Bone Biopsy Improves Medical Therapy of Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis
In diabetic patients undergoing medical management of foot osteomyelitis, bone culture-based antibiotic therapy improves the chances of successful treatment, according to findings published in the April issue of Diabetes Care. "The question of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment for diabetic patients with osteomyelitis of the foot remains subject to debate," Dr. Eric Senneville, of Dron Hospital, […]
Efficacy of Lasers and PDT for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris
Abstract Acne vulgaris can represent a therapeutic challenge in terms of managing ongoing symptoms and preventing scar formation. While the copious variations of available treatments address milder forms of the disease, until recently, therapies for resistant or moderate-to-severe forms were limited to systemic agents that were accompanied by potentially severe side-effects. With the addition of […]
Combination Low-Dose DFMO and Sulindac Reduce Recurrence of Colorectal Adenomas
Combining low-dose difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sulindac lowers the risk for recurrent colorectal adenomas. The results of the phase 3 randomized trial, which were reported here at the American Association for Cancer Research 2008 Annual Meeting, showed that among patients who received the active drug combination, there was a 70% decrease […]
Gallbladder Removal Through the Mouth Causes Few Adverse Effects
Surgeons from the Legacy Health System in Portland, Oregon, and Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, reported on the first 7 transgastric natural orifice transluminal surgery (NOTES) cholecystectomies ever performed on humans here at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2008 Annual Scientific Session and Postgraduate Course.
4-Item Assessment Provides Good Bedside Diagnosis of Delirium
A simple 4-item assessment reliably identifies delirium in hospitalized patients, investigators reported here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting. Delirium is often underrecognized and undertreated in hospitalized patients, although it is associated with poor outcomes, including longer length of stay and higher risk of mortality, which may be avoided through […]
Fragmented Care Prolongs Hospital Stay
The number of physicians overseeing a patient's care has a significant effect on that individual's length of stay in the hospital, according to a study of more than 10,000 hospitalized patients. Much attention has been paid to the effect of hospital staffing problems on clinicians with respect to issues such as work–life balance, said lead […]
Safe STEP Program Effective for Getting Older Hospitalized Patients Home
An innovative program helps elderly patients avoid the pitfalls associated with making the transition from hospital to home, Param Dedhia, MD, instructor in the Collaborative Internal Medicine Service, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, reported here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting.
New Protocol Reduces Risk for Thromboembolism
Rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) dropped significantly at a large university medical center thanks to a new protocol that identifies high-risk patients, according to findings presented here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine.
Transparency in Adverse Event Reporting Pleases Patients
Hospitalized patients who suffer an adverse event may learn little about it from medical personnel, especially if the event is preventable, according to findings presented here at Hospital Medicine 2008, the Society of Hospital Medicine annual meeting.
Cauterizing Arteries in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Can Be Both Unnecessary and Dangerous
Almost since the inception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, surgeons have been employing devices that concentrate electrical or vibrational energy to heat and thereby cauterize arteries. However, for more than 7 years, Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and colleagues have been avoiding the use of these energy devices. Dr. Agarwal is a senior surgeon at Sir Ganga […]
