Management of hyperglycemia in hospitalized noncritical patients.

Randomized trials designed to determine optimum blood glucose (BG) levels among hospitalized noncritically ill patients are limited. In this group of patients, experts generally recommend premeal BG targets of 100 to 140 mg/dL, and random BG <180 mg/dL. Scheduled insulin is the mainstay therapy to control hyperglycemia in patients admitted to general wards and should include three components: basal, prandial, and correction insulin.

Evaluation of diabetic foot ulcer healing with hyperspectral imaging of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin.

Objective: Foot ulceration remains a major health problem for diabetic patients and has a major impact on the cost of diabetes treatment. We tested a hyperspectral imaging technology that quantifies cutaneous tissue hemoglobin oxygenation and generated anatomically relevant tissue oxygenation maps to assess the healing potential of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

Research Design And Methods: A prospective single-arm blinded study was completed in which 66 patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were enrolled and followed over a 24-week period.

Decision instrument for the isolation of pneumonia patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis admitted through US emergency departments.

Study Objective: Many patients with pneumonia are admitted to respiratory isolation for possible tuberculosis (TB), but most do not have active TB. We created a decision instrument to predict which pneumonia patients do not need admission to a TB isolation bed.

Methods: The design was a prospective case series conducted in 11 university-affiliated, urban, US emergency departments (EDs) (EMERGEncy ID NET).

LIPID abnormalities in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Objective: To review the types, mechanisms, clinical implications, and management of lipid abnormalities associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment.

Methods: Review of the relevant literature using MEDLINE data sources from 1985 to February 2008, endocrinology textbooks, and hand-searching of cross-references from original articles and reviews. Clinical trials, animal studies, in vitro studies, case reports, reviews, and guidelines of major medical associations were included.

Antibiotic use for emergency department patients with upper respiratory infections: prescribing practices, patient expectations, and patient satisfaction.

Study Objective: Physicians often prescribe antibiotics to patients even when there is no clear indication for their use. Previous studies examining antibiotic use in acute bronchitis and upper respiratory infections have been conducted in primary care settings. We evaluate the factors that physicians in the emergency department (ED) consider when prescribing antibiotics (eg, patient expectations) and the factors associated with patient satisfaction.

Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program: a dissemination and effectiveness study.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Spanish Arthritis Empowerment Program as presented by the Arthritis Foundation, Southern California Chapter, in Orange County, California.

Methods: Participants with arthritis (n = 141) enrolled in the program between October 1999 and May 2001. All materials were in Spanish.

Tetanus immunity and physician compliance with tetanus prophylaxis practices among emergency department patients presenting with wounds.

Study Objective: We determine tetanus seroprotection rates and physician compliance with tetanus prophylaxis recommendations among patients presenting with wounds.

Methods: A prospective observational study of patients aged 18 years or older who presented to 5 university-affiliated emergency departments (EDs) because of wounds was conducted between March 1999 and August 2000. Serum antitoxin levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay with seroprotection defined as more than 0.

Common complaints in the first 30 days of life.

Visits to the emergency department (ED) by neonates and their parents can cause anxiety for parents and the ED staff. Many of the presenting complaints are unique to the neonatal population, and an understanding of both common problems and true medical emergencies is paramount. This article discusses the complaints the EDs have seen more frequently as a result of earlier newborn discharges from hospitals.

Ampicillin/sulbactam and cefoxitin in the treatment of cutaneous and other soft-tissue abscesses in patients with or without histories of injection drug abuse.

A randomized, double-blind trial compared the clinical and bacteriologic efficacy of ampicillin/sulbactam (2 g/1 g) and cefoxitin (2 g) administered intravenously every 6 h to patients with (n=49) or without (n=47) histories of injection drug abuse who presented with cutaneous or other soft-tissue infections. Cure or improvement occurred in 89.8% of ampicillin/sulbactam-treated patients, compared with 93.

Vaginal hysterectomy by uterine morcellation: an efficient, non-morbid procedure.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between uterine size and a possible increase in operative morbidity and procedure failure rates in women undergoing total vaginal hysterectomy.

Methods: A retrospective chart analysis of all hysterectomies performed for histologically confirmed leiomyomata was completed. A total of 128 cases qualified.

Analysis of risk factors of postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscess.

Background: Postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses (PAIAA) complicate the recovery of a small but significant fraction of patients with advanced appendicitis.

Study Design: A retrospective review of 1,184 patients with appendicitis was undertaken to define the clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with PAIAA.

Results: Thirty-three patients with 36 PAIAAs were found, an incidence of 2.