The American journal of medicine
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Review Case Reports
Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in an immunocompromised patient: a case report and review.
Babesiosis is a tick- and transfusion-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites. In 2009, a 61-year-old Minnesota woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a history of recent chemotherapy and numerous blood transfusions for gastrointestinal bleeding became febrile and anemic 12 days postsplenectomy. Babesia were visualized on blood smears, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction as B. microti. ⋯ Babesia infection can be asymptomatic or cause mild to fulminant disease resulting in multiorgan failure or death. Patients with advanced age, asplenia, or other immune compromise are at risk for severe babesiosis and may require prolonged treatment to eradicate parasitemia. Incidence of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis has increased over the past decade.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Meta-analysis comparing Mediterranean to low-fat diets for modification of cardiovascular risk factors.
Evidence from individual trials comparing Mediterranean to low-fat diets to modify cardiovascular risk factors remains preliminary. ⋯ Mediterranean diets appear to be more effective than low-fat diets in inducing clinically relevant long-term changes in cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers.
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Poor physician handoff can be a major contributor to suboptimal care and medical errors occurring in the hospital. Physician handoffs for intensive care unit (ICU)-to-ward patient transfer may face more communication hurdles. However, few studies have focused on physician handoffs in patient transfers from the ICU to the inpatient ward. ⋯ The overall levels of satisfaction with communication during ICU-to-ward patient transfer were reasonably high among the stakeholders. However, clear opportunities to improve the quality of physician communication exist in several areas, with potential benefits to quality of care and patient safety.
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Despite improvements in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goal attainment remains poor. This study assessed providers' knowledge of, attitude toward, and practice regarding non-HDL-C. ⋯ Major gaps remain in providers' awareness regarding non-HDL-C definition, calculation, and goals. System-level interventions are needed across specialties to address these gaps.