Effects of a Rapid Response System Driven by Real-time Automated Clinical Alerts

The addition of an automated real-time clinical deterioration alert system to a rapid response system had marginal effects.

Does the Use of Saline vs Buffered Crystalloid Reduce Risk of Acute Kidney Injury in ICU?

The use of a buffered crystalloid compared with saline did not reduce the risk of acute kidney injury in patients receiving crystalloid fluid therapy in the ICU.

Does Finding the Portal of Entry of Bacteria in Infective Endocarditis Matter?

A comprehensive, systematic search for the portal of bacterial entry in infective endocarditis is frequently successful and affords an opportunity to prevent recurrent episodes.

Nitrate Therapy Shows Possible Harm in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, the use of isosorbide mononitrate was associated with a nonsignificant decrease in physical activity level, and no improvement in symptoms or quality of life.

Why We Can’t Allow Physical Exam Skills to Languish

With more highly evolved and readily available technology at our fingertips, it is sometimes tempting to let the echocardiogram sort out the abnormal heart sounds we detected, or allow the pelvic ultrasound to inform whether the uterus is enlarged, or short-cut parts of the physical exam we anticipate to be unlikely sources of pertinent information.