HOPKINS MEDICINE e-NEWS (June 2004)
A round-up of news from Johns Hopkins Medicine for busy executives. ___________________________________________________________ Research and technology innovations remain priorities and have an enormous impact, as you'll see in articles on our No. 1 ranking in federal research grants; a new Web-based system to help scientists file for patents, and a state of the art Provider Order Entry system to reduce medication mistakes. Articles also highlight an acclaimed film reliving the world's first heart surgery -- an historic moment in Hopkins history -- and a new fund named for Vivien Thomas, a hero of the film, to increase opportunities for minorities in medicine. Among other good news: a tentative agreement with the hospital service workers union has averted a strike. This month's science reports deal with a new indicator of prostate cancer risk, a study of increased eye disease, the use of oxygen to improve vision among some diabetics, a study on altering children's views toward violence, a simple test to spot kidney transplant rejection, and the proven popularity of a robot doctor. Please send us your questions or comments. We welcome your suggestions and hope you enjoy reading these reports. -- Edward D. Miller, M.D., Dean of the Medical Faculty, CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine
-- Ronald R. Peterson, President, Johns Hopkins Health System, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
THE BUSINESS OF MEDICINE
HOPKINS TOPS IN NIH GRANTS, SCORES HIGH IN RESEARCH CITATIONS
Hopkins far outdistances 120 other medical schools in NIH grants while the university ranks near the top of research citations in five fields. HBO MOVIE RECOUNTS DRAMA SURROUNDING "BLUE BABY" OPERATION
The riveting story of two unlikely pioneers in open-heart surgery - a black lab technician (Vivien Thomas) and a prominent white surgeon (Alfred Blalock) - airs on HBO. Go behind the scenes on location at Hopkins.Related article: Hopkins launches the Vivien Thomas Fund for Diversity to increase minorities in academic medicine. KEEPING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT ON TRACK
A Web-based system soon will assist researchers in filing patent applications as part of Hopkins' effort to spur the marketing of inventions. CUTTING MEDICAL ERRORS BY READING POE
Hopkins is installing a $20 million Provider Order-Entry System (POE) to significantly cut errors in ordering medications and directing patient care.
HOSPITAL AND UNION AGREE ON TENTATIVE CONTRACT
Following lengthy negotiations, Hopkins Hospital and District 1199E of the Service Employees International Union reach an accord, pending ratification by union members, that gives employees improved benefits.
SCIENCE REPORT
PROSTATE CANCER RISK TIED TO HIGH TESTOSTERONE LEVEL
Men over age 50 with high blood levels of testosterone have an increased risk of prostate cancer, a Hopkins study concludes. OXYGEN MAY IMPROVE VISION WORSENED BY DIABETES
Study finds oxygen delivered through nose improves poor vision caused by diabetic macular edema, a fluid buildup in area responsible for central vision. EYE DISEASE WILL RISE SUBSTANTIALLY BY 2020
Age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness over age 65, will affect nearly 3 million Americans by 2020, say Hopkins researchers.TIPOFF TO KIDNEY TRANSPLANT REJECTION
Researchers develop the basis for an inexpensive urine test to identify impending kidney failure or rejection following transplant surgery. GRAPHIC IMAGES OF VIOLENCE ALTER CHILDREN'S PERCEPTIONS
Exposing at-risk kids to grizzly videos and photos of gunshot wounds sharply changes their views on aggression, according to a Hopkins team."ROBO-DOC" A HIT WITH PATIENTS
Hospital patients prefer visits from their own physician even if they come by way of a robot electronically linked to the doctor, researchers find. __________________________________________________________ For news and information from The Johns Hopkins University:
http://www.alumni.jhu.edu/jhupdate
If you would like to subscribe to the e-mail version of JHUpdate, send an e-mail message to lyris@list.alumni.jhu.edu with the subject line "Subscribe JHUpdate." The e-mail address will be added to the list. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, send an email with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to: jhmedicine@jhmi.edu Archive of Past Issues
| 
