Tools to Increase Resident Aesthetic Clinic Volume.

Introduction: Resident Aesthetic Clinics (RACs) are an important element for training in plastic surgery residency programs. RACs provide increased exposure to aesthetic surgery as well as greater autonomy in clinical decision making. In an effort to increase RAC volume and thereby enhance resident education, we made two important changes to our operations.

Non-invasive detection of severe neutropenia in chemotherapy patients by optical imaging of nailfold microcirculation.

White-blood-cell (WBC) assessment is employed for innumerable clinical procedures as one indicator of immune status. Currently, WBC determinations are obtained by clinical laboratory analysis of whole blood samples. Both the extraction of blood and its analysis limit the accessibility and frequency of the measurement.

Creatinine Assay Attainment of Analytical Performance Goals Following Implementation of IDMS Standardization: Further Improvements Required.

Background: The international initiative to standardize creatinine (Cr) assays by tracing reference materials to Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS) assigned values was implemented to reduce interlaboratory variability and improve assay accuracy.

Objective: The aims of this study were to examine whether IDMS standardization has improved Cr assay accuracy (bias), interlaboratory variability (precision), total error (TE), and attainment of recommended analytical performance goals.

Methods: External Quality Assessment (EQA) data (n = 66 challenge vials) from Ontario, Canada, were analyzed.

Predicting Progression in CKD: Perspectives and Precautions.

Predicting outcomes to guide clinical care, decision making, and resource allocation is a challenging undertaking in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Many prediction models have been developed, but few have been appropriately externally validated and even fewer have been assessed to be usable in the clinical setting. This contributes to the currently infrequent use of existing prediction models.

Would earlier microbe identification alter antibiotic therapy in bacteremic emergency department patients?

Background: Although debate exists about the treatment of sepsis, few disagree about the benefits of early, appropriately targeted antibiotic administration.

Study Objectives: To determine the appropriateness of empiric antimicrobial therapy and the extent to which therapy would be altered if the causative organism for sepsis was known at the time of administration.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, conducted in an academic Emergency Department (ED), on consecutive positive blood cultures between November 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009.