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Washington Post Examines Lack Of Information About Stillbirths, Bill To Expand Data Collection
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that stillbirth occurs in about one in every 160 pregnancies in the U.S., but physicians rarely warn pregnant women or their partners about the possibility, Washington Post staff writer Alan Goldenbach writes in an article discussing his experience when his wife"s pregnancy ended in stillbirth. In the U.S., the clinical definition for stillbirth is the death of a fetus after 20 weeks" gestation or weighing 350 grams if the age is unknown.There are about 26,000 stillbirths annually in the U.S., according to CDC. Goldenbach writes that this is "10 times the number of deaths attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, which has been identified as a key public health issue, and four times the incidence rate of Down syndrome, for which prenatal testing has become almost ritual." He continues that many doctors told him and his wife "that they don"t see any point in discussing stillbirth, that it"s a catch-all term for an event, and one that is frequently unexplained." Doctors contend that if they knew the causes or signs of stillbirth, they would warn patients or take preventive action, he adds. Noting that awareness of SIDS spurred research into preventive measures, Goldenbach writes that "[w]e can"t know if improved technology or more stringent standards of monitoring can lower stillbirth rates unless we do the research."Ruth Fretts, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Harvard Medical School and chair of the scientific committee for the International Stillbirth Alliance, said, "It"s a trade-off -- you are going to frighten a lot of people" by discussing stillbirths. According to Fretts" research, the leading cause of fetal death after 28 weeks" gestation is an unexplained . Goldenbach writes, "Several doctors told us privately that many ob-gyns fear charges of malpractice following a stillbirth, leading them to avoid citing a cause of death."Stillbirth Legislation in Development Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) is drafting legislation similar to a stillbirth prevention bill that then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) introduced in June 2008. According to s familiar with the bill, it will be brought to the Senate floor before the August recess. The legislation will expand stillbirth registries already in operation in Iowa and metropolitan Atlanta. The bill"s supporters hope to have as many as 12 states participating in the registry and installing a standard protocol for data collection after each stillbirth. Another provision would create a campaign to increase public awareness and strengthen grief support services, Goldenbach writes (Goldenbach, Washington Post, 7/6).
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Doctors Call For Better Sex Education In Schools, Scotland
Commenting on figures released on Tuesday on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Scotland, Dr Charles Saunders, chairman of the BMA"s Scottish Consultants Committee, said:
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Declare Your Independence And Stop Smoking For Good This Fourth Of July
This Independence Day, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, in conjunction with Ralphs and L.A. Care Health Plan, is helping LA County residents declare their freedom from smoking by giving away free two-week starter kits of nicotine patches or gum. The quit smoking aids are free to residents of LA County at 47 participating Ralphs Pharmacies throughout the county between the hours of 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., while supplies last.
Diagnostics

John Muir Health Foundation Funds Advanced Robotic Technology For Minimally Invasive Surgery

John Muir Health Foundation, the charitable fundraising organization for all John Muir Health programs and services, has provided funding to enable John Muir Health to purchase two advanced high definition daVinci® Surgical Systems for its Walnut Creek and Concord campuses. Surgeons at John Muir Heath will use the daVinci® "robots" for a variety of minimally invasive urological, gynecological, gynecologic/oncologic and colorectal treatments. "Smaller gifts add up, and thanks to the generous giving of our local community, the Foundation was able to provide the funds to help advance the hospital"s robotic-assisted surgeries," said Milt Smith, president of the John Muir Health Foundation. "Despite the economic downturn, grateful patients, local individuals and families continue to demonstrate strong support for John Muir Health. On behalf of the physicians, technicians, nurses and staff, we thank everyone who helps us improve the healthcare in our community." The Foundation"s unrestricted donations are individual contributions of about $100 on average, from individuals and families living in the community. These funds are used to purchase new technologies and equipment, as well as support services benefiting patients. Armed with advanced high definition digital technology, the daVinci® Surgical Systems feature four robotic arms: one has a tiny video camera and the others manipulate complex surgical instruments. The robot is controlled by a surgeon seated at a monitor and console. The system provides the surgeon with the intuitive control, range of motion, fine tissue manipulation capability and 3-D visualization characteristic of open surgery, while simultaneously allowing the surgeon to work through tiny incisions typical of minimally invasive surgery. "With robotic instruments, the surgeon has more degrees of motion in manipulating instruments, allowing more wrist-like actions with the laparoscopic instruments than you would have otherwise," said Dr. Babak Edraki, gynecologic oncology specialist at John Muir Health. "With daVinci®, the surgeon can do things that might otherwise be impossible and get much better results." Studies have shown that patients benefit from minimally invasive robotic surgery by experiencing less blood loss and post-operative pain or discomfort, decreased risk of infection, significantly shortened hospital stay, and faster recovery. "We are extremely excited to bring this leading-edge technology to both campuses and hope that it will inspire others to donate to the Foundation in support of John Muir Health"s nationally recognized health care," said Smith. John Muir Health Foundation


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