Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2022
Implementation of a Postpartum Note Reminder and Factors Associated with Postpartum Glucose Tolerance Screening.
Although reminder systems are used to increase provider adherence, we are not aware of any real-time reminder systems for provider adherence to postpartum glucose tolerance testing. We studied whether a reminder in the electronic medical records affects provider ordering of a postpartum glucose tolerance test. We also studied whether any demographic, medical history, prenatal, or delivery variables are associated with patient attendance to a postpartum visit and patient completion of the postpartum glucose tolerance test when ordered. ⋯ We recommend that hospital managers include a reminder system in the electronic medical record. Providers should focus counseling on the potential future risks to the mother, in addition to encouraging continued adherence to postpartum care. Providers also should counsel those who present later to prenatal care about the importance of obtaining postpartum glucose tolerance tests.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2022
Observational StudyAnalysis of the Effects of a Texas State-Wide Mask Mandate (Executive Order GA-29) on Case Load, Hospitalizations, and Mortality.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in unprecedented hospitalizations, ventilator use, and deaths. Because of concerns for resource utilization and surges in hospital capacity use, Texas Executive Order GA-29 required statewide mask wear beginning July 3, 2020. Our objective was to compare COVID-19 case load, hospital bed use, and deaths before and after implementation of this mask order. ⋯ In both adjusted and unadjusted analyses, we were unable to detect a reduction in case load, hospitalization rates, or mortality associated with the implementation of an executive order requiring a statewide mask order. These results suggest that during a period of rapid virus spread, additional public health measures may be necessary to mitigate transmission at the population level.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2022
ReviewNeurocognitive Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Patients: A Clinical Review.
Abstract: COVID-19 has affected many people all around the world for more than two years now have suffered many long-term consequences which is commonly referred to as long-haulers. Despite multiorgan complaints in long haulers, symptoms related to cognitive functions commonly referred as brain fog are seen in the high risk covid patients with age more than 50, women more than men, obesity, asthma and those who experienced more than five symptoms during the first week of covid illness. Long term isolation has certainly contributed to high level of anxiety and stress calling for an empathetic response to this group of covid patients as there is no specific test to detect long haulers and no specific cognitive rehabilitation techniques available as of today.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2022
Propensity Score Matching to Determine the Impact of Metformin on All-Cause Mortality in Older Veterans with Diabetes Mellitus.
To determine whether metformin is associated with reduced all-cause mortality in older adults with diabetes mellitus as compared with insulin or sulfonylureas, and to evaluate whether the metformin cumulative exposure followed a dose-response relation. ⋯ This propensity matching study shows that metformin exposure is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. Higher metformin cumulative exposure seems to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in older veterans with diabetes mellitus.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2022
Characterization of Clinical Skills Remediation: A National Survey of Medical Schools.
Clinical skills instruction is a standard part of medical school curricula, but how institutions address learners who struggle in this area is less clear. Although recommendations for the remediation of clinical skills at an institutional level have been published, how these recommendations are being implemented on a national scale is unknown. In this descriptive study, we characterize current clinical skills remediation practices at US medical schools and US-accredited Caribbean medical schools. ⋯ Although most institutions are able to identify struggling students, they lack a standardized approach to intervene. Remediation effectiveness is limited by a lack of student buy-in and institutional time, expertise, and resources. These findings highlight the need for more formalized structure and standardization in remediation program design and implementation.