Mayo Clinic proceedings
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Feb 2004
Case ReportsGlomus tumor of the trachea: value of multidetector computed tomographic virtual bronchoscopy.
Glomus tumor of the trachea is extremely rare. We report a case of tracheal glomus tumor in a 39-year-old man who presented with hemoptysis. The diagnosis was made after bronchoscopic biopsy of a tumor involving the posterior wall of the upper trachea. ⋯ Tracheal sleeve resection with reconstruction was successful, and pathological studies confirmed complete resection and the diagnosis of glomus tumor. The patient was disease-free 3 months postoperatively. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in which additional computed postprocessing was used to help evaluate the extent of such a tumor.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Jan 2004
ReviewHand hygiene: a frequently missed lifesaving opportunity during patient care.
Health care-associated infections constitute one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Despite compelling evidence that proper hand washing can reduce the transmission of pathogens to patients and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, the adherence of health care workers to recommended hand-hygiene practices has remained unacceptably low. One of the key elements in improving hand-hygiene practice is the use of an alcohol-based hand rub instead of washing with soap and water. ⋯ Therefore, alcohol-based hand rubs should replace hand washing as the standard for hand hygiene in health care settings in all situations in which the hands are not visibly soiled. It is also important to change gloves between each patient contact and to use hand-hygiene procedures after glove removal. Reducing health care-associated infections requires that health care workers take responsibility for ensuring that hand hygiene becomes an everyday part of patient care.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Jan 2004
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus testing in patients with hepatitis B and C infection.
To determine the proportion of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) who are adequately assessed for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and to identify variables associated with absence of HIV testing. ⋯ Although HBV and HCV have clear epidemiological links with HIV, this study shows that a high percentage of these patients are not being tested. Although some of the factors associated with lack of testing were identified, further studies on the barriers to HIV testing are needed to reveal potential approaches to increase rates of HIV testing in this high-risk population.
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Mayo Clinic proceedings · Dec 2003
Editorial CommentHow sweet is euglycemia in critically ill patients?