A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Feasibility of a Multicomponent Delirium Prevention Intervention Versus Usual Care in Acute Stroke.

Background: Delirium after acute stroke is a serious complication. Numerous studies support a benefit of multicomponent interventions in minimizing delirium-related complications in at-risk patients, but this has not been reported in acute stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of conducting a randomized (delirium care) versus usual standardized stroke care (usual care) in reducing delirium in acute stroke.

Ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve blockade in the severely and morbidly obese: a prospective and randomized study.

Purpose: Limited research data exist regarding optimal block techniques in the severely and morbidly obese patient population. We compared two approaches to sciatic nerve blockade at the popliteal fossa in severely and morbidly obese patients. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in pain scores, block onset characteristics, and adverse events between the proximal (prebifurcation) and the distal (postbifurcation) sites.

The Smoking Cessation Trust Program of Louisiana: The Pediatrician's Role in Identifying and Referring Eligible Caregivers.

Background: A pilot study was conducted to determine whether the caregivers of children being seen at the Ochsner for Children health center were eligible for and using services provided by the Smoking Cessation Trust (SCT).

Methods: The study population consisted of pediatric patients' caregivers who visit the Ochsner for Children health center. Caregivers were offered a questionnaire to assess their age, sex, relationship to the child, medical insurance, smoking status, and prior cessation attempts and aids.

Tailoring the Blood Ordering Process for Cardiac Surgical Cases Using an Institution-Specific Version of the Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule.

Background: Excess ordering of blood products for surgical cases is expensive and wasteful. Evidence has shown that institution-specific versions of the Maximum Surgical Blood Order Schedule (MSBOS) lead to better ordering practices. Most MSBOSs recommend a crossmatch for a minimum of 2 units of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) for cardiac surgical cases; however, studies have shown that >50% of these patients receive no transfusions.

Results of retrospective chart review to determine improvement in lipid goal attainment in patients treated by high-volume prescribers of lipid-modifying drugs.

Background: There is a primary focus in cholesterol management on the elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) component of dyslipidemia and a secondary focus on the other components of dyslipidemia, such as low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high triglycerides (TGs), and high non-HDL-C.

Objective: This was a physician practice analysis to examine the real-world therapeutic management of patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia and/or hypercholesterolemia according to the guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel Third Report (ATP III) and the American Heart Association (AHA). Additionally, the number of patients who should be diagnosed with mixed hyperlipidemia instead of hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia was estimated.

Blood pressure goal attainment according to JNC 7 guidelines and utilization of antihypertensive drug therapy in MCO patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Controlling hypertension (HTN) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) can reduce complications such as nephropathy, cerebrovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease. As part of a quality improvement project with a managed care organization (MCO), we evaluated blood pressure (BP) control relative to the type of drug therapy for patients with type 1 or type 2 DM who were identified from pharmacy claims for antihyperglycemic drug therapy.

Methods: Pharmacy claims for antihyperglycemic drugs, including insulin, were used to identify a random sample of commercial members in an MCO comprising 30 health plans across the United States.