Missouri medicine
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Patients with advanced heart and lung disease experience exacerbations resulting in hospitalizations and interventions the patient may not desire. Strategies are needed that address end of life issues, honor preferences, and improve care without increasing cost. This study examines the impact on hospitalization and care cost of an integrated system of end of life care and interdisciplinary home care for mid-Missouri veterans with advanced congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are an emerging problem in both children and adults throughout the United States. Skin and soft tissue infections are most common, however serious invasive disease can occur and may involve any anatomic site. The initial empiric therapy of suspected S. aureus infections will be influenced by the regional antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for the organism as well as the severity of the infection being treated. This article will review the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment considerations for MRSA infections in children.
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Comparative Study
A decade of humanitarian aid and medical knowledge exchange between Missouri and European Georgia physicians.
Missouri physicians have shared humanitarian aid and exchanged medical knowledge for the past decade with European Georgia physicians. Donations have been made of medications, medical publications, used equipment and supplies as well as organizational knowledge exchange with sister medical organizations, sister medical schools and sister cities. The medical specialty exchanges include family medicine, neonatology, pediatrics, diabetology, endocrinology, ophthalmology, obstetrics, gynecology, anesthesiology and surgery.
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Dog bites are the second most costly public health problem in the United States with half of all Americans being bitten in their lifetime. Approximately 17 to 18 percent of dog bite injuries receive medical attention. ⋯ Median hospital charges for emergency department services and hospitalizations were $300 per visit and $4,698 per admission. We discuss deficiencies in the reporting of animal bites as well as recommended community efforts in reducing the burden of dog bite trauma.