Differentiating inhalational anthrax from other influenza-like illnesses in the setting of a national or regional anthrax outbreak.

The workup of a febrile patient who presents with an influenza-like illness in the setting of a national or regional anthrax outbreak presents a unique challenge to the physicians who initially evaluate this patient, and the diagnostic challenge can be even more profound during the influenza season. Based on information gathered from the recent inhalational anthrax cases, we have developed an algorithm to be used by physicians in the emergency department to evaluate patients with influenza-like illnesses during a national or regional anthrax outbreak. The algorithm necessitates stays no longer than 24 hours in the emergency department or hospital.

Pharmacists on rounding teams reduce preventable adverse drug events in hospital general medicine units.

Background: Previous studies found that medication errors result from lack of sufficient information during the prescribing step. Therefore, it is proposed that having a pharmacist available when patients are evaluated during the rounding process may reduce the likelihood of preventable adverse drug events (ADEs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of having a pharmacist participate with a physician rounding team on preventable ADEs in general medicine units and to document pharmacist interventions made during the rounding process.

Microbial growth on the anesthesia machine.

The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of microbial growth that develops on the anesthesia machine after a full day's use in the operating room. This descriptive bacteriology study is relevant to anesthesia practice because of the proximity of the oropharynx and multiple body fluids to anesthesia equipment and the potential for cross-contamination to patients and staff. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate the change in colony-forming units (CFUs) before and after use of equipment.