WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin
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The objective of this study was to analyze medication use in a medium-sized academic hospital pediatric intensive care unit over a 1-year period and identify medications, medication classes, and age categories that would benefit most from pediatric drug trials. ⋯ Pediatric off-label medication use continues to be prevalent. In the pediatric critical care population, most medications are not properly tested for pediatric use. The federal government passed the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) in 2002 to encourage pediatric drug studies. However, the medication classes specified for further testing do not reflect the critical care population. Further studies are necessary to delineate the medications and medication classes that need study the most.
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To determine Wisconsin physicians' opinions regarding health care reform. ⋯ Wisconsin physicians responding to this survey expressed dissatisfaction with the health care system in which they currently practice and noted a clear desire for system reform. While most respondents agree on a few key priorities, primary care physicians significantly differ in their preferred strategies for reform and, in particular, the role of government in a reformed system. These results indicate a need for more dialogue and education among physicians in order to achieve a consensus that might help promote reform.
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Case Reports
Treatment of intractable abdominal pain patient with Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome using spinal cord stimulation.
This case report presents an application of spinal cord stimulation to a patient with intractable abdominal pain Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, that conventional treatment failed to ameliorate. ⋯ Preliminary outcomes from this case suggest that spinal cord stimulation offers an alternative treatment option for select patients with intractable abdominal pain and Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba (BRR) Syndrome.