Publications by authors named "A J Pearl"

Traditional skin preparation and prophylactic antibiotics have not uniformly been successful in preventing surgical site infection (SSI) following total joint arthroplasties. Iodophor-impregnated adhesive dressings, such as Ioban, have shown promising effects in reducing the incidence of SSI. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA checklist and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.

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In this survey of infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals, we gauged knowledge, attitudes and institutional practices related to environmental sustainability and IPC. Overall, IPC professionals have not yet universally adopted measures to promote environmental sustainability. More research is needed around environmentally sustainable efforts that preserve patient safety in IPC.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The systematic review focused on the effectiveness and impacts of respiratory isolation for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), highlighting the lack of clear guidelines on how long isolation should last and inconsistent implementation across different settings.
  • - Researchers analyzed 17 studies, finding limited direct comparisons between isolation and no isolation. Some evidence suggests isolation might reduce transmission, but studies often combined it with other interventions and did not show significant effects post-treatment initiation.
  • - The review revealed significant negative consequences of isolation, including impacts on employment, education, and mental health, especially in marginalized groups, indicating that public health decisions must balance community transmission risks with the personal hardships faced by individuals with TB.
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Determining the extent and duration of infectiousness of individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is critical for various aspects of TB care, including decisions regarding isolation. Studies suggest considerable heterogeneity in infectiousness of people with pulmonary TB. Pre-treatment, measures of bacillary burden including sputum smear microscopy, culture time-to-positivity, and Xpert MTB/RIF cycle threshold (Ct) value, predict the risk of transmission to contacts.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN) primarily affects the hip, impacting 10,000 to 20,000 people annually in the U.S.
  • - Core decompression is the usual treatment for early-stage AVN, with bone marrow injections gaining popularity.
  • - Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) is being explored as a complementary treatment due to its ability to improve oxygen delivery, reduce inflammation, and encourage healing.
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