Introduction: Buprenorphine is a Food and Drug Administration-approved therapy for opioid use disorder, with proven efficacy in treatment retention and reduction in opioid use and mortality. Low-dose buprenorphine initiation or microinduction is a novel means of initiation that may allow for an easier transition in patients. Trauma patients have high rates of opioid use disorder and patient directed discharges (PDD).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: European trials using procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic therapy for patients with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) have demonstrated significant reductions in antibiotic use without increasing adverse outcomes. Few studies have examined PCT for LRTIs in the United States.
Methods: In this study, we evaluated whether a PCT algorithm would reduce antibiotic exposure in patients with LRTI in a US hospital.
Objective: Hepatitis C and hepatitis B are public health problems in the United States and remain largely undiagnosed. In response to the availability of rapid, point of care hepatitis tests, we assessed hepatitis knowledge and acceptability of hepatitis testing during an emergency department (ED) or pharmacy visit.
Methods: From June 2010 to May 2011, an anonymous prospective survey was administered to a convenience sample of New York City ED patients and pharmacy clients.