Attorney Blog

Berger & Lagnese Gets Jury Verdict of $663,891 in Failure to Diagnose Bowel Obstruction Case

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

On November 2, 2011, Berger & Lagnese attorneys Joshua Berger and David Paul obtained a jury verdict of $663,891.03 on behalf of the family of a Cambria County lady who died at a hospital in Altoona, Pennsylvania as a result of her doctor's failure to diagnose and treat her bowel obstruction. As a result of the doctor's failure to diagnose and treat her bowel obstruction, a bowel perforation developed, causing the lady to die two days later from infection.

Paul Lagnese Gets $10 Million Jury Verdict Against UPMC

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST

On November 2, 2011, an Allegheny County jury ordered that UPMC must pay the Estate of Michael Rettger $10 Million as a result of the UMPC's negligently causing the death of Mike Rettger. This award was for Mike's lost earnings as a result of his death. It is the largest verdict in Allegheny County for a medical malpractice since January of 2000.

On May 23, 2008 another jury ordered UPMC to pay Mike's mother $2.5 Million for the loss she suffered as a result of UPMC causing Mike's death. Thus the total amount of the jury awards against UPMC in this case is $12.5 Million.

Berger & Lagnese Gets $1.8 Million Jury Verdict in Failure to Diagnose Lung Cancer Case

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

On April 21, 2011, a jury in Erie County, Pennsylvania awarded $1.8 Million to the children of Carolyn Champlin, who died in April 2005 as a result of her doctors' failure to diagnose and treat her lung cancer. Mrs. Champlin's children were represented by attorneys Joshua Berger and David Paul of the Pittsburgh law firm of Berger & Lagnese.

Family settles defective heater case for $18.275 Million

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

Lakewood Engineering & Manufacturing Co. of Chicago paid $18.275 million in a defective heater lawsuit. In this product liability case, the plaintiffs successfully showed that the Sun 1 model radiant portable electric heater had a defective rotary switch, and had been subject to a recall by the Consumer Product Safety Commission which found the switch was subject to overheating during normal use. The heater was being used in the residence when it caught fire, killng two and severely injuring one person. The survivor's injuries included hypoxic brain injury and massive burning and disfigurement.

Family of fork lift operator settles workplace negligence case for $1.7 Million

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 EST

A 52 year old worker was operating a forklift unloading tractor trailers at his workplace. A trucker who was employed by a trucking company pulled his truct into the unloading area and pulled back the side curtains and unstrapped the pallets on the trailer. The forklift operator believed that the pallets were ready to be unloaded, and inserted the forks into the pallet on the trailer. The truck driver was unaware that the forks had been inserted. The driver started the truck and pulled it forward. The forklift became trapped and was dragged along by the moving trailer. The forklift operator jumped off the forklift, but it continued to overturn and fell on his chest, pinning him to the ground. He died 5 minutes later from asphyxiation. The family of the forklift operator successfully brought a workplace negligence case and recovered $1.7 million.

Heart Medicine Multaq (Dronedarone) Can Cause Severe Liver Damage

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Previously, the heart medicine dronedarone received FDA approval "to help maintain normal heart rhythms in patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter." Dronedarone is marketed to the public as Multaq.

On January 14, 2011, the FDA issued a severe liver injury warning on Dronedarone/Multaq. FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients about cases of rare, but severe liver injury. Two patients have required liver transplants. Information about the potential risk of liver injury from dronedarone is being added to the WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS sections of the dronedarone labels.

If you have taken or are currently taking the heart medicine Multaq to control atrial fibrillation or flutter, contact the law firm of Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

University Of Oklahoma Scientists Discover Way To Stop Pancreatic Cancer In Early Stages

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Researchers were able to show for the first time that a drug used in current chemotherapy for later stages of pancreatic cancer had a dramatic effect if used earlier.

With low doses of Gefitinib, which has no known side effects at this level, scientists were able to not only stop pancreatic cancer tumors from growing, but after 41 weeks of treatment, the cancer was gone.

"This is one of the most important studies in pancreatic cancer prevention. Pancreatic cancer is a poorly understood cancer and the focus has been on treatment in the end stages. But, we found if you start early, there will be a much greater benefit. Our goal is to block the spread of the cancer. That is our best chance at beating this disease."

Currently, most pancreatic cancer is not identified until the later stages. However, research is moving closer to the development of an early detection test for pancreatic cancer. When that is in place, Oklahoma cancer center researchers believe they now have a method to target the cancer before it spreads.

Blood test Accurately Predicts Death from Prostate Cancer up to 25 Years in Advance

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

A blood test at the age of 60 can accurately predict the risk that a man will die from prostate cancer within the next 25 years, according to researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York, and Lund University, in Sweden. "We were hoping to find a novel marker," said lead researchers Andrew Vickers, PhD and Hans Lilja, MD PhD. "What we found instead was a new way of using an old test."

According to the study, 126 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and of those, 90 percent of deaths occurred in men in the top 25 percent of PSA levels at age 60. The researchers concluded that men with a PSA level above 2 ng/ml at age 60 should be considered at increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and should continue to be screened regularly.

Men with a PSA level below 1 ng / ml had a 0.2 percent chance of death from prostate cancer. The researchers concluded that men with PSA levels in this range, which is about half of all men, should be considered at low risk of prostate cancer death and may not need to be screened in the future. The study also indicated that some men found to be at low risk may actually have prostate cancer; however it is not likely to cause symptoms or shorten their life by the age of 85.

"This is a key finding," said Dr. Vickers. "We know that screening detects many prostate cancers that are not harmful, leading to anxiety and unnecessary treatment. It is our ability to determine the risk of the really aggressive cancers that makes this approach of such great potential value."

Study emphasizes colonoscopies important

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

Colonoscopies can reduce colon cancer risk not only on the left side of the colon, but also on the right side, reveals a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. These latest findings contradict some prior studies which suggested there were right-side "blind spots" regarding colonoscopies. The new study found a 77% lower overall risk of malignancy among those who underwent colonoscopies. A colonoscopy can reach the left side of the colon more easily, and the researchers found an even lower risk of malignancy for that side. However, for those undergoing the procedure, the reduced risk was still considerable for both sides. Aside from strong risk reduction with respect to left-sided cancer, risk reduction of more than 50% was also seen for right-sided colon cancer.

Endometrial cancer screening

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer among women in the United States and Europe. Amazingly, the medical community in the United States has not recommended broad-based screening for this common cancer. But a newly published British study shows that screening for this cancer can be feasible by using transvaginal ultrasound. Menopausal women who underwent transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) were studied. The researchers evaluated TVUS-determined endometrial thickness and abnormalities in relation to subsequent diagnoses of endometrial cancer or atypical hyperplasia. Greater weight, older age, and personal histories of breast cancer were associated with excess risk for endometrial cancer or atypical hyperplasia. Among the highest risk women, the screening looked at endometrial thickness, and had more than 80% sensitivity for endometrial cancer or atypical hyperplasia.

Cardiologist Inserts Hundreds of Unnecessary Heart Stents

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

Baltimore area cardiologist Dr. Mark Midei allegedly implanted unnecessary cardiac stents in hundreds of patients at a Towson hospital. The company that made the stents, Abbott Laboratories, was paying for crab and barbecue feasts at the doctor's home, and building a business strategy around the Maryland cardiologist's high output, according to a federal report being released today.

Abbott, a $30 billion-a-year, Chicago-based pharmaceutical firm, ranked Midei among its top-volume doctors in the Northeast and made plying him with research money and "VIP trips" part of its business plan in late 2008 — about the time Midei's usage of Abbott-brand stents soared, the report said. The 170-page document contains the findings of a months-long investigation by the U.S. Senate.

Have you had a cardiac stent placement recently and suspect it was unnecessary? Have you suffered injuries from a cardiac procedure? Contact the firm for a free evaluation and investigation.

Length of fingers can indicate risk of prostate cancer say British scientists

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:00:00 EST

A man whose index finger is longer than his ring finger has a statistically one-third lower risk of developing prostate cancer compared to those whose index fingers are shorter than their ring fingers, scientists report in the British Journal of Cancer. The study results were that relative finger length could be used as a simple test for prostate cancer risk, particularly in men aged under 60. In men younger than 60, those with index fingers longer than ring fingers were 87% less likely to have prostate cancer.

How could this be? When the baby is in the womb it is exposed to hormones, such as testosterone. Experts say that the more testosterone the baby is exposed to the shorter his index finger will be. Therefore, being exposed to less testosterone while still in the womb may offer protection from subsequently developing prostate cancer, the scientists wrote. "The phenomenon is thought to occur because the genes HOXA and HOXD control both finger length and development of sex organs."

Prior studies have demonstrated an association between hormone exposure in the womb and certain disease risks decades later in life, such as breast cancer and estrogen exposure, and osteoarthritis and having a shorter index than ring finger.

Does treatment of acne with drugs increase risk of suicide attempts?

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Research studies show that suffering severe acne may increase risk for suicide, and treating the acne with Isotretinoin might increase that risk. Isotretinoin is also sold under various brand names including Accutane, Claravis, and Sotret.

Although Isotretinoin has been anecdotally linked to suicide, observational studies have had inconsistent results. In other studies, severe acne itself increased risks for distress and suicide.
Having severe acne may be a risk factor for suicide, given that attempt rates increased before isotretinoin was initiated. The further increase in rates after isotretinoin initiation indicates that the medication could heighten the risk. The results argue for close monitoring of all isotretinoin-treated patients for suicidal behavior for up to a year after treatment stops.

Alert: research follow-up links hormone replacement therapy to excess breast cancer risks

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Researchers continue to try to determine how Estrogen-Progestin Hormone Therapy affects risk of breast cancer and breast cancer deaths. In an important research development, the eleven-year follow-up to the Women's Health Initiative shows marginally higher breast cancer death rates in women who took combination Estrogen-Progestin hormone therapy. This is also known as "combination HT."

The initial WHI findings suggested that risk for invasive breast cancer was limited to women who had used hormone therapy (HT) longer than 5 years. Now, an 11 year follow-up reports on breast cancer mortality in WHI participants. The follow-up shows that breast cancers in women who received combination HT were more likely to be node positive, and that death rate was marginally raised with use of HT.

Missed cancers in screening colonoscopies

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Sometimes people are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer after undergoing a colonoscopy which was reported as negative for cancer, or after having polyps removed. How can this be? There are three possibilites: missed lesions, incomplete polypectomy, and development of new cancers in patients without polyps.
Now a new study answers the question, and finds that more than half of cancers arising after negative colonoscopies or after colon polyp removal were the result of missed lesions. Therefore this study highlights that the skills of the physician performing a screening colonoscopy are key. Doctors should have cancer detection rates at or above the recommended thresholds. Obviously, cancer detection is the most important quality measurement of screening colonoscopies.

Deadly medical errors more common than previously estimated

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Medical malpractice is more widespread than prior studies have revealed. The newest study released by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that one in seven Medicare patients were harmed by the care they received in the hospital during a month studied by the agency.

The study shows that hospital patients are harmed much more frequently than previously estimated, according to Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

"When mistakes are made in hospitals, the consequences can be serious and too often deadly," said Lisa McGiffert, Director of Consumers Union's Safe Patient project. "This report shows that hospital patients are being harmed by medical errors at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, most Americans have no way of knowing whether their hospital is doing a good job preventing medical errors."

In most states, hospital-specific information is kept secret and hospitals can get away with under-reporting errors because there is no effort made to systematically validate the data that hospitals are required to report. "The public should have the right to know when hospitals harm patients," said McGiffert.

Gallbladder surgery malpractice: patient recovers confidential settlement

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a recent medical malpractice case, the patient obtained a settlement against the gallbladder surgeon; the settlement amount is confidential between the parties. The patient sued the surgeon for negligence during removal of the plaintiff’s gallbladder.

The 59-year-old patient went to the surgeon complaining of abdominal pain and vomiting. Testing revealed gallbladder stones and the surgeon recommended a laparoscopic surgery. The medical records revealed that there was considerable inflammation around the gallbladder during the surgery. As a result, the surgeon made a hole in the gallbladder which allowed the gallstones to escape into the surgical field, and made visualization of the anatomical locations difficult. The patient's attorneys argued that the defendant surgeon misidentified the patient's anatomy during the surgery, and placed two surgical clips on the common bile duct. These clips made the duct leak bile into her body, and crushed the tissue.

Acute headache may be a medical emergency

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Acute headache can be a medical emergency because it may be a sign of subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain bleeding) which can result in devastating injury or death. When a patient has an acute headache, tests are needed to determine whether it is being caused by bleeding in the brain. Tests include CT scan and lumbar puncture.

A new research study has found that certain signs and symptoms that accompany acute headache are predictive of a brain hemorrhage.

Patients who present with nontraumatic headaches that peak within 1 hour and who have any of the following signs and symptoms must be assessed for dangerous brain hemorrhage:

* 1: Patient is over age 40, complaint of neck pain or stiffness, witnessed loss of consciousness, onset of headache with exertion. or

* 2: Patient arrives at hospital by ambulance, age over 45, vomiting at least once, diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mm Hg. or

* 3: Patient arrives at hospital by ambulance, systolic blood pressure over 160 mm Hg, complaint of neck pain or stiffness, age 45–55

If you have any concerns that you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed or that medical personnel failed to diagnose a brain hemmorhage, contact Berger & Lagnese for a free, no obligation consultation.

CT scans of brain -- radiation overdoses under investigation

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been investigating reports that patients undergoing CT brain perfusion scans were exposed to excess radiation. One common use of CT brain imaging is for patients who are suspected of suffering a stroke.

The radiation overdose problem appears to be widespread and serious. The FDA found that over an 18 month period at one single facility, more than 200 patients were given more than 8 times the proper radiation dose during CT of the brain.

While this event involved a single kind of diagnostic test at one facility, the magnitude of these overdoses and their impact on the affected patients were significant. This situation may reflect more widespread problems with CT quality assurance programs. If patient doses are higher than the expected level, but not high enough to produce obvious signs of radiation injury, the problem may go undetected and unreported, putting patients at increased risk for long-term radiation effects.

Berger & Lagnese can assist you in investigating your situation if you have undergone a CT scan and may have been over-exposed to radiation.

Risk of cardiac events after invasive dental procedures

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

Periodontal disease is a known risk factor for heart attack and stroke, but could the very dental procedures which treat periodontal disease be linked to a higher risk of heart attack or stroke? A new research study has found an association between invasive dental procedures and heart attacks or strokes. The rate of these adverse events was significantly increased in the first 4 weeks — and gradually declined within 6 months — after invasive dental procedures, compared with other periods. None of the problems occurred on the same day of the dental procedure.

These findings challenge the assumption that patients undergoing invasive dental procedures are at low risk for heart attack or stroke. Most of the cardiac problems occurred in women, and 30% occurred in patients younger than 50. The short-term risk of dental procedures must be weighed against the long-term cardiovascular benefits of alleviating periodontal disease. No direct evidence from this study suggests that inflammation is a causative mechanism in vascular events that occur after dental procedures. However, clinicians would be prudent to heed guideline recommendations to continue aspirin therapy during and immediately after minor surgical procedures.

Annaul CT scans can reduce lung cancer deaths

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study by the National Cancer Institute has found that yearly CT scans of current and former heavy smokers reduce the risk that they will die from lung cancer by 20 percent, and even seemed to reduce their risk of death from other causes also. “This is the first time that we have seen clear evidence of a significant reduction in lung cancer mortality with a screening test in a randomized controlled trial,” said Dr. Christine Berg of the National Cancer Institute. The study was called the National Lung Screening Trial.

Dr. Claudia Henschke, a longtime advocate for use of CT scans to screen for lung cancer, said the study probably underestimated the benefits of CT scans, because participants in the study were screened only three times over two years. Had the screening continuing annually for 10 years, as many as 80 percent of lung cancer deaths could have been averted, she said.

New Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Advanced prostate cancer patients treated with cabazitaxel achieved significantly longer overall survival than did those treated with mitoxantrone. The clinical study sought to find the best treatment for patients with advanced disease after they have completed docetaxel treatment. Up until now, doctors have used various treatments at this stage including docetaxel retreatment, or using other chemotherapies such as mitoxantrone, or hormonal treatments such as ketoconazole. The new study involved men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, and compared mitoxantrone with cabazitaxel. It found Cabazitaxel-treated patients achieved longer overall survival, longer progression-free survival, and higher objective tumor and prostate-specific antigen responses.

Adulterated drugs including Paxil and Bactroban sold for years by drugmaker

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline finalized a pact to pay $750 million and plead guilty for manufacturing and distributing adulterated drugs from their manufacturing plant, Puerto Rico in Cidra, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday. The company was accused of criminal and civil complaints which stated that the company, for years, knowingly sold contaminated skin ointment and an ineffective antidepressant. The fine was paid to settle allegations that, because the drugs were adulterated, false claims for reimbursement were submitted to government healthcare programs. The adulterated drugs were: Kytril, anti-nausea medicine; Bactroban, skin ointment; Paxil CR, an anti-depressant; and Avandamet, a diabetes drug.

Medical malpractice lawsuit filed against Dr. Lynn Colaiacovo

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

The firm has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in Mercer County, Pennsylvania on behalf of our client who suffered damages from malignant skin cancer. The firm will prosecute the case against Dr. Lynn Colaiacovo based on a failure to diagnose and treat the skin cancer.

Prevent recurrence of colon and rectal cancer: one week of radiation before surgery

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Patients with certain kinds of colon or rectal cancer can help prevent recurrence. A new study has found that patients with colon cancer at the end of the large intestine or the rectum who receive one week of radiation therapy before cancer surgery have a 50 percent reduction in chance that their cancer will return after 10 years. The study has been presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). The study could open up the presurgical short radiation course as a good opportunity in treating tumors located in the mesorectum or the end of the large intestine.

Cancer coming back to its original tumor site and surrounding area, called a local recurrence, is a major problem in the treatment of cancer patients. The mesorectum is the fatty tissue near the rectum that contains blood vessels and lymph nodes. When this cancer recurs, it is often in these lymph nodes.

Wrongful death and survival action: Indiana Regional Medical Center

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Berger Lagnese attorneys are prosecuting a medical malpractice case in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. We are seeking to recover damages for the family of a patient who died as a result of an intracranial (brain) bleed which we believe the defendants negligently failed to diagnose or treat. The patient suffered severe brain damage and died. The defendants in the case are Indiana Regional Medical Center, Dr. Walter Uyesugi, and Aris Teleradiology, all of Indiana County. We have requested a trial by jury on the family's behalf.

Hormone replacement therapy increases breast cancer risk of death in postmenopausal women

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

The latest Women's Health Initiative study show that hormone therapy is associated with an increased the risk of death from breast cancer, as well as an increased risk of developing invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Women taking estrogen plus progestin are more likely to die from breast cancer and from other causes than women who did not take these hormones. Also the breast cancers in these women had more lymph node involvement, which generally leads to a higher mortality rate and poorer prognosis. Results showed that combined hormone therapy increases the incidence of invasive breast cancer and that, more commonly, the cancers had spread to the lymph nodes. There also were more deaths attributed to breast cancer in those taking hormone therapy. There also were more deaths from all causes in the women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer who were on hormone therapy. The study also found that hormone therapy interfered with detection of breast cancer, leading to cancers being diagnosed at a more advanced stage.

New hope for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Scientists at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit have received a research grant from the National Institutes of Health to study a potentially ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment for women with one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer – triple-negative breast cancer.

Many women with triple-negative breast cancer are not helped by traditional chemotherapy methods. The incidence of triple-negative breast cancer is also very high in black women. Tumors are more aggressive and there is more disease when the cancer is discovered. Cancer cells with low hormone receptor status, or none at all, are very difficult to treat since they have few or no receptors that are responsive to traditional chemotherapy antibodies. Less than 25 percent of all patients with triple-negative breast cancer respond well to chemotherapy and surgery, according to the research, and many suffer from a poor prognosis following treatment. The relapse rate is 80 percent.

"We're targeting a group that no one else can treat. We're trying to increase the complete pathological remission rate," Dr. Lum of the Karmanos Cancer Institute said. "Only about 20 percent of the women are HER2 positive (3+). That leaves about 80 percent of the women who can't get antibody therapy, such as Herceptin."

Emergency room malpractice: $2.35 million verdict for injured patient

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a recent medical malpractice case, the patient was misdiagnosed and negligently treated at a hospital emergency room. The 28 year old patient won $2.35 million in a jury trial in Maryland. A Silver Spring woman, whose misdiagnosis resulted in partial amputations of one foot, another leg and a few fingertips, sued an emergency room doctor and a critical care doctor at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.

The jury found the doctors negligent. After being diagnosed with kidney stones at the hospital, the patient returned to the emergency room in pain. Instead of treating the infection that was caused by a kidney blockage, an ER doctor tested for a gallbladder problem and an ectopic pregnancy. That doctor gave the patient too little fluids and too much medication, which cut off oxygen to her extremities and led to the gangrene that necessitated amputation. The patient now has to use artifical prosthetics, making it impossible for her to stand on her feet or perform lifting to work. She had once worked as a housecleaner and as a cashier at McDonald's.

Low dose aspirin prevents colon cancer?

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Use of low-dose aspirin for 5 years was associated with significantly diminished risk for colon cancer according to a Scottish research study recently published in the Journal of Gastroenterology. However, uncertainty remains about the dose and duration of use required for NSAIDs to provide a benefit.

Use of low-dose aspirin was associated with diminished risk for colon cancer, which was evident after 1 year and significant after 5 years. The preventive effect seemed to increase until 10 years of intake and then leveled off. Taking low-dose aspirin or NSAIDs reduced relative risk for CRC by 20% to 30%; taking low-dose aspirin plus other NSAIDs reduced relative risk even further, by up to 50%. Use of NSAIDs had no effect.

Patients who take low-dose aspirin for cardiovascular protection or other reasons can expect diminished risk for colon cancer.

Cerebral palsy after birth injury during VBAC

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a recent lawsuit, a family received a cash settlement (in a confidential amount) for a birth injury resulting in cerebral palsy and mental retardation. The case involved a Vaginal Birth After Caesarian or “VBAC.”
During the VBAC procedure, the mother was given an inducing agent called “Cytotec,” which is also known generically as “misoprostol.” About two months prior to its use in this case, the manufacturer of Cytotec released a black box warning indicating that use of the drug during VBAC should not be performed because it significantly increases the chance of uterine rupture. But in this case, the mother was given Cytotec 3 times in less than 12 hours.
Also, a VBAC requires strict medical monitoring, fetal monitoring and uterine monitoring due to the known complication of uterine rupture. Despite this, the obstetrician nurses at the hospital failed to obtain proper fetal and uterine monitoring and, in fact, no monitoring took place for as long as 45 minutes at a time. Without this monitoring, the health care providers did not have the full monitoring strip to determine the fetus’ condition during the VBAC.
Even though monitoring was significantly impaired, when the fetal and uterine monitoring was working, it showed significant signs of impending uterine rupture. These signs, including fetal bradycardia (slow heart rate) and uterine hyper-stimulation went unnoticed.
Finally, when the uterus ruptured, the hospital had insufficient staff on duty because they had failed to meet their own written policies in regards to the requisite medical staff’s availability when a VBAC was being performed.
Each of these failures contributed to the resulting uterine rupture, which caused severe and permanent injuries to the newly born child, who was found outside the uterus but in the peritoneal cavity of the mother upon incision. This caused severe hypoxic encephalopathy and resulted in the child’s current condition.

New Study Gives More Hope for Surviving Aggressive Prostate Cancer

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

It's long been believed that patients with aggressive prostate cancer are not candidates for surgery. A new study presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association found that surgery provides long-term cancer control in these cases. Patients with the most aggressive form of prostate cancer who have surgery - radical prostatectomy - were found to have a 10-year cancer-specific survival rate of 92%, which is high, and a 77% overall survival rate, according to researchers from the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Mayo Clinic, USA. This compares to an 88% 10-year cancer specific survival rate and 52% overall survival rate for those who underwent radiotherapy without surgery.

New Prostate Cancer Drug Treatment May Increase Survival Time

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:00:00 EST

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. New findings are that men diagnosed with advanced cases may live up to four months longer by taking a new chemotherapy drug. The drug is called Cabazitaxel. Cabazitaxel is the first drug to show a survival benefit in patients, whose disease has progressed after standard chemotherapy when all other options have been exhausted. Previously, hormone treatments were used to often reduce symptoms, but did not improve survival time. The only option until this recent study, was to administer mitoxantrone because of its beneficial effect on quality of life. The US has now given regulatory approval to Cabazitaxel.

FDA Restricts and Warns on Diabetes Drug Avandia: Heart Attack and Stroke Risks

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

On September 23, 2010, the FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that it will significantly restrict the use of the diabetes drug Avandia (rosiglitazone) to patients with Type 2 diabetes who cannot control their diabetes on other medications. These new restrictions are in response to data that suggest an elevated risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in patients treated with Avandia.

Avandia is in a class of drugs known as thiazolidinediones, or TZDs. It is intended to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve glucose (blood sugar) control in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Rosiglitazone also is available in combination with other diabetes medications, metformin under the brand name Avandamet or glimepiride under the brand name Avandaryl.

FDA will require that the manufacturer develop a restricted access program for Avandia under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy. Avandia will be available to new patients only if they are unable to achieve glucose control on other medications and are unable to take Actos (pioglitazone), the only other drug in this class. Current users of Avandia who are benefiting from the drug will be able to continue using the medication if they choose to do so. Doctors will have to attest to and document their patients' eligibility; patients will have to review statements describing the cardiovascular safety concerns associated with this drug and acknowledge they understand the risks.

Botox jury awards $15 million to injured patient

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Botox was approved the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989 for the cosmetic treatment of facial lines. It is made from the bacteria that causes botulism. It paralyzes nerve endings in small doses, and when it is injected into the forehead area, lines and furrows temporarily disappear.

Botox is the trade name for botulinum toxin, type A, which has been described by the Journal of the American Medical Association as "the most poisonous substance known." JAMA, February 28, 2001, 285: 1059-1070. Botox, especially at high doses, can migrate out of the injected muscles and cause severe injuries which constitute, or at least mimic the symptoms of, botulism.

Recently, Botox patients have recovered millions of dollars from the manufacturer of Botox their injuries. Lawsuits are pending throughout the United States against Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, brought by injured patients.

In a recent Oklahoma case, a jury awarded $15 million to a 47-year-old woman who suffered years of pain after getting Botox injections. The plaintiff was a doctor who fell ill and eventually lost her job after getting the injections in 2006. She suffered botulism poisoning, and as a result fell so ill that she had to quit her medical practice. She experienced double vision, breathing difficulty and years of continual pains in her arms, hands and feet. The jury found the company was negligent in its off-label promotion of the drug and failure to properly warn of side effects.

The defendant planned to appeal the jury's decision.

Aftermath of Breast Cancer -- 70% suffer sexual problems

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine showed that women are more likely to experience sexual problems after breast cancer. The results showed that 70% of women were facing sexual function problems approximately two years after their cancer diagnosis.

Over 80% of all the women in the study described their sex life before breast cancer as good and satisfying. Amongst the partnered women aged 70 years or younger, with no active disease, 70% were experiencing sexual function problems.

Regular use of low dose aspirin may be effective in reducing risk of colon cancer by about 22%

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Scottish study shows that low dose aspirin may be effective in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Older research has already shown that regular use of higher doses of aspirin can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Low dose aspirin treatment results in fewer side effects over time; those side effects can include gastrointestinal bleeding.

In the study, people who used low-dose aspirin regularly for a year or more were about 22% less likely to have colon cancer. Although the greatest benefit was found in those consuming more than 525 milligrams of aspirin a week, the protective effect was present even for the lowest daily dose. The study also found that taking any NSAID regularly was associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer, compared to those who didn't use the painkillers.

Early detection of cancer of esophagus -- new alternative to endoscopy

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Barrett's esophagus is an alteration of the esophageal tissue and can occur in people who have had heartburn over a considerable period of time. It is the main risk factor for esophageal cancer. A significant number of those who develope Barrett's esophagus (about 10%) go on to develop esophageal cancer. Unfortunately, once cancer is diagnosed, there is only a one in ten chance of survival after five years.

A new test called the Cytosponge is more comfortable than the current screening method, endoscopy, and does not require hospitalization or sedation. It may also be more accurate.

In the study, published today in the British Medical Journal, the patients were diagnosed by swallowing a capsule with a string attached and taking a drink of water. The device then dissolved in the stomach to expand into a very small sponge-like mesh . Five minutes later, the expanded Cytosponge was removed through the mouth by pulling on the string, collecting cells for analysis. These cells were stained with a molecular marker or flag which allowed the researchers to identify Barrett's cells, if present, under the microscope.

For a free, no obligation consultation with Berger & Lagnese attorneys about your condition, click here.

New Study on PSA Test Screening for Prostate Cancer Raises More Questions

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

The results of a new cancer study raise important questions for men concerned with prostate cancer. The study found that older men (ages 55 to 74) with low PSA baseline levels did not benefit from aggressive early detection screening tests. According to the study, the lifestyle consequences (including impotence and incontinence) can outweigh the benefits in certain cases.
"The greatest benefits of early detection programs may be when men, aged 55-74 years, are diagnosed and treated when their serum PSA is in the range 4.0-9.9 ng/ml or 10.0-19.9 ng/ml," said one of the researchers.
However, prostate cancer expert Dr. Anthony D'Amico, chief of radiation oncology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, cautioned that the study was not long enough to reach a definite conclusion. To really know if screening for prostate cancer at low PSA levels is beneficial or not, the study would have to cover 20 to 25 years, he said. "People need to realize that prostate cancer has a long natural history and you can't look at studies after 10 years and make definitive comments about the utility of a screening test," D'Amico said.

Recurrence and Treatment of Ductal Breast Cancer

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

The decision regarding treatment following breast-conserving surgery for patients diagnosed with ductal breast cancer in-situ (DCIS) has long been an area of discussion and confusion for patients and physicians alike. While the survival rate for ductal in situ breast cancer is lhigh, the risk of cancer recurrence in the breast is also high. Standard treatments following surgery include radiation therapy and hormone treatment. While both treatments have been proven to lower the risk of recurrence in the breast, neither has been shown to improve survival, and both carry potentially serious risks. In an attempt to help physicians and patients weigh the risks and benefits of the available options, researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have developed a new prediction tool that calculates a patient's individualized risk for recurrence five and ten years after surgery.

The new tool is aimed at identifying the patient's risk of recurrence and helping the patient and her doctors decide on a post-surgical course of treatment. For example, in a woman at very high risk of recurrence, the added benefit of radiation and/or hormone treatments would be relatively large as compared to a woman at very low risk of recurrence.

If you would like a free consultation and analysis of your situation, click here to contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Berger & Lagnese.

New research on risk of cerebral palsy

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Although preterm delivery is a well-established risk factor for cerebral palsy (CP), preterm deliveries contribute only a minority of affected infants. There is little information on the relation of CP risk to gestational age in the term range, where most CP occurs.

The new study found that babies born at 40 weeks had the lowest risk of CP. The risk for CP was higher with earlier or later delivery, specifically at 37-38 weeks and after 42 weeks. Researchers also found that the baby's sex, the mother's age, and various socioeconomic measures were not significant risk factors. Compared with delivery at 40 weeks, delivery at 37 or 38 weeks or at 42 weeks or later was associated with an increased risk of CP.

For a free, no obligation consultation on whether your child's CP was caused by medical error, contact Berger & Lagnese.

Misdiagnosis led to whooping cough deaths

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Los Angeles Times reports that an analysis of all eight cases of California infants who died from whooping cough this year suggests the deaths could have been prevented. Even though the sick children had been seen multiple times at clinics and hospitals, doctors typically failed to make a swift, accurate diagnosis.

"In several cases … the infants were treated only for nasal congestion or mild upper respiratory infection," Dr. John Talarico, an immunization official with the California Department of Public Health, wrote in a recent letter to healthcare providers statewide. "By the time these infants developed severe respiratory distress, it was usually too late for any intervention to prevent their tragic deaths."

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, can be hard to diagnose. Health officials urged physicians to suspect the bacterial disease in any infant under 6 months of age who is having trouble breathing.

Discuss your questions about your child's medical treatment with the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese by clicking here.

Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Colon, Esophageal and Stomach Cancers

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new research study from the University of Oxford's Cancer Epidemiology Unit found people who took oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis over a five-year period were twice as likely to be diagnosed with colon, stomach or esophageal cancer. Those who took 10 or more prescriptions of the drugs were also twice as likely to get these cancers. Bisphosphate drugs have already been linked with other health problems including serious atrial fibrillation and leg fractures.

Oral bisphosphonates are indicated for treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases and are most commonly recommended to treat these conditions.

Bisphosphonates include Alendronate (Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D), Etidronate (Didronel), Ibandronate (Boniva), Pamidronate (Aredia), Risedronate (Actonel, Actonel W/Calcium), Tiludronate (Skelid), and Zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa).

New Drug Treats Metastatic Skin Cancer

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:00:00 EST

Early-stage skin cancer (melanoma) that is confined to a spot on the skin can be surgically removed and in most cases stopped. But if the cancer spreads, to other parts of the skin or to internal organs, melanoma is deadly. Chemotherapy drugs benefit fewer than 20 percent of such patients. Survival varies with the extent of the cancer’s spread and the age of the patient, but it is usually measured in months, not years.

New research has found a new melanoma treatment drug goes beyond anything previously used. The new drug is called PLX4032. Tests in people whose melanoma had spread show the drug was able to shrink tumors in most patients and, in a few cases, even wiped the growths out, scientists report in the Aug. 26 New England Journal of Medicine. The compound targets the protein encoded by a mutated version of the BRAF gene that underlies melanoma in roughly half of all patients.

Taking Aspirin Shown to Improve Survival Rates in Non-Metastatic Colon and Rectal Cancer Patients

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Research has shown that using aspirin regularly reduces the risk of polyps in people at high risk for colon cancer. Now an observational study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that people with colon or rectal cancer live longer if they take aspirin on a regular basis. For example, the study found that the 10-year survival rate was 74% for the individuals who used aspirin after their diagnosis and 69% for those who did not.

The researchers have several reasons to believe that aspirin was responsible for the improved survival. For example, researchers found that only tumors with high levels of COX-2 benefited from aspirin use. Aspirin is known to inhibit COX-2, which promotes inflammation and cell growth and is found at high levels in most colorectal cancers.

Based on the study results, if you have been diagnosed with non-metastatic colon cancer, it would be beneficial to talk to your doctor about the possibility of regular aspirin use, keeping in mind that not everyone should regularly use aspirin because of its side effects.

Women Should Be Given Antibiotics Within One Hour Before Caesarian Delivery

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Pregnant women about to undergo a cesarean section delivery should be given antibiotics within 1 hour right before the procedure to help prevent infections, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends.

Infection is the most common complication of cesarean delivery and occurs in 10 percent to 40 percent of women who have the procedure, compared with 1 percent to 3 percent of women who deliver vaginally.

Typically, antibiotics were only given after a cesarean delivery because it was believed that if they were given prior to birth, they would make their way into the baby's blood and interfere with newborn lab tests or lead to antibiotic-resistant infections in the newborn. But the latest data showed that the preoperative antibiotics do not appear to harm the newborn baby and at the same time significantly reduce maternal infections.

Severe Liver Injury Alert -- Xenical and Alli Weight Loss Products

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Cases of severe liver injury in patients taking the drug "Orlistat" have been documented by the FDA. Orlistat is sold by prescription as Xenical in 120 mg strength and over the counter as Alli in 60 mg strength. The FDA recently identified thirteen cases of severe liver injury with orlistat during an approximate ten-year period. Patients should contact their doctor if they experience symptoms of liver dysfunction. These include itching, yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, light-colored stools, or loss of appetite. The FDA said that if liver injury is suspected, clinicians should advise patients to stop taking orlistat immediately. If you believe you have suffered an a liver injury from taking Alli or Xenical, contact the medical negligence and tort experts at Berger & Lagnese to get a free consultation and more information.

Vitamins C and E Studied for Prevention of Preeclampsia

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Preeclampsia, the leading cause of perinatal mortality (death of mother, fetus or newborn), is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and excessive protein in the urine, and it complicates five to seven percent of otherwise healthy pregnancies. Preeclampsia can set in anytime after 20 weeks of pregnancy or up to six weeks after delivery.

Its causes are not entirely known, but it can lead to premature births, learning disabilities, epilepsy, hearing and vision problems, as well as cerebral palsy. Five percent of patients with preeclampsia progress into eclampsia, which can be potentially fatal and involve convulsions and coma.

A recent study considered whether the use of (1000 mg) vitamins C and (400 IU) vitamin E could prevent complications linked to preeclampsia. The study engaged 10,154 women between the 9th and 16th weeks of pregnancy and who were at low risk for preeclampsia. The multi-university led study concluded that vitamin C and E supplementation did not reduce the rate of adverse maternal or perinatal outcomes.

If you, your child or someone you love suffered an injury or death because of a missed diagnosis of preeclampsia, you should contact the medical malpractice attorneys who specialize in cases involving preeclampsia at Berger & Lagnese, headquartered in Pittsburgh, and obtain a free consultation.

Epilepsy Linked To Preeclampsia

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A study reported in the medical journal Pediatrics reports that for women who develop preeclampsia during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of epilepsy in their children who are born after 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Preeclampsia is a condition that develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine. The best treatment is to deliver the infant. If this is not feasible, bed rest, close monitoring, and delivery as soon survival outside of the womb is likely is recommended, preferably after the 37th week of pregnancy. Women are usually hospitalized and carefully monitored.

Prior research has identified eclampsia as a strong risk factor for epilepsy in offspring, but whether the same held true with preeclampsia was unclear. Eclampsia occurs when pre-eclampsia worsens and is characterized by seizures, agitation and unconsciousness. Eclampsia is considered a medical emergency and jeopardizes the life of the mother and child.

Preeclampsia exposure was also linked to epilepsy in children born after 37 weeks of gestation. With mild preeclampsia, the epilepsy rate was increased by 16 and 68 percent for full-term and postterm infants, respectively. For severe preeclampsia, the corresponding risks increased by 41 percent and 157 percent.

Consistent with previous reports, eclampsia was associated with a stronger risk of epilepsy.

Rectal Cancer Rates Rising for People Under 40 -- Better Screening Recommended

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

While colon cancer rates have remained essentially the same in people under age 40 years, rectal cancer rates have been increasing by almost 4% every year since 1984. Because rectal cancer was relatively rare among this under-40 age group, physicians may fail to test a patient who presents with possible symptoms of cancer. Delayed diagnosis results from physician's wrongly assuming that the symptoms are caused by benign conditions such as hemorrhoids. "We suggest that in young people presenting with rectal bleeding or other common signs of rectal cancer, endoscopic evaluation should be considered in order to rule out a malignancy. This is in contrast to what is frequently done, which is to attribute these findings to hemorrhoids. More frequent endoscopic evaluation may be able to decrease the documented delay in diagnosis among young people," one of the study authors said.

Family Sues Minnesota Hospital -- Patient Dies After Falling Off Operating Table

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A hospital has been sued for negligence in allowing a patient to fall off the operating table while he was sedated for a surgical procedure. The patient hit his head on the operating room floor, suffered serious head injury and blood loss, and in fact died after the fall. He fell on the part of his head where doctors had earlier removed part of his skull to alleviate inflammation of the brain. The family is going forward with the lawsuit against the hospital for the death because the operating room equipment was not adequate to prevent the fall. At issue are the size of the operating table and the size and strength of the straps used to restrain the patient.

If you or a family member have been injured at the hospital, consult with a medical malpractice attorney at absolutely no cost or obligation by clicking here.

Chinese herbal mixture may boost chemotherapy treatment of colon cancer

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study led by Yale University in the US found that an ancient four-herb Chinese herbal remedy first described 1,800 years ago reduced gastrointestinal toxicity and boosted the antitumor effect of the chemotherapy drug CPT-11 (irinotecan) in mice with colon cancer. Yale scientists developed a compound called PHY906 which comprises four herbs and is based on a herbal recipe that in China is known as Huang Qin Tang that was originally used to treat nausea, vomiting and diarrhea as far back as 1,800 years ago.

The researchers found that after giving PHY906 to mice with colon cancer that were undergoing chemotherapy with CPT-11 the animals experienced less toxicity, lost less weight and showed more anti-tumor activity than similar mice not given the formula. The formula had also encouraged the growth of new intestinal stem cells.

Healthier life style linked to lower risk of breast cancer

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A newly released study indicates life style links to breast cancer risk. The study compared breast cancer rates in North and South America. It found that breast cancer rates in the United States are nearly double those seen in South American countries like Brazil. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) explain that differences in diet, weight and physical activity are important reasons why. It is estimated 4 out of every 10 breast cancer cases in the US could be prevented through staying at a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol and being more physically active. There is also convincing evidence that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer.

Hospital delay in administering angioplasty to heart attack patients almost doubles death rate

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study documents the importance of hospitals giving heart attack patients prompt angioplasty. So-called "system delay" in treating patients with heart attacks -- the time from the first ambulance call to the start of angioplasty or other hospital treatment -- almost doubles the patient's risk of dying. Heart attack patients treated at the hospital with angioplasty after a delay of two hours or more had almost twice the death rate of those patients treated sooner.

If a loved one has died after suffering a heart attack, consult with Berger & Lagnese to find out whether unnecessary delays or other medical errors was a cause.

Injured Construction Worker Awarded Over $4.3 Million

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A jury recently awarded over $4.3 million in damages to a construction worker injured on the job. He was placing a sewer line in a trench lined with metal plates. While he was working, the trench collapsed and he was pinned under a heavy metal plate. He sustained serious injuries including ruptured spleen and pancreas, collapsed lung, broken bones, and disfigurement and is now disabled from work. Attorneys successfully showed that the construction company was negligent in failing to support the trench so that it would not collapse. The Texas jury found that the company's trench safety measures were not adequate, and decided in favor of the injured construction worker.

School District Pays Student $17.5 Million - Negligent Supervision of Field Trip

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

On July 4, 2008, a 17 year old high school student was severely injured after cheerleading practice on the way to a parade with the squad. She had just finished practice with her high school cheerleading team when her coach instructed the squad to sit in the truck in formation to go to a Fourth of July parade. After less than 100 feet of driving three of the cheerleaders and the coach fell from the back of the truck. The injured student hit her head on the road and suffered severe traumatic brain injuries.

Her attorneys sued the school district, the coach and the driver of the truck. They argued that the school district negligently supervised the students. After a mediation process, the school district paid $17.5 million in damages to the student.

Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Affected by Common Medicines

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Commonly prescribed medicines can alter results of PSA cancer screening tests, making the test results artificially low when the actual PSA levels are higher. A research study reveals that men regularly consuming NSAIDs [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs], statins, and thiazide diuretics may have lower serum PSA levels compared to men who are not taking these medications. The study results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. In patients who are taking any of those medicines, especially on a longer term basis, PSA test results have to be interpreted with caution. The effect of taking the medicines must be taken into account in using PSA to diagnose prostate cancer. PSA levels in the blood are commonly tested to diagnose prostate cancer, with higher levels indicating possible cancer.

If you need information about your cancer diagnosis, or wonder if it should have been diagnosed earlier, click here to consult with the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese at no cost to you.

New Study Says Certain Type of Sugar May Promote Cancer Growth

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

UCLA scientists have found that cancer reacts differently to different kinds of sugars. The cancer tumors metabolized fructose more easily than glucose. These findings are surprising given the commonly held belief that all sugars are the same when it comes to cancer cell growth. In the study, pancreatic cancer tumors used fructose sugar to divide and spread. According to the Reuters report, the UCLA researchers said, "These findings show that cancer cells can readily metabolize fructose to increase proliferation. They have major significance for cancer patients given dietary refined fructose consumption, and indicate that efforts to reduce refined fructose intake or inhibit fructose-mediated actions may disrupt cancer growth." Fructose is present in high fructose corn syrup, a common ingredient in many foods consumed in the United States.

Click here to contact the Berger & Lagnese law firm with questions about your cancer case.

Pitt Researchers Testing Colon Cancer Vaccine

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have begun testing on a vaccine that may help prevent colon cancer in people who are at high risk for the disease. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in the United States.

The vaccine targets a specific protein and harnesses the body's natural defenses as a means of cancer prevention. If the experimental vaccine is successful, the vaccine could be available in about ten years.

Study Shows No Causal Link Between Drinking Coffee and Risk of Breast Cancer

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Amount of caffeine consumption is not associated with an overall increased risk of breast cancer. These results were recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Breast cancer is diagnosed in nearly 200,000 women annually in the United States. With such a high prevalence, researchers are evaluating ways in which to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, and particularly ways in which individuals can alter their lifestyle choices to reduce their risks. There has been perception that consumption of coffee, particularly in large amounts, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. However, more recent research has not been able to establish a clear association between coffee and breast cancer. Research further exploring this association continues.

Researchers from Harvard University and Japan recently conducted a clinical study to further explore the potential relationship between caffeine consumption and the risk of breast cancer. The study was an analysis of data that included over 38,000 women ages 45 years or older.

The results of the analysis indicated that the consumption of caffeine, caffeinated beverages or caffeinated foods was not associated with an overall risk of breast cancer. Among women with non-cancerous breast disease, those who consumed the largest amount of caffeine had a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Caffeine consumption was, however, associated with hormone-negative breast cancers and breast tumors larger than 2 cm.

The researchers concluded, "These data show no overall association between caffeine consumption and breast cancer risk. The possibility of increased risk in women with benign breast disease or for tumors that are estrogen and progesterone-receptor negative or larger than 2 cm warrants further study."

Reference: Ishitani K, Lin J, Manson J, et al. Caffeine Consumption and the Risk of Breast Cancer in a Large Prospective Cohort of Women. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2008; 168: 2022-2031.

Drug Trial Test Results More Favorable in Trials Funded by Pharmaceutical Industry

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Los Angeles Times reports on a new study showing that the results yielded by drug trials funded by the pharmaceutical industry differ radically from those that are not. Pharmaceutical ndustry-funded trials reported positive outcomes 85% of the time compared with 50% of the time for government-funded trials and 72% of the time for trials funded by nonprofits or non-federal organizations. Among the nonprofit or non-federal studies, those that received industry contributions were more likely to be positive (85%) compared with those that did not have any industry support (61%).

Taking Calcium Supplements Can Significantly Increase Heart Attack Risk Study Says

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

Patients who took calcium increased their risk of a heart attack by about 30 percent, according to researchers who said use of dietary supplements for preventing and treating osteoporosis should be reviewed. The risk was greatest when calcium intake from food was above average, regardless of patients' ages.
"For patients who are at risk of heart disease and also suffering from osteoporosis, perhaps calcium supplementation should not be recommended," said cardiologist Suzanne Steinbaum, director of women and heart disease at the Heart and Vascular Institute of New York's Lenox Hill Hospital and a spokeswoman for the Dallas-based American Heart Association, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Temporary Agencies Often Employ Incompetent Nurses

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Los Angeles Times reports some firms that supply temporary nurses to the nation's hospitals are taking shortcuts in their screening and supervision. An investigation found numerous instances in which staffing agencies skimped on background checks or ignored warnings from other hospitals. These practices put seriously ill patients in the hands of incompetent or impaired caregivers. As a result, some temporary nurses with documented histories of poor care fall asleep on the job, fail to perform critical tests or have stolen drugs. With limited regulations, workers can jump from place to place to avoid the consequences of their misconduct. Failings in the temporary industry are also magnified because nurses are in particularly short supply.

Errors at Doctors' Offices

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A recent study on errors in doctor's offices showed that 60% of the errors found were related to reporting test results to the doctor. The study sponsered by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality also reports that 18% of the errors that occur in a doctor's office result in physical or emotional injury to the patient.

If you believe you have been injured as a result of an error that occurred in a doctor's office call us at 412-471-4300 or toll free at 800-350-6161, or email us. Berger & Lagnese has an experienced team of lawyers and doctors that specializes in medical malpractice, and works on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Beaver, Erie, Uniontown, Washington and throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Death from Stroke While Hospitalized for Heart Attack

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine concludes that the incidence of stroke as a complication of heart attack has decreased since the late 1990s, but death during hospitalization in affected patients has not shown a corresponding decrease.

This study looked at 9,220 patients hospitalized for heart attack between 1986 and 2005, and found that 132 patients (1.4 percent) suffered a first acute stroke during hospitalization. The frequency of stroke increased through the 1990s, peaked in 1999, and declined slightly thereafter, the researchers found.

Age at least 75 years, female gender, a previous heart attack, and development of a serious irregular heart beat called atrial fibrillation during hospitalization were all associated with significantly increased odds of stroke. Having had a minimally invasive coronary intervention during hospitalization was associated with a lower risk of stroke.

The researchers also found that the likelihood of dying while hospitalized was significantly higher among patients who experienced an acute stroke compared to those who did not (34.1 percent versus 11.6 percent). Further, patients with bleeding or "hemorrhagic" stroke were more likely to die while in the hospital than those with ischemic stroke - the kind that results from a blockage.

The researchers found that the risk of dying during hospitalization for heart attack in patients who suffer a stroke has not decreased in recent years.

Test Now Offered for Common Breast Cancer Gene

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Washington Post reports that a biotech company today will begin offering the first genetic test to assess a woman's risk for the most common forms of breast cancer. Prior to this, the only tests were for rare genes.

The company is Decode Genetics of Reykjavik, Iceland. This test will be performed using a simple blood sample or cheek swab.

This test costs $1,625. There has been much criticism of this test. Some said that the results could scare them unnecessarily. Others say that it could cause women not to get mammograms or other screening tests for breast cancer.

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate such tests when they are performed by the labs offering them.

For more information about breast cancer, see the Pennsylvania breast cancer malpractice lawyers.

Death in Sewickley Wastewater Treatment Plant Incident

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Earlier today an incident at the Sewickley Wastewater Treatment Plan has resulted in one death, and reportedly three others injured. The death and injuries appear to have happened when they were working in a hole or shaft at the plant and may have been overwhelmed by poisonous fumes or gas. Allegheny County is currently investigating this workplace incident to determine the cause. According to reports in the Tribune, Review, a County spokesperson stated that the surrounding community was not endangered by the fumes. "The accident was contained within the plant, and investigators are just starting to figure out what went wrong and how, she said."

Early Detection of Prostate Cancer with ProPSA Testing

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

The proPSA test now has been validated for early detection of prostate cancer. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer can be found by testing the amount of PSA in the blood. PSA in the blood can either circulate freely or attach itself to blood proteins. PSA that circulates freely is called "free PSA." The National Cancer Institute has now validated several previous research studies which showed that a form of free PSA is found in elevated levels in early stage prostate cancer. This form of free PSA is called proPSA. This is an important detection tool for early stage prostate cancer. The studies also suggest that proPSA levels may be associated with aggressive and significant forms of prostate cancer.

Drug company agrees to settle Paxil birth defect cases

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

The manufacturer of Paxil, GlaxoSmithKline, has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to resolve more than 800 cases alleging its Paxil antidepressant caused birth defects in some users’ children. The agreement still leaves upwards of 100 Paxil birth defect cases unresolved and pending. Glaxo recently admitted that it has set aside a total of $2.4 billion to cover damages and expenses in cases involving Paxil and also Avandia, a diabetes medicine. In addition to claims that Paxil caused birth defects in user's children, there are also claims that Paxil caused addiction problems and suicides or attempted suicides.

For more information, or if you have suffered damages from taking Paxil, Avandia, or another drug, contact Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation by clicking here.

Patients should be screened for sepsis after surgery, say researchers

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

After surgery, patients are more likely to die from sepsis or septic shock than from heart attacks or blood clots in the lungs, according to newly published research. One-third of patients who develop septic shock after surgery die within thirty days after their surgery. Sepsis is also called blood poisoning and is usually caused by bacterial infection in the blood. Septic shock after surgery kills 10 times more patients than heart attacks. The researchers recommended that postoperative patients be more highly scrutinized for sepsis, a measure which would save lives. Factors found to increase a patient's risk of developing sepsis or septic shock include having emergency surgery, having other health problems, and being older than 60.

Using Avastin questioned in treating breast cancer

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the cancer drug, Avastin, to treat breast cancer in 2008. It was “accelerated approved” on condition of more studies being made. But contrary to first reports, Avastin did not slow tumor growth or extend life expectancy said the FDA on July 16. The FDA found no clinically meaningful difference in outcome between women treated with chemotherapy plus Avastin compared to women treated only with chemotherapy. Moreover, those taking Avastin report more side effects including hypertension, tiredness, and abnormal white blood cell levels. Today an outside panel of experts recommended to the FDA that clinical benefits of Avastin in treating breast cancer have not been demonstrated. The FDA is expected to decide in September whether to continue to approve Avastin for treating breast cancer. Avastin is currently also approved to treat colon, lung, and kidney cancers. For free consultation on whether you have a breast cancer medical malpractice case, click here.

High blood pressure drug's link to increased cancer risk studied

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

One type of drug used to treat high blood pressure is called an "ARB" drug -- sold under various brand names including telmisartan and candesartan. Scientists now believe that using ARB drugs may be associated with increased risk of developing new fatal cancer, especially lung cancer. A recently published study found that more than 7 percent of patients taking ARBs were diagnosed with a new cancer over a period of four years, compared with 6 percent of patients not taking the drugs. Lung cancer rates increased most sharply; with the risk of lung cancer apparently increasing by 25 percent.
However, a spokesman for Cancer Research (in the United Kingdom) warned that patients should not stop taking the ARB drugs based on this research, and instead should speak to their physicians about the issue. The manufacturers of the ARB drugs strongly disagree with the findings in the study.

Understanding the link between colon cancer and meat

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Several past studies have linked meat eating and colon cancer risk. This new study goes a step farther and demonstrates the underlying chemical mechanism. This is important because it gives more specific information about the types of eating behavior that can lead to extra risk of getting colon cancer.

Scientists analyzed levels of certain compounds: heme iron, nitrate, nitrite and mutagens in various types of meat cooked different ways. After analyzing 300,000 people over 7 years, the scientists found links between the presence of the compounds and the increased colon cancer risk. The extra risk can be explained by the higher consumption of red and processed meats, as well as certain meats cooked at high temperatures. These types of meat and cooking methods increased the amount of the chemical compounds. Scientists have found 17 different substances in cooked beef, pork, poultry and fish can pose cancer risk. Several of these substances are not present in unless the food is cooked at high temperatures. When fish, poultry, beef and pork are cooked at high temperatures, naturally occurring creatine combines with amino acids to form the dangerous substances, known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

For free booklet "6 Things You Must Know About Colon Cancer" click here.

Choline found to be an essential prenatal nutrient

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a choline-deficient diet is associated with increased risk for heart defects during prenatal development. Ninety percent of Americans fail to get adequate choline. Now it is confirmed that pregnant women should consume enough choline during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to ensure prenatal and infant health. Low choline levels are linked to heart defects, decreased cognitive function and attention span, and neural tube defects.

Deciding on best prostate cancer treatment options

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Prostate cancer is common in the United States -- in 2009, almost 200,000 men were diagnosed with this type of cancer. The question that immediately follows the diagnosis is the best treatment option. You will be confronted with decisions on many options: surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, medical monitoring, and various combinations? Searching the internet for answers may just lead to confusion. A search for information about treating prostate cancer on the internet returns a list of more than 2,600,000 articles.

There may be help in a new study called Healing Choices for Prostate Cancer. This study is being conducted by national experts and is designed to help you identify the proper treatment for your own situation. “If a patient sees a radiologist, one can expect radiation as a recommended treatment. If they see a surgeon, then surgery often leads the list of options. This study offers a neutral platform that explores and explains all the available options and helps patients identify the treatment choice that is best for them," according to one expert involved in the study.

You may be eligible to participate if you have a recent prostate cancer diagnosis and have yet to start treatment. You need to call a toll-free number and answer a few questions to ensure you qualify. You will then receive information on prostate cancer treatment options. The information will be provided to you either as a printed booklet or in the form of electronic media. Next, follow-up calls are made to you over the next 9 months. The phone calls are confidential and all 3 calls combined will take approximately 40 minutes.

The phone number to call is 1-866-258-1981 and ask for the Healing Choices for Prostate Cancer study.

If you believe that your cancer should have been diagnosed sooner than it was, click here for more information.

Drug treatment recommendation for breast cancer in post-menopausal women

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

The American Society of Clinical Oncology has updated drug treatment guidelines for breast cancer in post-menopausal women. An update to their guidelines on adjuvant endocrine therapy again supported the aromatase inhibitors for no more than five years, saying they provide better disease-free survival than tamoxifen (Nolvadex) in this patient population. Still not resolved is the best strategy for using these drugs: either upfront as monotherapy or sequentially after two to three years of tamoxifen. If sequential therapy is the strategy used, the available evidence supports an aromatase inhibitor after two or three years of tamoxifen for a total of five years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. If patients discontinue initial aromatase inhibitor use before the full five years, tamoxifen can be considered for the the remainder of the five years. The recommendation only applies to post-menopausal women.

Cardiologists may be misinterpreting echocardiograms

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A study has shown widespread errors by cardiologists in reading echocardiology results, and linked these mistakes to insufficient training. In the study, sonography specialists reviewed cardiologists' interpretations of echo tests and found major errors in 29% of all cases.

Physician training appeared to be play an important role, since both the number of each type of echocardiogram read over a year's time and the number of continuing medical education credit hours per year were linked to interpretation errors. All physicians who interpret heart ultrasounds are required to have a minimum of six months of training during their fellowship; the highest level of training, Level 3, requires a minimum of 12 months of cardiac ultrasound training in an accredited fellowship. The study revealed that less than 1% of the doctors who performed clinical readings of the echocardiograms had achieved the highest level of training.

"Physicians are doing the final interpretation, but they are not physicians that have expertise in echocardiography. They do cardiac cath, they have a private practice, they do angiographies, CT," said one of the researchers. These nonspecialist cardiologists may be less likely to stay abreast of new, high-level modalities like 3D echocardiography, she noted. "They may be using it but not know how to correctly interpret it, and that's what we found."

The moral of this story is to get a second opinion from a specialist. If you believe your physicians have made errors, click here for further information.

New Breast Cancer Genetic Discovery

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Scientists have now discovered the gene they believe is mainly responsible for spreading a common type of breast cancer to other parts of the body. The new gene is called C35. Scientists in Scotland identified the gene, and discovered that it plays a major part in spreading HER2 positive breast cancer throughout the body. HER2 type breast cancer is common, about 1 in 5 of all breast cancers. The spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body often means a worse prognosis and increased disease recurrence rates. This new discovery is important because researchers can now try to find treatments targeted at this specific gene.

Workers Injured at U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Plant

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Late this morning an explosion and fire at U.S. Steel's Clairton Coke plant injured workers. At least 15 workers have been injured, with at least two injured critically.

According to Allegheny County Emergency Services, no workers are missing or trapped in the plant.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dispatching four people to the plant to investigate.

Initial reports were that flammable gas caused an explosion and fire in the number 2 B battery, the largest coke-making battery at the plant with 75 coke ovens.

Serious burns suffered by U.S. Steel Clairton coke workers today

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Of the 15 workers injured in the blast, 14 suffered burns to their faces and bodies, and 1 suffered chest pains, according to an Allegheny County spokesman Kevin Evanto. A UPMC spokesperson confirmed that six injured workers were sent to Mercy Hospital, four to Presbyterian Hospital, one to McKeesport Hospital and three to West Penn Hospital. Dr. Larry Jones, the medical director of the Burn Unit at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, said there are three patients there, two with burns on more than 30 percent of their bodies. So far, the names and conditions of the injured workers have not been released. “I can confirm that there was an explosion and fire at the B Battery of U.S. Steel's Clairton Plant coke making operation earlier today. The incident did result in injuries. At this time, I cannot confirm the number of individuals injured nor the extent of injuries reported," said a U.S. Steel spokesperson.

ICU Patients More Likely to Die on Weekends

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Is there a link between the day a patient is admitted to a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) and the likelihood of dying? According to a new study, the answer is yes. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit over the weekend may be more likely to die than those admitted on a weekday. The study found that patients admitted to the ICU on a weekend were 8% more likely to die than patients admitted on other weekdays. Interestingly, the study did not show any link between the time of admission and the death rate. For example, patients admitted during the night were not at greater risk of dying than patients admitted during the daytime. The researchers believe that lack of staffing in the ICU over weekends may account for the higher death rate for weekend admissions.

Public Given More Information About Doctor's Backgrounds in Colorado

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

In a positive step for patients -- at least in Colorado -- doctors in that state will soon be required to report information about their background to state authorities to obtain or renew a medical license. The public will have access to this information. The required information includes the professional's education, business dealings, malpractice cases, and crimes or disciplinary actions that have been brought against them. According tothe law, the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners will make the information available to the public. The measure carries penalties for physicians and other health care professionals who fail to comply with the reporting information.

Nationwide, this information is generally unavailable to patients or to the public. Colorado's new law will hopefully be a springboard for Pennsylvania and the other states to require equal transparency and disclosures to the public by doctors.

The Colorado law is called the Michael Skolnik Medical Transparency Act of 2010, and goes into effect in Colorado on August 11, 2010.

Information Resource on the New Healthcare Law

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Many of us do not fully understand how the new federal healthcare law will affect us. The law, known as the Affordable Care Act, was signed into law on March 23, 2010. But only some parts of the new law go into effect immediately. Many parts of the law are phased-in over time, and won't be implemented until 2014 or later.

Now there is another resource for information about important provisions of the Act and how they will affect you. The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a new website where you can get specific information about the dates when various parts of the law will go into effect and how the provisions will work. The site is also supposed to serve as an online tool to compare the health insurance plans available to you under the Act. The website is found at HealthCare.gov.

According to HHS, the website contains a central database of health coverage options and provides information about public insurance programs, such as Medicare and the newly created pre-existing conditions insurance plan, as well as information on more than 1,000 private plans. Rankings for local health care providers will also be available on the site according to HHS.

Colon cancer in African-Americans - advances in treatment

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

African-Americans have a higher risk of getting colon cancer than other racial groups in the United States. The death rate from colon cancer for African-Americans is also higher than the general population. Recent research studies have shown that colon cancer tumors in African-American patients have certain genetic characteristics which indicate certain targeted drug treatments.

The specific genetic characteristic of the tumors were found in the African-American colon cancer patients at double the rate found in the general population. These were associated with mutations in the BRAF gene -- a type of mutation linked with aggressive colon cancers. This discovery is important because effective treatment can depend on the type of cancer drug used. There are certain cancer treatment drugs that specifically target BRAF gene mutations. This treatment advance may help African-Americans with colon cancer to get more effective treatment.

Colon cancer screening test less likely to detect cancer in summer compared to winter

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A commonly used screening test to diagnose colon cancer is a simple test called fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). A new Italian study published this week suggests that the test results may be less accurate when outside temperatures are high compared to low ambient temperatures. This study suggests that FOBT colon cancer screening is more likely to detect cancer if performed in the colder seasons as opposed to the summertime.

The difference was significant, with screening tests done in the summer being 17 percent less accurate than those done in the winter. For advanced cancers, there was a 13% lower accuracy level for tests done in the summer compared to winter. The researchers believe that the body's lower concentrations of hemoglobin in warmer weather accounts for the results.

Possible connection between taking fish oil and decrease in risk of ductal breast cancer

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A new study shows an intriguing possible link between using fish oil nutritional supplements and a decrease in the risk of ductal breast cancer. The study was limited to postmenopausal women between ages 50 and 76, none of whom had breast cancer when the 10 year study started. Those who used fish oil supplements have a 32% lower incidence of ductal breast cancer than those who did not.

The researchers are careful to note that the causal link, dose and timing of the fish oil supplement use have not been confirmed and require more study. The study found that using fish oil supplements had no effect on other types of breast cancer including lobular breast cancer. Interestingly, some other vitamin supplements studied had no effect on the risk of breast cancer, including popular supplements black cohosh, soy, grapeseed, dong quai and St. John's wort.

Women should increase calcium intake to reduce risk of colon cancer

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Women may be able to reduce their risk of colon cancer by taking more calcium, either in foods or as supplements. According to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, women who took more calcium from either food or supplements were 25% less likely to develop colon cancer over the nine year period of the study. Surprisingly, women who got the higher calcium levels by combining food source and supplements had a 45% lower risk of colon cancer during the same period of time.

The levels of calcium that were found to be significant were doses above 400 mg per day for food (dietary) sources of calcium, and above 800 mg per day for calcium supplements. The difference in the beneficial dosages between food and supplementary sources may result from the different ways the body absorbs supplements as opposed to food, but further research needs to be done to confirm the reason.

The researchers believe that higher calcium levels reduce the risk of colon cancer in women because calcium acts to neutralize bile acid in the colon. This study indicates that women should increase the amount of calcium in their diet to more than 400 mg per day, and also supplement that dietary calcium with more than 800 mg per day.

3 Signs of Possible Melanoma

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

There are many types of skin cancer. Melanoma is the rarest of the skin cancers but it is also the most deadly form of skin cancer. Melanoma can develop on any part of the body including the eye. The most common locations of melanoma are the parts of the body which have been in the sun the most -- usually the face and arms, followed by the torso, back and legs. Early detection and treatment is extremely important because Melanoma grows so quickly and is so aggressive.

Melanoma develops from cells called melanocytes. These cells normally protect the skin from UV light by producing melanin. Melanin darkens skin -- this is what we see as tanning. Generally speaking, the paler your skin, the greater your risk for skin cancer including Melanoma. Genetics play a role, as does sun exposure. Getting sunburns before age 20 increases the risk that you will get skin cancer later in life.

Three signs of possible Melanoma that you should check for are:

1. Any change in a mole's appearance. SucSuch changes are characterized by the acronym ABCD: asymmetrical shape; border irregularity; color variation; diameter larger than a pencil eraser.

2. An irregularly shaped flat spot or raised bump anywhere on the skin. (The spot or bump may be brown, black, blue, tan, red, white, or multicolored).
3. A black or brown spot on the color portion (iris) or the white of the eye, or a change of color of the iris, or pain or loss of vision.

See a doctor immediately if you have any sign of Melanoma or any question about your skin or eyes.

Cancer treatment: pain management and control

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that cancer patients often under-utilize pain medications, and thus continue to experience unnecessarily high levels of chronic pain. The reasons patients may not use their pain medication include worries about side effects, addiction, or misunderstanding of effective pain management. The study showed that patients' quality of life was improved after receiving one-on-one counseling and became actively involved in their own pain management. The patients' levels of pain were reduced by eliminating many of the obstacles they felt had existed in relieving their pain. If you or a family member are experiencing chronic cancer pain, better adherence to their pain medication prescription and individual counseling and education about pain management will lead to a better quality of life. The study used a combined education and counseling program called the RIDcancerPain program.

Promising treatment for precancerous prostate

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

An alternative treatment for precancerous prostate cells appears promising. The treatment uses radio waves to heat the entire prostate gland and destroy precancerous cells. Known as radio-wave hyperthermia or Oncotherm, the treatment has been used widely in Europe for more than two decades. The advantage of using this method is that the risk of harming healthy tissue is lower, and so complications such as incontinence or impotency are not as common.

The prostate is a small, walnut sized gland. Prostate cells can begin to grow abnormally, eventually forming a tumor. Early prostate cancer may cause no symptoms. As the abnormal cell growth increases, symptoms of prostate cancer appear and may include blood in the urine, frequent urination (especially at night), weak or interrupted flow, pain or burning when urinating and low back pain. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in men in the US, and the second highest killer.

Doctors should routinely screen every adult over age 50 for colon cancer

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Universal screening of everyone over age 50 for colon cancer could prevent 32,000 deaths a year. But nearly 40% of those adults are not receiving screening from their doctors. In 2008, there were 22 million people over age 59 that have not been screened for colon cancer, which "kills more American nonsmokers than any other cancer," according to the study published on July 6, 2010 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Tragically, one in three people who should be screened for colorectal cancer have not yet done so," CDC Director Thomas Frieden, MD, said in a statement. "An additional 32,000 lives could be saved if every adult age 50 or older got tested regularly for colorectal cancer."

Despite the improvement in overall screening rates, several subgroups had substantially lower rates of screening:

•People ages 50 to 59, 53.9%
•Hispanics, 49.8%
•Low-income individuals, 47.6%
•People with less than a high school education, 46.1%
•Individuals without health insurance, 35.6%

Substance present in broccoli and brussels sprouts found to inhibit cancer growth

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A chemical substance produced when digesting broccoli and brussels sprouts has the abillity to block the growth of certain cancer cells. The substance is called indole-3-carbinol (I3C). Laboratory and animal studies show that the I3C substance caused destruction of a necessary factor in breast cancer cell growth. Breast cancer cells need certain molecules in order to grow and spread. I3C from broccoli or brussels sprouts destroys one of those molecules, and blocks the growth of more breast cancer cells.

The studies are being done at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. The molecule which allows cancer cells to spread and which is blocked by I3C is called Cdc25A. This cancer molecule "is present at abnormally high levels in about half of breast cancer cases, and it is associated with a poor prognosis," said an assistant professor of pathology at the Ohio State University Medical Center. This cancer molecule also occurs at abnormally high levels in cancers of the breast, prostate, liver, esophagus, endometrium and colon, and in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and in other diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

Epinephrine overdose warning issued

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

As of June 16, 2010, there is a nationwide shortage of prefilled epinephrine syringes that creates the potential for serious, even fatal, medication errors due to inappropriate dosing. Although the manufacturer planned to ramp up production to satisfy demand by early July, so further information on the shortage has been forthcoming.

The prefilled emergency syringes are used for heart attacks, drownings, electrocutions and other emergency situations when a patient's heart is stopped. They are used by ambulance crews, hospitals and clinics throughout the nation. Because of the shortage of prefilled syringes, there is a high risk of medication dosing errors resulting in death or serious injury. Health care workers may not understand or even be aware of the difference between the various concentrations of the medication that they will need to administer, and may administer the wrong dosages. Reports have already been received of deaths from health care workers miscalculating the correct epinephrine doses.

Only a single manufacturer of the prefilled emergency epinephrine syringes remains in the United States: Hospira Inc. The shortage does not include self-administered 0.3 and 0.15 mg epinephrine injection products, commonly referred to by the brand name EpiPen, which are used to treat severe allergic reactions to insect bites, foods, medications, latex or other causes.

Cerebral palsy often not diagnosed until more than a year after birth

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Diagnosing cerebral palsy as early in life as possible has many possible benefits. Those benefits can include possible prevention of secondary disabilities, and reducing the frustration levels of the parents and the undiagnosed child alike. Your child's doctor can perform tests to screen your child for developmental delays or disabilities including cerebral palsy.

The mean age for diagnosis of cerebral palsy is at 14 months of age. Earlier diagnosis and intervention may be possible if the parents and the doctor know the four major categories of development to watch for: motor skills, language, problem-solving and psychosocial. Parents should be aware of all four categories in their child rather than focusing only on growth or motor development. For example, language developmenet begins at birth. Any questions should be raised with the doctor.

The doctor should perform screening tests whenever appropriate. Many of the screening tests will use one single test to screen for possible problems in all four developmental areas. Some of the tests that are available are the Revised Denver Developmental Questionnaire, Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screen, Brigance Screens, Child Development Inventories, Parents' Evaluations of Developmental Status, and the Bright Futures Project.

Treatment for breast cancer in early stages - new study

Sat, 03 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

New medical research suggests that in certain breast cancer patients, survival and prognosis are not benefited by removing axillary lymph nodes if there is a malignant sentinel node. The study was presented at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and found that women with early breast cancer and positive sentinel lymph nodes get no extra benefit from axillary node dissection. The patients studied had been diagnosed with stage T1 or T2 breast cancer.

"Despite the widely held belief that axillary lymph node dissection improves survival in women with a tumor-involved sentinel node, we found no significant difference in survival with or without the procedure," said lead author Dr. Armando E. Giuliano, director of the John Wayne Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Center in Santa Monica, California.

If the sentinel node was positive on biopsy, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) resulted in no survival advantage after a follow-up period of nearly 6 years. Disease-free survival rate was 82.2% with ALND versus 83.8% without ALND.

Girl with Cerebral Palsy Uses Special Computer to Speak for the First Time

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A twelve year old girl who has suffered from cerebral palsy from birth was able to speak to her family for the first time. "It was like 'wow -- she has things to say,' it's like the first smile," said Geurts as his daughter Tobynn coaxed words from the special speech-enabling computer she's been using since September. "It's getting us more insight into her." Tobynn can use her elbow to choose words on a monitor and speak through a computer generated voice. "It's awesome," she said using the device. She can ask questions and communicate what she needs to her caregivers.

For the many children with cerebral palsy are unable to speak or have severe speech limitations, these devices offer real hope. Without this device, children may be unable to communicate, or be forced to rely on a simple yes/no communication system. The devices are costly, between $10,000 to $25,000; Tobynn's device was provided at no cost by a pilot program in Canada.

Blood test may offer early diagnosis and detection of colon cancer

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

The CRP blood test is a common test showing inflammation levels in the body. CRP tests for levels of C-reactive protein, a substance produced in greater quantities by the liver when there is infection or inflammation present in the body. The CRP test is non-specific, although a more specific version of the test is used to diagnose certain heart disease. Recent research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research indicates a relationship between elevated CPR levels and colon cancer. This relationship bolsters the theory that chronic inflammation is a marker of cancer or cancer risk.

In the study, women with elevated CRP levels showed increased rates of colon cancer within three years of the CRP measurement. The higher inflammation level detected by the CRP blood test may result from the patient's inflammatory response to the colon cancer. High levels of CRP (inflammation) therefore may be an early detector of cancer, rather than a risk factor that predisposes a patient to getting colon cancer.

Effect of childhood cancer - survivors suffer ongoing PTSD symptoms

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Childhood cancer survivors are four times more likely to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as young adults. Young adults who have survived cancer often suffer from PTSD symptoms as a result of their disease and treatment. These symptoms include phobias, startling easily, feelings of edginess and hypervigilence, extreme anxiety and avoidance of reminders of the disease and treatment. These symptoms can be disabling and prevent normal functioning. These symptoms develop in young adulthood even if not exhibited while still a child or under treatment.

“Childhood cancer survivors, like others with PTSD, have been exposed to an event that made them feel very frightened or helpless or horrified,” said Dr. Margaret Stuber, a professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences, a Jonsson Cancer Center researcher and first author of the study. “This study demonstrates that some of these survivors are suffering many years after successful treatment. Development of PTSD can be quite disabling for cancer survivors. This is treatable and not something they have to just live with.”

“People who had more intense treatment are more likely to have these symptoms because their treatment was more traumatic,” Stuber said. “And because more damage was done to their bodies, it makes it more difficult to have a good life later. It’s all interdigitating.” Fortunately, there are available treatments to help. Treatments that may help survivors to function include psychotherapy and appropriate medications.

Diagnosing Bladder Cancer

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

New research is hopeful for earlier diagnosis of bladder cancer. Cancer of the bladder strikes more than 50,000 men in the United States every year. Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men. If this cancer is diagnosed early, the patient's quality and length of life can be successfully preserved. Early-stage superficial bladder tumors may be surgically shaved off, or treated with immunotherapies. If there is a delay in the diagnosis of the bladder cancer, however, the tumor may grow and infiltrate the body. More advanced bladder cancer requires cystectomy, the surgical removal of the bladder.

The Danish Cancer Society and the Herlev University Hospital of Copenhagen discovered a new test to diagnose multiple tumor markers in bladder cancer. The procedure can test urine samples and bladder biopsies. Because early diagnosis is key to maintaining the patient's quality of life, the new study offers hope that there will be another tool in the diagnostic toolbox when bladder cancer is suspected.

Cerebral palsy caused by medical malpractice

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

The family of a child born with severe cerebral palsy won a lawsuit and obtained a verdict for $20.5 million against the health care providers responsible for the baby's delivery. Before the baby's birth, the pregnant mother called her doctor's office to report that she thought her baby was experiencing problems. The doctor's office staff told her to go to the hospital immediately, which she did. At the hospital, the mother was put on a fetal monitoring machine. The monitor showed the baby was in fetal distress. The hospital nurses notified the mother's obstetrician of the fetal distress but he did not come to the hospital until 2 hours later. Even after the doctor arrived at the hospital, there were more delays in the delivery which caused oxygen deprivation in the baby (called birth asphixia). The baby boy was born with severe cerebral palsy and blindness. The family won its medical malpractice lawsuit for the injuries.

Robots Used to Teach People with Cerebral Palsy to Walk

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Called Lokomat therapy, the treatment uses a large robotic device to help those with cerebral palsy to walk. Results from a study showed an improvement in walking speed and motor functions after patients used Lokomat therapy.

Currently being used by Shriners Hospitals for Children, Lokomat therapy involves placing a patient in a harness suspended over a treadmill while a robotic leg harness simulates a natural walking motion. Used repeatedly, the motion strengthens leg muscles while computers measure the patient’s response to the movement, providing motivational cartoons that give the patient instructions.

Lokomat therapy can only be used by those with cerebral palsy older than four years of age.

Cerebral palsy impacts over 8,000 newborns every year and currently over 750,000 children and adults are diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the United States. Most of these individuals must rely on a walker or wheelchair for mobility. Therapists using Lokomat therapy are trying to reduce that dependency.

If you have questions about whether your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice or negligence, contact the cerebral palsy attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for a free review of your case.

First Ever Approved Study for Cerebral Palsy Using Stem Cells

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Medical College of Georgia will attempt to test how effective adult umbilical cord stem cells are in the treatment of cerebral palsy symptoms, thanks to the FDA’s first-ever approval of such a study.

Cerebral palsy currently has no cure, and it affects roughly 1 in 278 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, researchers involved in the new study have indicated that the results could be favorable for treating cerebral palsy and other brain injuries. Stem cells from umbilical cords are able to quickly divide and multiply, and then change into types of cells, possibly advancing cerebral palsy treatment options.

The study will involve 40 children, ranging in age from two to 12. Initially, half the group will receive stem cells and the other half will receive a placebo. After three months, doctors will test both groups and record any changes, after which the control group will also receive stem cells. Additional monitoring will continue again at three months and six months.

Drug Combination May Kill Precancerous Colon Polyps

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

As National Colon Cancer Awareness Month (March 2010) just wrapped up, news came from researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center that a powerful drug combination may kill polyps that lead to colon cancer.

The regimen of drugs, Vitamin A acetate (RAc) and TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand), has only been tested so far on mice and colon cancer tissues in a laboratory, but scientists are finding that the drug combination not only kills precancerous polyps, it also does no harm to normal colon epithelial cells. The drugs, if used separately, showed having no effect on premalignant polyps, also known as adenomas.

In mice, the treatment showed a 69 percent reduction of precancerous polyps in only two weeks. In human tissues, researchers saw a 57 percent reduction.

The team of researchers will continue its testing before any human clincal trials can be considered.

For free information about colon cancer, or if you feel you may have been misdiagnosed or had a delay in diagnosis of colon cancer, please contact the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, based colon cancer lawyers at Berger & Lagnese.

Pennsylvania Superior Court Upholds $2.5 Million Verdict Against UPMC

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

Murrysville native Michael Rettger was 24 years old when he died at UPMC Shadyside in November 2003 as a result of an undetected brain herniation. In the aftermath of his death, Michael’s two brothers brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against UPMC. After a two week trial in May 2008, an Allegheny County jury found that shoddy nursing care at UPMC Shadyside was solely to blame for Michael Rettger’s brain herniation and untimely death.

The jury awarded the Rettger family $2.5 million, but awarded $0 to the Estate of Michael Rettger for Michael’s lost earnings, despite the fact that at the time of his death Michael was a highly successful accountant in the Pittsburgh offices of Ernst & Young.

On December 12, 2008, Judge Timothy P. O’Reilly of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, who had heard all the evidence, found that the verdict of $0 for Michael’s lost earnings was a miscarriage of justice and awarded the Estate of Michael Rettger a new trial solely on the question of Michael’s Rettger’s lost earnings. UPMC appealed this ruling and a host of others made by Judge O’Reilly to the Pennsylvania Superior Court.

In a strongly-worded opinion filed on March 17, 2010, the Pennsylvania Superior Court affirmed both the jury’s award of $2.5 million to the Rettger family and the Allegheny County Court’s award of a new trial limited to the question of the amount of Michael Rettger’s lost earnings as a result of UPMC’s medical malpractice.

Carpenter Fell from Defective Scaffold | Jury Awards Verdict for Injuries

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A jury awarded a carpenter $18 million for injuries suffered from a 15-foot fall at a job site. The carpenter fell off a structurally defective scaffold. He fractured his ankle and herniated three spinal discs. He had surgery to fuse a portion of his spine. He claimed that his injured ankle will require a fusion.

Truck Accident Pittsburgh Attorney | PA Truck Accident Lawyers

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A truck driver settled a lawsuit for $1.1 million against the company who loaded his tractor trailer. They loaded the trailer but failed to secure the items, causing them to shift to the left. The movement caused the trailer and truck to tip onto its left side. The negligence was loading the items, which were on skids, using an an improper method. They loaded the freight onto plastic skids on a new wooden floor which was very slippery. The loaded skids were not secured by lateral braces, airbags, dunnage or anti-skid mats. According to the attorney for the driver, they also failed to properly inspect the trailer before leaving. As a result of the accident, the driver suffered herniated discs and required a laminectomy/discectomy.

Breast Cancer Drug Approved for Extended Use, says FDA

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Tykerb (lapatinib) has been approved for treatment in combination with Femara (letrozole) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for postmenopausal women who rely on hormonal therapy.

Tykerb targets metastatic, postmenopausal breast cancer that is HER2-positive.

Now Tykerb can be taken orally with Femara to deprive tumor cells of what they need to grow and block the function of the HER2 protein.

The approval of Tykerb was based on a study in which the Tykerb and Femara drug combination more than doubled the time women lived without the cancer progressing compared to the women who only took Femara.

Several of the side effects reported in previous Tykerb clinical studies include diarrhea, rash, fatigue, nausea, decreases in heart function, lung tissue inflammation and liver damage. It has also been reported that fetal harm may occur in pregnant women who use Tykerb to treat advanced breast cancer.

For free information about breast cancer, contact the breast cancer medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Study Shows that Cervical Cancer Drug Can Protect for Over Six Years

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A vaccine for reducing the risk of cervical cancer, Cervarix, has been found to remain effective for over six years when protecting against two high-risk types of HPV, the virus which is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

Every year, approximately 12,000 women develop cervical cancer as a result of an HPV infection, which makes cervical cancer the most common form of cancer associated with HPV. Other cancers resulting from an HPV infection include vulva cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer and anal cancer.

Cervarix is recommended for girls age 11 and 12, and for females 13 to 26; although it has been given to girls as young as nine.

In the study that examined the efficacy of Cervarix, the drug showed between 95 and 100 percent efficacy for up to 6.4 years against infection with the HPV16 and HPV18 virusus and against precancerous or cancerous changes to the cervix in girls and women between 15 and 25 years.

For free information about cervical cancer, see the cervical cancer medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Injuries From Coil Stacker Accident on Construction Site Case Settles Before Trial

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A production supervisor, William Schilbe, was injured when he was pinned against a coil stacker machine while trying to free a stuck copper coil at a construction site in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The coil stacker was built and installed a year before the accident by ASMAG Anlagenplanung Uned Sondermaschinebau Gmb H, an Austria-based custom machine builder. The machine is designed to stack coils eight high in two separate towers. Each coil measures eight-feet wide by two-feet tall.

On the day of the accident, Mr. Schilbe climbed up a conveyor leading to the stacker machine and leaned over a frame, attempting to free the leg of the coil stuck inside the stacker. As he was adjusting the coil, Mr. Schilbe instructed the machine operator to turn on the machine and resume operation. When this happened, the machine's load bar came down and pinned Mr. Schilbe against the frame on which he was leaning, causing him to become diaphoretic and cyanotic until he was rescued.

As a result of the construction site accident, Mr. Schilbe spent three months in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair a vein in his abdomen that was severed, a hernia and his duodenum. Mr. Schilbe also suffered post-traumatic depression, chronic pain syndrome and L1 and L2 transverse process fractures. He spent two years in occupational, physical and massage therapy treatment. And though cleared for light duty, Mr. Schilbe is restricted to sedentary work because he tires easily, and he treats his post-traumatic stress disorder and depression with medication and counseling.

Mr. Schilbe sued ASMAG Anlagenplanung Uned Sondermaschinebau Gmb H for products liability, alleging a design defect, but before his case went to trial, the case settled for $2.2 million.

If you or someone you love has been in an accident at a construction site due to unsafe working conditions, call the construction accident attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

UPMC Over Charging Patients for Copies of Medical Records

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

If you've ever tried to get copies of your medical records from UPMC or other Pennsylvania hospitals, you know you'll need to hand over alot of money before the hospital hands over copies of your medical records. In 2009, for example, UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals charged a flat "retrieval fee" of $19.80 and a whopping $1.33 per page for the first 20 pages of your medical records, and 99 cents per page for the next 40 pages. Based on these charges, 80 pages of medical records will cost you a hefty $86.00!

Nowadays, most hospital medical records including UPMC's are created and stored on computer. Thanks to the computerization of medical records, the actual cost of copying medical records has decreased dramatically. While copying medical records used to require retrieving and photocopying each page by hand, today, providing copies of computer-stored medical records is as easy as pressing a single key on a computer keypad. However, while the cost of copying medical records has plummeted over the last five years thanks to computer automation, UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals have continued each year to increase the prices they charge patients for copies of their medical records.

To stop the price-gouging for medical records, five class action lawsuits including one against UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside were filed by Berger & Lagnese in Allegheny County in July 2009. These suits were filed on behalf of all Pennsylvania patients and their lawyers who've been charged exorbitant fees for copies of their hospital medical records. The aim of these lawsuits is to get UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals and their records-copying agents to limit their medical records copying fees to their actual and reasonable (and ever-diminishing) costs incurred in copying the records.

On February 4, 2010, the Honorable Stanton Wettick of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ruled that under Pennsylvania law, the copying fees that UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals (and their records-copying agents) may charge patients is limited to the actual and reasonable expenses incurred in making the copies. Therefore, if the cost of copying medical records has come down thanks to the computerization of medical records, UPMC and the other Pennsylvania hospitals must pass this cost savings on to Pennsylvania's patients in the form of lower prices for copies of medical records.

As a result of Judge Wettick's ruling, the class action plaintiffs will now have a chance to find out, one, how much it has really cost UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals to copy patient medical records over the last five years; and two, how much in excess of this cost UPMC and other Pennsylvania hospitals have illegally charged and pocketed for requested medical records.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Combination Improves Survival for Cervical Cancer Patients

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. And a group of Cochrane Researchers has stated that combining drugs and radiation improves the survival chances of women receiving treatment for cervical cancer.

These conclusions were made as a result of the most comprehensive study on the effects of combined chemotherapy and radiation in cervical cancer treatment to date. Researchers analyzed data from 15 trials and 3,452 women.

The researchers found that when compared to women who only had radiation, women receiving chemoradiotherapy were more likely to live longer after cervical cancer treatment. In fact, 66 out of every 100 women survived with chemoradiotherapy, compared to only 60 out of 100 with radiation.

For more information about cervical cancer, see the cervical cancer attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lymphedema after Breast Cancer Reduced by Physiotherapy

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Lymphedema is the swelling of an arm, hand or chest wall caused by build-up of lymph fluid after breast cancer surgery. According to a report by Maria Torres Lacomba, MD, physiotherapy, which is a special massage technique, can stop lymphedema from developing in some women when performed after surgery that involves dissection of axillary lymph nodes.

The study assessed 120 women who had breast cancer surgery in Madrid over a two-year period and found that physiotherapy contributed to 72% decrease in the risk of lymphedema compared to women who had breast cancer surgery and no physiotherapy.

Lymphedema is considered the most important chronic complication after breast cancer surgery involving the dissection of axillary lymph nodes. Some women who do develop lymphedema, the swelling can be mild and will go away with treatment. For other women, the swelling can be severe and an ongoing problem.

For free information about breast cancer, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania at Berger & Lagnese.

Avastin Improves Survival of Breast Cancer Patients, says UPMC Study

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

According to a University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) study that will be presented on Dec. 11, 2009, patients who are being treated for a metastatic breast cancer for the second time may get better results if Avastin is added to their treatment.

Avastin inhibits the formation of new blood vessels that would supply tumors with oxygen and nutrients needed to grow, said the director of the Breast Cancer Center at Magee Womens Hospital of UPMC.

The study showed that Avastin added to standard chemotherapy improved survival.

Nearly 200,000 individuals will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, and over 40,000 will die from breast cancer.

Annual Mammograms at Age 40 is the Standard, says Top Radiology Group

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

According to recommendations from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), average-risk women should begin annual breast cancer screening with mammograms at age 40, and higher-risk women should begin by age 30, but no sooner than 25, the ACR and SBI recommend in guidelines published in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

The significant decrease in breast cancer mortality is due largely to earlier detection of breast cancer through mammography screening.

The recommendations conflict with those issued last year by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which suggested that routine screening begin at age 50. The task force also recommended screening every other year, not annually.

In addition to the recommendations related to age and screening intervals, the ACR-SBI guidelines integrate use of breast MRI and ultrasound into the screening algorithm. They say carriers of BRCA mutations should begin annual breast MRI evaluations by age 30. Women who have at least a 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer, on the basis of family history, also should begin annual breast MRI by age 30, in addition to annual mammography.

The guidelines state that breast ultrasound might be considered, in addition to mammography, for high-risk women and those with dense breast tissue that is often difficult to assess by conventional mammography.

In its debate on healthcare reform legislation, the Senate essentially overruled the task force by approving an amendment that would mandate insurance coverage of mammography for women ages 40 to 49. Moreover, the Senate approved an amendment to the amendment, making the task force's 2002 recommendation -- which suggested that annual mammography begin at age 40 -- the operative standard.

Woman Killed Driving Wrong Way on Turnpike

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Monroeville mother who was killed after driving the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in July had no alcohol or illegal drugs in her body. Andrea Baker's system contained only a sleep medication she apparently had taken the night before.

WTAE

Andrea Baker's SUV hit an oncoming tractor-trailer about 1 mile away from the Pittsburgh exit in Monroeville.

Baker died in the crash. Her son, Aiden, who was in a car seat, was not seriously injured.

According to court records, Baker was awaiting trial on charges of driving under the influence of psychotropic prescription drugs at the time of the crash.

For free information about car and truck accidents, see the car and truck accident attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Jury awards 2.5 million against UPMC for medical malpractice

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Berger & Lagnese asks for a new trial on survival act claim after jury awards $2,500,000 against UPMC for wrongful death claim as a result of UPMC being found liable for the death of a 24 year old accountant at Ernst & Young.

Car Crash in Westmoreland County Kills One

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

There was a car crash in Westmoreland County on January 18, 2010 on Kecksburg Road in Mount Pleasant. One person was killed and three others, including two young boys, were injured.

State police at Greensburg said Carla Jean Corley of Mount Pleasant lost control of her 1994 Jeep Cherokee and it crashed into a utility pole and a tree. Police said Ms. Corley died from her injuries. She had been wearing a seat belt.

The passengers were flown by medical helicopter to Pittsburgh hospitals.

Jury Verdict Awarded to Off-duty Officer Injured in Collision

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A man riding his motorcycle was injured when he collided with a vehicle being driven by Frank DeCaro. The incident occurred at the intersection of Passyunk Avenue and 15th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Christopher Nalls, a police officer who was off-duty at the time, was second behind DeCaro’s vehicle. The vehicles were stopped on Passyunk waiting for a red light. DeCaro and the car directly behind him signaled left turns. Nalls went to pass both vehicles on the right. However, when the light changed, DeCaro did not turn left. He drove his vehicle straight and then attempted to turn right into a parking space. Nalls then struck DeCaro’s vehicle on the passenger’s side. DeCaro was on his way to work when the collision occurred.

Plaintiff sued DeCaro and his employer for motor vehicle negligence. His counsel argued that defendant was negligent for signaling left, but instead continued straight on the roadway which caused the accident.

Nalls was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he was treated for a degloving injury and fractures to both his left and right arms along with fractures to his right hand and right ankle. He underwent five surgeries and rehabilitation. Nalls is unable to return to full capacity as an officer as he has limited use of his left arm.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $2,650,000.00. This amount was reduced to $1,987,500.00 after the jurors found Nalls twenty-five percent negligent.

Contractor Settles With Warehouse for Torn Rotator Cuff

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Thomas Grazious, a delivery contractor, was injured when he fell 4.5 feet off a spring-loaded adjustable ramp loading dock to the ground. Mr. Grazious was delivering a package to the warehouse of Smith’s Aerospace, Inc. in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Plaintiff sued Smith’s Aerospace for negligent maintenance of the premises. His counsel argued that there was a broken weld in the leveling device on the loading dock and when the warehouse manager stepped off the loading dock, the plaintiff was sprung from the loading dock and onto the floor. The loading dock remained level with the broken weld because the other man’s body weight countered the body weight of the plaintiff.

Grazious sustained two tears in his right rotator cuff. An open surgery was performed and he had to keep his arm in an abduction pillow for a few months following the procedure. Grazious was also given steroid injections and underwent a year of physical therapy following the surgery.

Plaintiff’s counsel sought $28,000.00 for past medical bills and an additional $100,000.00 for damages incurred in hiring an assistant along with $28,000.00 per year indefinitely to continue to employ an assistant. Counsel also sought between $280,000.00 and $300,000.00 for future wage loss damages.

A settlement in the amount of $500,000.00 was reached between the parties.

Settlement Reached in Minor's Drowning

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Nathaniel McCoy, a student at George Junior Republic, drowned while on an off-campus excursion with a teacher and classmates. The incident occurred at Slippery Rock Creek in Lawrence County. The student jumped into the creek for a swim. Nathaniel, who did not know how to swim, drowned when the strong current of the creek forced his body away from his classmates and teacher, Aaron Cujas.

The decedent’s estate sued the teacher and school for wrongful death claiming negligence in supervising the minor. Plaintiff’s counsel alleged that the defendants’ actions were grossly negligent which entitled the plaintiff to punitive damages.

Plaintiff’s counsel argued that the teacher brought Nathaniel and his classmates on an unauthorized swimming excursion to the creek after volunteering at a church. They further alleged that Cujas was directly responsible for McCoy’s decision to attempt to swim in the creek and that his classmates would testify that he encouraged Nathaniel to jump into the creek, despite the fact that he was aware that Nathaniel could not swim.

As to George Junior Republic, plaintiff’s counsel asserted that they were grossly negligent in its handling of the teacher’s employment. Counsel argued that Cujas had a long history of negligent actions and that the school failed to terminate the teacher prior to his negligent actions which cost Nathaniel his life. This action made the school responsible for the student’s death.

A settlement in the amount of $5,120,000.00 was reached between the parties.

Worker Settles Claim After Being Injured By Tubing Machine

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

A production supervisor for Cambridge-Lee Industries, a copper tubing manufacturer located in Reading, Pennsylvania, was injured while working on a coil stacker. The coil stacker was part of a coil transport system and had been installed the previous year by ASMAG Anlagenplanung Uned Sondermaschinebau Gmb H, an Austria-based custom machine builder. The integrated coil transport system was also designed and manufactured by ASMAG.

The plaintiff, Willaim Schilbe, sued ASMAG for products liability, alleging design defect. The defendant failed to provide a perforated expanded metal guard for the machine where copper coils enter to be processed. The guard would have covered the open area in the machine where Schilbe leaned over, thus providing protection. They also failed to provide a jog mode on the control panel of the stacker to manipulate the coils when they got stuck. The defendant introduced a “pinch point hazard” in the coil stacker machine by adding the load bar in the structural frame member that ultimately came down and trapped him. A settlement in the amount of $2.2 million was reached between the parties.

The coil transport system processed copper tubing through a production line. The coil stacker consisted of two towers that stack coils eight high in each tower. Each copper coil is eight feet wide and two feet high.

The accident occurred in the area of the coil stacker where the coils come into the stacker machine. When a coil became stuck, Schilbe climbed up onto the conveyor leading into the stacker machine. He leaned over to adjust the leg of the coil that was stuck inside the stacker machine. Schilbe then instructed the machine operator to turn on the machine and resume operation. When the machine operator turned on the machine, the load bar came down and pinned against the frame trapping him.

Once freed from the coil stacker, Schilbe was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. He sustained injuries to his abdomen and internal organs. He also suffered L1 and L2 left transverse process fractures, chronic pain syndrome and post-traumatic depression. He was hospitalized for three months. He underwent surgery to repair his duodenum, a severed vein in his abdomen and a hernia.

Schilbe is unable to return to his former position, and cannot climb, run or perform any activities that put strain on his abdomen.

Study Shows Patients Unaware of Medications Prescribed During Hospital Visit

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, one in every five medication doses involved some degree of error.

The researchers conducted the study to assess patient awareness of their in-hospital medications. Inpatient medication errors represent an important patient safety issue.

The study involved 50 participants between the ages of 21 and 89 who knew their outpatient medications, and were from the community around the hospital.

The researchers found that 44% of the patients believed they were receiving a medication they were not, and 96% were unable to recall the name of at least one medication that they had been prescribed during hospitalization. Further, patients younger than 65 were unable to name 60% of medications which they could take as needed, whereas patients older than 65 were unable to name 88% of these medications.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of a medication error during a hospital visit, you should contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

Statins May Worsen Symptoms In Some Cardiac Patients

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a new study presented at CHEST 2009, the annual international scientific assembly of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), statins, which are widely used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular disorders, may actually have negative effects on some cardiac patients.

The researchers reviewed the charts of 136 patients with heart failure in order to examine the effect of statins on pulmonary function and exercise tolerance in patients with diastolic heart failure vs. systolic heart failure. A non-statin group of 75 patients was compared with a statin group of 61 patients.

Results of the analysis showed that overall pulmonary function and exercise tolerance of patients in the statin group were significantly lower than patients in the non-statin group. Further subgroup analyses revealed that pulmonary function measures in the diastolic heart failure statin group were 12 percent lower than pulmonary function measures in the diastolic heart failure non-statin group. Furthermore, the amount of exercise performed by patients with diastolic heart failure who were on a statin was almost 50 percent less than patients with diastolic heart failure not on a statin.

The researchers concluded that statins have beneficial effects on patients with systolic heart failure, however, statins may actually worsen symptoms in patients with diastolic heart failure.

Get free information about cardiovascular disorders including heart attacks and strokes from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

New Technique for Detecting Pulmonary Embolism

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) , combining a low dose computed tomography (CT) with a form of molecular imaging called single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may provide an accurate diagnosis for pulmonary embolism. The researchers tested the diagnostic accuracy of SPECT/CT imaging for pulmonary embolism against that of multidetector CT angiography (MDCT) alone.

Pulmonary embolism is caused when a blood clot travels to a person's lungs from another location in the body, usually the legs.

The researchers studied a total of 196 patients suspected of having acute pulmonary embolism from June 2006 to February 2008. Their study found that SPECT plus low-dose CT had a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 100%, whereas MDCT alone had a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 100%.

The researchers concluded that having an effective technique for diagnosing pulmonary embolism leads to more rapid and successful diagnosis.

Get free information about pulmonary embolism from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

Risk of Major Medical Errors When Surgeons Are Burned Out or Depressed

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the results of a survey published online in Annals of Surgery, surgeons who are burned out or depressed are more likely to say they had recently committed a major error on the job.

The findings suggest that the mental well-being of the surgeon is associated with a higher rate of medical errors, something that may undermine patient safety.

Nine percent of the 7,905 surgeons who responded to the survey reported having made a major medical mistake in the previous three months. Overall, 40% of the surgeons who responded to the survey said they were burned out.

Mistakes also varied by specialty. Surgeons practicing obstetrics/gynecology and plastic surgery were much less likely to report errors than general surgeons.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of a medical mistake or surgical error, you should contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

FDA Issues 2009 FDA Food Code

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the publication of the new FDA Food Code. The 2009 FDA Food Code is model code and reference document that provides a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the food industry. The model FDA Food Code provides the basis for most of the agencies' licensing, inspection, and enforcement activities, as well as serves as a model for their food statutes, regulations, and ordinances.

Significant enhancements to the 2009 FDA Food Code include:

• Each provision in the FDA Food Code is now designated as a "Priority Item," a "Priority Foundation Item," or a "Core Item," to assist the industry and regulatory community in prioritizing their food safety interventions and their inspections. These designations are based on a qualitative risk assessment and replace the use of "Critical" and "Non-Critical" designations in previous editions of the FDA Food Code.

• Cut leafy greens are now included among the foods that require time and temperature control for safety and a new supporting reference document, "Recommendations to Food Establishments for Serving or Selling Cut Leafy Greens," is summarized in Annex 2.

• Requirements are added to improve food worker awareness of food allergen concerns in the food service and retail setting.

• Serving hamburgers and other ground meats in an undercooked form upon a consumer's request is no longer an option for items offered on a children's menu.

• A new definition and criteria are added in a new FDA Food Code section for the non-continuous cooking of foods comprised of raw animal products to address the safety of this cooking method.

• Several requirements related to the effective cleaning and sanitizing of equipment and surfaces are enhanced or clarified.

The 2009 edition of the Food Code is the seventh full edition published by the FDA. The previous full edition was released in 2005 with a supplement published in 2007.

If you suspect that you contracted food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consultation.

Readmission Rates For Hospitalized Patients With Heart Failure

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study published in Circulation: Heart Failure, a journal of the American Heart Association, approximately 25% of heart failure patients with Medicare are readmitted to the hospital within a month after discharge.

Heart failure occurs when a heart weakened by disease can no longer pump effectively.

The researchers used data from Medicare for 2004 through 2006 to identify all recipients over age 65 that went to the hospital for heart failure and were discharged.

There were 570,996 distinct hospitalizations for heart failure in which the patient was discharged in 4,728 hospitals in 2004; 544,550 in 4,694 hospitals in 2005; and 501,234 in 4,674 hospitals in 2006. Readmission rates were virtually identical over this period: 23.0% in 2004, 23.3% in 2005, and 22.9% in 2006.

The researchers concluded that Medicare beneficiaries discharged after heart failure hospitalization have not changed in recent years, indicating that there was neither improvement in hospital readmission rates nor in hospital variations in rates over this time period.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of heart disease, you should contact the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

New Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Tests

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) push back the age of first screenings for cervical cancer and recommends screenings be done less often. Cervical cancer is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus or HPV.

According to the new guidelines, women should have their first screening for cervical cancer at age twenty-one. Women younger than thirty should be screened every two years instead of annually as recommended in the 2003 guidelines. Also, women thirty years of age or older can be examined once every three years.

The guidelines also say that women can stop having Pap tests between sixty-five and seventy if they have three or more negative tests in a row and no abnormal test results in the last 10 years.

The changes do not apply to women with certain health problems that could make them more prone to aggressive cervical cancer, including HIV infection or other condition that would lead to a suppressed immune system.

ACOG also recommends that women who have been vaccinated against HPV should follow the same screening guidelines as unvaccinated women.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 11,270 new cases of cervical cancer and 4,070 deaths from it in the US in 2009.

For more free information about cervical cancer, see the cervical cancer attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Study Show African-Americans With Colon Cancer Have Lower Survival Rates

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to new research published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, African-American patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and are less likely to undergo surgery compared with Caucasians.

The researchers evaluated four years of population-based Medicare and Medicaid administrative claims and identified data for patients with colon cancer, rectal cancer, pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancer. Key data used in the analysis included likelihood of late-stage diagnosis, likelihood of surgical treatment after diagnosis, and survival.

In evaluating the data, researchers discovered that African-American patients with colon and rectal cancer were more likely to present with metastatic disease and less likely to undergo operations.
Also, the median survival of African-Americans with colon and rectal cancer in the study was significantly less than that for Caucasians.

No racial differences in survival were observed among patients with esophagus, gastric, or pancreatic cancer.

The results of this study suggest that improvements in screening and rates of operation may reduce differences in colorectal cancer outcomes for African-Americans.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

For free information about colon cancer, see the colon cancer malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania.

New Recommendations for Mammography Screenings

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new recommendation by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests that routine mammograms for women should start at age 50 and that the decision to start regular screening before the age of 50 should be an individual one. The USPSTF is an independent panel of experts which advises the U.S. government on preventive and primary healthcare and is sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This recommendation changes their 2002 recommendation to screen from age 40 upwards.

The main reason for raising the age from 40 to 50 comes from their conclusion that the risk reduction from screening is greater for women aged 50 to 59 than for those aged 40 to 49.

In their new Screening for Breast Cancer statement, the USPSTF also recommends:

• No teaching of breast self-examination (BSE).

• There is not enough evidence to assess whether clinical breast examination (CBE) does more harm than good, beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older.

• Current evidence is not enough to assess whether digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would be better or worse than film mammography to diagnose breast cancer.

More free information about breast cancer is available from the breast cancer attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Settlement Reached from Two Falls on Consecutive Days

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two ironworkers fell from the same roof on two consecutive days at a construction site in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. A settlement in the amount of $3.85 million was reached with the general contractor, R.E. Crawford Construction, Inc. and the construction manager, Zamias Services, Inc., of a project.

Lavern Breon was lying steel decking on a roof when a coworker asked him to switch places. He began to walk across the deck to the coworker, the deck slid out from under him and he fell 22 feet to the ground. Mr. Breon was not wearing a harness for fall protection at the time of the accident. He suffered fractures to his left foot, left leg and spinal injuries.

Mr. Breon’s fall occurred on a Friday and Brian K. Phillips, Sr. was his replacement on the following Monday.

Mr. Phillips was wearing a safety harness hooked by cables to anchor points. However, he was forced to unhook the harness and move to another location because the cables were too short. Mr. Phillips fell 22 feet to the ground, landing on his head. He suffered massive brain trauma and was in coma for more than a month before dying.

The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations as well as R.E. Crawford’s own safety manual. They also alleged that the defendants were not properly trained in safety procedures and failed to take safety precautions even after Lavern Breon fell.

Defendant R.E. Crawford stated that the construction manager was responsible for supervising and controlling the work done at the jobsite.

If you or someone you love has been in an accident at a construction site due to unsafe working conditions, call the construction accident attorneys of Pittsburgh, PA.

Man Killed in Construction Accident

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A construction worker was killed when he was struck by falling concrete while working at a construction site. Yamil Gonzalez, 29, was working on the fourth floor of a structure when a crane lifting materials struck the fifth floor, causing a piece of concrete to fall on him. The accident occurred at Longwood in Oakmont, an assisted living facility. Mr. Gonzalez was working as a subcontractor for P&B Partitions of West Berlin, N.J.

The incident is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

New Digital Mammography System at Canonsburg General Hospital

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Digital mammography is now being offered at Canonsburg General Hospital. The new system will provide a higher quality of images with more specific details. The Digital Mammography Center began accepting patients in October, in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The new center is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and approved by the Federal Mammography Quality Standards Act.

Driver's Family Settles With Trucking Manufacturer

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

A cement truck carrying a cement mixer rolled over and killed the driver. A wrongful death case was filed and settled for $3 million.

The truck blew a tire and struck a ditch in the road. When the truck struck the ditch, the mixer, which was full of concrete and weighed approximately 40,000 pounds, came loose and crushed the roof of the cab. The incident occurred in Northhampton County, Pennsylvania.

The truck, which was a 1999 S-Series “New England” model and manufactured by Oshkosh Truck Corporation, contained several design and manufacturing flaws.

The front pedestal was not strong enough to support the force of the steel drum in a low-speed crash, and the front pedestal and catwalk structure both collapsed because of low-force impact.

The cab, which was constructed of low-grade aluminum, should have included steel reinforcements and a roll bar or cage. The cab on the prior S-Series model was made of steel. However, the company used aluminum on new models in order to minimize weight and maximize the amount of concrete it could carry.

The steering column was also defective and did not collapse on impact. Additionally, the drum could have included a safety loop to prevent it from detaching and the rear pedestal was not strong enough to withstand the force of the crash.

For free information about construction accidents, see the construction accident attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Improperly Sterilized Equipment at UPMC Northwest

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, more than 140 patients who had surgery at UPMC Northwest in Venango County between January and July this year may have been exposed to potentially life-threatening illnesses such as HIV or Hepatitis.

The problem is being attributed to surgical equipment that was not properly sterilized.

The hospital sent letters to patients who are believed to be at risk.

Two Injured In Crash in Leechburg

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two people were injured in a crash involving two vehicles in Armstrong County. The accident occurred at the corner of Market Street and Main Street in Leechburg. The injured were flown by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian.

For more information about truck and car crashes, see the Pennsylvania Car and Truck Accident Lawyers.

Man Dies After Falling Out Of Bucket Truck

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A Belle Vernon man, who was doing work in Wilkinsburg, fell out of a bucket truck about 25 feet to his death. He was trimming trees from power lines when the accident occurred. The victim, David Winkler, 48, was a subcontractor working for Duquesne Light. He was transported to UPMC Presbyterian where he was pronounced dead.

For more information about industrial and construction site accidents, see the Pennsylvania Construction Accident lawyers.

Two Year Grant Awarded to UPCI Researcher

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the Tribune Review, Jean Johanna Latimer, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, was awarded a two year $300,000.00 grant for breast cancer research by the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The research, which will focus on African-American women, will study tumors in the early stages. The goal is to determine which tumors will grow to be aggressive and which will not, and to tailor treatment appropriately.

Biomedical Firm Sues Pitt and Former Researcher Over Prostate Cancer Research

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the University of Pittsburgh along with Dr. Robert Getzenberg, a former researcher at the University and currently director of urology research at Johns-Hopkins University, have been named in a lawsuit filed in federal court. Onconome, Inc., the plaintiff, is a privately owned biotechnology company.

According to the lawsuit, the University and doctor committed more than five years of research fraud. The Washington based firm said it spent millions of dollars funding prostate cancer research based on a patent, only to find that the doctor falsified reports and overstated the results of the research. The lawsuit claims that the screening test, known as PSA (prostate-specific antigen), is "problematic" because it often detects cancer where none exists. The lawsuit also alleges fraud, breach of contract and failure to properly supervise the research, and is seeking millions of dollars in damages.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men.

Two Cyclists Hit By Car During Annual Race

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two bicyclists were hit by a car on Wildlife Lodge Road while riding in the annual Tour De Strongland race in Westmoreland County.

Paramedics were called to the scene and both cyclists were transported to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

For more information about truck and car crashes see the Pennsylvania Car and Truck Accident Lawyers.

Five Injured In Head-On Collision

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Three adults and two children were injured in an accident in Washington County. A pick-up truck and car collided on Route 40 in Claysville when the truck crossed the centerline and slammed into the car.

The children were taken to Children’s Hospital. Two adults were flown by medical helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and one was taken by ambulance to Washington Hospital.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the couple in the pick-up truck had just gotten engaged. They were kissing when the accident occurred.

Charges have not been filed, however, the accident remains under investigation.

For more information about truck and car crashes see the Pennsylvania Car and Truck Accident Lawyers.

Truck Driver Settles With Company Who Loaded Freight

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

A truck driver settled a negligence claim for $1.1 million against the company that improperly loaded his tractor-trailer.

The truck driver was injured in an accident when his tractor-trailer tipped over. His tractor-trailer tipped over because the load he was carrying had not been properly secured. The load had been placed on plastic skid mats on a new wooden floor. The freight slid to the left and the movement of the weight caused the tractor-trailer to tip onto its left side.

The company’s negligence was that it failed to load and secure the freight onto the truck using a proper method.

Use of Hormone Therapy By Prostate Cancer Patients With Heart Disease Increases Risk of Death

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), men with prostate cancer and a history of heart attack or congestive heart failure who receive hormone therapy before radiation have an increased risk of death.

The researchers assessed 5,077 men (median age being 69.5 years) with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. Some men were treated with radiation therapy alone, and others were treated with hormone therapy prior to radiation.

They concluded that among men with no history of heart attack or congestive heart failure, receipt of hormone therapy did not significantly influence the risk of death. However, among men with a history of heart attack or congestive heart failure due to coronary artery disease, receiving hormone therapy almost doubled the risk of death.

Pitt Researchers Identify Genes That May Help Improve Treatment for Melanoma Patients

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

The findings of a study, which were presented at this year’s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), isolated eight genes that could help predict a melanoma patient’s response to treatment. The researchers were from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that originates in the cells that produce melanin. It is the most serious type of skin cancer. Approximately 70,000 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed this year.

The researchers examined the tumor tissues of 21 patients with metastatic melanoma. The cases were classified into two groups: those who responded to chemotherapy and those who did not. Once the cases were divided, the data was analyzed using a mathematical tool to survey the genes to see if they could identify ones that could distinguish responders from nonresponders.

The results of the study show that genetic testing could someday allow doctors to identify which patients will respond to standard chemotherapy and which patients will not.

Pitt Researchers Find Promising Candidate Protein For Cancer Prevention Vaccines

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study published last month in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine learned that some healthy people naturally developed an immune response against a protein that is made in excess levels in many cancers, including colorectal, cervical, breast, and lung.

The study collected blood from 65 individuals and tested it for natural levels of the antibody.

This finding prompted the team of researchers to develop a vaccine that shows promise in preventing malignancies in high-risk individuals. They found that immunity achieved by a vaccine could inhibit tumor growth and increase overall survival.

The vaccine, which has been tested on mice, succeeds because it boosts immune response against the abnormal production of the protein, known as "cyclin B1", which made it possible for them to avoid tumor development.

The researchers are working to launch a human clinical trial on the vaccine.

More Cancer Patients Needed to Participate in Clinical Trials

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

More needs to be done to educate the general public of the critical need for clinical trial participation. Nationally, experts say only a very small percentage of cancer patients participate.

According to a 2008 editorial in The Oncologist, only half of the clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute enrolled enough participants to achieve meaningful results.

There are several reasons why cancer patients are reluctant to sign up. Already frightened by their diagnosis, they are reluctant because they think they are being used as a guinea pig. Another issue hindering participation is the denial of insurance coverage for some patients, especially the elderly, who are at increased risk for cancer.

In addition to increased education efforts, physicians, nurses and others involved in the care of cancer patients need to make a greater effort to inform patients of trials and potential benefits.

Study Finds Women Can Reduce Their Risk of Breast Cancer

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a report by the American Institute for Cancer Research, women can cut their risk of breast cancer by at least 40% if they take some preventative steps. The researchers looked at links between breast cancer and diet, body weight and physical activity.

The recent study is an update from a 2007 review of more than 800 studies. However, the newly updated review includes evidence from an additional 81 studies that have been published since then.

The report on breast cancer is part of the Continuous Update Project. The long-term goal is to continuously update the findings of the expert report so that cancer prevention advice is always based on the latest research.

For free information about breast cancer, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania at Berger & Lagnese.

Blood Thinner Can Cause Stroke In Some Dialysis Patients

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A study, which is to be published in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN) , found that the blood thinner warfarin can cause strokes in kidney disease patients on dialysis.

The researchers studied 1,671 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Patients' health was monitored for an average of 1.6 years after dialysis was started.

People with atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, have a significantly increased risk of stroke. However, the researchers found that the increase in risk was related to the degree of blood thinning in response to the drug. Dialysis patients whose blood was not monitored for warfarin levels after they received the drug had the highest risk of stroke.

Get free information about atrial fibrillation from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

Four Recent Deaths of Construction Workers from Falls

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

Within the last week, four separate construction-related falls have resulted in deaths. The most recent accident occurred last Tuesday when a masonry worker fell thirteen stories from the roof of the Pennsylvanian apartment building in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The previous three incidents occurred in North Strabane, New Kensington and Monessen.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates safety requirements that protect against hazards like falling. There is an entire book of OSHA standards related to construction. Employers are required to protect their workers from falls when they are working six feet or higher above an adjacent surface.

According to the area director at OSHA’s Pittsburgh office, falls account for nearly 50% of all fatalities in the construction industry.

OSHA investigates all workplace deaths and has started investigations on all four fatalities.

If you or someone you love has been in an accident at a construction site due to unsafe working conditions, call the construction accident attorneys of Pittsburgh, PA.

Study Focuses on Parental Fear of Errors During Child's Hospitalization

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study which is published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, nearly two-thirds of parents reported they felt the need to watch over their child's care to ensure that medical errors are not made during their hospital stay.

The study surveyed 278 parents of children who were hospitalized in 2005 at a children’s hospital in Seattle, Washington.

This study is an important step toward characterizing the scope of parental concern about medical errors during pediatric hospitalizations and understanding its relationship toward communication between parents and physicians.

According to the Institute of Medicine, medical errors are linked to between 48,000 and 98,000 deaths a year and are linked to increases in length of stay, health care costs and death.

For a free consultation, contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

Analysis by Medicare Rates Hospital Readmission and Deaths

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

A recent analysis by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found that too many people die needlessly at U.S. hospitals.

According to the article that was published in USA Today, the analysis examined death rates for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia at more than 4,600 hospitals across the United States.

At 3.4% of hospitals, patients with heart failure died at rates slightly higher than the national average, and 1.2% of hospitals were higher when it came to heart attack. With pneumonia, 5.9% of hospitals had death rates significantly higher than the national average.

The researchers also found that one of every four heart failure patients and approximately one in five heart attack and pneumonia patients land back in the hospital within 30 days.

The findings were based on more than 1 million deaths and readmissions among Medicare patients from 2005 to 2008.

To find out how your hospital rates, click here.

Texting While Driving May Cause Crash

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) provides information that motorists who use their cell phones or were text messaging are at a higher risk of being involved in a car accident or near-accident event.

According to the researchers, motorists who are text messaging are 23 times higher than non-distracted drivers and had the longest duration of eyes off road time at 4.6 seconds over a 6 second intervals. This equates to a driver traveling the length of a football field at 55 mph without looking at the road.

For free information about car accidents, see Pennsylvania's car and truck accident attorneys.

FDA Issues Warning for Body Building Products

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

A warning was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consumers to stop using body building products that are represented as containing steroids or steroid-like substances. Many of these products are marketed as dietary supplements.

A Warning Letter was issued to American Cellular Laboratories Inc. for marketing and distributing body building products containing synthetic steroid substances. The products listed in the Warning Letter to American Cellular Laboratories Inc., include "TREN-Xtreme," "MASS Xtreme," "ESTRO Xtreme," "AH-89-Xtreme," "HMG Xtreme," "MMA-3 Xtreme," "VNS-9 Xtreme," and "TT-40-Xtreme," and are sold on the Internet and in some stores.

The FDA has received reports of serious adverse events associated with the use of these products which includes cases of serious liver injury, stroke, kidney failure and pulmonary embolism (artery blockage in the lung).

For a free consultation, see the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Study Finds Hormone Therapy Increases Risk of Ovarian Cancer

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, women who use hormone therapy after menopause may be at a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

The researchers studied 909,946 Danish women, ages 50 to 79. Overall, 3,068 women developed ovarian cancer, and, of those, 2,681 were epithelial, the most common type of ovarian cancer. Current hormone users were 38% more likely to develop ovarian cancer and 44% more likely to develop epithelial ovarian cancer, in particular, than women who had never used hormones. Women who had stopped taking hormones at some point in the previous two years had a 22% higher ovarian cancer risk.

The risk remains elevated for up to two years after women stop taking estrogen, and, even a relatively short duration of hormone therapy is associated with a 30% to 40% higher risk of ovarian cancer in current users.

Hormone therapy has been linked to health hazards in the past, including an increased risk of breast cancer, stroke, heart disease, and blood clots in their lungs and legs.

Although a couple of large studies have also suggested that hormone therapy can increase ovarian cancer risk, it seemed as if only long-term use was the culprit and that short-term use was OK. However, the new study suggests otherwise.

There is no early screening test to detect ovarian cancer when it is in its most treatable stages, and its symptoms are vague. As a result, ovarian cancer is usually detected after it has spread outside the ovaries.

Workers Settle Injury Claims in Scaffolding Collapse

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Two plasterers and a truck driver were injured when scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The two plasterers were working on scaffolding as buckets of mud and stucco were being hoisted up with a pulley. The movement of the hoisting and pulling, along with an inadequate number of tie-ins to counter balance the weight of the movement, caused the scaffolding to collapse. The two men fell 12 to 14 feet onto a wooden deck below. They sustained various injuries including acute strain and sprain of the cervical and lumbar spine, post-traumatic stress syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve compression, lumbar radiculopathy and sciatica.

The truck driver, who was making a delivery at the jobsite, was stuck when the scaffolding fell. The injuries he sustained include traumatic brain injury with closed head injury, right hip contusion, lumbar pain and a hematoma.

All three workers settled their claims for a total of $3.5 million.

For free information about construction accidents, see the construction accident attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Worker Settles Claim with Tank Manufacturer

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

An employee of a fire truck manufacturer in Pennsylvania was injured in a work related accident when a tank collapsed on his left foot, which resulted in him losing two toes.

The incident occurred when the man was unloading a 3,500-gallon plastic truck tank using a two-legged bridge chain sling. The rigging system, which called for 3 ½ inch bolts, used bolts that were ½ inch too short.

The case was settled for $950,000.

For free information about construction accidents, see Pennsylvania's contruction accident attorneys.

Study Shows Increase in Colorectal Cases Among Those Younger Than 50

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study that was published in Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, colorectal cancer rates are on the rise in the United States for people who are younger than 50.

The researchers reviewed data on 11,000 men and 9,800 women younger than 50. The data was obtained from 13 registeries that tracked the information between 1992 and 2005.

The researchers found that colorectal cancer rates increased 1.5% a year among men younger than 50 and 1.6% a year among women younger than 50. The researchers also found that incident rate increases for colorectal cancer had edged up in every age category below 50, but the largest increase occurred in the youngest age group (those between 20 and 29 years old).

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 106,000 new cases of colon cancer, which includes about 15,000 people younger than 50, and 41,000 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed this year.

For free information about colon cancer, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Results of Study on Treating Heart Attacks to Lower Risk of Complications

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

A study, which was recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that transferring heart attack patients to specialized hospitals to undergo angioplasty within six hours after receiving thrombolytic drugs (clot-busting drugs) reduces the risk of life-threatening complications including repeat heart attacks.

The researchers followed 1,059 heart attack patients who were treated with clot-busting drugs at community hospital emergency departments. Patients were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: those who were urgently transfer for angioplasty within six hours, or those who received the standard care. The researchers then compared the strategy of transferring heart attack patients to hospitals with on-site angioplasty facilities to undergo angioplasty within six hours after administration of clot-busting drugs with the traditional approach of transferring only those patients when clot-busting drug treatments are unsuccessful.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in diagnosing or treating a heart attack, contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

Study Shows Link Between Metabolic Syndrome and Breast Cancer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study which was published in a journal for the American Association for Cancer Research, metabolic syndrome may play a role in the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance syndrome, is characterized by abdominal obesity, high blood glucose levels, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. It can also increase the risk for diabetes and coronary heart disease.

In this study, the researchers used existing data from the Women's Health Initiative. Participants included postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years at enrollment who had repeated measurements of components of metabolic syndrome over an eight-year period. The results of the study suggest an association between having the metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer.

To date, studies have evaluated individual components of the metabolic syndrome and breast cancer, however, this is the first time researchers have assessed whether women who met the criteria of having the metabolic syndrome were at greater risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.

For free information about breast cancer, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Berger & Lagnese.

Study Shows Strep B Test Misses More Cases Than Expected

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a federal recommendation that all pregnant women undergo testing for Group B strep bacteria has helped increase the number of screenings. However, it has produced a high level of false negatives.

Group B strep is acquired by newborns through direct contact with the bacteria while in the uterus or during delivery. Although it poses no harm to most adults, infants can develop blood infections, pneumonia, meningitis, mental retardation, hearing and vision loss, or death.

The researchers examined data on Group B strep cases in 10 states, finding that 250 infants out of nearly 7,700 were born with the infection. They compared the results with a similar study that was conducted before the CDC recommendations were in place. The researchers found that the screening rate rose from 48% to 85% of pregnant women. However, their results showed about 60% of infected infants, or 116 cases, were born to women who had tested negative for Group B strep. The researchers noted that the timing of a Group B test might play a role because the infection can come quickly and tests could have been performed before the bacteria appeared.

In 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the recommendation that all pregnant women be tested because of the potential for serious complications.

If you have questions about the delivery or the birth of your child, please contact lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

Study Shows Long-Term Health Problems From Contrast-Induced Medical Imaging Procedures

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study to be published in a future issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology, kidney injuries can arise following certain medical imaging procedures, which can increase a patient’s risk of having a stroke or heart attack. The results of the study indicate that minor and reversible kidney damage from common clinical procedures is a serious health threat.

Medical imaging often uses contrast agents, such as iodine and barium, to enhance structures or fluids within the body. Exposure to contrast agents can injure the kidneys and recent research suggests that such contrast-induced kidney damage may actually be more serious.

The researchers studied 294 patients with kidney disease who were exposed to contrast agents during cardiac angiography. After one year, the researchers found that 31% of the patients experienced negative health effects and 13% of the patients experienced a major event, such as stroke, heart attack, end-stage renal disease or death. Individuals who developed contrast-induced kidney injuries had twice as many long-term negative health effects compared to patients whose kidneys were not damaged.

Contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consulation.

New Guidelines for Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

New guidelines were released by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists regarding fetal heart rate monitoring. Practice Bulletin #106, which outlines the guidelines, is published in the July 2009 issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

The most commonly used method for monitoring the heart rate of the fetus during birth is electronic fetal monitoring. A fetal heart rate monitor is used to track the status of the fetal heart rate during labor and intervene if necessary. An abnormal heart rate may signal a potential problem with the fetus during delivery, including the risk of a baby being born with cerebral palsy.

One notable update in the guidelines for fetal heart rate tracings, print-outs of the fetal heart rate. Category 1 tracings are considered normal and no specific action is required. Category 2 tracings are considered indeterminate and require further evaluation. Category 3 tracings are considered abnormal and require prompt evaluation. The guidelines also state that women in labor who have high-risk conditions such as preeclampsia, type 1 diabetes, or suspected fetal growth restriction should be monitored continuously during labor.

If you have questions about whether your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical malpractice, contact the cerebral palsy attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consultation.

Failure of Physicians to Inform Patients of Abnormal Test Results Occurrs Frequently

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, new research shows that one out of every fourteen cases of abnormal results, physicians failed to report clinically significant abnormal test results to patients or to document that they had informed them.

The researchers analyzed 5,434 patient records from twenty-three physician practices. They revealed that groups using simple processes to manage test results had lower failures rates. The study also found that having an electronic medical record did not reduce failure-to-inform rates, and even increased them, if the practice did not have good processes in place for managing test results.

Failing to inform a patient of an abnormaloutpatient test result can be a serious error. The study suggests five simple, common-sense processes useful for dealing with test results. Only with good processes in place, physicians can ensure that patients with abnormal lab results get proper follow-up.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of failure to report significant abnormal test results, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases such as these.

New Findings on Thrombolytic Treatments

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Victims of stroke have better chances of survival according to the newest scientific findings on thrombolytic treatment, which were presented at the most recent meeting of the European Neurological Society. Stroke has become a major challenge for health policy and for medicine in general. It is now the second most common cause of death globally and the major cause of adult disability.

The medication is applied intravenously to break up the blood clots. The guidelines recommend a window of three hours between the onset of stroke and the beginning of therapy. The recently published study showed that treatment between 3 and 4.5 hours after the onset of a stroke with the thrombolytic agent alteplase can also improve clinical outcome.

Another new approach, endovascular stent-assisted thrombolysis, is a promising treatment for patients with a specific type of artery occlusions arising from internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection. This condition mainly has thromboembolic consequences which are often resistant to intravenous thrombolysis.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of stroke, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as stroke.

Study Finds Delays in Stroke Prevention Surgery

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study published on bmj.com, only one in five patients have surgery within the two-week target time to reduce their risk of stroke as set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Stroke is the single largest cause of severe disability in adults. Approximately 120,000 people have a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke each year and up to 30% die within a month. A surgical procedure, known as carotid endarterectomy, reduces the risk of stroke in patients with stenosis (a narrowed or blocked carotid artery) and symptoms of having had a minor stroke.

The authors surveyed 240 surgeons from 102 hospitals about all carotid endarterectomies they performed between December 2005 and December 2007.

Of 5,513 patients who underwent surgery, 83% had a history of transient ischaemic attack or stroke, but only 20% had their operation within two weeks of onset of symptoms and 30% waited more than 12 weeks. The average delay from referral to surgery was 40 days. Twenty-nine patients died while in the hospital, while 48 patients died 30 days after surgery, mainly from strokes.

These findings show unacceptable delays between symptom and operation. Such delays are associated with a high risk of disabling or fatal stroke before surgery, and the benefit of surgery consequently falls rapidly with increasing delay.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of stroke, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as stroke.

The Learning Curve for Gallbladder Surgery

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an article published in the Journal of Laparoendoscopic Surgery, there is a learning curve for doctors who perform laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. The authors evaluated 416 surgeries that were performed by eight surgeons in a community teaching hospital. Conversion rate, operative time and complications were evaluated to define the learning curve. Three-dimensional depth perception is lost with all laparoscopic procedures. Two-dimensional magnified visualization is provided by the laparoscope. Manipulations and dissection take place under a laparoscopic vision through long instruments. Postoperative complications occurred in 4.5 percent of the first thirty cases and 1.7 percent after the thirtieth case. The authors concluded that there is a long learning curve based on the fact that improvement in these areas occurred only after the thirty-fifth case.

Elective Laparoscopic Over Traditional Gallbladder Surgery

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a study published in The Lancet, 180 patients underwent gallbladder surgery in a nine-month period at a single hospital. All of the patients were offered laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to open (or traditional) surgery, of which 96 percent chose the laparoscopic surgery. Some complications occurred including one patient with a small bowel injury, one patient with an injury to the right hepatic duct and one patient who developed a duodenal fistula. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is a safe and cost-effective procedure, however, the outcome may depend on the ability of the surgeon.

Common Bile Duct Injures and Gallbladder Surgery

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Common bile duct injuries are the most important injuries that may result from laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. In a published study, the authors reviewed 600 patients who underwent gallbladder surgery at a teaching community hospital. The study compared the safety, efficacy, morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic surgeries, as performed by one surgeon or under his direct supervision. The overall rate of bile duct injuries was .5 percent. One injury was a laceration to the anterior wall of the common hepatic duct and two were lacerations to the anterior wall of the common duct. Complications could occur regardless of the experience of the surgeon. It is important for the doctor to recognize any injuries during the surgery to minimize further illness or potential long-term condition.

Complications from Monopolar Electrosurgery

Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an article published in Surgical Endoscopy, monopolar electrosurgery is the preferred technique for tissue cutting and for stopping bleeding during gallbladder surgery. However, the combination of monopolar electrosurgery and gallbladder surgery can be dangerous.

Monopolar electrosurgery is utilized by more than 85% of surgeons who perform laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. Although the procedure is popular, cost-effective and versatile, there is also an increase in complications, which includes thermal injuries. The reduced field of view prevents the surgeon from directly observing any tissue located away from the tip of the active electrode. Because of this restricted view the surgeon is less likely to detect thermal damage caused by stray energy. Electrosurgical burns result from insulation failure or capacitive coupling. Also, inadvertent burn injuries to non-targeted tissues outside the surgeon’s view can occur. These can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms are often delayed. Some of the consequences of thermal injuries are bowel perforation and peritonitis.

Complications from Gall Bladder Surgery Can Occur Due to Physician Mistakes

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an article published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, 12:310 (1998) entitled “Common Bile Duct Injuries During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy That Result in Litigation”, the worst complications of laparoscopic gallbladder surgery are injuries that are caused by a physician.

The study examined the outcome of 78,747 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries from a total of 98 studies. The author reviewed 46 cases that were involved in malpractice litigation. All types of bile duct injuries were represented including transactions, excisions, lacerations, clip impingement cases, electrocautery burns, bile leaks and cystic duct leaks. The injuries occurred whether experienced or inexperienced surgeons performed the operations. The incidence of bile duct injuries ranged from .36 to .47 percent. However, there is an underestimation of the true incidence of injuries.

Common Complications After Gallbladder Surgery

Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Each year in the United States, approximately 500,000-600,000 gallbladder surgeries are performed. Laparoscopic surgery has been the technique of choice for removal of the gallbladder since it was introduced in 1989.

However, according to an article published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy, major complications can occur following gallbladder surgery. The article analyzed 114,005 gallbladder surgeries. Some complications that can occur are hemorrhage, wound infection, needle injuries, and bile duct injury and leakage. Among these complications, bowel injuries, bile duct injuries and leaks are the most common. The author found that the incidence of bile duct injuries and leaks was higher in laparoscopic than in open gallbladder surgeries.

Uncommonly Reported Complications Following Gallbladder Surgery

Tue, 26 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an article published in the journal Surgical Endoscopy 8:197 (1994) entitled “Thermal Injury of the Posterior Duodenum During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy”, although bile duct injuries are the most commonly reported complications of gallbladder surgery, bowel injuries are rarely reported.

There are two types of bowel injures. The first is a penetrating bowel injury, which can be caused by either a Verres needle or trocar. Injuries caused by a trocar or Verres needle usually involve the stomach, small intestine, colon or blood vessels. These injuries are commonly recognized and repaired.

The second is a thermal bile injury, which can be the result of either a direct contact burn or conductive burn. Bowel burn injuries usually occur during dissection of the cystic duct. Contact burn injuries may be recognized and treated appropriately. However, conductive burns are either not recognized at all or recognized 1 – 2 weeks following the initial procedure. Therefore, these are difficult to diagnose due to their rarity and delayed presentation.

This article reports on the case of an apparent conductive burn injury to the posterior small intestine following laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. The injury manifested itself six days after the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. The unrecognized injury resulted in necrosis to the wall of the small intestine.

The diagnosis and management of this unusual case were presented to increase awareness of the risks of gallbladder surgery.

Pittsburgh construction worker injured in fall from ladder

Mon, 18 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

A construction worker was injured today at the Pittsburgh subway construction site when a rung of a ladder he was working failed. The construction worker fell backward landing on a brace and hurting his back. He was taken to the hospital.

Falls at construction sites and from scaffolding and ladders are a leading cause of injuries on the worksite. If you have been injured in a fall at a construction site call the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese. We have obtained money to compensate workers who are injured on the job site throughout western Pennsylvania. Call us at 412-471-4300.

Some Reasons Injuries Occur During Gall Bladder Surgery

Mon, 11 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a published study, bile duct injury is a complication that can occur during gall bladder surgery. Out of 1,670 patients who had a laparoscopic surgery, sixteen (or .95%) had bile duct injuries. In each of these cases, a well-trained surgeon performed the surgery with experience in over fifty gall bladder surgeries. Although there is a learning curve, the risk of bile duct injury is always present due to the features of laparoscopic surgery and regardless of the skill of the surgeon.

Brain Bleed Pittsburgh Attorney | Pennsylvania Brain Aneurysm Lawyers

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Trial magazine, the Journal of the American Association of Justice, published an article written by attorneys David Paul and Melissa Neiman. They write that aneurysm in the brain (cerebral aneurysm) are ballooned areas on arteries. If they stretch and rupture, blood leaks out of the artery and into the brain. This initial leak is called the sentinel leak. This results in a sudden, explosive headache. Often these patients have a headache but no other signs or symptoms. Other signs and symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light or neck pain. Of course, altered consciousness such as drowsiness or agitation, weakness, visual problems or paralysis are important findings.

Up to 60% of the patients that seek medical attention are misdiagnosed and later suffer a larger hemorrhage. Many of these patients will go to the emergency room complaining of headache. If the sentinel leak is diagnosed and treated promptly, the patient will suffer no injuries. If, however, the leak is misdiagnosed and a more serious bleed occurs, the patient likely will suffer brain damage resulting in paralysis, loss of vision, or death.

The doctors' failure to diagnose a ruptured brain aneurysm or bleeding around the brain may be due to the doctors' failure to obtain an adequate history; to perform a thorough neurologic exam; or to understand the significance of the findings on physical exam. Also, many times the doctor does not order, obtain or accurately interpret tests that would show the rupture and/or bleed.

In this article, the authors discuss the risk factors for a ruptured brain aneurysm including more women than men; more blacks than whites; age; family history; and pregnancy. Also, smoking, hypertension, heavy alcohol use and cocaine use are risks for a ruptured aneurysm.

Once the differential diagnosis includes subarachnoid hemorrhage, a CT scan of the head should be done. If the CT scan is normal or inconclusive, a lumbar puncture should be performed to look for blood in the cerebrospinal fluid. Once the diagnosis of bleed is made, cerebral angiography should be done to identity the location of the source of the bleeding. Definitive treatment is done by surgical placement of a clip across the aneurysm to prevent rupture or, less invasively, placement of coil in the aneurysm via a catheter.

For free information about aneurysms and bleeds in the brain, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pittsburgh, PA, working for injured persons in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Erie, and Washington.

Case Report on Complications in Small Intestine Following Gall Bladder Surgery

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

In this published case report, a patient had gall bladder surgery followed by an endoscopy sixteen days later. The most common complication following gall bladder surgery is injury to the bile duct. However, this may be the first reported case of a duodenal perforation (small intestine).

Common Complications Following Gall Bladder Surgery

Tue, 05 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a published study, bile duct injuries are the most commonly encountered technical complication that occurs during gall bladder surgery, with an incidence rate between 0% and 2%. Of the 170 patients in this study, two encountered other types of technical complications. The study also reports that certain technical complications unique to gall bladder surgery account for a significant number of postoperative deaths.

Breast Cancer Patients have Vitamin D Deficiency

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

It is known that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of breast cancer and decreased survival. A new study quantified the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in women with breast cancer. This study, from physicians at Columbia University, found that 74% of women with breast cancer were Vitamin D deficient. They prescribed vitamin D and calcium carbonate for one year but only 15% were able to achieve normal vitamin D levels. Optimal dosing for bone health is still unknown This study was supported by the NationalCancer Institute and published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

More free information about breast cancer is available from the breast cancer malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Detection of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Today, cancer scientists from both government and private sectors launched a research partnership to find biomarkers for lung cancer that develops in people who have never smoked. The Canary Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds research in early cancer detection, and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, are sponsoring a multi-institutional effort.

Research has shown that lung cancer in people who have never smoked differs in many ways from the disease in smokers. Non-smokers with lung cancer have different tumor tissue structure, gene mutations, and demographic profiles than smokers with lung cancer. The research studies are designed to create a better understanding of the biology of lung cancer and to develop a test to detect early-stage lung cancer in lifetime nonsmokers.

Using lung cancer cell lines, tissue, and blood specimens, researchers at five of the nation's leading research institutions will undertake a coordinated approach to biomarker discovery using their expertise to study the same sets of specimens by different methods. The researchers will deposit the data in a single repository, and integrate the results to find the most promising biomarkers. Because of this design, this project will also serve as a pilot study to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach and the ability to integrate the data across different platforms. If it is successful, the researchers plan to open the project to additional collaborators from the NCI's Early Detection Research Network (EDRN).

It is estimated that as many as 25% of all lung cancers worldwide (15% of those in men and 50% of those in women) are not attributable to smoking. The inability to recognize non-smokers who are at risk often leads to delays in diagnosis and results in cancer identification at an advanced stage.

FDA Recalls Hydroxycut Products

Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned dieters and body builders Thursday to immediately stop using Hydroxycut. The FDA said that the manufacturer of the dietary supplement has agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products which are available in grocery stores and pharmacies.

These supplements which are used by people trying to shed pounds or by body builders to sharpen their muscles have been linked to cases of serious liver damage and at least one death.

Hydroxycut is advertised as made from natural ingredients and accounts for about 90% of the market for weight loss supplements.

Dietary supplements are not as tightly regulated by the government as medications. Manufacturers don't need FDA approval ahead of time before marketing their products.

If you or someone you love suffered injury as a result of taking a diet pill, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consulation. Berger & Lagnese specializes in cases involving dangerous products.

FDA Issues Warning - Alfalfa Sprouts Infected with Salmonella

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella contamination.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as meningitis and bone infections.

The investigation indicates that the problem may be linked to contamination of seeds for alfalfa sprouts. The FDA and CDC are issuing this advisory because suspect lots of seeds may be sold around the country and may account for a large proportion of the alfalfa seeds currently being used by sprout growers, and cases of illness are spread across multiple states.

The CDC, FDA and six state and local authorities have associated this outbreak with eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia have reported 31 cases of illness with the outbreak strain of salmonella. Most of those who became ill reported eating raw alfalfa sprouts. Some reported eating raw sprouts at restaurants; others reported purchasing the raw sprouts at the retail level.

The illnesses began in mid-March. Cases are still being reported, and possible cases are in various stages of laboratory testing, so illnesses may appear in other states. No deaths have been reported. The number of infected people may be higher than currently reported because some illnesses have not yet been confirmed with laboratory testing.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consultation.

Guidelines for Using Rivaroxaban For Prevention of Blood Clots After Surgery

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published a final guidance on the use of rivaroxaban for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (blood clots) in adults after having planned total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the deep veins in the leg, thigh, pelvis or arm. The blood clot itself is not life threatening, however, if it becomes loose, it can be carried in the blood to another part of the body where it can cause venous thrombosis. If the blood clot reaches the lungs, known as pulmonary embolism, it can be fatal.

DVT occurs in over 20% of surgical patients and over 40% of patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery. People having surgery to replace their hip or knee joint are at risk of venous thromboembolism because they are inactive during and after their operation.

Get free information about pulmonary embolism from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese. We specialize in these cases.

CT Colonograpy is Effective Screening for Colon Cancer

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study, performed at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, establishes CT colonography as an effective primary screening test for colon cancer. There are several tests for diagnosing colon cancer.

CT colonography (CTC) allows radiologists to predict, with a high degree of confidence, whether or not a polyp needs to be evaluated through colonoscopy or removed through polypectomy.

The study included 479 patients with 739 CTC detected lesions. The results of the study showed that 677 of the739 lesions or 91.6%detected on CTC were also found during optical colonoscopy or surgery.

This study will be presented at the 2009 American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

If you believe your colon cancer was missed or not diagnosed in time, you should contact the colon cancer attorneys of Pennsylvania. We specialize in medical malpractice cases involving failure to diagnose and treat colon cancer. Call us for a free evaluation.

Gallbladder Surgery Study Reports on Bile Duct Injuries

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

In this published study, patients who had gall bladder surgery using the laparoscopic procedure were evaluated for injuries during the operation. Three had bile duct injuries, two had bowel perforation (intestine) and 10 had biliary leaks. This study shows that bowel injury is a complication that the surgeon must be aware of. Bowel injuries are often associated with adhesions after previous abdominal operations When adhesions are expected alternative sites for insertion of the insufflation needle and trochars or open access through the umbilicus must be considered. The most common causes of bile duct injuries were inexperience of the surgeon, inflammation in Calot’s triangle and inadequate visualization because of bleeding or adhesions.

Silent Heart Attacks More Common Than Previously Thought

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study from Duke University Medical Center shows that silent heart attacks may occur more frequently than physicians thought.

A heart attack happens when a clot gets in the way of blood flow from a coronary artery to the heart. This may cause symptoms such as severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting and nausea. Although many people think a heart attack is a painful event, there are some heart attacks that go entirely unnoticed.

Undiagnosed, or "silent," heart attacks affect nearly 200,000 people in the United States annually. The risk factors for silent heart attacks are the same as for regular heart attacks, including smoking, diabetes, stress and family history. As many as 40% to 60% of all heart attacks are unrecognized.

The study was done on 185 patients who had never had a diagnosed heart attack but were suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD). Researchers used a relatively new technique called delayed-enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) and followed up with the patients after about two years.

The researchers found that 35% of patients had evidence of a heart attack and that silent heart attacks without Q-waves were three times more common than those that had Q-waves.

Also, patients with non-Q-wave silent heart attacks also had 11 times higher risk of death from any cause and a 17-fold risk of death from heart problems compared with patients without any heart damage. Researchers noted that patients with non-Q-wave silent heart attacks were also generally older and were more likely to have diabetes.

Treatment for someone who has had a silent heart attack is usually the same as someone who goes to the hospital immediately after a heart attack.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of a heart attack, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as heart attacks.

New Study Finds Valsartan May Not Reduce Occurence of Atrial Fibrillation

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Valsartan (Diovan), a blood pressure drug, may not reduce the occurrence of artrial fibrillation as suggested in earlier research. Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm that can sometimes cause a heart attack or stroke.

The new study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, involved 1,442 people who had two or more recent episodes of atrial fibrillation. Half of the participants were given valsartan, while the other half received a placebo.

Over the course of a year, atrial fibrillation reoccurred about equal in both groups, 51.4% of those taking valsartan and 52.1% of those taking the placebo.

The study therefore concluded that treatment with valsartan could not be linked to a reduction in the reoccurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Get free information about atrial fibrillation from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

Study Links Genetic Variant to Risk of Stroke

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study published online in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), millions of people have a genetic variant that makes them more susceptible to ischemic stroke. A team of researchers from both the United States and Europe examined the data of four separate studies.

An ischemic stroke is caused by blockage of blood to the brain. It is the third leading cause of death and accounts for about 90 percent of all strokes, affecting nearly 150,000 Americans a year. Stroke survivors are often left with permanent stroke-related disabilities.

The study involved 19,602 participants and compared the genomes of 1,544 participants who developed stroke with the genomes of 18,058 who did not. The researchers found the variant on chromosome 12 near a gene which is known to be involved with brain injury repair, and not far from another gene which is linked to blood pressure control.

They also replicated these findings in separate studies of African-American and Caucasian participants. The results showed that about 20 percent of the Caucasian participants and 10 percent of the African-American participants have at least one copy of the gene, with each copy raising the risk by 30 percent.

Although previous studies have looked at links between genetic factors and stroke risk, this is the first study to identify a common genetic variant influencing the risk of stroke in the United States.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of stroke, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as stroke.

Promising Treatment For Prostate Cancer

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a news release from Dendreon Corp., a Seattle biotech company, an experimental treatment has prolonged the lives of men with advanced prostate cancer in a phase 3 clinical trial.

Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with more than one million men affected in the United States. Each year there are about 186,000 new cases and over 28,000 men die because of the disease.

The phase 3 trial involved 512 men with metastatic, androgen-independent prostate cancer. It was done after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approved the vaccine after an earlier trial, requesting more data.

The vaccine, called Provenge, is a therapeutic vaccine that would treat cancer by training the immune system to fight tumors. If approved, it would be the first treatment of it’s kind on the market.

Dendreon will be revealing the results of the IMPACT study at the American Urological Association’s annual meeting in Chicago later this month. IMPACT stands for IMmunotherapy for Prostate AdenoCarcinoma Treatment.

Depression Increases Risk of Heart Failure in Patients with Heart Disease

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study, which was published in the current issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that patients who were diagnosed with depression after being diagnosed with heart disease were at greater risk of heart failure. The study also found that taking antidepressants neither reduced the risk of heart failure nor eased the symptoms of depression.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump blood to the body.

The researchers studied 13,708 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who did not have a diagnosis of heart failure and depression and who were not being prescribed antidepressants at the time their CAD was diagnosed. The results showed that 1,377 of these patients were later diagnosed with depression.

The researchers, therefore, concluded that depression diagnosis was shown to be associated with an increased incidence of heart failure after CAD diagnosis, regardless of whether patients were receiving antidepressants or not.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of heart disease, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as heart disease.

Pistachios Recall Due to Salmonella Contamination

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Setton Farms plant in Terra Bella, California has widened its recall of pistachios to raw nuts and all roasted nuts produced in 2008.

Setton Farms recalled roasted pistachio products late last month after routine tests by Kraft Foods found salmonella strains. Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems

The FDA also urges consumers to avoid foods containing pistachios until they can determine whether the products contain pistachios processed at the Setton Farms plant.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free consultation.

New Prostate Cancer Drug Shows Promise

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a study which is published in the journal of Science, results of early tests on a new experimental drug bring hope to men diagnosed with the most aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Ten percent of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have an aggressive form of the disease. The drug resistant form of the disease accounts for nearly all the 29,000 deaths among Americans every year.

In the study, the researchers showed that the new drug caused levels of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) to fall by at least 50% in 13 of 30 patients with advanced prostate cancer that had resisted other treatments.

Although more clinical studies are needed, the study has stirred interest among experts because it attacks the cancer in a new way.

Get free information about prostate cancer from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

New DNA Test Outperforms Pap Smears for Detecting Cervical Cancer

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the results of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a new DNA test for the virus that causes cervical cancer shows that a single screening with the DNA test beats all other methods at preventing advanced cervical cancer and death.

Cervical cancer is caused by a few of the 150 strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Cervical cancer was a leading cause of death for American women in the 1950’s and continues to kill approximately 4,000 women each year.

An eight-year study in India of 130,000 women, ages 30 to 59, divided them into four groups. The first group, the control group, received the typical rural clinic care, the second got Pap smears, the third got “visualization” treatment, and the fourth received the new DNA test.

After eight years, the visualization group had about the same rates of advanced cancer and death as the control group. The Pap smear group had about three-fourths the rates, and the DNA test had about half.

Not only could the new test for HPV save lives, but scientists say that women over 30 could drop annual Pap smears and instead have the DNA test just once every 3, 5 or even 10 years.

Radiation after Mastectomy for Breast Cancer is Being Underutilized

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a study published in Cancer, nearly 20% of women with breast cancer who would benefit from radiation after mastectomy, also known as post-mastectomy radiation treatment (PMRT), are not receiving the treatment.

In 2001, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released clinical practice guidelines for PMRT.

The researchers surveyed the women and assessed the rates of explanation, recommendation, and utilization of PMRT based on the ASCO guidelines. The study found that radiation delivered after a mastectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer returning in the chest wall and improve survival in high-risk patients.

The researchers concluded that approximately one-fifth of women who could benefit from PMRT did not receive treatment.

For free information about breast cancer, contact the Pennsylvania breast cancer malpractice attorneys.

Erbitux May Help Some With Colorectal Cancers

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

People with advanced colon cancer were modestly helped by the drug Erbitux (cetuximab), as long as they didn't have a particular gene mutation, a new study reports. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide.

The New England Journal of Medicine published the results of the study, which involved more than 1,100 people who had metastatic colorectal cancer that could not be surgically removed. Half were given a standard chemotherapy regimen, known as FOLFIRI, while the others were given a combination of Erbitux along with the standard regimen.

The study found that in those who had a normal form of the gene, Erbitux, which is administered intravenously, kept colorectal cancers from spreading 15% longer than did the FOLFIRI drugs alone.

Cetuximab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for use in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Since then, it's been increasingly used by doctors to treat colorectal cancer that has spread or recurred after other chemotherapy.

Clinical trials are ongoing to test Erbitux in people whose cancer has not yet metastasized.

For free information about colon cancer, see the colon cancer malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania. Colon cancer is detectable and curable, if caught early. There are several tests for diagnosing colon cancer before it has spread. Colon cancer typically starts with a polyp in the colon.

One Million Pounds of Pistachios Being Recalled Due to Salmonella Risk

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Federal announced on Monday, March 30, 3009, that Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, a pistacho processing company based in Terra Bella, Calif., is recalling about one million pounds of pistachio products due to concerns about salmonella contamination. So far, no reported cases of salmonella food poisoning have been tied to the contaminated pistachios. However, federal authorities are currently investigating at least two consumer complaints. The F.D.A. is warning consumers not to eat pistachios until the scope of the contamination has been clarified.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

FDA Says Production Error at Fault in Pistachio Salmonella Contamination

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

David Acheson, a top federal food safety official, stated on March 31, 2009, that a basic error on the production lines at Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, California, the nation's second-largest processor of the pistachios, caused its pistachios to be contaminated with salmonella. According to Mr. Acheson, the assistant commissioner for food protection at the FDA, Setton Pistachio ran raw and roasted pistachios through the same machinery on several production lines. Salmonella bacteria can live on raw nuts but is usually killed during the roasting process. Good manufacturing standards require raw nuts to be kept separate from roasted nuts so that bacteria does not spread between the two.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

Effect of Adding Plavix to Aspirin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, investigated the effect of adding clopidogrel (plavix) to aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm.

Vitamin K antagonists reduce the risk of stroke inpatients with atrial fibrillation but are considered unsuitablein many patients, who usually receive aspirin instead.

A total of 7,554 patients with atrial fibrillation whohad an increased risk of stroke and for whom vitamin K–antagonisttherapy was unsuitable were randomly assigned to receive plavix or placebo, once daily, in addition to aspirin.

The study found that patients with atrial fibrillation for whom vitaminK–antagonist therapy was unsuitable, the addition of plavix to aspirin reduced the risk of major vascular events, especiallystroke, but increased the risk of major hemorrhage.

Get free information about atrial fibrillation from the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese.

New Study Shows Statins Lower Risk of Blood Clots

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a large trial of the cholesterol lowering drug rosuvastatin, sold in the United States as "Crestor", the drug was shown to reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis (blood clots) in healthy persons by 43%. Keep in mind, however, that this trial was funded by AstraZeneca, the maker of Crestor.

The significance of this trial is that statins may become a viable alternative to more traditional drug therapies used to reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis, such as warfarin (commonly sold as "Coumadin"), which carry a significant risk of bleeding.

New Marker Identified for Breast Cancer Metastasis

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

As reported in the March 24 online edition of the journal Clinical Cancer Research, researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have identified a new marker for breast cancer metastasis called TMEM, for Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis. According to the new research, density of TMEM is associated with the development of distant organ metastasis via the bloodstream -- the most common cause of death from breast cancer. This research may lead to the first test to predict the likelihood of breast cancer metastasis via the bloodstream, and ultimately to changes the way breast cancer is treated.

An estimated 40 percent of all breast cancer patients relapse and develop metastatic disease. Traditionally, the likelihood of breast cancer metastasis is estimated based on tumor size, tumor differentiation -- how similar or dissimilar the tumor is compared to normal breast tissue -- and whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. TMEM density may prove to be more determinative of the likelihood of breast cancer metastatis than these traditional measures.

If your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in breast cancer medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

Black Women Face Three Times Greater Risk of Aggressive Breast Cancer

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in the open access journal Breast Cancer Research has found that black women face three times the risk of developing an aggressive "triple negative tumor" breast cancer compared to women of other racial backgrounds. Triple negative tumors are breast cancer tumors that lack expression of the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and the HER2 gene.

The United States has the highest rate of breast cancer in the world. The overall incidence of breast cancer in the United States is lower in black women than in white women; however, according to the new study, when black women do get breast cancer, their cancer tends to be more advanced when diagnosed, has a higher risk or recurring, and a less favorable outcome.

If your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in breast cancer medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

Young People at Risk of Stroke

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

One-third of the estimated 780,000 Americans who have strokes each year are under age 65. Even teens, children and infants can be susceptible.

Stroke, sometimes referred to as a "brain attack", occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of oxygen after an artery becomes blocked or ruptured. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of adult disability.

Recent studies have found that early intervention can significantly improve stroke outcomes. Therefore, any time a person is having symptoms of a stroke, whether they be old or young, the right medical care needs to be given as soon as possible.

If you or someone you love suffered a stroke and the doctors or hospital delayed diagnosis and/or treatment, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

African-Americans Suffer From Heart Failure More Than White Americans

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that African-Americans suffer heart failure at a rate 20 times higher than white Americans.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump blood to the body, often resulting in difficulty breathing, fatigue and swelling of the abdomen and/or extremities. Sufferers are often unable to work, walk easily or perform simple daily tasks.

The new study found that the heart failure rates for African-Americans in their 30s and 40s are the same as rates among white patients in their 50s and 60s. The study also found that one in 100 black men and women could develop heart failure before age 50.

The primary explanation behind the disparity across race lines is high blood pressure, or hypertension. Other possible reasons include family history, environment and obesity.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of heart disease, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as heart disease.

Pulmonary Embolism Linked to Family History of DVT (Blood Clots)

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Family history of venous thrombosis (DVT) may be more useful to determine whether a person has a DVT than laboratory tests. A new study finds that children and siblings of people who develop blood clots in the veins may be more than twice as likely as those without a family history to develop the condition. The risk was even greater if the relative developed blood clots at a young age and as much as four times higher if more than one relative had venous thrombosis. The risk increased with the number of factors identified; for those with a genetic and environmental risk factor and a positive family history, the risk was about 64-fold higher than for those with no known risk factor and a negative family history.

This kind of clot, known as a venous thrombosis, can be potentially dangerous, because it can break off and travel to the lungs, which is called pulmonary embolism and is often fatal. Most blood clots that cause PE start in the legs.

Get free information about pulmonary embolism from the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania. We specialize in these cases.

Bone Density Drug Tibolone Found to Increase Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

The February 2009 issue of The Lancet Oncology reports that a breast cancer patient´s risk of recurrence increases considerably with the use of Tibolone, a synthetic steroid used in preventing osteoporosis and treating menopausal symptoms. As a result, breast cancer survivors and current breast cancer patients should not be givenTibolone.

In August, 2008, The New England Journal of Medicine reported that Tibolone increases the risk of stroke in older women.

Far More African Americans Die From Cancer Than White Americans

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

The gap in cancer mortality rates between African Americans and white Americans remains as wide as it was in 1981, according to a recent study published by the American Cancer Society. According to the report, blacks are more likely to develop cancer and to die from the disease than any other racial group. Black patients also live a shorter time after diagnosis than other groups. According to the study, black women are 16% more likely to die from the disease than white women, compared with 14% in 1981. Cancer death rates among black men are 33% higher than among whites -- a rate that is almost unchanged since 1981, the study found. However, according to the study, the overall death rate among black men has decreased faster than among white men because fewer black men are dying from lung and prostate tumors.

Peter Bach, a cancer specialist at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study, was quoted as saying that advanced-stage diagnoses are more common among blacks than whites, and that blacks also are less likely to receive high-quality, timely treatment that could make a difference in their survival rate.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death due to the failure to timely diagnose and treat cancer, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat cancer.

Hospitals Often Fail to Diagnose Stroke in Younger Stroke Victims

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference of 2009, young adults with stroke symptoms are frequently misdiagnosed in Hospital emergency rooms. As a result, these young people miss out on effective early stroke treatment.

In the study, researchers reviewed data on 57 patients, aged 16 to 50 years old, enrolled since 2001 in the Young Stroke Registry at the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Four males and four females (14 percent), average age 34, were misdiagnosed as having vertigo, migraine, alcohol intoxication or other conditions. They were discharged from the hospital and later discovered to have suffered a stroke. Those misdiagnosed included:

an 18-year-old man who reported numbness on his left side but was diagnosed with alcohol intoxication;
a 37-year-old woman who arrived with difficulty speaking and was diagnosed with a seizure;
a 48-year-old woman with sudden blurred vision, an off-balance walk, lack of muscle coordination, difficulty speaking and weakness in her left hand, who was told she had an inner ear disorder.

"Accurate diagnosis of stroke on initial presentation in young adults can reduce the number of patients who have continued paralysis and continued speech problems," said Seemant Chaturvedi, M.D., senior author of the study and a professor of neurology and director of the stroke program at Wayne State. "We have seen several young patients who presented to emergency rooms with stroke-like symptoms within three to six hours of symptom onset, and these patients did not get proper treatment due to misdiagnosis. The first hours are really critical."

Intravenous delivery of the clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only U.S. government-approved treatment for acute stroke. It must be delivered within three hours of symptom onset to reduce permanent disability caused by stroke.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in the diagnosis or treatment of stroke, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as stroke.

Women Not Receiving the Prompt Medical Care for Heart Attack that Men Typically Receive

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes shows that women experiencing cardiac symptoms were much less likely than men to receive prompt medical care after calling 9-1-1. If a woman is having cardiac symptoms: "It turns out that (she is) more likely to be delayed from the time of symptom onset, through transport and all the way to definitive care," explains Thomas W. Concannon, Ph.D., the study's lead author and assistant professor of medicine at the Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Mass.

An acute heart attack occurs when a blocked vessel restricts blood flow to an area of the heart muscle. The lack of blood flow means this area of the heart is deprived of oxygen. The longer a heart attack victim goes without receiving medical treatment, the longer the heart muscle goes without receiving oxygen. This oxygen deprivation causes significant, and sometimes irreversible, damage to the heart muscle. A phrase used by critical care professionals to underscore the importance of timely treatment is: "time lost equals muscle lost."

According to Concannon, "Delays of 15 minutes have been shown to contribute to a significantly larger area of damage to heart muscle in patients with heart attack. While our study included patients with any cardiac related symptom, we studied 15 minute delays because of their potential for harm in patients with heart attack."

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of delay in diagnosing or treating a heart attack, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving the failure to diagnose and treat heart attack.

Medicare Will Not Pay for CT Colonoscopy (Virtual Colonoscopy) as a Screening Test for Colon Cancer

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Medicare has issued a proposed decision on whether it will cover/pay for CT colonoscopy, also called virtual colonoscopy or CT colonography, for use as a screening test for colon cancer. Medicare has proposed that it will not pay for it. It is asking for comments on its proposed decision. Medicare concluded that this test was not good enough at finding the smaller polyps that can lead to colon cancer.

CT colonography is performed as follows. First, the bowel is prepared similar to the preparation used for optical colonoscopy, and stool and fluid tagged with oral contrast. Then, a CT scan is performed in both supine and prone positions while the patient is fully conscious and produces images of the colon and rectum to assess the presence or absence of structural lesions such as polyps and colon cancer.

Originally, CT colonography produced colon images as a series of individual cross sectional images. With improved computer processing, these images can be combined into a fly-through presentation; this has led to CT colonography mimicking an optical colonoscopy.

For more information, see a summary of Medicare's proposed decision.

Bone Drug May Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that a drug of a class commonly used to combat bone loss may reduce by a third the chance that some breast cancers will spread or recur.

The new study involved 1,803 premenopausal women with breast tumors that were fueled by estrogen. As part of their treatment, all received drugs that shut down their ovaries, preventing them from making estrogen, along with drugs that stymie cancer cells from using estrogen to grow. Half also got the bone drug zoledronic acid, or Zometa, as an intravenous infusion twice a year for three years. Those who took the drug had a 36 percent reduction in cancer recurrences and metastases, compared with women who did not get it.

If your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in breast cancer medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

Risk of Breast Cancer Decreases After Stopping Hormone Treatment

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Women'sHealth Initiative (WHI) studied the use of the hormones, estrogen and progestin. In 2002 a report of that study was released. In that trial one group received 0.625 mg ofestrogen plus 2.5 mg of progestin daily. A second group received placebo. There were fewer breast cancerdiagnoses in the group receiving estrogen plus progestin thanin the placebo group in the initial 2 years of the study, butthe number of diagnoses increased over the course of the 5.6-yearintervention period. The elevated risk decreased rapidly afterboth groups stopped taking the study pills. In the observational study, the incidenceof breast cancer was initially about two times as high in thegroup receiving menopausal hormones as in the placebo group,but this difference in incidence decreased rapidly in about2 years, coinciding with year-to-year reductions in combinedhormone use.

The conclusion is that the increased risk of breast cancer associated withthe use of estrogen plus progestin declined markedly soon afterdiscontinuation of the hormone therapy.

You Need to Read This If You Take Diet Pills

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to the FDA, many diet pills that are marketed as "all natural" actually contain undeclared potent pharmaceutical drugs that could have dangerous side effects or harmful interactions with prescription drugs you may be taking. In the coming weeks, the FDA will be adding to this list of diet pill brands to avoid because they are that are spiked with drugs, so check back frequently.

If you or someone you love suffered an injury as a result of taking a diet pill, contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free evaulation of your situation.

FBI Raids Georgia Plant at Fault in Salmonella Outbreak

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

On Monday, February 9, 2009, agents from the FBI raided the Blakeley, Georgia peanut processing plant linked to the nationwide salmonella outbreak that has caused one of the largest product recalls in U.S. history. The FBI also raided the Lynchburg, Virginia headquarters of the Peanut Corporation of America, the company that owns and operated the Blakeley plant. Monday's searches come three days after FDA investigators said Peanut Corp. knowingly shipped salmonella-laced products from its Georgia plant after tests showed the products were contaminated. Federal law forbids producing or shipping foods under conditions that could make it harmful to consumers' health.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

Peanut Recall Leads to Criminal Investigation

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

Federal officials from the FDA and the Justice Department have begun a criminal investigation into the actions of the Peanut Corporation of America, which they said knowingly sold contaminated peanut butter and peanut products to major food makers.

The contamination of the company’s products with salmonella bacteria has led to one of the largest food recalls in the nation’s history. More than 400 products containing peanuts, peanut butter or peanut meal have been recalled, and more recalls are expected.

The peanut contamination has now sickened 529 people and is associated with eight deaths.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

For Breast Biopsy 11-Gauge Needle Better than 14-Gauge Needle

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a recent study performed at the Stanford University School of Medicine, stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast needle biopsy is more effective with an 11-gauge needle than the 14-gauge needle. There is less chance of a false-negative diagnoses with the 11-gauge needle than with the 14-gauge needle. The study appears in the February 2009 issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

If your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in breast cancer medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

FDA Says Peanut Corporation of America Knowingly Shipped Peanut Products Contaminated With Salmonella

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

An FDA inspection team that recently visited the Blakeley Georgia plant of the Peanut Corporation of America discovered that on 12 occasions in 2007 and 2008 tests conducted by the company found salmonella contamination in its products but that it shipped the contaminated products to customers after a retest found no contamination and did nothing to clean the plant.

Meanwhile, more than 400 consumer products, including Jenny Craig nutritional bars and Keebler Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers, have been recalled, and eight people have died and more than 500 people in 43 states, including Pennsylvania, have been sickened by salmonella poisoning caused by peanut butter and peanut paste sold by the Peanut Corporation of America.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

UPMC Cited by Health Department for Death on Rooftop

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has cited UPMC Montefiore for deficiencies in its patient assessment and building safety systems when an 89-year-old patient died on the hospital's rooftop last month.

The state regulatory agency's investigation followed the death of Rose Lee Diggs, a former Homewood resident who had been transferred to the hospital from the Village at Pennwood nursing home Nov. 29. The nursing home notified the hospital upon Mrs. Diggs' admission that she was known to wander, the state's report said. Mrs. Diggs' body was found on UPMC Montefiore's roof at 8 a.m. Dec. 3, more than 13 hours after she was last seen one story below, in her 12th-floor room. She was wearing a hospital gown and slippers on a night in which temperatures fell into the 20s.

According to the state health department's report, UPMC failed to take proper steps to assess its patient's safe care needs; there was no indication of any special steps to address the deceased patient's wandering behavior; and it risked her safety by allowing access to the roof. The report stated that "Based on review of facility policy and medical record, and staff interviews, . . . facility staff failed to implement a plan of care to provide safe, efficient and therapeutically effective nursing care." The report also stated that UPMC "failed to maintain the hospital environment in a manner that the safety and well-being of patients is assured." The report said UPMC failed to take note of Mrs. Diggs' history of wandering by adopting any special means of monitoring her to prevent it. There was no evidence that an assessment of her needs was completed upon her admission.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving injuries suffered at hospitals including UPMC.

Peanut Plant was Cited for Many Violations Prior to Salmonella Outbreak

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to health inspection reports, the Blakely, Georgia plant that produced peanut butter tainted by salmonella was cited repeatedly in 2006 and 2007 for having dirty surfaces and grease residue and dirt buildup throughout the plant. In 2008, the plant was repeatedly found to be in violation of cleanliness standards.

Inspections of the plant by the Georgia Agriculture Department found areas of rust that could flake into food, gaps in warehouse doors large enough for rodents to get through, unmarked spray bottles and containers and numerous violations of other practices designed to prevent food contamination. The plant, owned by the Peanut Corporation of America of Lynchburg, Va., has now been shut down.

The salmonella outbreak has sickened almost 500 people around the country and is linked to seven deaths. More than 125 products containing peanut butter or peanut paste from the Georgia plant have been recalled. The FDA has created a special website to help the public keep up with the growing list of food products that have been recalled.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

Man Dies in Beaver County when Chainsaw Kicks Back and Strikes Face

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a Rodney Swanson, 45, died on Friday, August 22, 2008, while doing logging work in Beaver County. Mr. Swanson was fatally injured when the chain saw he was operating got stuck and kicked back, hitting him in the face.

Melamine-Tainted Candy Found in United States

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

White Rabbit Creamy Candy brand candy made in China and sold in the United States has been found to contain the industrial chemical melamine. The candy was discovered at four different stores in Connecticut on Wednesday, October 1, 2008. In September, the FDA warned consumers about White Rabbit candy because of concerns over possible melamine contamination. Melamine tainted samples of the candy were also found in California in September. Melamine is at the heart of China’s scandal over contaminated dairy products. Used to make plastics and fertilizers, melamine is sometimes illegally mixed into food products, including milk, because its high level of nitrogen helps fool tests that measure protein levels. In September, Chinese authorities acknowledged that more than 53,000 Chinese infants had been sickened after consuming powdered baby formula that had been contaminated with melamine. Of that total, 13,000 were hospitalized and four died.

Jeannette Man Dies in Car Crash

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A car crash on Saturday in Hempfield killed a man from Jeannette. Kevin W. DeLuke, 24, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred on Greensburg-Mt. Pleasant Road.

According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Mr. DeLuke was driving his pickup truck at high speeds when he lost control of his vehicle.

His truck struck a tree.

Mr. DeLuke, who was not wearing a seat belt, was partially ejected from the vehicle during the accident.

According to the Coroner, he died of trauma to the head.

Three Injured in Dump Truck Wreck

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A dump truck that was owned by Thomas Didiano and Sons that an expired inspection sticker appearently lost its brakes in the West End of Pittsburgh. The dump truck hit a pick up truck continued through and intersection hit another pick up truck and utility truck. Both the pick up truck and the utility truck were driven into a construction trailer that then crashed into a duplex. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that at least three people were injured, however the individuals in the duplex were not hurt.

The driver of the dump truck and the owner may face multiple violations and citations, pending conclusion of a city police inspection of the truck.

For more information about truck and car crashes see the Pennsylvania Car and Truck Accident Lawyers.

Crash on Route 51 in Pittsburgh

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A severe crash occurred on Route 51 in Pittsburgh's Overbrook neighborhood on Saturday afternoon.

Crews had to cut a woman out from the wreckage near Englert Street after her car slammed into a utility pole.

She was taken from the scene in critical condition. Authorities did not release her identity or a cause of the crash.

HPV Discoverer Wins Nobel Prize

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to The New York Times, a German virologist, Harald zur Hausen, will receive half the Nobel Prize award for his discovery of HPV, the human papilloma virus. The Karolinska Institute in Stockholm selects the medical winners of the prize. This discovery led to development of a vaccine against cervical cancer.

Dr. zur Hausen of the University of Heidelberg discovered the first HPV type 16, in 1983 from biopsies of women who had cervical cancer. A year later, Dr. zur Hausen cloned HPV 16 and another type, 18.
Of the more than 100 human papilloma viruses now known, about 40 infect the genital tract, and 15 of them put women at high risk for cervical cancer. Papilloma viruses account for more than 5 percent of all cancers worldwide.

The other half of the Nobel Prize award will be shared by two French virologists for discovering H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.

More information about cervical cancer can be found at the website of the cervical cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania.

UPMC profits down but overall financial condition still good

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

UPMC announced on August 21, 2008 that its profits for fiscal year 2008 were $5 million. That is down from a reported $612 million in fiscal year 2007. Most of this decline is due to losses in UPMC's investment portfolio. UPMC remains exceedingly profitable, earning $184 million in 2008 in its hospital, doctor, and health insurance operations. The money generated in 2008 by UPMC's hospitals, health insurance business, and other holdings was $7.02 billion, up 12% from fiscal year 2007.

Don't Become a Victim of Surgical Errors

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

CNN reports on some things a surgical patient can do in order to help prevent surgical errors. First investigate your doctor and hospital. Make sure they regularly perform the surgery you are having done. Second, tell everyone you come into contact at the hospital who you are and why you are having surgery. Third, make sure your doctor initials the surgery site. Fourth, confirm your surgical site with your surgeon immediately before the operation. And finally, train a friend or family member to be your advocate.

Preventing Medical Errors Could Decrease Healthcare Costs by 30%

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

UPI reports that in addition to saving lifes, preventing medical errors could decrease healthcare costs by as much as 30%. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states in a new study that cost savings from reducing medical errors is much larger than previously thought.

Zimmer Stops sales of Durom Hip Replacement Cap

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Zimmer Holdings has stopped sales of its Durom Hip Replacement Cap due to reports of a very high number of failures. Approximately 13,000 of these Durom Caps have been implanted in patients. Despite being told by one of its own highly paid consultants that the cap should be recalled because it was "crippling people" Zimmer continued to sell the Durom cap for another year.

Babies Born Prematurely More Likely to Have Cerebral Palsy

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The July 17, 2008 New England Journal of Medicine reported that for children born at term (40 weeks) the risk of cerebral palsy 0.1 percent compared to 9.1 % for babies born between 23 and 27 weeks. Those premature babies when grown were also more likely to be unemployed and to be receiving Social Security benefits.

If you think your child's cerebral palsy was caused by the negligence of a doctor or hospital personel, please call us directly at 412-471-4300 or 800-350-6161, or click here.

U.S. Government to Consumers: Avoid Food Products Made with Peanut Butter or Peanut Paste

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. government is warning consumers to avoid all cookies, cakes, ice cream and crackers made with peanut butter or peanut paste while officials continue to investigate a massive outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning that is has killed six people and sickened at least 485 others across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked this salmonella outbreak to products made with peanut paste and peanut butter manufactured after July 1 in a Georgia factory owned by Peanut Corp. of America. This company supplies peanut butter and paste to long-term-care and other institutions, food service companies and private-label manufacturers that use the products in cookies, cakes, crackers and other foods. None of the peanut products manufactured by Peanut Corp. of America are sold directly to consumers.

Several of the nation's largest retailers and manufacturers are voluntarily recalling products that may contain the contaminated peanut butter or paste. Products recalled include Famous Amos Peanut Butter Cookies, Keebler Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers and Little Debbie Peanut Butter Toasty crackers. A complete list of recalled products is being maintained and updated by the federal government at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

Salmonella Strain In King Nut Peanut Butter Found In Connecticut - Genetically Matches The Strain Implicated In The Nationwide Illness Outbreak

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Connecticut officials have announced that genetic testing on a 5-lb unopened tub of King Nut peanut butter has produced the first independently confirmed genetic match for the salmonella strain responsible for the 2009 nationwide outbreak. This finding definitively links the peanut butter sample implicated in the recent outbreak back to the manufacturer, Peanut Corporation of America. Salmonella was found previously in an open five-pound tub of King Nut peanut butter in Minnesota. Connecticut's finding, in an unopened tub of peanut butter, is the first sample linking the contamination directly back to the manufacturer. Peanut Corporation of America sells King Nut peanut butter -- through various distributors -- only to food service and food processor accounts. It is not sold directly to consumers. King Nut does not supply any of the ingredients for the peanut butter distributed under its label.

FDA has posted on its website a searchable list of products and brands associated with the expanded PCA recall at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm . The list is updated as additional sub-recalls occur and as more information is received from the industry. Consumers are encouraged to first visit FDA's website to learn which commercially-prepared or manufactured peanut butter/peanut paste-containing products are subject to recall. If consumers cannot determine if a certain prepared product contains peanut butter or peanut paste produced by the Peanut Corporation of America, the FDA urges that they not consume those products.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

FDA Alerts Public About Danger Of Skin Numbing Products

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory to alert consumers, patients, health care professionals, and caregivers about potentially serious and life-threatening side effects from the improper use of skin numbing products. The products, also known as topical anesthetics, are available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription forms.

Skin numbing products are used to desensitize nerve endings that lie near the surface of the skin, causing a numbness of the skin. These topical anesthetics contain anesthetic drugs such as lidocaine, tetracaine, benzocaine, and prilocaine in a cream, ointment, or gel. When applied to the skin surface, they can be absorbed into the blood stream and, if used improperly, may cause life-threatening side effects, such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, breathing difficulties, coma, or even death.

The FDA has received reports of adverse events and deaths of two women who used topical anesthetics before laser hair removal.

The FDA strongly advises consumers not to:

- make heavy application of topical anesthetic products over large areas of skin;
- use formulations that are stronger or more concentrated than necessary;
- apply these products to irritated or broken skin;
- wrap the treated skin with plastic wrap or other dressings; and
- apply heat from a heating pad to skin treated with these products.

Report Finds FDA Lax on Oversight of Doctors During Clinical Trials

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to an investigation conducted by the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA does almost nothing to police the financial conflicts of doctors who conduct clinical trials of drugs and medical devices in human subjects. The investigation revealed that in 42 percent of clinical trials, the FDA did not receive the required forms disclosing doctors’ financial conflicts and did nothing about the problem. In 31 percent of the trials in which the FDA did receive the required conflict forms, agency reviewers did not document that they looked at the information. And in 20 percent of the cases in which doctors revealed significant financial conflicts, neither the FDA nor the sponsoring companies took any action to deal with the conflicts.

This investigation provides further evidence that money doctors routinely collect from drug and device makers may hurt patients and skew studies.

Radiation Lowers Relapse Risk In Noninvasive Breast Cancer

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new review confirms that the addition of radiation therapy to lumpectomy in the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive early form of breast cancer, substantially decreases the risk of recurrence of either DCIS or invasive breast cancer in the affected breast. In addition, there appear to be no long-term side effects from the radiation, such as damage to the heart or lungs.

The review appears in the latest issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research.

If your breast cancer was missed or misdiagnosed, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania. Berger & Lagnese is a law firm that specializes in breast cancer medical malpractice cases. We work on cases in Pittsburgh and all over Western Pennsylvania, including Greensburg, Washington, Uniontown, Beaver, and Erie.

How to Keep Up With Growing List of Food Products Recalled Due to Risk of Salmonella-Tainted Peanut Butter

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The FDA has created a special website to help the public keep up with the growing list of food products that have been recalled in the wake of the Salmonella peanut butter food poisoning outbreak of 2009. Given the fast pace with which food products are currently being added to the list, it makes sense to check back often.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

FDA Confirms Salmonella Found in Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The FDA has confirmed that Salmonella was found in a package of Austin Quality Foods Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter.

Food companies and retailers have been recalling products with peanut butter in them because of suspicion of contamination amid a Salmonella outbreak that has killed at least six people and sickened more than 470 others in 43 states, including Pennsylvania. At least 90 people have been hospitalized.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese have led the way in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania in food poisoning lawsuits. If you suspect that you contracted your food poisoning from tainted food that you purchased at a grocery store, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation.

FDA Issues Warning on Foods Containing Peanut Butter

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Federal health officials are now advising consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other peanut butter-containing foods until more can be learn a deadly outbreak of Salmonella contamination. The warning does not cover peanut butter sold in jars directly to consumers.

Officials are focusing on peanut paste, as well as peanut butter, produced at a plant in Blakely, Ga., owned by the Peanut Corporation of America. Its peanut butter is distributed to institutions and food companies but not sold directly to consumers. The peanut paste is an ingredient in cookies, cakes and other products sold in supermarkets around the country.

So far, over 470 people in 43 states, including Pennsylvania, have been sickened in this large salmonella outbreak. At least 90 people have been hospitalized, and at least six deaths have been linked to this outbreak.

The Kellogg Company, which listed the Peanut Corporation as one of its suppliers, has recalled 16 peanut butter-containing products. They include the Austin and Keebler brands of peanut butter sandwich crackers and some snack-size packs of Famous Amos peanut butter cookies and Keebler Soft Batch Homestyle peanut butter cookies.

More information is available from the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Little Debbie Recalls Crackers Due to Salmonella Outbreak

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

PET Scans Using FDG Are Very Effective at Detecting Recurrent Colon Cancer

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

In the January issue of the International Journal of Cancer, chinese researchers report that numerous studies indicate that PET scanning using fluor-18-deoxyglucose (FDG) is highly effective in the diagnosis of recurrent colon cancer. They analyzed 27 different studies to come to this conclusion.

It is important to find and diagnose colon cancer at an early stage when it is curable. In addition to PET scans, colonoscopy and other tests are very good at diagnosing colon cancer when it is curable.

Twice as Long to Read Digital Mammograms

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Interpretation of digital screening mammograms takes twice as long as interpretation of film-screen mammograms, according to a report in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

The differences ranged from 76 to 202 seconds longer. The average interpretation time was 240 seconds (4 minutes) for digital screening mammograms and 127 seconds (2 minutes, 7 seconds) for film-screen screening mammograms. At a high-volume hospital, this could add up to a significant difference.

There are advantages of digital mammography that offset the disadvantage of longer interpretation times. It's easier to obtain the images. The images are also easier to store and transport. Finally, there have been three studies showing digital mammograms are more accurate than regular film mammography at finding breast cancer.

Taking longer to read all digital mammograms is not a problem; the problem comes from taking longer and still trying to read the same number of mammograms.

Men with Breast Cancer Have Distinct Findings on Mammogram

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Men who develop breast cancer usually present with an irregular subareolar mass with speculated or indistinct margins on mammogram, according to a report in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

It is necessary to be attentive to any palpable masses and to obtain mammogram early.

This study proves that punctuate calcifications on mammogram and circumscribed masses on ultrasound can be associated with cancer in men. Radiologists should be aware of these findings to avoid the misdiagnosis of cancer in men as a benign lesion.

Many Heart Patients Being Stented Unnecessarily

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine shows that many people with clogged heart arteries are being overtreated with stents, and that a simple blood-flow test can help prevent unnecessary stenting. By using the blood-flow test, called fractional flow reserve, to decide when a stent was truly needed, the study showed that fewer stent-related deaths, heart attacks and repeat procedures occurred.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving injuries suffered during the performance of unnecessary surgical procedures.

Vectibix Fails in Treating Metastatic Colon Cancer

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

At the recent Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium Meeting, researchers reported that patients who received panitumumab (Vectibix) plus FOLFOX or FOLFIRI actually had a faster progression and spread of metastatic colon cancer and were more likely to experience severe toxicities.

Those randomized to panitumumab plus oxaliplatin and bevacizumab (Avastin) had a mean progression-free survival of 9.5 months compared with 11 months in the oxaliplatin/bevacizumab arm.

Panitumumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets EGFr, is approved for monotherapy for chemotherapy-refractory metastatic colon cancer.

There are several tests for colon cancer that enable your doctor to find and diagnose colon cancer before it spreads, including colonoscopy.

Meningitis Decreases After Vaccine

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to researchers in Pittsburgh, the rate of pneumococcal meningitis in the U.S. dropped significantly after the introduction of a vaccine against seven strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The researchers reported in the Jan. 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

On the other hand, the researchers noted a significant, and worrying, 60.5% increase in meningitis caused by serotypes not covered by the vaccine.

The latter finding is "a concern," the researchers said, especially because many of the non-vaccine isolates had some antibiotic resistance.

FDA Approving High Risk Medical Devices without Thorough Review of the Devices

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Congressional investigators said yesterday that some medical devices for sensitive uses, from certain hip joints to a type of defibrillator, have won government approval without a close scientific review.

The Government Accountability Office said in a report that the Food and Drug Administration approved 228 medical devices without a full scale review from 2003-2007.

Some devices approved under the less rigorous process have been recalled because of malfunctions and other problems, according to the consumer group Public Citizen. One device was an external defibrillator to assist heart attack victims.

The report comes as the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health is the subject of allegations that scientists were pressured to approve medical machinery against their professional judgment. Nine FDA scientists wrote the Obama transition team last week complaining that a "corrupted" review process is putting public health at risk.

Corporate pressure again is placing tens of thousands of Americans at risk.

For more information about dangerous and defective medical equipment, see the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Surgery Checklist Found to Greatly Reduce Surgical Errors and Unnecessary Injuries and Deaths

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

An international pilot program that introduced a Surgical Patient Safety Checklist in eight hospitals in eight cities around the world resulted in nearly one third fewer deaths and complications among a diverse adult patient population undergoing non-cardiac surgery.

The findings were written up in the January 14, 2009 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving surgical and hospital error.

New Report Faults the Way the FDA Approves Medical Devices

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a report released Thursday, the Government Accountability Office ("GAO") recommended that the FDA fulfill promises it made 14 years ago to fix its system for approving complex medical devices. The report was mandated by Congress in legislation passed in 2007 to reform the FDA.

Most medical devices are given quick approvals with minimal testing because manufacturers tell the FDA that the products operate just like older, already-approved devices. The GAO report recommends that complex and potentially risky medical devices be thoroughly tested before they are approved for widespread use.

New Study Finds Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel Double Patient Risk of Sudden Heart Failure

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that the popular drugs known as atypical antipsychotics, prescribed for an array of conditions, including schizophrenia, autism, and dementia double patients’ risk of dying from sudden heart failure.

The finding is the latest in a succession of recent reports contradicting the long-held assumption that the new drugs, which include Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel, are safer than the older and much less expensive medications that they replaced.

Nationwide Recall for Peanut Butter

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The Peanut Corporation of America has recalled peanut butter made since July 1 at its plant in Blakely, Ga., as two more deaths associated with a major salmonella outbreak were reported. The outbreak has sickened more than 430 people in 43 states. Health officials in Minnesota and Idaho reported that one death in each state has been linked to the outbreak. Another death in Minnesota and two in Virginia were confirmed Tuesday, January 13, 2009. All five deaths were adults who had salmonella when they died. Also, the Kellogg Company has asked stores to stop selling the Austin and Keebler brands of peanut butter crackers because of possible contamination.

More information is available from the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania.

Stork Craft Baby Cribs Recalled Due to Suffocation Hazard

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The makers of Stork Craft baby cribs is recalling more than a million cribs in Canada and the United States because of a potential suffocation hazard. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the metal brackets used to support the mattress and mattress board can crack and break. The cribs were sold at major retailers like Kmart, Wal-Mart and J.C. Penney.

New Guidelines for Treatment of Clogged Arteries in the Heart

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

U.S. cardiology groups have published new guidelines for deciding how best to deal with clogged arteries.

These guidelines, called "Appropriate Use Criteria for Coronary Revascularization," is said to be the first set of guidelines focused on treatment rather than diagnostic testing. The guidelines clarify under what situations people with chest pain should be treated with medication only or whether they should have an angioplasty or bypass surgery. An angioplasty is the medical procedure in which blood flow to the heart is restored by using a balloon-tipped catheter to break up plaque in the arteries.

The guidelines categorize people by four main criteria: severity and type of symptoms; plaque levels in the arteries; amount of ischemia (how badly the heart muscle is starved for blood and oxygen, based on stress testing); and whether they already use heart medication.

The guidelines say that people with plaque buildup in less than three arteries and little heart muscle at risk, who experience symptoms only during strenuous exercise and are not on medication, should not get bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Ohio Distributor Recalls Peanut Butter Due to Salmonella Outbreak

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

King Nut Companies of Solon, Ohio, issued a voluntary recall on January 10, 2009 of all peanut butter distributed under its label and manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America, of Lynchburg, Va. The company also recalled its distribution of Parnell's Pride peanut butter, which is also made by Peanut Corporation. This occurred after the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said they found salmonella bacteria in a container of creamy peanut butter from King Nut.

This is part of the salmonella typhimurium outbreak that has sickened nearly 400 people in 42 states from Sept. 3 to Dec. 29, 2008.

More information is available from the food poisoning attorneys of Pennsylvania.

A Dozen Salmonella Typhimurium Cases Linked to Pennsylvania

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Of the nearly 400 people sickened across the country in a salmonella outbreak whose origins are still a mystery, about a dozen live in Pennsylvania, and one comes from Butler County in Western Pennsylvania. Other Pennsylvania counties reporting cases are: Bucks, Chester, Clinton, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Montgomery and Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania victims range in age from 3 to 73 years old. Most of the infections in the state were confirmed in mid- to late fall, with the latest confirmed Dec. 15, 2008. Nationally, patients have ranged in age from younger than 1 year old to 103 years old. 18 percent of the 372 people who provided data were hospitalized. This salmonella outbreaks involves the salmonella strain called Salmonella typhimurium. It is the same type of salmonella that in 2007 sickened 401 people in 41 states. That outbreak was traced to undercooked not-ready-to-eat Banquet brand frozen pot pies.

Check back here frequently for updates on the investigation into this serious salmonella outbreak.

For more information about salmonella, see the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese, Pennsylvania's premier food poisoning law firm.

Salmonella Outbreak January 2009

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

January 2009 - Another Salmonella Outbreak

An ongoing salmonella outbreak has sickened 388 people in 42 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At least 67 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.

The CDC has not released the names of the states involved. However, the Ohio Department of Health says in a news release that there have been 50 cases among residents of that state, making Ohio the state with the second most cases.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) saida that it is working closely with the CDC to identify the cause of the outbreak. If the CDC determines that the illnesses were caused by an FDA-regulated product, the FDA will perform a "traceback" investigation to determine the specific product linked to the outbreak and how that product became contaminated.

The salmonella strain is a common one: Salmonella typhimurium. It is the same type of salmonella that in 2007 sickened 401 people in 41 states. A CDC investigation traced the 2007 outbreak to undercooked not-ready-to-eat Banquet brand frozen pot pies.

The recent salmonella outbreak traced to peppers (and possibly tomatoes) was the saintpaul strain, a different type of salmonella.

Previous outbreaks of Salmonella typhimurium have been traced to poultry, raw milk and cheese, and pet turtles.

For more information about salmonella, see the attorneys at Berger & Lagnese, Pennsylvania's premier food poisoning law firm.

FDA Forces Food and Cosmetic Manufacturers to List Cochineal Extract and Carmine as Ingredients

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The FDA has finalized a rule that will require food and cosmetic companies to list cochineal extract and carmine on the label when they are used in food and cosmetics. However, the new rule does not require these companies to tell you that these ingredients come from insects. Cochineal extract and carmine, used to dye food, drinks and cosmetics various shades of red, orange, pink and purple, are extracted from the dried bodies of the female cochineal bug.

The F.D.A. required these ingredients to be listed in the wake of reports that some people have suffered severe allergic reactions to these insect extracts. The new rule will take effect in 2011.

FDA Announces Recall of Device Used in Eye Surgery

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of a device used in eye surgeries. The device was manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO) of Santa Ana, California. The device that was recalled is used to maintain space in the eye during surgery. Typically, such devices are pre-packaged in a syringe and are applied using a small tube.

On Oct. 30, 2008, AMO voluntarily recalled all 4,439 units of the device bearing lot no. UD30654, due to complaints of inflammation after eye surgery, including Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS). TASS is a post-operative, acute inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye (the front third of the eye including the cornea, iris and lens), and has been linked to the use of devices such as the device that has now been recalled.

If you underwent eye surgery within the last six months and developed TASS, you may be entitled to money damages. Contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for more information.

Food Mislabeling List

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

As noted in the article published recently in the Chicago Tribune, food manufacturers routinely fail to disclose known allergens contained in their food products. In fact, the investigation revealed that an alarming number of food products sold as allergen-free actually contain harmful amounts of food allergens.

What follows is a running list of food mislabeling notices. Check back periodically for updates.

December 2, 2008 -- Mom's Food Products, Inc. of Ft Worth, TX is recalling its Pimento Spread sandwiches with a expiration date of December 15th through the 18th due to the label not declaring an allergen egg yolks. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products. Click here for more information.

December 5, 2008 -- Louisiana Fish Fry Products of Baton Rouge, LA, is recalling its 6 ounce packages of "Chicken & Fish Bake Seasoned Coating Mix" because they may contain undeclared buttermilk. People who have allergies to milk products run the risk of an allergic reaction if they consume this product. Click here for more information.

December 13, 2008 -- Kashi Company of LaJolla, CA is recalling a limited number of canisters of Kashi GOLEAN Powder Chocolate Energy Shake Mix because they contain undeclared milk. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk, run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The product was distributed to grocery, health food, pharmacy and on-line retailers nationwide. The product is packaged in a 14.8 oz – canister with a bar code of 18627 71000. Canisters with a Better if Used by Date stamped on the bottom of the canister between the dates of JAN 17 2009 and NOV 15 2009 are included in this alert. For more information, click here.

December 23, 2008--Los Angeles, CA--KRC Food Trading Inc recalled its Fish Cake sushi with production date of December 19 and December 22 due to the label not declaring eggs among the ingredients. People with egg allergies or severe sensitivity to eggs would run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction were they to consume this product. For more information, click here.

Commonwealth Medical Center in Aliquippa Files for Bankruptcy

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Commonwealth Medical Center in Aliquippa filed for bankruptcy. Its predecessor, Aliquippa Community Hospital, filed for bankruptcy protection in 2002.

The bankruptcy filing will allow Commonwealth Medical Center to operate while it reorganizes.

The current facility has been operating under a state order that bans it from seeing new patients due to licensing issues and its financial troubles.

The bankruptcy filing says the hospital has assets of between $10 million and $50 million. Debt and creditor details will be included in a filing due in Pittsburgh's bankruptcy court by Dec. 22.

New Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to Painful Jaw Condition

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Previous reports had indicated that the risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) from taking bisphosphonates in pill form were "negligible". However, a new study published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that the proportion of people taking these widely prescribed oral osteoporosis drugs who develop ONJ may be much higher than previously thought.

ONJ is characterized by pain, soft-tissue swelling, infection, loose teeth and exposed bone. Use of bisphosphonates has been associated with other problems in the past, including an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (a type of abnormal heart rhythm), unusual fractures of the thigh bone, and inflammatory eye disease. Fosamax (alendronate) is the most widely prescribed oral bisphosphonate.

Preventive Antibiotic Use Cuts ICU Mortality Rate

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Researchers studying nearly 6,000 patients in intensive care units (ICUs) in 13 hospitals throughout the Netherlands, found that giving antibiotics as a preventive measure to ICU patients significantly increased their chances of surviving hospital-induced infection.

The study is published in the January 1, 2009 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

If you received poor medical care at a hospital, you should contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation. The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases against hospitals, including UPMC.

Errors Involving Chemotherapy Medications Common at Outpatient Cancer Treatment Centers

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to a new study supported in part by the federal government, 7 percent of adults and 19 percent of children taking chemotherapy drugs in outpatient clinics or at home were given the wrong dose or experienced other mistakes involving their medications.

Of the 7 percent of medication errors involving adults, 55 had the potential to harm the patient and 11 did cause harm. The errors included administration of incorrect medication doses due to confusion over conflicting orders - one written at the time of diagnosis and the other on the day of administration. Some consequences of these errors included patients being over-hydrated prior to administration of chemotherapy and complaints of abdominal pain in patients taking narcotics without treatment for constipation.

About 40 percent of the 22 medication errors in children had the potential to cause harm and four children were harmed. Examples of pediatric errors included giving the wrong amount or the wrong number of times a day for home medicines because of confusion about instructions.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases. If you believe you received poor medical treatment, you should contact Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.

Tainted Milk May Be the Cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's Disease

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

According to new research, there may be a direct link between bowel ailments such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn's disease, and Johne's disease, and milk tainted with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).

Currently, there are no regulations in the United States requiring the disposal of milk found to contain MAP. If milk tested on the farm or at a processing plant is found to contain the bacteria, it is still processed and delivered to stores.

Berger & Lagnese is your premier law firm in Pittsburgh and all of Western Pennsylvania for food poisoning cases. If you were the victim of food poisoning contact Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation. Let the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese help you with your food poisoning case.

New Survey Shows Many Hip Replacement Surgeries Fail Due to Surgeon Error

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new survey set to be published in the January 2009 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery reveals that when hip replacement surgery fails, the failure is often the direct result of preventable surgical error.

To assess the leading causes of hip-replacement failure, the survey authors analyzed a nationwide hospital survey conducted between October 2005 and December 2006. The survey included data on all hip-replacement surgery revisions that were performed after initial hip-surgery failure. The authors found that the most common cause of hip-replacement surgery failure was instability or dislocation of the initial hip device, accounting for approximately 23 percent of cases. "Mechanical loosening" of the device caused nearly 20 percent of the revisions, and another 15 percent was attributed to infection. All of these causes result from surgical or hospital error.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases involving surgical and hospital error.

Chinese Executive Pleads Guilty in Melamine Case

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Tian Wenhua, the 66-year-old chairwoman of Sanlu Group, a Chinese dairy company, pleaded guilty to charges of "producing and selling fake or substandard products." It is unclear at present whether she and her accused colleagues could face the death penalty.

Melamine, an industrial compound used in making plastic chairs, countertops, plates, flame retardants and even concrete, has been added to food in China, including pet food and baby formula, to cheat nutrition tests due to its high nitrogen content. Several different foods in the United States have tested positive for melamine.

Berger & Lagnese is your premier law firm in Pittsburgh and all of Western Pennsylvania for food poisoning cases. If you were the victim of food poisoning contact Berger & Lagnese immediately for a free consultation. Let the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese help you with your food poisoning case.

Possible Good News for Women with Breast Cancer Who Suffer from Lymphedema

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

The Washington Post reports that hospitals in about a dozen states are currently testing whether some simple steps, such as arm-strengthening exercises, could reduce the risk of one of breast cancer's troubling legacies: The painful and sometimes severe arm swelling called lymphedema. Lymphedema has long been a known side effect of breast cancer surgery and radiation. However, even though spotting and treating lymphedema early improves outcomes, many women with breast cancer who develop lymphedema are never diagnosed or treated. According to a recent study published in November's Journal of Clinical Oncology, as many as 37% of breast cancer patients who develop lymphedema are neither diagnosed nor treated for the ailment.

Among the techniques to combat lymphedema that are currently being examined: Wearing elastic sleeves to counter temporary swelling during things like airplane flight or heavy lifting; and doing special exercises with light weights designed to help keep open the lymph channels that allow fluid to drain through the body.

For information about breast cancer, see the breast cancer malpractice lawyers of Pennsylvania, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.

UPMC Adopts New Policy in Wake of Losing and Causing Death of 89 Year-Old Patient

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

In a clear admission that it failed to adequately protect an 89 year-old patient from getting lost and freezing to death on the hospital's roof, UPMC executives have announced a system-wide safety reform that they are calling Condition L.

UPMC is seeking to improve its patient safety policies because of the death of Rose Lee Diggs, who walked away from her 12th-floor room at UPMC's Montefiore Hospital about 5:15 p.m. on December 2, 2008, and was found by a hospital maintenance worker dead on the hospital's roof 12 hours later.

With Condition L now in place, if a patient goes missing, Condition L is to be initiated immediately. This will then trigger a hospital-wide search for the missing patient.

The lawyers at Berger & Lagnese specialize in medical malpractice cases against UPMC. If you received poor treatment at a UPMC hospital, contact the lawyers at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.