Missouri medicine
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Although the occurrence of pain in hospitalized children is common, assessment and treatment of pain presents unique challenges to practitioners who care for pediatric patients. Knowledge of drug mechanisms as well as metabolic differences in infants and children compared with adults is necessary for the successful treatment of acute and chronic pain syndromes. Recent reports of adverse events in children receiving both opioid and non-opioid analgesics have prompted re-examination of some long standing pain medication regimens and prescribing practices. We review advances in diagnosis and management of pain in pediatric populations.
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Tobacco smoking remains the highest cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Electronic cigarettes have recently become popular as nicotine alternatives. ⋯ Electronic cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes and at least as safe as other approved nicotine replacement therapies. Further evidence is needed as their popularity increases amidst controversy over safety and efficacy.
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Recent years have seen substantial shifts in cultural attitudes towards marijuana for medical and recreational use. Potential problems with the approval, production, dispensation, route of administration, and negative health effects of medical and recreational marijuana are reviewed. Medical marijuana should be subject to the same rigorous approval process as other medications prescribed by physicians. Legalizing recreational marijuana may have negative public health effects.
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The AMA continues to harbor serious concerns and reservations with the significant burden of the ICD-10 mandate and continues to convey these points to policymakers in Washington. The AMA is well aware of the concerns of physicians related to the growing number of burdens being placed on their practices, of which ICD-10 is a large one, and continues to advocate for overall regulatory relief. While the AMA has been working for many years to hold back the implementation of ICD-10, at this time, it does remain a regulatory mandate. Because of this, it is important that physicians prepare for its implementation in order to avoid the rejection of claims and cash flow interruptions.