Hospital Medicine Alert – September 1, 2008
September 1, 2008
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How Much Do Surrogate Decision Makers Understand About Their Loved Ones' Care?
Surrogate decision makers rated communication as good but could not answer questions about resuscitation status or the care their family member was receiving. -
For the Record...
As of early 2008, a minority (about 17%) of physicians have a basic or extensive electronic health record (EHR) system. Those who use electronic health records believe they improve the quality of care, and tend to be primary physicians, those practicing in large groups, hospitals, or medical centers, and those located in the western region of the United States. -
Should Patients with COPD Exacerbations Receive Beta Blockers?
The findings of this retrospective study of 825 patients hospitalized with COPD exacerbations indicate that the use of beta blockers in such patients is not harmful and may actually be associated with reduced mortality. -
Femoral vs Jugular Venous Catheterization and Risk of Infection
In this study, 750 severely ill patients requiring initial hemodialysis were randomized to receive either jugular or femoral vein catheterization. Jugular catheterization significantly increased the incidence of catheter colonization in patients with body mass index (BMI) < 24.2, whereas jugular catheterization decreased the incidence in patients with BMI > 28.4. Across all BMI strata, there was no significant difference in catheter-related blood stream infections in patients who underwent femoral vs jugular catheterization. -
Rate vs Rhythm Control in Heart Failure Patients
The atrial fibrillation and congestive heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial was designed to test the hypothesis that a treatment strategy that involved rhythm control would be superior to rate control in patients with heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.