Patients’ fatal mistakes soar 3,000%
Fatal medication errors (FMEs) among patients who used recreational drugs or alcohol while taking prescribed or OTC medicines increased more than 3,000% over two decades.
Print Issue: November 10, 2008
A new model for CVD prevention
A multidisciplinary, nurse-coordinated, family-based program improved lifestyles and reduced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among patients and their families in hospital and general-practice settings
Replacing IV peripheral cannula for prevention of bacteremia
Level 1: Likely reliable evidenceThe necessity for routine replacement of an IV peripheral cannula to prevent bacteremia was evaluated in a high-quality randomized trial. Patients older than 18 years (N = 755) without current bacteremia or immunosuppressive therapy were randomized to IV catheter replacement only when clinically indicated vs. routine replacement every three days (BMJ.…
Noninvasive ventilation may improve respiratory distress in acute heart failure
The Three Interventions in Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema (3CPO) trial evaluated ventilation strategies for patients with respiratory distress due to acute heart failure…
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce all-cause mortality in patients with chronic heart failure
The GISSI-HF randomized placebo-controlled trial also evaluated n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in 357 cardiology or internal medicine centers in Italy…
Rosuvastatin does not reduce morbidity/mortality in chronic heart failure
The Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Insufficienza Cardiaca (GISSI-HF) randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated rosuvastatin (Crestor) in 357 cardiology or internal medicine centers in Italy.
Cystic lesions on the hands
CASE #1The patient was a 65-year-old white woman who presented to the dermatology clinic with a nodule at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint on the ring finger of her left hand. Her medical history included osteoarthritis and hypertension, both of which were well controlled on naproxen and hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. During history-taking, the patient reported trauma…
Guarana
Just when you thought you had found the biggest jolt you could get from a beverage in espresso, along comes guarana.
An interesting and all-too-common bacterial infection
The patient’s job made him particularly susceptible. Fortunately, he received treatment before his condition worsened.
Test results send youth into a tailspin
With two positive ELISAs, an NP sees no need to ask for help in evaluating analyses to diagnose HIV.
