 102.9[degrees]F (measured aurally), and laboratory testing showed a nearly normal CBC: WBC, 12,300 cells/[mm.sup.3],...

von Willebrand's disease: a common cause of menorrhagia: as many as 25% of women who complain of heavy menstrual periods have this inherited bleeding disorder.
February 1, 2004... An estimated 1.5% of the populations of Europe and the United States and 25% of women who are referred for evaluation of menorrhagia have von Willebrand's disease (vWD), (1) the most common inherited bleeding disorder worldwide. (2) First...

CME post-test.
February 1, 2004... EXPIRATION DATE FEBRUARY 2005 Please take this CME Post-test online at www.aapa.org. Ralph CT. Finding and treating the cause of hyperthyroidism. JAAPA, 2004;17(2):20,23-26,29,30. Pesicka DR, yon Willebrand's disease: A common cause of...

Is rt-PA useful for stroke after 3 hours?(Cat Clinic)
February 1, 2004... Case: Hemiparesis and dysarthria A 76-year-old woman arrived at the emergency department approximately 4 hours after the abrupt onset of right-side weakness and difficulty speaking. Rapid primary and secondary assessments revealed a stable...

CME Calendar.(Calendar)
February 1, 2004... FLORIDA August 4-8 FAPA Annual Summer Symposium. Where: Marco Island. Provider: Florida Academy of PAs. Information: www.fapaonline.org. HAWAII October 11-15 Annual CME Conference. Where: Honolulu. Provider: Hawaii Academy of...

Physician assistant: patient advocate.(Sounding Board)
February 1, 2004... Technology and market forces have profoundly affected the pace of modern life, defining our lifestyles, expectations, and institutions. The medical industry, like other industries, has experienced transformational change propelled by new...

Azithromycin for 3 days an alternative for acute sinusitis.(POEMs)
February 1, 2004... Clinical question Is a short course of azithromycin as effective as longer courses of azithromycin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid? Bottom line A 3-day course of azithromycin 500 mg given once daily is a reasonable alternative for patients...

Ximelegatran + ASA no more effective than ASA in preventing subsequent MI.(POEMs)
February 1, 2004... Clinical question Is ximelegatran (Exanta) more effective than ximelegatran plus aspirin after acute myocardial infarction (MI)? Bottom line I am not convinced by this study that ximelegatran plus aspirin after acute MI is more effective...

Lipid lowering crucial in diabetes.(POEMs)
February 1, 2004... Clinical question What is the relative benefit of lowering lipids in patients with diabetes? Bottom line Lowering lipids in patients with type 2 diabetes is at least as valuable as lowering lipids in patients with cardiovascular disease....