Update

MALPRACTICE

Most medical injury claims are DOAs

CARS

New safety equipment to become standard

All new passenger cars sold in the US must have electronic stability control (ESC) as standard equipment beginning with the 2012 model year, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ESC uses an automatic computerized braking system to prevent drivers from losing control of their cars on slippery roads or in emergency maneuvers. It's expected to add about $100 to the cost of a new vehicle.

RESIDENCY

The med school match game

PATIENT CARE

Checklists your patients can follow

The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has put together checklists designed to give men and women a planning tool for managing their own health. The gender-specific checklists, available in English and Spanish, explain the tests patients need to have done to screen for disorders ranging from high blood pressure to colorectal cancer. The pocket-sized brochures also include a chart for patients to record the results of their tests and help plan follow-up appointments. Tips on how to stay healthy, such as following the proper diet and exercising, are also included. You can download the brochures at the agency's website at http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthymen.htm or http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthywom.htm