Hospital practice (1995)
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialIncreasing patient knowledge on the proper usage of a PCA machine with the use of a post-operative instructional card.
The purpose of this study was to see if an instructional card, attached to the PCA machine following total hip arthroplasty describing proper use of the device, would positively affect subjects' understanding of device usage, pain scores, pain medication consumption and satisfaction. ⋯ The findings from this study strongly support that postoperative patient information on proper PCA use by means of an instructional card improves pain control and hence the overall recovery for patients undergoing surgery. In addition, through improved understanding it adds an important safety feature in that patients and potentially their family members and/or friends may refrain from PCA-by-proxy. This article demonstrates that the simple intervention of adding an instructional card to a PCA machine is an effective method to improve patients' knowledge as well as pain control and potentially increase the safety of the device use.
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2016
Predictors of recurrent hypoglycemia following a severe hypoglycemic event among hospitalized patients.
Severe hypoglycemia is associated with poor hospital outcomes, but variables contributing to the adequacy of treatment have not been described. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of recurrent hypoglycemia among hospitalized patients with a severe hypoglycemic event. ⋯ Recurrent hypoglycemia following severe hypoglycemia is common in the hospital, suggesting the need for enhanced monitoring in such patients. Further research is needed to identify methods to reduce the incidence of recurrent hypoglycemia.
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2016
Case ReportsHemorrhagic bullous dermatosis: a rare heparin-induced cutaneous manifestation.
Heparin is one of the most widely prescribed medications. Cutaneous reactions distant to the injection site are rare and under-reported in the literature. We present an elderly man with history of CNS lymphoma who underwent treatment of a deep venous thrombosis with enoxaparin and subsequently developed well demarcated bullous lesions within days of heparin initiation. ⋯ Elderly age appears to be one potential risk factor for development of these rare asymptomatic lesions. Malignancy may have some contributing factor and differentiation between this rare cutaneous manifestation from heparin products and other dermatological findings in patients with malignancy is key. Because of the asymptomatic and self-limiting nature of hemorrhagic bullous dermatoses in the setting of heparin product use, we presume that the reported incidence does not reflect true clinical practice.
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2016
Assessment of the appropriateness of naloxone administration to patients receiving long-term opioid therapy.
The most dangerous adverse effect of opioids is respiratory depression. Naloxone is used to reverse this, although in patients receiving long-term opioid therapy it can cause acute opioid withdrawal and opioid-refractory pain. ⋯ No patient receiving long-term opioid therapy who was administered naloxone had evidence of respiratory depression. More thorough assessment and documentation are needed. Verbal and physical stimulation as well as oxygenation should be considered prior to naloxone administration; this should be followed by close observation, hydration, renal function tests and opioid dose review.
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Hospital practice (1995) · Jan 2015
Multicenter StudyCeftaroline fosamil for the treatment of hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia.
Ceftaroline fosamil is a novel cephalosporin with bactericidal activity against common pathogens associated with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Ceftaroline is inactive against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing or AmpC-overexpressing Enterobacteriaceae and has limited activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CAPTURE is a multicenter, retrospective study designed to collect information on contemporary clinical use of ceftaroline fosamil in the USA. Data on off-label use of ceftaroline fosamil for the treatment of patients with HAP/VAP between September 2013 and March 2014 are presented. ⋯ The CAPTURE study data support further evaluation of ceftaroline fosamil as an effective treatment option for HAP and VAP when a ceftaroline susceptible etiologic pathogen is identified, including MRSA, or as a concurrent therapy when resistant Gram-negative pathogens are suspected.