Medicine | Penn Today

COVID-19 patient in a hospital bed wearing a mask with two medical personnel beside them in full PPE.

How observation units and texting shortened hospital stays during COVID-19

An analysis of hospital care for COVID-19 patients shows that while short hospitalizations were often unavoidable, it is be possible to expedite the discharge for patients who could continue to recover at home, with some additional clinical support from the health system.

a person in a gymnasium getting a vaccine while wearing a mask

Four things to know about COVID-19 vaccine boosters

Amidst concerns about increased positivity rates and new variants, Penn Today shares expert insights on the importance of COVID-19 vaccine boosters during the current phase of the pandemic.

Is it OK to ask your doctor about unapproved treatments?

Jeffrey Millstein of Penn Medicine wrote about off-label medication use, which he says should always involve an open discussion with one’s health care provider. “Like any medical inquiry or concern, your treatment questions should be received seriously, not scornfully,” he said.

New eye drops offer an alternative to reading glasses

Stephen Orlin of the Perelman School of Medicine said a new eye drop that helps with near vision contains pilocarpine, a drug that has long been used to treat glaucoma.

Person asleep on a bicycle rickshaw in India.

The link between global health policy and healthy sleep

A new study from LDI senior fellow Heather Schofield explores the relation between government policymaking and healthy sleep.

A Penn professor’s heart stopped at restaurant that had no defibrillator. Few are equipped with the lifesaving devices

Kevin Volpp of the Perelman School of Medicine said national restaurant chains should keep automated external defibrillator devices on site. “It’s inexcusable for them not to have AEDs and training,” he said.

PIK Professor Kevin Johnson named University Professor

Kevin Johnson, who has appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication, will become the David L. Cohen University Professor.

mert students treating person with arm injury

Penn’s Medical Emergency Response Team, ‘prepared for anything’

The student-run organization, which includes nearly 70 undergraduates who are licensed EMTs, complements the Division of Public Safety and Philadelphia Fire Department by responding to medical emergencies on campus.

Konrad Kording (left) and George Demiris

University professorships for Konrad Kording, George Demiris

Kording, a data scientist who studies the brain, will become the Nathan Francis Mossell University Professor. Demiris, a gerontologist who studies IT to support older adults, will become the Mary Alice Bennett University Professor.

Medical worker in a face mask holds a clipboard for an African American person to sign.

Improving diversity in cancer clinical trials

The Cancer Clinical Trials Community Ambassador Training Program at the Abramson Cancer Center was established in August 2021 to create spokespersons and resources to increase awareness and access to cancer clinical trials in the diverse Philadelphia communities.

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