LocalHealthGuide is a health news and information web service for Seattle and the Puget Sound Region. We are independent and unaffiliated with any hospital, medical association or insurer. If you have questions or if your group has an upcoming event that you would like us to cover, please let us know by going to our "
Add to Google
People in state high-risk insurance plans often feel left behind
The federal health law set up new plans that are cheaper and more comprehensive than the older ones run by states but consumers need to go without insurance for six months to qualify.
Surgery
Baby boomers trigger jump in knee replacement surgeries
Whether it’s music, lifestyles, or a refuse-to-age outlook, Baby Boomers think of themselves as trailblazers. Now, that generation born between 1946 and 1964 can claim credit for another “first”—a dramatic increase in knee replacement surgeries.
FDA targets gastric band weight-loss claims
“I lost 90 pounds with the Lap-Band!,” read the billboards. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it? But there are serious risks with the weight-loss surgery promoted by these ads.
Reducing your risk of being injured by a medical error
Errors are often the result of poor coordination within the health care system and poor communication on the part of physicians, nurses and patients. What can you to protect yourself and loved ones?
Swedish to live stream deep brain stimulation surgery
Seattle’s Swedish Neuroscience Insitute will live stream a deep brain stimulation surgery for essential tremor online tomorrow morning, Friday, December 16th.
Insurance often does not cover weight-loss surgery for teens
As obesity among young people continues to rise, a growing number of clinicians say that weight-loss surgery may be their best chance to take off significant weight. But although health plans frequently cover bariatric surgery in adults, coverage for patients under age 18 is spotty.
Animal research can be humane and ethical — animal psychologist argues
The use of animals in medical research is justified provided that the research is worthwhile and that animals are treated humanely, noted animal psychologist Temple Grandin argues.
Weekend Reading: Health and Medicine Online
C-section boom in Boston. A virus stalks the NBA. A hospital apologizes to actor James Wood. Personhood at conception? Judge-directed malpractice settlements. GOP missing the boat on health care reform?
Cutting through ICU confusion
Every year more than 5 million people in the U.S. are treated in ICUs. For patients, family and friends, the ICU experience is often emotional and confusing. Here are some tips to help you cope.
Helping patients to know their ‘Medical Mind’
In a new book, oncologist and New Yorker writer Jerome Groopman and his wife, endocrinologist Pamela Hartzband, encourage consumers to chart their own path when looking at treatment decisions.
How does your hospital stack up against the competition?
Medicare’s new Hospital Compare website allows you to compare hospitals side-by-side on a variety of patient safety and patient satisfaction measures. But are the comparisons fair?
Making up your ‘medical’ mind – Book Review
Your Medical Mind offers a well-sourced, approachable account of the challenges we and our clinicians face when we are truly engaged in making medical decisions together.
For some surgeries, more is better — safer
Planning to have surgery? Well, you might want to find out just how frequently hospitals in your area are perform the operation before deciding where to go.
Recent Comments