Hospital Medicine Alert – February 1, 2013
February 1, 2013
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Upon Further Review: Femoral Venous Catheters Do Not Increase Risk of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection
In a meta-analysis, investigators found that recent studies show no difference in the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections between internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral sites. Older studies had a lower risk for the internal jugular site compared to the femoral site. -
Risk of Angioedema with Drug Therapy
Angioedema is an infrequent, but serious, adverse event from drug therapy. Drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have been linked to angioedema, but the relative frequency of this complication with these drugs is poorly understood. -
Rapid Response Teams: Evidence of a Broader Impact that Influences Morale and Nursing Workload
Advantages of a rapid response team extended beyond a reduction in codes to impact multiple endpoints, including positive effects on nurse morale and empowerment, unit workload, and education. -
Threshold Vital Sign Abnormalities as Triggers for Rapid Response Activation
This study shows that as hospitals adopt electronic workflows, automatic triggering of a rapid response system based solely on changes in vital signs could place a tremendous burden on the system. -
Steroids for Bacterial Meningitis: Long-term Follow-up
Use of dexamethasone in community-acquired bacterial meningitis is associated with long-term survival in treated patients. -
ECG Review: The Coronaries Were Clean...
The ECG shown above was obtained from a 74-year-old woman who presented with abrupt onset of severe renal colic but no chest pain. Based on findings seen in her ECG, acute cardiac catheterization was performed. Her coronary arteries were normal on cath. -
Pharmacology Watch: FDA Approves Apixaban for Patients with Nonvalvular AF
Apixaban approval; new dental clinical practice guideline; apixaban for VTE; aspirin resistance; tamoxifen treatment; and FDA actions. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement