Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien
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Several children with diabetes in our clinic use continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. Recently a 5-year-old presented with a dysfunctional pump, and it took 2 days to identify the problem and resolve it. What are the potential pitfalls of insulin pumps in children and how can these be prevented? ⋯ The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps has increased considerably during the past decade. Adverse events can range from mild events that can be resolved by troubleshooting at home, to severe incidents that necessitate admission to the hospital. Adverse events include technical issues, skin complications that can lead to infection, and metabolic imbalances that can lead to hospitalization. Long-term monitoring and targeted education are needed for children and their families to ensure early identification of problems with the pump and to avoid diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia.
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To describe prescribing patterns for 3 common complications associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to provide family doctors with strategies for optimizing the care of patients with SCI. ⋯ To provide optimal treatment to patients with SCI, family doctors are encouraged to engage in open communication with them about prescription medications, including aspects of cost, polypharmacy, and therapeutic substitutions. Family physicians should also explore interprofessional collaboration with SCI specialists and allied health providers to provide patients with nonpharmacologic strategies tailored to their activity levels and nutritional needs. The Actionable Nuggets mobile app provides family doctors with brief, actionable, evidence-based information on the top 20 health concerns associated with SCI.