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Living tissue involves electric fields. New research indicates that for patients with diabetes, slow wound healing may be associated with weaker electrical currents in the wounds. These findings could lead to the development of new approaches in treating and managing diabetes. In addition to reading our e-newsletter, be sure to visit Today’s Geriatric Medicine’s website at www.TodaysGeriatricMedicine.com, where you’ll find news and information that’s relevant and reliable. We welcome your feedback at TGMeditor@gvpub.com. Follow Today’s Geriatric Medicine on Facebook and Twitter, too. — Barbara Worthington, editor Delayed Healing Linked to Weaker Electrical Currents in Diabetic Wounds People with diabetes often suffer from wounds that are slow to heal and can lead to ulcers, gangrene, and amputation. New research from an international group led by Min Zhao, MD, PhD, a professor of ophthalmology and of dermatology at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), shows that in animal models of diabetes, slow healing is associated with weaker electrical currents in wounds. The results could ultimately lead to new approaches for managing diabetic patients. “This is the first demonstration in diabetic wounds or any chronic wounds that the naturally occurring electrical signal is impaired and correlated with delayed healing,” Zhao says. “Correcting this defect offers a totally new approach for chronic and nonhealing wounds in diabetes.” It has been estimated that as much as $25 billion per year is spent on treating chronic ulcers and wounds related to diabetes, Zhao says. Full story » Geriatrician—Reading Health System, West Reading, PA Post-Acute Hospitalist—Reading Health System, Wyomissing, PA Medical Director for PACE Program—Harbor Health Services, Mattapan, MA BE/BC Geriatrician—Carle Physician Group, Champaign-Urbana, IL Primary Care Physician Certified in Geriatrics—Samaritan Health Services   Delayed Healing Linked to Weaker Electrical Currents in Diabetic Wounds 6 Ways Technology Is Changing Diabetes Care Developing and Implementing Antibiotic Stewardship in Long Term Care Questions on Calcium and Vitamin D Recommendations Patient Wishes Are Tough to See in Electronic Health Records FDA Raises Questions About ‘Data Gaps’ Regarding Safety, Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizer Vascular Surgeons Test Technology That Lights the Way Through Blockages Alzheimer’s Effects on the Brain Found in Young People Geriatrics Consult With Rosemary Laird, MD Tech & Tools iHealth View Wireless Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor iHealth has created the iHealth View Wireless Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor with a display screen. It is designed to be lightweight and provide clear results. The wrist cuff detects and directs arm positioning, and the user can see results on the device display. The data can be synced with Bluetooth Smart Ready technology. The iHealth View stores up to 120 measurements before synchronization. Its app keeps track of historical data and provides a graph that allows users to better monitor and manage their blood pressure. Learn more » E-Mist BackPack Infection Control System The E-Mist BackPack Infection Control System easily and consistently delivers precision liquid application with speed and even coverage, treating large-scale surface areas quickly. Previous cleaning processes that relied heavily on labor-intensive spray/wipe efforts can be scaled back to realize savings. Unlike traditional protocols, E-Mist does not promote cross contamination of surfaces. Learn more »

6 Ways Technology Is Changing Diabetes Care Innovative products promise new strategies for treating type 2 diabetes. Read more » Developing and Implementing Antibiotic Stewardship in Long Term Care Implementing antibiotic stewardship in long term care requires leadership, education, commitment, accountability, and documentation. The resulting reduction in antibiotic resistance benefits patients, staff, and the community. Read more » Questions on Calcium and Vitamin D Recommendations Calcium and vitamin D have long been thought to play a key role in maintaining a healthy skeleton, but the mixed messages on recommendations are confusing to patients and clinicians alike. Read more » Managing Hypertension: An Important Update I just knew it—you know how you feel when you know something is true but you don’t have the evidence to back it up? Back in 2015 we discussed the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) guidelines and their recommendations for relaxing requirements for blood pressure-lowering targets in elders. That worried me. We know three of every four persons over the age of 75 have hypertension. And it is clearly established that higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) are related to more cerebrovascular events and development of heart failure. This finding is outlined in the editorial on The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, which demonstrated that lowering SBP to less than 150 mmHg in patients aged 60 and older with isolated systolic hypertension was beneficial in reducing stroke, and the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial, involving patients aged 80 and older with hypertension and an SBP treatment target of less than 140 mmHg, showed significant reduction in the incidence of stroke and heart failure with active as compared with placebo therapy.1 Read more » Have a product or service you want to market to geriatricians, other physicians and the geriatric care team of professionals who treat aging patients? Are you a recruiter looking to fill the many geriatric professional openings within a facility, physician practice or academic institution? Then utilize the reach of Today's Geriatric Medicine to accomplish your marketing goals and fill any open positions. Coming up in our September/October issue is our Fall Risk Showcase. Contact sales for more information. A resource for professionals looking for new opportunities, as well as those physicians just curious to see what's out there, our Physician Recruitment Center gives physician recruiters a powerful tool to fill partnership opportunities, academic appointments, and hospital staff positions. To support your product marketing or recruiting needs, e-mail our experienced account executives today at sales@gvpub.com for more information or call 800-278-4400!   Patient Wishes Are Tough to See in Electronic Health Records End-of-life wishes typically are difficult to find in patients’ electronic health records, according to an article in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. FDA Raises Questions About ‘Data Gaps’ Regarding Safety, Effectiveness of Hand Sanitizer Are hand sanitizers safe and effective? The FDA expects to offer answers by September, according to an article in The Washington Post. Vascular Surgeons Test Technology That Lights the Way Through Blockages An article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes that new technology can restore blood flow to relieve the pain and disability caused by peripheral artery disease. Alzheimer’s Effects on the Brain Found in Young People In some people with at least one copy of the e4 variant most associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the hippocampus—the brain region involved with memory function—was found to be smaller even in those as young as 3 to 20 years old, according to an article in The Wall Street Journal. Set up Job Alerts and create your online Résumé to let potential employers find you today! A Secure, Anonymous Résumé Bank Job Alerts Sent to Your E-mail Have a question you want answered by one of our experts? Send your question to TGMeditor@gvpub.com and it may be featured in an upcoming e-newsletter or print issue.