JAMA internal medicine
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JAMA internal medicine · May 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyA targeted infection prevention intervention in nursing home residents with indwelling devices: a randomized clinical trial.
Indwelling devices (eg, urinary catheters and feeding tubes) are often used in nursing homes (NHs). Inadequate care of residents with these devices contributes to high rates of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) and device-related infections in NHs. ⋯ Our multimodal TIP intervention reduced the overall MDRO prevalence density, new methicillin-resistant S aureus acquisitions, and clinically defined catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in high-risk NH residents with indwelling devices. Further studies are needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this approach as well as its effects on the reduction of MDRO transmission to other residents, on the environment, and on referring hospitals.
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JAMA internal medicine · May 2015
Influence of institutional culture and policies on do-not-resuscitate decision making at the end of life.
Controversy exists regarding whether the decision to pursue a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order should be grounded in an ethic of patient autonomy or in the obligation to act in the patient's best interest (beneficence). ⋯ Institutional cultures and policies might influence how physician trainees develop their professional attitudes toward autonomy and their willingness to make recommendations regarding the decision to implement a DNR order. A singular focus on autonomy might inadvertently undermine patient care by depriving patients and surrogates of the professional guidance needed to make critical end of life decisions.
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JAMA internal medicine · May 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPrimary Results of the Patient-Centered Disease Management (PCDM) for Heart Failure Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Heart failure (HF) has a major effect on patients' health status, including their symptom burden, functional status, and health-related quality of life. ⋯ This multisite randomized trial of a multifaceted HF PCDM intervention did not demonstrate improved patient health status compared with usual care.
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JAMA internal medicine · May 2015
ReviewEffect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Incorporating Individual Patient Data.
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with elevated blood pressure (BP) and future cardiovascular events. Whether vitamin D supplementation reduces BP and which patient characteristics predict a response remain unclear. ⋯ Vitamin D supplementation is ineffective as an agent for lowering BP and thus should not be used as an antihypertensive agent.