Harefuah
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Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAPI is a common complication leading to lengthier hospitalizations and higher mortality. Prompt adequate initial antibiotic coverage is the crucial issue affecting survival. Currently, there is no gold standard diagnostic test. No conclusive data regarding the benefit of bronchoscopy exists in the literature reviewed. ⋯ Our findings demonstrate that performing y a diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL does not improve the prognosis of patients with VAP. Furthermore, expanded prospective studies will be needed to conclude regarding its benefit in diagnosis and subsequent rectifying of therapy.
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The last decades have seen a marked increase in the number of immunocompromised patients. These patients are at higher risk for severe outcomes from infections, many of which are vaccine-preventable diseases. However, such complex cases raise several important issues of concern: 1. ⋯ Do clinicians have sufficient or updated information concerning the safety, efficacy and contraindications to vaccination of such at-risk patients? 6. Which vaccines can be safely administered to immunocompromised travelers to tropical destinations? The answers to those questions are multifaceted, and data on safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of vaccines for immunocompromised populations are limited. This article summarizes the current recommendations for immunizations in immunocompromised patients, indications and potential adverse effects.
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Primary headaches are one of the most common disorders of childhood, with migraine and tension type headaches (TTHs) being the most frequent ones. In spite of their prevalence, there is paucity of knowledge regarding the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that cause headaches and regarding the unique aspects of headaches in children and adolescents. ⋯ Most of our current knowledge regarding primary headaches in children and adolescents is driven from extrapolations from studies that were conducted with adult patients. Therefore, it needs to be validated for the different age groups. Migraines may be diagnosed effectively based on the 2nd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II), however, TTH is diagnosed mainly by the absence of features found in other headache types. Treatment strategies for primary headaches vary according to patient's age, family structure, culture and beliefs, headache diagnosis, and based on the disability the headache imposes on the patient's daily living. It was shown that a multidisciplinary approach, that includes continuing counseling, education, and reassurance, in combination with pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, is an effective strategy for children and adolescents suffering from primary headaches. Further studies are needed to enrich our knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause headaches in children and adolescents and to develop efficient strategies to alleviate their burden.
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The treatment of burn patients plays a major role in the health system, requiring numerous resources and extensively long hospitalizations. The treatment involves Intensive Care Units and the entire medical and para-medical staff. Currently, Israel has 5 designated burn units, strategically scattered all over the country. Recently, due to some major burn disasters, reevaluation of the demography, etiology and clinical features of burns has been conducted. ⋯ High risk populations were identified, such as young babies and the non-Jewish population. These groups should be addressed specifically with proper publicity and information. Even though mortality rates were stable, the mean hospitalization length is declining over the years, possibly secondary to advanced dressing and ambulatory treatments.
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Patient positioning during surgery can have profound short and long term implications for the patient. Each position carries some degree of risk to the patient, which is magnified in prolonged operations, surgeries performed under general anesthesia and when position manipulations are required in order to gain best surgical access. ⋯ It is also important that these complications are diagnosed promptly and managed appropriately in the post-operative period. The purpose of the following review is to summarize the positioning-related complications, in particular peripheral nerve injuries, and emphasize correct positioning recommendations and preventive measures.