Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Nursing for December 2018. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Nurse-Led Program in Primary Care Can Up Detection of Liver Dz
MONDAY, Dec. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A nurse-led primary care intervention can increase the number of new diagnoses of liver disease, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in PLOS ONE.
ACOG Updates Guidelines for Gestational HTN, Preeclampsia
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) has updated its guidance on the management of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia as well as chronic hypertension in pregnant women; the two practice bulletins were published in the January issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia
Chronic Hypertension in Pregnancy
Second-Line Antidiabetic Meds May Impact Cardiovascular Risk
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For adults with type 2 diabetes initiating second-line antidiabetic medications (ADM), cardiovascular risk is increased with use of sulfonylureas or basal insulin versus newer ADM classes, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Pregnancy Complications Up for Women Born at Low Birth Weight
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Women born with a low birth weight have an increased risk for pregnancy complications, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Obesity.
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Many EDs Do Not Have Pediatric Area, Emergency Care Coordinator
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many emergency departments do not have a pediatric area or pediatric emergency care coordinator (PECC), but an intervention can increase use of PECCs, according to three studies published in the December issue of Academic Emergency Medicine.
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Toll on Health From Depression, Anxiety Akin to Smoking, Obesity
FRIDAY, Dec. 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Anxiety and depression predict poor future physical health as strongly as obesity and smoking in older adults, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in Health Psychology.
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More Than Two-Thirds of Drug OD Deaths in 2017 Involved Opioids
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — More than two-thirds of drug overdose deaths in 2017 involved an opioid, with increases in overdose deaths from all opioids and synthetic opioids seen from 2016 to 2017, according to research published in the Dec. 21 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Low-Priced Generic Drugs Most Likely to Have Shortages
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The lowest-priced generic drugs are more likely to experience shortages, according to a study published in the November issue of Value in Health.
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Opioid Prescribing Patterns Vary for Pediatric Patients
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in opioid prescribing among pediatric patients, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
More Americans Reporting Less Than Six Hours Sleep Per Night
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The percentage of American adults reporting six hours of sleep or less per night increased from 29 to 33 percent from 2013 to 2017, according to a study recently published in Sleep.
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New BP Treatment Cutoffs May Not Yield Survival Benefit
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — New blood pressure treatment recommendations may not improve survival from cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study recently published in the European Heart Journal.
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Pediatric Asthma Risk Score Has Good Sensitivity, Specificity
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A new quantitative personalized tool can better predict asthma development in young children than the Asthma Predictive Index (API), according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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Health Care Screening Practices Impact Skin Cancer Diagnosis
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Undergoing health care screening practices is associated with an increased likelihood of being diagnosed with skin cancer, according to a study published online Dec. 26 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Universal Vaccination for MenB at College Entry Not Cost-Effective
THURSDAY, Dec. 27, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Universal vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) at college entry does not appear to be cost-effective, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Updated Guidelines Developed for Diagnosing, Treating Influenza
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated their recommendations for the care of patients with suspected or diagnosed influenza; the clinical practice guidelines were published online Dec. 19 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Appalachia, Western States Have Highest Hep C Prevalence
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — States in the West and in Appalachia have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection than other states, according to a study published online Dec. 21 in JAMA Network Open.
Most Nurses Unsatisfied With Hospitals’ End-of-Life Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The majority of nurses have an unfavorable opinion of their hospital’s end-of-life care, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Home Oxygen Users Experience Problems Related to Equipment
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Home oxygen users often experience problems related to their oxygen equipment that may impact their quality of life, according to a report published in the December issue of the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
ACOG: Interpregnancy Period Should Maximize Women’s Health
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Providers should maximize women’s health during the interpregnancy period, continuing care beyond the immediate postpartum period, according to a consensus report published online Dec. 20 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Vit C for Pregnant Smokers May Improve Newborn Lung Function
MONDAY, Dec. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For pregnant smokers, vitamin C supplementation may improve newborn lung function, according to a study published online Dec. 7 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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FDA Announces Safety Monitoring Measures for the Essure Device
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is implementing a number of steps for long-term safety monitoring of the permanent birth control device Essure, which will no longer be sold or distributed in the United States after Dec. 31, 2018.
FDA: Fluoroquinolones Tied to Heart Vessel Ruptures, Tears
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Patients taking fluoroquinolones may be at higher risk for ruptures or tears in the aorta, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.
CDC: Weight, Waist Size, BMI Increased for Many U.S. Adults
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 1999-2000 to 2015-2016, there was an increase in mean weight, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) for many U.S. adults, according to the Dec. 20 issue of the National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infection Control Compliance Not Tied to Knowledge
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Home health care workers’ beliefs about infection prevention seem to have a greater influence on prevention protocol compliance than their absolute knowledge of infection control practices, according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.
Incident Concussion 5.1 Percent Per Season for Youth Football
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The athlete-level incidence of concussion is 5.1 percent per season for American football players aged 5 to 14 years, according to a study published online Dec. 13 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Number of People With Dementia Rose Twofold From 1990 to 2016
FRIDAY, Dec. 21, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of people living with dementia worldwide more than doubled from 1990 to 2016, according to a study published online Nov. 26 in The Lancet Neurology.
Growth in Use of Telemedicine Seen From 2005 to 2017
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in telemedicine use, although use was still uncommon in 2017, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
CDC: ~65 Percent of U.S. Women Currently Using Contraceptives
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Almost two-thirds of U.S. women aged 15 to 49 years were currently using contraception in 2015 to 2017, according to a December data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Affordable Care Act Sign-Ups Higher Than Expected
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite numerous difficulties, early figures show that sign-ups for health coverage next year under the Affordable Care Act are higher than expected.
Structured Family-Centered Peds Rounds Improve Patient Safety
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Structured communication involving families, nurses, and physicians can reduce harmful medical errors and improve family experience during pediatric hospitalizations, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in The BMJ.
ADA 2019 Standards of Care Emphasize Patient-Centered Care
THURSDAY, Dec. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Patient-centered care is emphasized in updated clinical practice recommendations from the American Diabetes Association 2019 Standards of Care, published as a supplement to the January issue of Diabetes Care.
Exercise Promotes Executive Functioning in Sedentary Adults
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For sedentary adults at risk for cognitive decline, aerobic exercise (AE) is associated with significant improvement in executive functioning, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in Neurology.
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High Sodium May Contribute to CVD Deaths in Shandong, China
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths in Shandong Province, China, may be attributable to high sodium intake, according to a study published online Dec. 19 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Cognitive Therapy Helps Reduce Anxiety in COPD Patients
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered by respiratory nurses is associated with reduced anxiety symptoms and is cost-effective for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study recently published in ERJ Open Research.
Delivery Mode Tied to Pelvic Floor Disorder Risk Post-Childbirth
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — After childbirth, the risk for pelvic floor disorders varies by delivery mode, according to a study published in the Dec. 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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‘Aggressive Steps’ Needed to Stop Adolescent Use of E-Cigarettes
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — “Aggressive steps” must be taken by parents, teachers, health providers, and government officials to prevent children and teens from using electronic cigarettes, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H., said in an advisory.
Palliative Care in MS Inpatients Rises From 2005 to 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2005 to 2014, trends in palliative care use increased substantially among multiple sclerosis (MS) inpatients, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.
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Psychosocial Factors Key in Peds Care for Special-Needs Kids
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Pediatric providers need to be aware of the impact of psychosocial factors on the health and wellness of children and youth with special health care needs and their families, according to a clinical report published online Dec. 17 in Pediatrics.
EHR Data ID Differences in HTN Control Across Health Systems
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — An analysis of electronic health record data reveals considerable differences in hypertension control across health systems, according to a study published in the November-December issue of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Routine Supplements to Prevent Chronic Disease Not Advised
TUESDAY, Dec. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent chronic disease is not recommended, according to an Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position paper published in the November issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
More U.S. Teens Are Vaping, but Use of Opioids, Alcohol Falling
MONDAY, Dec. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Vaping among American teenagers increased dramatically in 2018, with nearly two of every five high school seniors reporting they had tried an electronic cigarette during the past year, according to the latest Monitoring the Future survey funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Adherence and Intensity of Lipid-Lowering Tx Influence CV Risk
Screening + Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program Aids Nurses" Mental Health 
Number of Health Care Workers Has Increased 198.5 Percent Since 1990 
Study Looks at Drivers of Nurse Turnover 
Staffing, Scheduling, and Wage Changes Could Reattract Nurses Back to Hospitals 
Collaborative Dementia Care Offers Health, Economic Benefits 
One in Three Nurses Have Student Loan Debt 
Policy Incentivizing High Staffing of Nursing Homes May Improve Patient Health 
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