The weaker sex: is being male a legally cognizable defect, impairment, or disability?

Compared with women, men die from cancer and coronary artery disease in disproportionately higher numbers and are more susceptible to a host of emotional and developmental disorders. The authors of this article consider what scientific proof or evidence would be required to legally recognize "being male" as a disability, based on the overwhelming number of physical deficiencies to which males are genetically predisposed. The article summarizes major scientific findings on male health problems and explores various laws and policies that might be implicated by treatment of males as a special category recognized by the law.

An emergency department-based nurse discharge coordinator for elder patients: does it make a difference?

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of an emergency department (ED)-based nurse discharge plan coordinator (NDPC) on unscheduled return visits within 14 days of discharge, satisfaction with discharge recommendations, adherence with discharge instructions, and perception of well-being of elder patients discharged from the ED.

Methods: Patients aged 75 years and older discharged from the ED of the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital were recruited in a pre/post study.

Appendicitis during pregnancy.

Question: A 26-year-old patient in our clinic, who was 18 weeks pregnant at the time, experienced acute abdominal pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis. The inflamed appendix was successfully removed. Is her pregnancy at risk?

Answer: Appendicitis is not rare during pregnancy and is associated with increased reproductive risk.

Medication review and documentation in physician office practice.

Context: Adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions are common. Medication-induced morbidity might be prevented through the documentation of medicines in the medical record and review of the medical record before new medications are prescribed.

Practice Pattern Examined: Documentation and review by primary care physicians of patient use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs (OTCs), nutritional supplements, and herbal and other alternative treatments.