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Ventilator-associated pneumonia (vap) is nosocomial pneumonia occurring in a mechanically ventilated patient > 48 hours after intubation. It is categorized as early-onset (defined by most experts as 48-96 hours after intubation) and late-onset (> 2-96 hours after intubation): these differ with respect to responsible bacterial agents as well as outcomes. With an estimated incidence of 8-28% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients, or 13-35 cases per 1000 ventilator-days, VAP is common.
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This meta-analysis of clinical trials of steroids in septic shock demonstrates that whereas short-term, high-dose administration actually worsens survival, giving lower doses for a longer period hastens shock resolution and improves survival.
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Breast Cancer and the Use of Statins; Warnings Issued for IBS Drugs; FDA Actions
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Undiagnosed TB spurs hospital outbreak; Mupirocin strategy fails in nonsurgical patients.
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If an evil genius wanted to design a perfect breeding ground for antibiotic resistance, he or she could scarcely come up with something more diabolical than a little-known segment of the health care system called the long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs).
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Though somewhat reluctant to trumpet the findings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has unveiled the first study demonstrating the significant protective effect of individual pneumococcal vaccination on hospitalization among nursing home residents.
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The era of noscomial infection rates protected as privileged and confidential information rapidly is coming to a close, warned several attendees recently in Philadelphia at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). Driven by scathing media reports and consumer groups carrying the banner of patient safety, the demand for infection data has increased with such speed that epidemiologists already are looking at state laws as a foregone conclusion.
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