Leveling Up: Evaluation of IV v. PO Linezolid Utilization and Cost after an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Revision of IV to PO Conversion Criteria within a Healthcare System.

The CDC's Core Elements of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) lists intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) conversion as an important pharmacy-based intervention. However, despite the existence of a pharmacist-driven IV to PO conversion protocol, conversion rates within our healthcare system remained low. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a revision to the current conversion protocol on conversion rates, using linezolid as a marker due to its high PO bioavailability and high IV cost.

Endoscopic Stricturotomy and Strictureplasty.

Strictures in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) usually occur because of long-standing inflammation and fibrosis causing luminal narrowing. Strictures in the setting of Crohn's disease (CD) can occur de novo, or in the postsurgical setting (anastomotic strictures). Historically these strictures are managed with invasive surgical procedures which may result in considerable morbidity.

Aortic stenosis and Heyde's syndrome: A comprehensive review.

Heyde's syndrome is an under reported systemic disease of gastrointestinal and cardiac manifestation in older adults. It is characterized by a triad of aortic stenosis, angiodysplasia with bleeding and acquired von Willebrand syndrome. It is characterized by proteolysis of high molecular weight multimers of von Willebrand Factor and loss of platelet mediated homeostasis.

Parathyroid Hormone, Fibroblast Growth Factor 23, and Parameters of Phosphate Reabsorption.

Background: The serum phosphorus concentration ([P]s) is the sum of EP/Ccr and TRP/Ccr, where Ccr is creatinine clearance and EP and TRP are rates of excretion and reabsorption of phosphate. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) mediate reduction of TRP/Ccr, and [PTH] and [FGF23] are linear functions of EP/Ccr. If controls and patients with CKD are considered together, TRP/Ccr is a hyperbolic function of EP/Ccr.

Lower Extremity Revascularization Using Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Directional Atherectomy: Final Results of the EValuatIon of the PantheriS OptIcal COherence Tomography ImagiNg Atherectomy System for Use in the Peripheral Vasculature (VISION) Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided atherectomy catheter in treating patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal disease.

Methods: The VISION trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01937351) was a single-arm, multicenter, global investigational device exemption study enrolling 158 subjects (mean age 67.

Renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension: Dead, alive or surviving?

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic clinical problems encountered by physicians. The prevalence of resistant hypertension is estimated at 9% in the US. Patients with resistant hypertension have been shown to be at higher risk for adverse cardiovascular events, hence the need for greater efforts in improving the treatment of hypertension.

Not all sternotomies indicate previous coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. Clinicians often assume that a sternal scar or sternal wires seen on radiographic images are evidence of previous CABG. However, these wires could be related to other cardiothoracic surgeries.

Giant right atrial mass obliterating the right atrium.

A73-year-old man with past medical history of mechanical aortic valve replacement, metastatic melanoma of unknown primaries with liver metastasis, presented with progressive shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a large homogenous mass completely occupying the right atrial cavity and extending to and nearly obstructing the inflow area of the tricuspid valve. He was treated with chemotherapy.

Creating a culture of safety in the emergency department: the value of teamwork training.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if teamwork training improved employees' perception of the culture of safety in the emergency department.

Background: Communication failure is frequently the root cause of medication errors, delays in treatment, and wrong-site surgery, leading to an estimated 200 000 deaths annually in the United States.

Methods: Independent sample comparison study with a quantitative design was conducted with staff who received teamwork training.