Hospital Medicine Alert – February 1, 2008
February 1, 2008
View Issues
Why Are We Giving Our Patients Blood?
This retrospective analysis of data on patients with acute lung injury shows that transfusion of red blood cells in such patients is associated with increased in-hospital mortality, and that the risk is highest with transfusion of non-leukoreduced blood and transfusion following the onset of acute lung injury.Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome
RCVS occurs in a variety of clinical settings, and should be considered and investigated in any person with sudden severe headache that is unexplained by other disorders.Steroids for COPD Exacerbations: Oral or IV?
This study of oral versus intravenous prednisolone in patients hospitalized with exacerbations of COPD showed no differences in any outcome variable between the two forms of administration.Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors in Nursing Facility Patients
Many nursing home patients are admitted with prescriptions for proton pump inhibitors or H2-receptor antagonists without any obvious indication.Should We Be Using Oral Decontamination with Ventilated Patients?
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that oral decontamination with antiseptic preparations decreases the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia but has no effect on mortality, duration of mechanical ventilation or length of stay in the ICU.