It has taken some time, but local hospitals are finally adopting high-tech approaches to prevent medical errors. Changes include bar codes on medicines and computerized physician order entry, IV "smart pumps" and computerized adverse drug event monitoring. This is the second of two parts. The first was Hospital errors: What the patient doesn't know might hurt . (illustration from sxc.hu)

Many states now require hospitals to disclose when they make seriousmedical errors, but not Missouri. "We're still in the mode of secrecyhere," said Louise Probst, executive director of the St. Louis AreaBusiness Health Coalition. Hospitals resist reporting requirementsbecause they fear they might be unfair. But other states have foundways to deal with the issues and keep patients informed. First of two parts. (Photo by Luci | SXC.HU)

The toxicology report indicated that Ledger's death was accidental -- not homicide or suicide but prescription medication abuse. Dr. Cindy Haines, in her weekly column, suggest what health-care professionals and patients themselves could do to help prevent such fatalities.

Not believe in UFOs? You might as well not believe in fairies. Or, as Francis P. Church also wrote to young Virginia O'Hanlon, "In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge." (Photo from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind")

*What doctors are reading this week and why it matters*

Flavonoid-rich foods, need to diet, teens and tobacco and teen vaccinations, along with surgery concerns of the elderly, are subjects that caught Dr. Haines' eye.

Dr. Cindy Haines is a family physician in St. Louis, managing editor of HealthDay-Physician's Briefing and president of Haines Medical Communications Inc. 

*What doctors are reading this week and why it matters*

Psoriasis, hypertension, heart failure medications, dieting and hip fracture surgery all get a look in the newest edition of Doctor's Lounge.

A plague is stalking bats and needs to be countered. As biologist George Johnson explains, the bad reputation of the winged mammals is entirely unwarranted. They help control insect pests, pollinate plants and and can be important to people medically.

Doctors caring for children should start cholesterol screenings for those as young as two years old to focus on reducing the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a report published in the July issue of Pediatrics.

Dr. Cindy Haines is a family physician in St. Louis, managing editor of HealthDay-Physician's Briefing and president of Haines Medical Communications Inc. Her weekly column on health care issues will appear in the Beacon each Friday.

*What doctors are reading this week and why it matters*

This week: STDs, cholesterol and memory, heart surgery, yoga and erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Cindy Haines reviews recent medical literature and passes on the highlights in lay language.