Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Mar 2021
ReviewEvidence-Based Strategies for Clinical Organizations to Address COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.
The success of vaccination programs is contingent upon irrefutable scientific safety data combined with high rates of public acceptance and population coverage. Vaccine hesitancy, characterized by lack of confidence in vaccination and/or complacency about vaccination that may lead to delay or refusal of vaccination despite the availability of services, threatens to undermine the success of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. The rapid pace of vaccine development, misinformation in popular and social media, the polarized sociopolitical environment, and the inherent complexities of large-scale vaccination efforts may undermine vaccination confidence and increase complacency about COVID-19 vaccination. ⋯ Recent survey research evaluating public attitudes in the United States toward the COVID-19 vaccine reveals substantial vaccine hesitancy. Building upon efforts at the policy and community level to ensure population access to COVID-19 vaccination, a strong health care system response is critical to address vaccine hesitancy. Drawing on the evidence base in social, behavioral, communication, and implementation science, we review, summarize, and encourage use of interpersonal, individual-level, and organizational interventions within clinical organizations to address this critical gap and improve population adoption of COVID-19 vaccination.
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Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare cancer, with approximately 2000 new cases in the United States and 35,000 globally every year. Multiple risk factors are involved in PSCC, but most importantly, the high-risk human papillomavirus infection is thought to be present in approximately 50% of cases. Penile squamous cell carcinoma presents as localized or locally advanced disease. ⋯ These patients have dismal outcomes with salvage chemotherapy, highlighting the major unmet need to expand our knowledge of the disease's biology and develop clinical trials that use novel systemic agents. This narrative review synthesizes relevant publications retrieved from PubMed. Our aim is to discuss current approaches in the management of PSCC, summarize ongoing efforts to improve care, and identify future areas for enhancing our understanding of the disease.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Mar 2021
Observational StudyLong-Term Risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events in Atrial Fibrillation Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants.
To determine the association between direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use and risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). ⋯ DOACs are associated with a lower risk of MACE in patients with AF independently from dosage.
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Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte abnormality with potentially life-threatening consequences. Despite various guidelines, no universally accepted consensus exists on best practices for hyperkalemia monitoring, with variations in precise potassium (K+) concentration thresholds or for the management of acute or chronic hyperkalemia. Based on the available evidence, this review identifies several critical issues and unmet needs with regard to the management of hyperkalemia. ⋯ Enhancing the knowledge of primary care physicians and internists with respect to the safety profiles of these newer K+ binders may increase confidence in managing patients with hyperkalemia. Lastly, the availability of newer K+-binding agents requires further study to establish whether stringent dietary K+ restrictions are needed in patients receiving K+-binder therapy. Individualized monitoring of serum K+ among patients with an increased risk of hyperkalemia and the use of newer K+-binding agents may allow for optimization of RAASi therapy and more effective management of hyperkalemia.