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The risk of adverse outcomes in bacterial meningitis can be estimated upon initial patient presentation using six clinical features.
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Although the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections from arterial catheters is low, arterial catheters have similar colonization rates and catheter-related bloodstream infections as concurrently sited and identically managed central venous catheters.
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Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (formerly known as Pseudomonas maltophilia, Xanthomonas maltophilia) is a motile, gram-negative bacillus that is widely distributed in nature, particularly in water and soil. It rarely causes disease in healthy hosts, but it can be a particularly troublesome pathogen in highly compromised, hospitalized patients.
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A physicians' survey in Connecticut indicates that a patient's socioeconomic status (SES) affected their clinical management decisions.
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Left main coronary artery stenosis is one of the primary indications for coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Recently, a number of non-randomized studies and registries have suggested that stenting, using current techniques and devices, may be a feasible alternative to CABG.
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This single-center, prospective, observational study finds that the utility of a routine daily chest x-ray (CXR) for an ICU patient is quite limited. A change in practice to ordering CXR only when clinically indicated did not adversely impact patient outcome, but reduced CXR volume and overall costs.
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Using a simple clinical screening tool, patients considered at high risk for death in this closed medical ICU received a basic palliative care consultation. Those with unmet needs received a full consultation with ongoing intervention from the palliative care team. This process shortened ICU length of stay without affecting mortality rates or discharge disposition.
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Two recent studies suggest that rapid TIA evaluation and treatment can reduce stroke risk.
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Schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis were highly prevalent in two cohorts of African refugees resettled to the United States; presumptive treatment for parasitic diseases in such groups should include coverage for these parasitoses.
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Of 2761 patients with endocarditis enrolled in a prospective, multinational cohort study, 49 patients with non-HACEK gram-negative endocarditis were identified. E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most common pathogens, and 57% were considered to be health care associated. Fifty-nine percent of cases were associated with prosthetic valves. The mortality rate was high (24%) despite cardiac surgery being performed in 51% of cases.
