Craig Boerner

(iStock)
May 9, 2018

Study finds generic options offer limited savings for expensive drugs

Generic drug options did not reduce prices paid for the cancer therapy imatinib (Gleevec), according to a Health Affairs study released this week.

By Craig Boerner
Deciphering DNA code
March 15, 2018

Study spots undiagnosed genetic diseases in EHR

Patients diagnosed with heart failure, stroke, infertility and kidney failure could actually be suffering from rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases.

By Craig Boerner
March 8, 2018

Urological association taps Chang to help guide international strategy

The American Urological Association has announced three new assistant secretary positions, including Vanderbilt’s Sam Chang, MD, to better align its international growth.

By Craig Boerner
February 27, 2018

Saline use on decline at Vanderbilt following landmark studies

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is encouraging its medical providers to stop using saline as intravenous fluid therapy for most patients, a change provoked by two companion landmark studies released Feb. 27 that are anticipated to improve survival and decrease kidney complications.

By Craig Boerner
white pills spilling out of a prescription bottle
February 12, 2018

Opioid use increases risk of serious infections

Opioid users have a significantly increased risk of infections severe enough to require treatment at the hospital, such as pneumonia and meningitis, as compared to people who don’t use opioids.

By Craig Boerner
February 12, 2018

Tennessee Poison Center celebrates 30th anniversary

The Tennessee Poison Center (TPC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, following a year in which it received more than 50,000 emergency calls from residents, healthcare professionals, emergency departments and intensive care units.

By Craig Boerner
November 21, 2017

Post-flu risks a growing concern for the elderly

Infectious disease experts are warning that flu can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and disability in elderly patients for months after they have recovered from their illness.
By Craig Boerner
November 16, 2017

Smoking study personalizes treatment

A simple blood test is allowing Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) researchers to determine which patients should be prescribed varenicline (Chantix) to stop smoking and which patients could do just as well, and avoid side effects, by using a nicotine patch.
By Craig Boerner
November 9, 2017

Amoxicillin alone better choice for pediatric pneumonia: study

A combination of two antibiotics is often prescribed to treat community-acquired pneumonia in children, but a JAMA Pediatrics study is now showing that using just one of the two has the same benefit to patients in most cases.
By Craig Boerner
October 26, 2017

Edwards, Schaffner honored by major infectious diseases organizations

Two highly regarded Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) infectious disease clinicians were recognized with service awards from prominent organizations during IDWeek in San Diego, California, Oct. 4-8.
By Craig Boerner
June 19, 2017

Uninsured emergency department visits down after Medicaid expansion

Fewer uninsured patients are walking through the doors of Emergency Departments in states that expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), even though the total number of visits has increased since 2014, according to an Annals of Emergency Medicine study released Monday.
By Craig Boerner
June 15, 2017

Schaffner receives UpShot Award in vaccine communication

The National Vaccine Program Office in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected William Schaffner, M.D., to receive its 2017 NVPO UpShot Award in Vaccine Communication.
By Craig Boerner