FDA Warns of Gilenya Risk, Name Confusion, Looks Into GBCA Use
Pharmacy Focus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings regarding the multiple sclerosis drug Gilenya and about reports of confusion between the names of the antidepressant Brintellix and anti-clotting drug Brilinta. Also, the agency is investigating the risk of brain deposits following repeated use of gadolinium-based contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.
Mark Your Calendar
Clinical Documentation Integrity Course for Physicians
Sept. 1, Oct. 6
Los Angeles Orthopedic Trauma Symposium: Fractures Below the Belt
Sept. 26
Surgery Grand Rounds
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Grand Rounds
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Education Schedule
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Surgery Scheduling
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In This Issue:
- Cedars-Sinai Joins Surgical Quality Improvement Program
- Upgrade of PACS Workstations Is Complete
- ProPublica 'Surgeon Scorecard'
- Liver Transplant Program Grows
- 12 MDs Start Surgery Residencies
- Department Adds Faculty Members
- Circle of Friends Honorees for July
- More Details About Oct. 1 Transition to ICD-10
- Resisting Heart Failure
Upgrade of PACS Workstations Is Complete
The picture archive and communications system (PACS) used in Main O.R. and the 310 Surgery Center has undergone a much-anticipated upgrade.
Highlights of the upgrade are new computer hardware and a 50-inch monitor capable of remaining active, or not "timing out," for up to eight hours. "The 50-inch screens provide higher resolution and clarity," said Gary Nobiensky, clinical equipment coordinator for O.R. services.
The upgraded PACS workstations also have more storage capability and provide the ability to view the majority of outside CDs.
"Our goal is to provide the best tools for our surgeons so that they can provide the best patient care possible," Nobiensky said. "The surgeons provided us feedback on the current workstations, and with their input in mind, we feel this upgrade not only expands their ability to display images in the O.R. but also accommodates newer types of imaging technology."
"The upgrade improves the system's ability to make information about each patient case easily accessible to physicians throughout the surgical process," said J. Patrick Johnson, MD, a neurosurgeon and co-medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center. "It ensures that we have all the correct images that we need to perform the surgery in a safe, timely manner."
The system upgrade was completed in August.