Sleep Apnea and Cancer

People who suffer from sleep apnea are at a greater risk of developing cancer, according to two new studies.

Sleep apnea is a common disorder that approximately 28 million Americans have in one form or another. It causes fatigue, snoring and dangerous pauses in breathing at night. 

This condition is considered a top concern to sleep doctors because it deprives the body of oxygen at night and can coincide with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity.  

In one of the new studies, researchers in Spain followed thousands of patients who suffered from many forms of sleep apnea. It was found that those patients with the more severe type of sleep apnea were at a greater risk of developing cancer of any kind by 65 percent.   

Another study looked at patients who had difficulties breathing at night. It was discovered that those patients with this breathing abnormality had five times the rate of dying from cancer compared to people that did not have the sleep disorder.  

According to the article from The New York Times, Dr. Mitesh Borad, a cancer researcher and assistant professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic called the studies “provocative,” but suggested that more research be performed to confirm the findings. 

However, recent studies performed on mice do suggest that sleep apnea plays an important role in developing cancer. When mice with cancerous tumors were placed in low-oxygen environments (which simulate the effects of sleep apnea), their cancers progressed more rapidly.   

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.

2200 E. Camelback Road

Suite 213

Phoenix, AZ 85016

602-224-0005

Skin Cancer Risks Among Young Adults

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute, young adults are engaging in behaviors that can increase the risk of getting skin cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and treatments cost Americans as much as $1.7 billion each year.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer but both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers can cause scars and reduce a patients’ quality of life.

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), from 2010, asked adults in the U.S. about a number of things, such as indoor tanning habits, their sun protective behaviors and the number of sunburns they acquired in the past year.

There were two surveys; one looked at adults from ages 18-29 about sun protective behaviors and sunburns while the second one looked at adults aged 18 and older dealing with indoor tanning devices.

For those 18-29 surveyed, it was found that experiencing one or more sunburns in the past year was common with non-Hispanic whites with 66 percent and least common among non-Hispanic blacks by 11 percent.

It was also found that only 37 percent of women use sunscreen and 33 percent of men wear long clothing down to their ankles to protect them from the sun.

In the study that surveyed those aged 18 and older dealing with indoor tanning devices, 32 percent of non-Hispanic white women were more likely to use those devices. Those who reported using the indoor tanning device also reported an average of 28 tanning sessions in the past year.

Among the non-Hispanic white adults that were surveyed, 40 percent of men and 58 percent of women used one 10 times or more in the past year.

The results from the survey show high-risk behaviors for skin cancer among young adults in the United States.

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.

602-224-0005

I-PASS

According to an article from Market Watch, a new patient safety and medical education initiative has come to light that can reduce medical mistakes by as much as 40 percent.  

The initiative, called I-PASS, would improve how patient care is “handed off” during hospital shift changes.  

I-PASS was developed at Boston Children’s Hospital and is being tested in 10 pediatric training programs across the country. 

The curriculum looks to improve communication during residents’ shift changes. The goal is to have incoming doctors accurately briefed on each patient’s status, medical history and what treatment plan they are on.  

According to the article, 70 percent of sentinel events come from poor miscommunication, which can happen during handoffs.  

I-PASS stands for:

I: Illness severity;

P: Patient summary;

A: Action list for the next team;

S: Situation awareness and contingency plan;

S: Synthesis and “read-back” of the information  

The pilot study performed found that the introduction of the new safety initiative reduced medical errors by 40 percent .It was also discovered that doctors spent more time with their patients and less time on the computer.  

Residents are trained using I-PASS by taking a three hour workshop that includes role-plays and simulations where they give and receive handoffs during real-life scenarios. 

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.

2200 E. Camelback Road

Suite 213

Phoenix, AZ 85016

602-224-0005

Hospital Linked Infections Down

Based on a report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, health care associated infections are down.

According to an article from Medpage Today, there were 13,812 bloodstream infections associated with central lines that were reported in 2010, compared to an estimated number of 20,185 that was based off of what was seen between 2006-2008.

This represents a 32 percent decrease in infection rates.

Other infection rates that were reduced:

• Catheter-associated infections had 9,995 cases reported in 2010, with an estimated 10,657 to be expected. This had a six percent decrease.

• Surgical site infections had 5,170 expected cases to be counted for, with only 4,737 reported. This shows an eight percent national decrease.

• Urinary tract infections in critical care units had a three percent reduction rate.

Only two states, Arizona and Delaware, had reported increases in hospital linked infections.


Snyder and Wenner, P.C.
602-224-0005

C. diff

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) is a type of bacteria that can cause serious problems if not treated. The first signs of C. diff are fever, stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Unfortunately, the number of C. diff cases are increasing in hospitals across the country. The main cause of this is the fact that patients are consuming more antibiotics, which kill helpful germs in the intestine.

These good germs from the intestine would normally keep the bacteria from growing and making people sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, C. diff causes diarrhea linked to 14,000 deaths in the United States alone.

Wash hands with soap and water to help get rid of C. diff

C. diff is being spread by contaminated surfaces. When you enter a hospital to visit someone, it's a good idea to bring antibacterial wipes with you. While wearing gloves, wipe down anything in the room, such as the bed rails, the tray table, TV remote, door knobs, the sink and the call bell.

The best way to get rid of C. diff is to wash your hands with soap and water, using good friction between your hands.

To avoid spreading C. diff, only use antibiotics when needed.

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.
602-224-0005

Xenex Disinfection System

Ellis Medicine is the second hospital in the state of New York to begin using Xenex’s innovative germ-zapping technology, ultimately keeping patients safer from acquiring hospital infections. 

Xenex Portable
Disinfection System
www.xenex.com

According to a press release from Market Watch, Xenex Healthcare Services has a new machine that can disinfect patient rooms in hospitals. The portable device pulses blue ultraviolet light throughout the room, destroying bacteria, bacteria spores and viruses in 5-10 minutes.

Studies have shown that using the Xenex room disinfection system is 20 times more effective than the usual chemical cleaning practices.  

The Xenex system was first deployed in late 2010, and has helped Clostridium difficile (C. diff) rates drop significantly in hospitals across the county.  

The C. diff germ is a type of bacteria that causes inflammation of the colon and can live in an environment, such as a patient’s room, for months. This stubborn germ has been showing up more often in hospitals across the country in recent years.  

This system is the only one to result in a facility-wide decrease in C. diff rates.

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.

602-224-0005

Avoiding Mistakes in your Surgery

The Joint Commission has a program called "Speak Up" which encourages patients to become more involved in their health care.

Part of the program focuses on how to help avoid mistakes in your surgery. Mistakes can easily happen during all types of surgeries; surgeons can operate on the wrong part of your body, they can perform the wrong surgery, or they can operate on the wrong patient.

When it comes to preparing for your surgery, keep these in mind:

• Ask your doctor questions:
• Will you be able to eat or drink after your surgery?
• Are there any medications you should stop taking before your surgery?
• What should I expect after surgery?
• Ask someone you trust to:
• Take you to and from the surgery facility.
• Stay with you before, during, and after the surgery. They can make sure you get the right care you need.
• Before you head to the surgery facility:
• Leave valuables at home.
• Shower and wash your hair. Also, do not wear any makeup so caregivers can check your blood circulation easily.

When you get to the surgery facility:

• Make sure the consent form you sign has all of the right information.
• The staff may ask you many questions (such as "What surgery are you having today?" and "Who are you?") multiple times to reduce the chance of a mistake happening.
• If you don't understand any of the questions or are confused on what is on the consent form, speak up.

Before you have the surgery:

• Make sure the mark that a health care professional puts on your body is on the correct place that will be operated on.
• Ask you surgeon to have a "time out" before the surgery takes place. This will help them double check that they will be doing the right surgery on the right body part on the right patient.

After the surgery is finished:

• Tell the health care staff if you are in any type of pain so they can relieve it.
• Ask questions about the new medication you will be taking: What is it? What are the side effects? How often should I take it?
• Make sure you ask when you can go back to your normal routine. Ask when you can go back to work, exercise or travel.

Snyder and Wenner, P.C.
602-224-0005