The American journal of the medical sciences
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Hyperkalemia (HK) may be associated with poor clinical outcomes among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HK and evaluate the associations between HK and in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay (LOS), and hospitalization cost among COVID-19 inpatients. ⋯ Presence of HK was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality, LOS, and cost of care among COVID-19 inpatients. Detecting and closely monitoring HK are recommended to improve clinical outcomes and reduce LOS and healthcare cost among COVID-19 patients.
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A community-based, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program for uninsured/underinsured individuals was successfully implemented in El Paso, Texas to increase CRC screening rates. Our aim was to determine the colorectal neoplasia prevalence among program participants and between screening groups. ⋯ This community-based CRC screening program in an enriched cohort of predominantly Mexican Americans was effective in identifying colorectal neoplasia and cancer. Additionally, there was an increased prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in average-risk, FIT-positive patients undergoing screening colonoscopy compared with above average-risk patients with a family history of CRC. Similar screening programs would likely benefit at-risk populations.
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Interpretation of human body temperature in patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is challenging. Clinicians currently use definitions of 'normal' temperature derived from healthy patients over a century ago and apply these definitions to patients on continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). There is a significant opportunity to refine temperature definitions to apply to the increasing population of critically ill patients on CRRT. ⋯ There are significant body temperature changes in critically ill patients on CRRT with cooling at the time of CRRT initiation and warming at the time of CRRT cessation.