May 28, 2009 |  0
An FDA working group has recommended changes to acetaminophen dosing, to reduce the risk of accidental liver injury. Some of these include reducing the recommended maximum dose to 650mg, reducing the maximum daily dose to 3250mg (and lower for those who drink 3 or more alcoholic beverages a day), as well as eliminating the use of combination […]
May 28, 2009 |  0
In this large registry of >2000 patients with candidemia, about half were due to albicans, and half due to non-albicans species. Overall 12 week mortality was 35%, with the highest death in those with candida krusei (53%)and the lowest death in those with candida papapsilosis (24%). This helps us define prognosis in patients with candidemia […]
May 27, 2009 |  0
In this international multi-center survey of ablation procedures for >32,000 patients with afib, the risk of death was 1/1000 (causes of death were tamponade, atria-esophageal fistula, stroke, and pneumonia). Given that this procedure is only indicated to improve quality of life, each patient will need to determine the risk-benefit ratio of this procedure, based on their […]
May 27, 2009 |  0
In this large multi-center randomized controlled trial, over 2500 patients with acute stroke were randomized to thigh -high graduated compression stockings (GCS) or usual care. There was no significant difference in the risk of DVT (10% in GCS and 10.5% in usual care), but skin issues (breaks, ulcers, blisters, and necrosis) was much more common […]
May 27, 2009 |  0
There is mounting evidence that PPI use is associated with higher risk for a number of infectious diseases (including clostridium difficile, SBP, and pneumonia). In this large prospective cohort, researchers examined the strength of association between PPIs and hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP), and found a 30% higher risk of HAP in those on PPIs than those […]
May 26, 2009 |  1
Rob Bessler writes… Most hospitalists focus on three main areas when they describe the value they bring. Quality, efficiency and satisfaction. In a consumer driven healthcare environment we all focus on measuring and improving the satisfaction of those we serve. At the center of course is the patient. The HCAHPS survey is a standardized set […]