High rate of diagnostic error in ICU patients

In an analysis of electronic health records researchers found errors in assessing patients, or errors in ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Jan. 9, 2024 ~5 min

Saving lives in the ICU: Clean teeth

Brigham and Women’s study suggests daily use of a toothbrush lowers risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia, intensive-care mortality.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Dec. 19, 2023 ~3 min


Long COVID: How researchers are zeroing in on the self-targeted immune attacks that may lurk behind it

A new study finds that misdirected immune responses can persist for months in those who are suffering from long COVID-19.

Matthew Woodruff, Instructor of Human Immunology, Emory University • conversation
Aug. 31, 2022 ~9 min

During a COVID-19 surge, ‘crisis standards of care’ involve excruciating choices and impossible ethical decisions for hospital staff

A physician-bioethicist reflects on how health professionals are yet again facing painful reminders of the early months of the pandemic.

Matthew Wynia, Director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Dec. 22, 2021 ~11 min

New treatments for COVID-19 may stave off the worst effects of the virus

Medications to treat COVID-19 are in no way a substitute for the vaccine. But under the right circumstances, some show great promise for helping patients.

Patrick Jackson, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases, University of Virginia • conversation
Sept. 20, 2021 ~10 min

6 COVID-19 treatments helping patients survive

A year after it became clear that COVID-19 was becoming a pandemic, there is still no cure, but doctors have several innovative treatments. Some are keeping patients out of the hospital entirely.

Tomeka L. Suber, Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
March 1, 2021 ~10 min

Steroids cut COVID-19 death rates, but not for everyone – here’s who benefits and who doesn’t

Three new studies show corticosteroids can reduce deaths in critically ill COVID-19 patients. But what about other patients?

Bryan McVerry, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
Sept. 4, 2020 ~8 min

COVID-19 makes clear that bioethics must confront health disparities

A bioethicist argues that the problem of health disparities existed long before COVID-19 struck with a vengeance in marginalized communities.

Joseph J. Fins, The E. William Davis Jr, M.D. Professor of Medical Ethics and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University • conversation
July 8, 2020 ~8 min


What doctors know about lingering symptoms of coronavirus

Is it possible that people who recover from COVID-19 will be plagued with long term side effects from the infection? An infectious disease physician reviews the evidence so far.

William Petri, Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia • conversation
June 24, 2020 ~7 min

Boris Johnson will be receiving the same special treatment other patients do in NHS intensive care

The fundamental ethos of the NHS is egalitarian.

Dominic Wilkinson, Consultant Neonatologist and Professor of Ethics, University of Oxford • conversation
April 7, 2020 ~5 min

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