Articles Tagged With:
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Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Sputum Gram Stains Are Helpful After All!
Researchers analyzed the diagnostic accuracy and yield of sputum Gram stain (SGS) in community-acquired pneumonia across 24 studies of 4,533 adult patients in a meta-analysis. SGS was specific for the diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infection.
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Strep Testing — We Can Do Better
Testing for streptococcal pharyngitis in children younger than 3 years of age is rarely helpful and results in unnecessary costs. Quality improvement efforts can be effective in systematically reducing non-indicated testing.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States — Not a Happy Picture
Since achieving historic lows, the rates of many sexually transmitted infections has been increasing in the United States. The problem is highlighted by the continued emergence of antibiotic resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
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Temperature Trajectories to Find Sepsis Subphenotypes
The authors of this study used development and validation cohorts to retrospectively identify temperature trajectories over the first 72 hours from presentation in the setting of sepsis. Patients presenting with hyperthermia that resolved quickly (within the first 24 hours) had lower mortality compared to those with slow resolution or those presenting with hypothermia.
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Vasopressin Use in Septic Shock
Current management of septic shock includes early administration of intravenous fluids, antimicrobial agents, and vasopressor support. While norepinephrine is recommended as the first-line vasopressor for septic shock in the 2016 Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines, vasopressin is a second-line vasopressor option that may be added.
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A Review of Atrial Fibrillation and Current Therapeutic Strategies: Part 1
This two-part series presents a review of the current evidence on atrial fibrillation. The first part includes its definition, classification, risk factors, comorbidities, evaluation, and acute management of newly diagnosed patients. The second part will focus on long-term management, including risk factor modification, rate and rhythm control measures, stroke risk stratification, and anticoagulation management.
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Appellate Court Finds Expert’s Affidavit Sufficient Evidence of Triable Issue of Fact
A motion for summary judgment was inappropriate here because of the expert’s substantive affidavit. This expert provided more than a simple declaration stating that the expert was retained and would eventually opine; this expert, who was appropriately qualified, offered a specific opinion on issues of the standard of care, delays in diagnosing and treatment, and deviations of the standard of care.
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Court of Appeals: Plaintiffs Failed to Present Issue of Fact by Not Using Expert Testimony
This case reveals lessons in substance and legal procedure, as the defendant hospital and physicians successfully defeated the medical malpractice claim in multiple forums and prior to the need for a jury.
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Cyber Risks Will Continue to Grow in 2020
With cybersecurity, one of the biggest patient safety threats is ransomware. Ransomware attacks have become easier to launch, and attackers increasingly are targeting smaller healthcare organizations where cyberdefenses may be less sophisticated and employees less savvy about how to spot threats.
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When Will the Next Emerging Infection Hit?
While infection preventionists get caught up in day-to-day concerns of a multifaceted job, there is always the threat of an emerging infection one plane ride away from virtually anywhere on the globe.