WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin
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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) traditionally has been recognized as a virulent pathogen affiliated with health care institutions. However, community-associated strains of MRSA (CA-MRSA) have emerged over the past several years in young, healthy patients without significant health care contact. ⋯ CA-MRSA predominantly induces skin and soft tissue infections, though the presence of unique virulence factors may cause potentially lethal necrotizing pneumonia and other invasive infections. In response to this growing public health concern, clinicians must learn to identify risk factors for CA-MRSA, treat infections with judicious use of antimicrobial agents, and facilitate prevention strategies to limit transmission.
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Medicine is increasingly practiced through the application of information sciences. Medical informatics deals with optimal information use within bioinformatics, imaging, clinical, and population health domains. Population health informatics plays an important role in that it critically informs practice in each of the other domains. ⋯ A number of federal initiatives are underway to address this problem, including the development of a framework for a national health information network and funding for implementation. This network will be facilitated by federal leadership, but public and private partnerships, and state, regional, and local implementation and policy development will play a critical role. In this article, we describe several Wisconsin initiatives that are keys to developing a strategic framework and building the state's electronic health information infrastructure.
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There is a paucity of data regarding the utilization of emergency departments (EDs) across Wisconsin. It is unknown if national trends in increased utilization are consistent within our state. Several years ago, mandatory reporting of ED visits to the Department of Health and Family Services was instituted and, if accurate, may provide a method for tracking ED usage. ⋯ All sizes of EDs across Wisconsin continue to show increases in ED utilization. The growth rate is consistent but may be slowing. This has implications for planning for ED resources. Reported data have many discrepancies and need to be independently checked before they can be utilized in any research or planning.
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To review Wisconsin data on youth suicide mortality, hospitalizations from nonfatal self-inflicted injuries, and self-reported risk behaviors. ⋯ Rates of suicide mortality, attempts, and self-reported risk behaviors among youth in Wisconsin continue to be unacceptably high. Physicians can play an important role in reducing youth suicide rates by acting within their clinical practices, as leaders in community suicide-prevention activities, and as advocates for policy change.