Multicentric Case Series and Literature Review of Coccidioidal Otomastoiditis.

Coccidioidomycosis involving the ear, mastoid bone, or both is uncommon. We describe 5 new cases from the United States and review 4 cases reported in the literature of otomycosis and mastoiditis caused by Coccidioides. Of the 9 cases, 8 were linked to residence in or travel to California.

Improving the safety of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy for patients with solid tumors.

Background And Objectives: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) for infections has been in use for nearly 40 years, and although it has been found safe and efficacious, its use has been studied primarily among otherwise healthy patients. We aimed to develop and evaluate an OPAT program for patients with cancer, particularly solid tumors.

Methods: We implemented multiple quality improvement interventions between June 2018 and January 2020.

A Right to Privacy and Confidentiality: Ethical Medical Care for Patients in United States Immigration Detention.

Recently, John Doe, an undocumented immigrant who was detained by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was admitted to a hospital off-site from a detention facility. Custodial officers accompanied Mr. Doe into the exam room and refused to leave as physicians examined him.

The Impact of Penicillin Skin Testing on Aztreonam Stewardship and Cost Savings in Immunocompromised Cancer Patients.

Objective: Reported penicillin allergies result in alternative antimicrobial use and are associated with worse outcomes and increased costs. Penicillin skin testing (PST) has recently been shown to be safe and effective in immunocompromised cancer patients, yet its impact on antimicrobial costs and aztreonam utilization has not been evaluated in this population.

Method: From September 2017 to January 2018, we screened all admitted patients receiving aztreonam.

Acute myocardial infarction triggered by use of synthetic cannabis.

A young woman presented with an anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction shortly after synthetic cannabis use. This report highlights the cardiovascular risks of these drugs.