From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

Child psychiatric visits to EDs are becoming more prevalent
A study found that the prevalence of psychiatric visits by children to emergency departments grew from 2.4% in 1999 to 3% in 2007. Children who are underinsured accounted for 54% of such ED visits in 2007, an increase from 46% in 1999, researchers said. The findings, which were presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in Boston on Oct. 14, were based on ED data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Nurse.com (10/15)


Survey finds need for more health care workers to get flu shots
The CDC is asking health care administrators to make influenza vaccination accessible to health care workers to improve patient safety. A survey of 1,931 medical personnel found that only 63.5% were vaccinated for the 2010-2011 flu season. The flu vaccine strains for the 2011-2012 season did not change from those of the previous season, but the agency recommends annual vaccination even for individuals vaccinated last season. ClinicalAdvisor.com (10/15)


CDC: Heart disease rates in the U.S. decline
A national telephone survey in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that the prevalence of coronary heart disease dropped from 6.7% in 2006 to 6% in 2010. The decline was consistent with a drop in the number of people at high risk for heart disease, including smokers and people with uncontrolled LDL cholesterol or high blood pressure, lead author Dr. Jing Fang said. CNN/The Chart blog (10/13)


Here is One we can all LOVE:


Chocolate cuts risk of stroke in women, researchers find
A Swedish study found that women who had the highest chocolate consumption, an average of about 2.3 ounces per week, had a 20% reduced stroke risk. Although the study failed to prove a cause-and-effect link between chocolate and stroke, cardiologist Nieca Goldberg said, "Chocolate does have antioxidants, and antioxidants are beneficial for your health." The findings, which were based on the diet and lifestyle of more than 33,000 women ages 49 to 83, appear in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. USA TODAY/HealthDay News (10/10)


Septicemia the most costly condition in U.S. hospitals, AHRQ finds
The overall cost of septicemia treatment in U.S. hospitals reached almost $15.4 billion in 2009, the highest for any condition that year, according to a report released by the Agency for Healthcare and Quality. The number of hospitalizations for septicemia more than doubled between 2000 and 2009. Nurse.com (10/9)