July 30, 2009 |  0
In this non-randomized trial of patients with acute biliary pancreatitis (without cholangitis), patients received either ERCP (within 72 hours) or conservative treatment (at the discretion of the treating physician). Patient characteristics were similar between the groups, and about half received ERCP. The patients were compared in groups by whether or not they had cholestasis (bili>2.3 […]
July 30, 2009 |  0
In this large observational study of 2106 patients >65 years admitted for syncope, researchers evaluated the frequency, yield, and cost of common diagnostic tests. The most commonly performed tests included EKG (99%), telemetry (95%) and cardiac enzymes (95%). All of the following tests affected diagnosis, management, or determined etiology in <5% of cases: Echo, cardiac […]
July 30, 2009 |  0
In this large prospective cohort of 4776patients who underwent bariatric surgery, 30-day adverse outcomes (death, thromboembolism, reintervention, or continued hospitalization) occurred in 4% (30-day death was only 0.3%). Higher risk was associated with prior thromboembolism, sleep apnea, higher BMI, and impaired functional status. Overall, adverse outcomes are uncommon in most bariatric surgery patients. (abstract)
July 30, 2009 |  0
The ACIP recommendations for who should get priority to receive the novel H1N1 vaccination includes 50% of the US population: Young persons age 6mo – 24 years, household contacts of those <6 mo, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and adults age 25-64 with underlying risk conditions (such as immunosuppression or other chronic diseases such as diabetes / chronic lung disease) […]
July 30, 2009 |  0
The ACIP recommendations for who should receive this year’s seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine includes 85% of the US population: Children age 6mo-18 years (and household contacts of children <6 months), all adults >50 years, and all patients at risk of medical complications of influenza (including their care takers or house hold contacts) (website)
July 29, 2009 |  2
John Nelson writes… In my work with practices around the country, I’m struck by the wide variation in how each practice defines what constitutes full-time work.  This is a pretty big deal for reasons that are obvious and not so obvious. Say you’re in a practice that defines full-time as 181 shifts annually.  The practice […]