Hospital Medicine Alert – July 1, 2008
July 1, 2008
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MRSA Screening - Making Sense of Surveillance
Three recent reports yield different conclusions on the effectiveness of MRSA surveillance on the incidence of healthcare associated MRSA infection. -
Is CRP a Useful Predictor of Illness Severity in CAP?
In this examination of blood C-reactive protein levels and clinical data in 570 patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia, initial CRP levels < 100 mg/L were associated with fewer complications, less use of mechanical ventilation and/or inotropes, and lower 30-day mortality. Whether these findings provide useful information beyond what is apparent on routine clinical assessment remains to be seen. -
Lipid Levels in ACS
It has long been taught that lipid levels measured during hospitalization for an acute illness will be artificially low because of an acute-phase metabolic reaction. Consequently, many physicians wait weeks after hospitalization to measure lipids when they have returned to baseline levels and then start appropriate lipid lowering therapy. On the other hand, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) studies have suggested that the early administration of statins may improve outcomes in ACS. -
Epidural Blood Patch: A Headache Cure that Hits the Spot!
Epidural blood patch is an effective treatment for post dural puncture headache. -
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Incidence and In-hospital Mortality
Guillain-Barré syndrome remains a common and serious cause of acute neuropathy in the elderly.