Study finds low hand hygiene compliance in ICUs
Healthcare workers on intensive care units (ICUs) are
regularly missing opportunities to clean their hands during the care of
patients, despite its critical importance for infection...
ICU patients with non-brain-related injuries may suffer undetected cognitive dysfunction
A new study led by Western University and Lawson
Health Research Institute has found that most patients entering hospital
intensive care units (ICU) for non-brain-related injuries or ailments also
suffer from...
Superbugs: Have you checked your patient’s hands?
While the focus on the prevention of multi-drug antibiotic-resistant
bacteria has been on getting doctors, nurses and other staff working with
patients to follow strict handwashing...
First dedicated haematology unit opened in Johannesburg
The first dedicated private haematology
unit in greater Johannesburg for the diagnosis and treatment of the full range
of acute and chronic blood cancers and other...
DoH officials planning direct attempt to prevent HIV/AIDS fund reduction
A R16
billion ($1.2 billion) investment announced by the United States through PEPFAR
- the
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief initiated by the George W Bush
administration in...
Most women need mammograms every other year starting at 50 –...
Women at average risk for breast cancer can wait to start getting mammograms until age 50 and be screened every other year, according to...
Drop seen in pre-invasive cervical disease with HPV vaccination
A team of Scottish researchers have been able to give the assurance that routine vaccination of young girls aged 12 to 13 years with...
Using the arts to help critical-care health professionals cope
For doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, the psychological toll of their environment, as well covered in Med Brief Africa in recent weeks, can...
CMS “irritated, concerned” about Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill
The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has rejected the new
Conduct of Financial Institutions Bill (COFI), saying it will encroach on the
regulatory framework for medical...
Nursing shortage needs urgent intervention: Solidarity
Trade union, Solidarity has urged the Department of Health,
the South African Nursing Council and other role players to work with its
Occupational Guild for Nursing...
Top stories you may have missed…
Here are some
of the articles Med Brief Africa readers found the most interesting in the past
week:Reminder: HMI seminars on market concentration and supply-induced
demand. To...
SAHRC to sign agreement with Gauteng Health on fixing problems in...
The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it hopes to sign
an agreement with the Gauteng Health Department after the elections on solutions
to address the...
Does SA have a medical litigation crisis?
The Annual Survey of Medical Malpractice Judgments of 2018 just launched by Natmed Medical Defence goes some way to addressing this concern by, as...
Sick and tired: Doctor wellness in SA needs critical care
As we observe World Health Day on 7 April, health and
wellness is on everyone’s minds. But a question seldom asked is: Who cares for
the...
Globally, one in five deaths associated with poor diet: Lancet study
People in almost every region of the world could benefit
from rebalancing their diets to eat optimal amounts of various foods and
nutrients, according to the...
Cannabis products used differ for cancer, non-cancer patients
The forms of medical cannabis used vary for patients with and without cancer, a study published online in the Journal of Palliative Medicine has noted
Arum...
Research into health benefits of Rooibos gets R4.5m injection
In line with one of its main strategic objectives, the SA
Rooibos Council (SARC) is ramping up research efforts to better understand
exactly how our indigenous...
Board of Healthcare Funders MD DR KATLEGO MOTHUDI: ‘Many areas where...
Being appointed Managing Director of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) in September 2017 could well have been perceived as a natural progression for...