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Dronedarone is a new antiarrhythmic drug with structural similarities to amiodarone. During development of the molecule, the steps included removal of the iodine atoms and making the compound more lipophilic; the latter produces a shorter elimination half-life and reduced tissue accumulation.
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In this study of physician use of clinical information technology in relation to 4 common diagnoses in 41 urban hospitals in Texas, inpatient outcomes were better the more extensive the use of computerized order entry, test results, physician charting, and decision support. Increased use of IT was also associated with significantly lower costs for all hospital admissions.
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Whether oral vitamin K reduces the risk of bleeding related to excessive anticoagulation from warfarin remains unclear.
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Since the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is increased when clopidogrel is added to aspirin therapy in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), many prescribe proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce this risk. However, mechanistic studies suggest that PPIs may reduce the effectiveness of clopidogrel.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent infection with carbapenem-resistant Wnterobacteri-aceae (CRE) in general and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) in particular include the following recommendations:
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Findings from the first in-depth study of patient sharing show that hospitals share large numbers of patients with other acute care facilities without knowing it. The findings do not bode well for containing emerging organisms like carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae because they suggest that once a pathogen enters a region, it may soon be shared among many area hospitals.
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Epidemiologists and computer scientists at the University of Iowa have collaborated to create a wireless electronic badge that monitors hand hygiene compliance. The study was unveiled recently in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
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A rigorous environmental cleaning intervention can reduce the transmission of methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and other multidrug-resistant organisms in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), according to research presented recently in San Diego at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).
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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is allocating $10 million to beef up infection prevention surveys in ambulatory settings, according to recent Congressional hearings.
