Primary Care/Hospitalist Topics
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Modest Improvements in Mortality Rate Disparities in Rural Areas
Black adults living in rural areas in the United States still are more likely to die from diabetes, high blood pressure compared to white adults.
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Measles Outbreak Cost Public Millions of Dollars
The 2019 re-emergence of this vaccine-preventable disease cost a single U.S. county more than $3 million.
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Early Convalescent Plasma to Treat COVID-19 in Elderly Patients with Mild Symptoms
Administering convalescent plasma obtained from survivors of COVID-19 within 72 hours of onset of mild symptoms in elderly patients with the virus was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of development of severe respiratory disease.
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THC-Related Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults
Using cannabis-based medicine often exposes patients to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is associated with psychotic symptoms. THC also can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and thinking or perception disorder in older adults.
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Low BNP Levels in Up to 16% of Heart Failure Patients
In patients with clinical heart failure and low B-type natriuretic peptide levels, the authors found these patients usually are young and obese, with higher ejection fraction and better renal function.
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Lawsuits May Allege Failure to Obtain Dermatology Consults
Shutting out dermatologists can leave a gap in specialty care. This might lead to other specialists consulting and managing conditions outside their scope, or they might transfer patients to a different, distant center.
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Shortness of Breath in Older Adults Is Challenging Diagnosis in ED
Older adults might present with atypical symptoms, such as “just not feeling right.” Some experience a decreased sensation of dyspnea itself, so they do not even report feeling short of breath. Older patients also may present with various comorbid conditions that are causing shortness of breath, such as congestive heart failure or COPD. This can lead to misdiagnosis.
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Safety Protocol Can Prevent Self-Harm Incidents
Precautions include a focus on creating safe bathrooms, increasing the number of trained observers to monitor patients at risk, and managing access to belongings and clothing.
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Tailoring Opioid Prescriptions to Patients’ Perception of Pain
Customized approach led to better pain management and less waste after surgery.
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COVID-19 Affected U.S. Life Expectancy: How Bad Is It?
The pandemic dinged the average, but the latest data do not tell the whole story.