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Patient Safety, Ethics Dominate HOPKINS MEDICINE e-NEWS (September 2004)

A round-up of news from Johns Hopkins Medicine for busy executives.
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Patient safety's central role at Hopkins, was recognized by another prestigious national award. Yet we've got more to do, as discussed in this issue's commentary. Ethics also have been on our mind. Read about new rules restricting drug company representatives and a study examining conflicts of interest in research. Other reports deal with Hopkins' popularity in the Baltimore-Washington region, and the area we've chosen for a southern outpatient hub.

Research highlights include a blood test for ovarian cancer, the best way to treat teen depression and the need for more frequent blood sugar level tests for diabetics.

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 GAINS 2004 CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD IN BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON REGION
Residents of Baltimore, Washington, Bethesda and Hagerstown select Hopkins as their hospital of choice. Only a few hospitals nationwide were tops with consumers in multi-market regions.

PRONOVOST RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR PATIENT SAFETY ADVANCES
The medical director of Hopkins' Center for Innovation in Quality Patient Care receives a coveted prize for demonstrating that more intensive care specialists in ICUs lead to vastly improved patient outcomes.

ODENTON PICKED FOR THIRD COMPREHENSIVE OUTPATIENT HUB
Proximity to fast-growing federal facilities (Fort Meade and the National Security Agency) and huge residential projects (Piney Orchards and Seven Oaks) make Odenton an ideal spot for Hopkins' southern outpatient hub.

NEW HOSPITAL POLICY RESTRICTS DRUG COMPANY REPRESENTATIVES
To protect the integrity of Hopkins physicians, a set of restrictive rules now govern dealings with pharmaceutical companies' sales reps pushing new therapies.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IN RESEARCH FOCUS OF HOPKINS STUDY
A $3 million, four-year federal grant makes possible an in-depth study of conflicts of interest in research and how best to disclose such conflicts to research participants.

ACCREDITATION AGENCY KNOCKING ON HOPKINS' DOOR
The hospital industry's most powerful accrediting agency arrives in November to survey Hopkins' adherence to strict standards of quality care. The inquiry will trace how staffers carry out protocols on randomly chosen patients.

ANTIBIOTIC GUIDE RATED ESSENTIAL FOR ALL PHARMACISTS
Hopkins' electronic Antibiotic Treatment Guide for personal digital assistants (PDA) and desktop computers is a "must have," according to Pharmacy Practice News, which calls it thorough, succinct and "best overall." The program is also free.

SCIENCE REPORT

MORE FREQUENT BLOOD-SUGAR MONITORING ADVISED FOR DIABETICS
Researchers suggest people with type I and type II diabetes check blood-sugar levels more than the usual twice daily. Elevated levels over sustained periods could be a predictor of cardiovascular disease.

RESEARCHERS DESIGN BLOOD TEST TO SPOT OVARIAN CANCER
Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers use a blood test to detect ovarian cancer. With some refinements, the test may help determine if a pelvic mass is malignant.

BEST ANTIDOTE FOR TEEN DEPRESSION? ANTIDEPRESSANTS PLUS "TALK THERAPY"
A Johns Hopkins Children's Center study says the best treatment for adolescents with major depression combines antidepressants and psychotherapy. Talk therapy on its own was no more effective than a placebo.

COMMENTARY

LONG ROAD TO PATIENT SAFETY
Winning a coveted prize for Hopkins patient-safety program is welcome recognition, says Dean/CEO Ed Miller. Still, hes frustrated at the slow pace of change.

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