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Prolonged Empiric Antibiotic Therapy (PEAT) in Adult Intensive Care Units

Nine hundred ninety-eight patients admitted to 67 adult ICUs in 32 hospitals in the United States over a 24-hour period in 2011 were studied. Prolonged empiric antibiotic therapy was defined as continuing empiric antibiotics beyond 72 hours in patients in the absence of adjudicated infection as defined by CDC criteria. Three hundred thirty-three of 660 (50%) antibiotics were continued for at least 72 hours in patients who did not meet the CDC case definition of infection. Suspected pneumonia was the most common diagnosis in patients receiving PEAT. ICUs using invasive techniques to diagnose ventilator-associated pneumonia had lower rates of PEAT.

Longer Course Therapy for Lyme Disease Is Not Beneficial

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial from the Netherlands found that longer-term antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease did not improve health-related quality of life compared to a standard course of treatment.

Alexander Technique, Acupuncture, or Routine Care for Chronic Neck Pain

Alexander Technique lessons or acupuncture sessions for people with chronic neck pain led to greater decreases in neck pain and disability and a more significant increase in self-efficacy than normal care at 12 months.

Individualized Homeopathy for Moderate to Severe Depression in Menopausal Women

A higher risk of depressive symptoms has been observed in the menopausal transition period. Antidepressant medications are often recommended; however, many meta-analyses have only shown modest benefit of such medications over placebo. This study compares individual homeopathic treatment vs. placebo and the antidepressant medication fluoxetine vs. placebo for the treatment of moderate to severe depression in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Fitness and Cognition in the Elderly

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: Peak levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are positively correlated with enhanced cognitive function among older adults.

Low Back Pain Best Prevented with Exercise and Education

In a meta-analysis of studies on preventing low back pain, researchers found a combination of exercise and education were the most likely interventions to prevent recurrence of this potentially debilitating condition.

Hospital is liable for $1.5 million for surgeon’s failure to inspect surgery site

In 2011, a 51-year-old woman went to a hospital for a hysterectomy. An obstetrician who works at the hospital operated.

Paperwork error leaves hospital without insurance and forced to defend malpractice suit on its own

In 2008, a woman went to a hospital seeking treatment for weight and size reduction. A physician recommended a form of mesotherapy, which is a non-surgical technique to dissolve fat tissues through injections.

Tenet to pay $238 million for false claims

Tenet Healthcare in Dallas has agreed to pay $238 million to resolve a False Claims Act lawsuit involving alleged kickbacks for maternity referrals by four of its hospitals.

Are Nighttime Extubations in the ICU Safe?

Compared to daytime extubations, ICU patients who undergo planned extubation at night do not experience higher likelihood of reintubation, increased length of stay, or increased mortality.