JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
-
Biography Historical Article
Medicine on the Lewis and Clark Trail: exhibit explores expedition's medical adventures.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Efficacy of selected hand hygiene agents used to remove Bacillus atrophaeus (a surrogate of Bacillus anthracis) from contaminated hands.
The intentional use of Bacillus anthracis transmitted via the US mail in October-November 2001 resulted in 22 people developing inhalation or cutaneous anthrax. Glove use with handwashing prior to and after contact with potential contaminated environmental surfaces and cutaneous lesions has been recommended. However, only limited data are available on the susceptibility of B anthracis to antiseptics. ⋯ In this evaluation of hand hygiene agents, handwashing with soap and water, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, or chlorine-containing towels reduced the amount of B atrophaeus spore contamination, whereas use of a waterless rub containing ethyl alcohol was not effective in removing spores.
-
Screening for colorectal cancer clearly reduces colorectal cancer mortality, yet many eligible adults remain unscreened. Several screening tests are available, and various professional organizations have differing recommendations on which screening test to use. Clinicians are challenged to ensure that eligible patients undergo colorectal cancer screening and to guide patients in choosing what tests to receive. ⋯ The recommendation that all men and women aged 50 years or older undergo screening for colorectal cancer is supported by a large body of direct and indirect evidence. At present, the available evidence does not currently support choosing one test over another.