Clonal composition of Escherichia coli causing community-acquired urinary tract infections in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Recent studies from North America and Europe have demonstrated community-wide clonal spread of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). To investigate if a similar pattern of spread occurs in Brazil, we characterized UPEC from women with community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) in Rio de Janeiro. E.

Temporal changes in the prevalence of community-acquired antimicrobial-resistant urinary tract infection affected by Escherichia coli clonal group composition.

Background: The changing prevalence of drug-resistant community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) is often attributed to local antimicrobial drug use or prescribing practices. However, recent molecular epidemiologic studies of community-acquired UTI suggest that other factors may play a greater role.

Methods: We conducted a multiyear, cross-sectional study to characterize temporal changes in the prevalence of drug-resistant community-acquired UTI at a university community in California.

Retail meat consumption and the acquisition of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections: a case-control study.

Background: The increasing incidence of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli, and observations of potential outbreaks of UTI-causing E. coli, suggest that food may be an important source of E. coli in women who develop UTI.

Patients meet technology: the newest in patient-centered care initiatives.

In recent years, health care consumers have become increasingly sophisticated in their selection and use of health care services. Empowered initially by the Internet, they are seeking medical information to become better informed as they interact with physicians and other health care providers. This article addresses (1) the new patient-provider relationship with more provider accountability, the impact of Baby Boomers on health care, and the evolving consumer-driven marketplace with emerging patient-centered care; (2) emerging technologies being used to transform the patient experience; (3) how the use of cutting-edge technologies affect the health care consumer; and (4) the future impact of the use of patient-centered technology initiatives on the health care industry.

Possible animal origin of human-associated, multidrug-resistant, uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Background: The multistate occurrence of cases of urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ)-resistant Escherichia coli strains belonging to a single clonal group (designated as clonal group A [CgA]) in the United States has raised an intriguing hypothesis that these infections may have been spread by contaminated food products. The present study attempted to determine if CgA strains could be traced to food animals.

Methods: A total of 495 animal and environmental E.

HIPAA compliance: deadlines and beyond.

The deadline has passed for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule and the Transactions and Code Sets Rule. With that in mind, many health care professionals feel that they can sit back and take a deep breath. But do not be fooled, both rules require continuous follow-up and monitoring.

An analysis of computerization in primary care practices.

To remain profitable, primary care practices, the front-line health care providers, must provide excellent patient care and reduce expenses while providing payers with accurate data. Many primary care practices have turned to computer technology to achieve these goals. This study examined the degree of computerization of primary care providers in the Augusta, Georgia, metropolitan area as well as the level of awareness of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) by primary care providers and its potential effect on their future computerization plans.