Evaluation of Institutional Prophylactic Open Fracture Antibiotic Guidelines on Infection Development.

Background: Open fracture wounds are associated with a high risk of infection, though the outcomes are dependent on the fracture location, prophylactic antibiotics utilized, and time to antibiotic intervention. Although several institutions have provided guidelines for appropriate prophylaxis in open fractures, there is currently no consensus on antibiotic selection and duration. Reducing inappropriate prophylactic antibiotic use for open bone fractures is a potential stewardship opportunity within pharmacy departments.

Vocal hygiene education, voice production therapy, and the role of patient adherence: a treatment effectiveness study in women with phonotrauma.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of vocal hygiene education (VHE) and voice production therapy (VP) in altering patient perception of vocal handicap in adult women with benign, bilateral phonotraumatic vocal fold lesions and the role of adherence in that perception.

Method: Sixty-two women were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of VP (n = 31) or VHE (n = 31), followed by 4 weeks of self-study. The primary outcome measure was the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) score, assessed at baseline, post-therapy, and post-self-study.

Swallowing and sensation: evaluation of deglutition in the anesthetized larynx.

To better characterize the role of laryngeal sensory systems in swallowing, we assessed 5 healthy adult volunteers via functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing before and after bilateral superior laryngeal nerve block. The volunteers were tested multiple times with both liquid and puree consistencies. Laryngeal anesthesia resulted in a significantly higher (p < .