Articles Tagged With:
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Pertussis: Concerning News from Mexico, Brazil, and China
Related to under-immunization of pregnant women and children, pertussis is spreading in several countries within the Americas. Macrolide resistance of Bordetella pertussis is now common in China.
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Meningococcal Conjunctivitis in Military Trainees
Forty-one cases of conjunctivitis due to Neisseria meningitidis occurred in vaccinated military trainees over several months at a Texas facility. Topical treatment alone was successful, and no cases developed invasive infection due to this unencapsulated strain.
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Computerized Order Entry Reduces Antibiotic Use in Low-Risk Patients Hospitalized with SSTIs
A cluster randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of an antibiotic stewardship bundle that included computerized provider order entry (CPOE) prompts vs. routine stewardship on antibiotic selection during the first three hospital days in noncritically ill adults hospitalized with skin and soft tissue infections. CPOE prompts significantly reduced use of extended-spectrum antibiotics without increasing admissions to intensive care units or hospital length of stay.
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Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection with an Allergy Nasal Spray
Use of the antihistamine azelastine nasal spray was effective in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in young, healthy, vaccinated outpatients.
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Epstein-Barr Virus and Pediatric Sepsis
A recent study of 320 children with sepsis suggests that previous Epstein-Barr virus infection is causally associated with immune dysregulation and fatal outcomes.
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Informed Consent Forms Omit Specifics on Overlapping Surgery
Many hospitals fail to disclose overlapping surgeries in consent forms, raising concerns about autonomy and transparency. Clearer communication, standardized disclosures, and consistent practices are recommended to build patient trust while maintaining efficiency and trainee involvement.
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Physicians Have Ethical Obligation to Provide Palliative Care: New Guidance
The American Medical Association affirms that physicians are ethically obligated to provide palliative care at any stage of illness and in all care settings. Barriers include training gaps, resource shortages, and cultural sensitivity issues, requiring expanded education and systemwide integration.
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Ethical Approaches to Obtain Surrogate’s Research Consent for Critically Ill Patient
Best practices for surrogate consent in critical care research include minimizing coercion, giving surrogates time and space, and ensuring decisions reflect patient values. Strategies to address family disagreements and confirming patient autonomy also are important.
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Early Goals of Care Conversations Ensure Ethical Care in the ED
Integrating goals of care discussions and palliative consults early in the emergency department improves patient-centered outcomes, reduces unnecessary intensive interventions, and lowers costs. Early engagement aligns treatment with patient wishes and helps avoid ethical conflicts.
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Clinicians May Not Be Following Hospital Policies on Withdrawing/Withholding Life-Sustaining Treatments
Although most hospitals have policies on limiting life-sustaining treatment, many clinicians misunderstand, overlook, or inconsistently apply them. Greater education, ethics consultation, and standardized procedures are needed to ensure fairness, safeguard autonomy, and guide appropriate medical care.