HealthDay (4/15, Thompson) reports a new study published online in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research suggests that “drinkers who smoke marijuana as they imbibe are twice as likely to drive drunk compared with people who stick to alcohol alone.” The study of data on nearly 9,000 people also revealed that “these ‘simultaneous’ users are also three times more likely to face social troubles as a result of drinking and marijuana – drunken brawls, broken marriages, damaged relationships and ruined careers among them.”

Related Links:

— “Pot Plus Booze Doubles Odds for Drunk Driving, Study Says,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, April 14, 2015.

HealthDay (4/15, Preidt) reports that a study published in the April issue of the journal Sleep suggests that “depression, insomnia and exhaustion may be major risk factors for frequent nightmares.” The study of approximately 14,000 adults in Finland revealed that “frequent nightmares were reported by about 28 percent of people with severe depression and about 17 percent of those with frequent insomnia.” The study’s lead author suggested in a news release, “It might be possible that nightmares could function as early indicators of onset of depression and therefore have previously untapped diagnostic value.”

Related Links:

— “Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue Are the Stuff of Nightmares,” Robert Preidt, HealthDay, April 14, 2015.

The Washington Post (4/15, Swanson) “Wonkblog” reports that approximately “568,000 uninsured people who have been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition would have received treatment in 2014 if their states had chosen to expand Medicaid, according to the American Mental Health Counselors Association.” A report by the AMHCA found that “uninsured, low-income Americans in the east, mid-Atlantic and Pacific are receiving more treatment through the Medicaid expansion, while those in the south and central US are not.” An embedded infographic depicts the report’s findings.

Related Links:

— “These states leave the most mentally ill adults untreated. Guess what else they have in common.,” Ana Swanson, Washington Post, April 14, 2015.

HIT Consultant (4/13) reports that despite physicians’ increased use of information technology, “more than two-thirds (70 percent) of them believe that health IT has decreased the amount of time they spend with patients, according to a new survey by Accenture.” Additionally, while “EMR adoption rates have reached record highs,” the survey “found fewer physicians believe that EMRs has improved treatment decisions (46 percent in 2015 vs. 62 percent in 2012), reduced medical errors (64 vs. 72 percent) and improved health outcomes for patients (46 vs. 58 percent).”

Related Links:

— “#HIMSS15: 70% of Physicians Believe Health IT Decreased Patient Engagement,” Jasmine Pennic, HIT Consultant, April 13, 2015.

The Wall Street Journal (4/14, Landro, Subscription Publication) reports in “The Informed Patient” that US hospitals are paying more attention to the psychological cost faced by families with children struggling with serious or life-threatening illnesses. Some hospitals are now using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool to help screen families after a child receives a diagnosis. The score allows medical professionals to assess if a family needs outside assistance for problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression or could otherwise benefit from counseling to help them deal with a stressful situation.

Related Links:

— “Hospitals Help Families Cope: The Psychological Toll of a Child’s Illness,” Laura Landro, Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2015.