Text Messaging and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring for Patients with Uncontrolled Hypertension: Proposal for a Feasibility Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: A decrease in blood pressure, even modestly (ie, 2 mmHg), lowers cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Low patient adherence to antihypertensive medication is the most significant modifiable patient-related barrier to achieving controlled blood pressure. Preliminary studies have shown that SMS text messaging and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) can be effective in promoting medication adherence and blood pressure control.

Opioid Prescribing for the Treatment of Acute Pain in Children on Hospital Discharge.

Background: The epidemic of nonmedical use of prescription opioids has been fueled by the availability of legitimately prescribed unconsumed opioids. The aim of this study was to better understand the contribution of prescriptions written for pediatric patients to this problem by quantifying how much opioid is dispensed and consumed to manage pain after hospital discharge, and whether leftover opioid is appropriately disposed of. Our secondary aim was to explore the association of patient factors with opioid dispensing, consumption, and medication remaining on completion of therapy.

Bacteremia in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and bacteremia are common comorbidities in hemodialysis patients. A specific relationship between HCV infection and bacteremia has not been defined; however, there is evidence of immune compromise in both HCV-infected and uremic patients, suggesting that this group may be at higher risk for infection.

Methods: We investigated risk factors and mortality associated with bacteremia in HCV-infected hemodialysis patients from the United States Renal Data System.

Pain Management for Children during Bone Marrow and Stem Cell Transplantation.

Pain management for children during bone marrow and stem cell transplantation is a significant clinical challenge for the health care team. Pain management strategies vary by institution. This paper reports on the use of a pediatric pain management service and patient- and caregiver-controlled analgesia for children undergoing transplant.