At the end and/or beginning of each year there is the ever present “Year in Review” or “Top Ten Whatever for 2011!” There are even a few of these for medicine. I found a couple but I accept no responsibility for their accuracy.

  • “Top 10 Outdated Medical Treatments”: I think I heard one of the PAs in the ED tell me they have a repeat patient that is still using the cocaine toothpaste.
  • “Top 10 Medical Research Trends to Watch in 2011”: It was a prospective optimistic view for 2011. There is a novel idea there about “meaningful use” for medical records actually having something to do with medical care and not just for billing purposes.
  • “Top Alternative Medicine News”; The article on coconut water helping to cure a hangover could have been of particular importance coming off that New Year celebration.
  • “Best Genital Warts Treatment 2011”: As I said, there is a top ten list for everything.
  • “Healthy Top 10”: A top ten list of top ten lists supposed to keep you healthy. I am now pretty sure I should die tomorrow.
  • “Top 10 Medical Tourism Destinations”: I have never really understood the term medical tourism. Do you get to see the sights before or after your heart surgery?

So, what the heck. I may as well throw in my list. Here are my “Top Ten Medical Care Stories for 2011.”

10. A 52-year-old male has chest pain and in less than 30 minutes after entering the ED he is in the cath lab.

9. A 9-year-old boy breaks his left arm this year, and with the fracture reduced and the cast applied, his parents are reassured—again.

8. After working in another patient to the schedule, the exam results in an emergent referral to stop the retinal detachment.

7. A 49-year-old female starts the New Year with a new outlook after an exam and mammogram found that early stage breast cancer, and her treatment has been successful.

6. The 67-year-old black male's hypertension is finally controlled.

5. An I&D of a perirectal abscess produces another friend for life.

4. With proper asthma care, scout camp is a possibility.

3. Aortic valve replacement and three-vessel bypass, and grandpa is looking good.

2. The rectal exam finds the tumor.

1. The baby born at 2359 hours on 12/31/11 is just as healthy as the one born at 0001 on 1/1/2012 due to prenatal exam and care.

You are right. No big medical break-through in this list. Just a small sample of the cases we see and treat on a regular basis. Routine medical care, if you will, but not to those who receive it. I'll bet I could use this list again next year.

Steve Wilson practices in cardiothoracic surgery at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, Maryland. This blog post expresses his personal views and does not express or represent the views or policies of AAPA.