Healthcare-acquired coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is less symptomatic than community-acquired disease among healthcare workers.

Objective: We hypothesized that healthcare workers (HCWs) with high-risk exposures outside the healthcare system would have less asymptomatic coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) disease and more symptoms than those without such exposures.

Design: A longitudinal point prevalence study was conducted during August 17-September 4, 2020 (period 1) and during December 2-23, 2020 (period 2).

Setting: Community based teaching health system.

Immune plasma for the treatment of severe influenza: an open-label, multicentre, phase 2 randomised study.

Background: Influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality despite available treatments. Anecdotal reports suggest that plasma with high antibody titres to influenza might be of benefit in the treatment of severe influenza.

Methods: In this randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2 trial, 29 academic medical centres in the USA assessed the safety and efficacy of anti-influenza plasma with haemagglutination inhibition antibody titres of 1:80 or more to the infecting strain.

Continuous renal replacement therapy for refractory intracranial hypertension?

Background: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the preferred mode of renal replacement therapy in patients with acute brain injury (ABI). There are limited data available describing the effects of CRRT on intracranial pressure (ICP). This study aims to evaluate changes in ICP during CRRT in patients after ABI.

Early onset probable linezolid-induced encephalopathy.

Linezolid is increasingly being utilized for the treatment of gram-positive pathogens. While neurological complications with linezolid are rare, long-term exposure can be associated with neurotoxic effects. Patients with pre-existing neurologic sequelae or risk factors, such as alcohol abuse, diabetes, or concomitant administration of chemotherapeutic agents and/or antiretroviral therapy, may be more susceptible to the development of linezolid-induced neurotoxicity.

Expedited admission of patients decreases duration of mechanical ventilation and shortens ICU stay.

Background: To determine if expedited admission (<2 hours) of critically ill patients requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation from the emergency department (ED) to the intensive care unit (ICU) decreases ICU and hospital length of stay.

Methods: Patients with respiratory failure that required intubation and mechanical ventilation who were admitted to the hospital between June 2004 and May 2006 were retrospectively identified from the Project IMPACT database. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on ED length of stay: expedited (<2 hours) or nonexpedited (>2 hours).

Methamphetamine production is hazardous to your health.

Background: To describe the thermal injuries related to methamphetamine (METH) production, characterize patients' courses, and compare patients with matched controls and to the previously published series.

Methods: Trauma registry data from January 2001 to November 2005 was retrospectively reviewed. METH patients were compared with other burn patients of similar age and total body surface area burn size for toxicology, injury extent, therapies, hospital course, outcomes, and hospital charges.

Continuous renal replacement therapy for refractory intracranial hypertension.

Introduction: Little is known about the effects of hemodialysis on the injured brain, however; concern exists over the use of intermittent hemodialysis in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) due to its hemodynamic effects and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with therapy. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become the preferred method of renal support in these patients though there is limited data to support its safety. Furthermore, exacerbations of cerebral edema have been reported.