Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Inadequate antibiotic prescribing has been observed in many settings both in hospitals as well as in primary care. Most often there is uncertainty about the indication for antibiotic treatment itself, prescribers are reluctant to deescalate, and therapy duration is too long which results most often in overprescribing. ⋯ Over- but also underprescribing of antimicrobial agents is a serious patient safety issue that needs to be addressed in specific programmes at different levels of the healthcare system. Interventional studies have shown that programmes implementing or intensifying audit and feedback with clinical reevaluation by experts can be very efficient to reduce inadequate prescribing.
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Acid-base disorders due to different etiologies are frequently encountered in daily clinical practice and may result in life-threatening situations. Basic knowledge of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of acid-base disorders is therefore essential for every clinician. ⋯ Undirected buffering with HCO3- should be avoided, since the application of HCO3- might lead to severe side effects. A strict diagnostic pathway for the diagnosis of acid-base disorders is required, which should be vigorously applied:- analysis of the pH to classify acidemia or alkalemia- analysis of pCO2 and HCO3- to classify the primary acid base disorder- analysis of the adequate regulation in order to detect additional acid-base disorders- analysis of the anion gap and the relationship of the anion gap vs. the change in HCO3- to detect further metabolic disordersMetabolic acidosis can be divided into two main etiologies:- acidosis with addition of acid with increased anion gap,- acidosis with loss of HCO3- with normal anion gap.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Nov 2020
[Magnesium: Relevance for general practitioners - a position paper of the Society for Magnesium Research e. V.]
Magnesium deficiency is to be expected in the population and particularly among risk groups. Magnesium deficiency can cause numerous symptoms, is per se pathological and thus requires treatment. Diagnostics is based on clinical symptoms in conjunction with anamnestic criteria and laboratory parameters. ⋯ Physicians should pay more attention to magnesium in order to avoid deficits as a cause for multiple symptoms and risk factor for diseases. Optimisation of magnesium status may make an important contribution to the prevention of diseases. Oral magnesium therapy is safe and cost effective.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Nov 2020
[Status Quo - The requirements for medical habilitation in Germany].
In Germany, the habilitation proves one's qualification for independent research and teaching. It is a prerequisite for obtaining the teaching qualification in the respective specialist area. The prerequisites are laid down in the habilitation regulations of universities and equivalent institutions. This review article aims to show the requirements for the habilitation of medical faculties. ⋯ Each requirement and their weighting are often inconsistent between orders. In order to increase the transparency and appreciation of the scientific achievement, a standardization of the requirements seems expedient.