Hospital Medicine Alert – November 1, 2014
November 1, 2014
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The New Guidelines Put C. difficile on the Run
SYNOPSIS: Patients have decreased disease recurrence and mortality when physicians follow the IDSA/Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America guidelines for the treatment of C difficile infection.
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Can We Reduce Unnecessary Head CT Scans in Patients with Delirium?
This study was a retrospective review of medical records of hospitalized general medicine patients with head CT imaging performed for the evaluation of delirium. -
Peri-procedural Management of New Oral Anticoagulants
Due to the short half-life and rapid onset of action of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), peri-procedural anticoagulant free time intervals should be shorter than with warfarin. Thus, there is uncertainty about the use of heparin bridging. These investigators from Germany analyzed the Dresden NOAC registry data to assess peri-procedural NOAC management and safety until 30 days post-procedure. -
Health Care Utilization in the Aftermath of Severe Sepsis
SYNOPSIS: This observational cohort study of survivors of severe sepsis found that the post-discharge needs of this population are substantial. Severe sepsis survivors spent more days admitted to facilities after their acute hospitalization than prior and had greater mortality, a steeper decline in days at home, and a greater increase in proportion of days alive in a facility compared to survivors of non-sepsis hospitalizations.
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Nasal High-Flow Oxygen Lowers Reintubation Rate
SYNOPSIS: Use of nasal high-flow oxygen was associated with better comfort, fewer desaturations and interface displacements, and a lower reintubation rate.