Hospital Medicine Alert – April 1, 2013
April 1, 2013
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Zolpidem Use Increases Fall Risk for Inpatients
Zolpidem, a commonly utilized agent for sleep disturbance, is associated with increased fall risk in hospitalized, non-pregnant, non-critically ill patients. Its use for a given patient and its appropriateness within standard order sets should be carefully considered. -
Risk of Bleeding with Warfarin Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation
This paper details the result of a population-based cohort study of all Ontario, Canada, residents older than 66 years of age who began warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation over an 11-year period. Patients were identified by the authors from data in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. -
Physicians’ Own Beliefs on Goals of Care Influence Presentation of Comfort Care Option to Patient Surrogates
During family discussions, physicians who believe more strongly that life support should be withdrawn are more likely to present the option of comfort care and describe its benefits. -
Parenteral Iron for Cancer-Associated Anemia
In an observational study conducted in Germany of more than 600 anemic cancer patients receiving parenteral iron (ferric carboxymaltose), hemoglobin levels were shown to rise significantly. The iron treatment was well tolerated. Randomized interventional studies are warranted to demonstrate efficacy in terms of physical function and quality of life and safety in this population. -
Stroke Alert: A Review of Current Clinical Stroke Literature
Special Report from the International Stroke Conference: Current Endovascular Interventions for Acute Ischemic Stroke Do Not Result in Better Clinical Outcomes than Intravenous Thrombolysis -
Pharmacology Watch: Is This the End of the Road for Calcium Supplementation?
Calcium supplementation in women; type 2 diabetes treatments and pancreatitis risk; treating chronic idiopathic urticaria; rivaroxaban and VTE; and FDA actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement