JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly prescribed, but little is known about the physicians who prescribe and the patients who take these agents. ⋯ Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly prescribed for the treatment of ARTIs, especially by internists and physicians in the Northeast and South. These high rates of prescribing, wide variations in practice patterns, and the strong association of nonclinical factors with antibiotic choice suggest opportunities to improve prescribing patterns.
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Comparative Study
Contamination rates of blood cultures obtained by dedicated phlebotomy vs intravenous catheter.
Blood culture is the criterion standard for identifying children with bacteremia. However, elevated false-positive rates are common and are associated with substantial health care costs. ⋯ Blood culture contamination rates were lower when specimens were drawn from a separate site compared with when they were drawn through a newly inserted intravenous catheter.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Acetylcysteine for prevention of acute deterioration of renal function following elective coronary angiography and intervention: a randomized controlled trial.
The antioxidant acetylcysteine prevents acute contrast nephrotoxicity in patients with impaired renal function who undergo computed tomography scanning. However, its role in coronary angiography is unclear. ⋯ Acetylcysteine protects patients with moderate chronic renal insufficiency from contrast-induced deterioration in renal function after coronary angiographic procedures, with minimal adverse effects and at a low cost.