A study published in O&G Open found that ultrasound guidance was utilized in 21% of complicated intrauterine device removals, highlighting the important role of imaging in assisting with difficult IUD extractions. The findings suggest that a notable proportion of patients may require ultrasound assistance during removal, emphasizing its relevance in clinical practice.

NT-proBNP, a cardiovascular biomarker, showed a sharp increase in the days leading up to preeclampsia onset, according to a study published in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology involving women at 24 weeks' gestation. At a threshold of 116 pg/mL, NT-proBNP predicted early preeclampsia within a week with 90.9% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity. 

Large language models like OpenAI's GPT-4 are being explored for their potential to transform health care, but they come with significant risks. Registered nurse Angela Adams highlights that while GPT-4 can perform tasks like drafting patient notes, its unpredictable updates and lack of specialized medical knowledge pose dangers in clinical settings.

Some health care organizations omit the ninth question, about self-harm, from the PHQ-9 depression screening test due to liability concerns, but this omission is "morally indefensible" and unsupported by evidence, write Kyle Fitzpatrick, Geoffrey Engel and J. Wesley Boyd. Studies have shown no negative outcomes from using the full PHQ-9, and the real liability may come from not assessing potential suicide risk.

Patient portals can strengthen the clinician-patient connection, but 68% of clinicians responding to a Harris Poll survey reported feeling overwhelmed by the volume of portal messages they receive. Some clinicians and health systems have begun billing for responses to patient queries that require significant time and expertise. Gynecologist Katherine Gregory says using a portal for communication can be a time-saver, but she doesn't engage in lengthy interactions that are better dealt with in person.

Pregnancy complications were linked to a higher risk of ischemic stroke later in life, according to a study published in Neurology that found a median interval of 16 years between pregnancy and the stroke event. Researchers noted that overall, stroke risks were low but complications during pregnancy may be an early warning sign for stroke.

Less than 1% of 13 million clinical notes analyzed by researchers contained language undermining the patient's credibility, but such language was significantly more frequent in notes for Black patients than for other patients, and Black patients' notes were significantly less likely to contain credibility-supporting language. The findings, published in PLOS One, "suggest that clinicians really do doubt what Black patients say more so than they do of white patients," said first author Mary Catherine Beach.

Even if you think you're not funny, finding ways to bring humor to the office can foster trust, build relationships and create a sense of safety for your teams, writes Adam Christing, a keynote speaker and humor expert. Use the five "laugh languages" to develop a culture of fun through unexpected but funny surprises, using puns or other wordplay, poking fun at yourself and creating office in-jokes, such as picking silly names for the office scanner, such as "Scan Solo," Christing suggests.