Practical Summaries in Acute Care Archives – August 1, 2005
August 1, 2005
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Rethinking Antibiotic Therapy for Mild-to-Moderate CAP
By Jacob Ufberg, MD Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Residency Program Director, Department of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Dr. Ufberg discloses that he is a researcher for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. Source: Mills GD, et al. Effectiveness of beta-lactam antibiotics compared with antibiotics active against atypical pathogens in non-severe community acquired pneumonia: meta-analysis. BMJ 2005;330:456-460.Biphasic Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is one disease entity that has the respect of any emergency physician who has encountered it; multisystem effects and rapid progression make it a true emergency that requires quick diagnosis and treatment.Special Feature: Injectable Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin and Beyond
By Richard A. Harrigan, MD, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA Introduction The pharmacologic armamentarium for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) is expanding rapidly. Oral antidiabetic agents, which include five classes of drugs, recently have been reviewed elsewhere.1 Parenteral therapy for DM, which includes a variety of insulins and insulin analogues, as well as two new injectable non-insulin agents, also is growing. The emergency physician must be knowledgeable of the various drugs, their onsets and durations of action, as well as their adverse effect and toxicity profiles. The following is a pharmacology update on parenteral agents for the treatment of DM.ECG Review
By Ken Grauer, MD, Professor and Associate Director, Family Practice Residency Program, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville. Dr. Grauer is the sole proprieter of KG/EKG Press.CT vs Plain Film Radiography for Cervical Trauma
The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of plain film radiography and computed tomography (CT) for the detection of cervical injuries in blunt trauma patients. The authors conducted a MEDLINE review of all relevant studies published between 1995 and 2004.