The Epidemiology of Symptomatic Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections in the ICU

The Epidemiology of Symptomatic Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections in the ICU

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) occurs frequently in critical illness with significant morbidity, mortality, and additional hospital costs. The epidemiology of symptomatic ward-acquired CAUTI (within 48... read more

Environment key battle ground in fight to tackle antibiotic resistance

Environment key battle ground in fight to tackle antibiotic resistance

The environment could be as important a battle ground as the clinic in the global fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance, new research has shown. A study conducted at the University of Exeter Medical School concluded... read more

Antibiotics, Immunosuppressive Drugs and the Downfall of the Human Immune System

Antibiotics, Immunosuppressive Drugs and the Downfall of the Human Immune System

Today I'll discuss two more factors that can debilitate the human immune system (allowing the microbiome to better cause disease). They are antibiotics (when used too frequently) and immunosuppressive drugs: two of the most... read more

ED Door-to-Antibiotic Time and Long-term Mortality in Sepsis

ED Door-to-Antibiotic Time and Long-term Mortality in Sepsis

Delays in ED antibiotic initiation time are associated with clinically important increases in long-term, risk-adjusted sepsis mortality. This study investigated the association of door-to-antibiotic time with long-term mortality... read more

Evidence Backs Giving Probiotics with Antibiotics

Evidence Backs Giving Probiotics with Antibiotics

So much of what we're told to do calls for sweeping practice changes or titanic additions to our routine approach. My own articles have advocated for tremendous shifts in typical techniques, and one need not look far to find... read more

Optimizing Beta-Lactam Treatment in the ICU

Optimizing Beta-Lactam Treatment in the ICU

The French Society of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (SFPT) and the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (SFAR) have released guidelines on the optimization of beta-lactam treatment in intensive care unit... read more

Antibiotics for Sepsis – Finding the Equilibrium

Antibiotics for Sepsis – Finding the Equilibrium

Sepsis is medicine’s last remaining preserve for unrestrained antibiotic prescribing. The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines recommend empirical broad-spectrum therapy within one hour of triage for both sepsis and septic... read more

Procalcitonin does not curb antibiotic use for lower respiratory tract infection

Procalcitonin does not curb antibiotic use for lower respiratory tract infection

In the Procalcitonin Antibiotic Consensus Trial (ProACT), the use of a procalcitonin-guided antibiotic prescription guideline did not result in less exposure to antibiotics than did usual care among patients presenting to... read more

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Exacerbations of COPD – Pharmacology CME

Diagnosis and Management of Acute Exacerbations of COPD – Pharmacology CME

As more and more patients present to the ED with symptoms that suggest an acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) –worsening dyspnea, cough and sputum production – emergency clinicians can... read more

Updates and Controversies in the Early Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock

Updates and Controversies in the Early Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock

For patients in the ED who are suspected of having sepsis, swift, effective management is vital to improving outcomes. This issue reviews the latest evidence on the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis and septic shock: ... read more

Clostridium difficile infection in the ICU

Clostridium difficile infection in the ICU

About 10% of patients with diarrhea will test positive for CDI. Around 2% of ICU patients develop an episode of CDI. Estimating the severity of CDI is essential for prognosis and therapy. Diagnosis and estimation of disease... read more

Sepsis and Septic Shock – What Matters from EM Cases Course

Sepsis and Septic Shock – What Matters from EM Cases Course

In this podcast Dr. Sara Gray, intensivist and emergency physician, co-author of The CAEP Sepsis Guidelines, answers questions such as: How does one best recognize occult septic shock? How does SIRS, qSOFA and NEWS compare... read more

Sepsis Test Could Show Results In Minutes

Sepsis Test Could Show Results In Minutes

A new rapid test for earlier diagnosis of sepsis is being developed by University of Strathclyde researchers. The device, which has been tested in a laboratory, may be capable of producing results in two-and-a-half minutes,... read more

Antibiotic timing in Severe Sepsis

Antibiotic timing in Severe Sepsis

Severe sepsis is a time dependent condition and this study builds on previous literature which supports that early identification and treatment of sepsis with antibiotics decreases mortality. Retrospective analysis of a large... read more

Teen Who Walked While On Life Support is Home from Hospital

Teen Who Walked While On Life Support is Home from Hospital

For the past 467 days, Zei Uwadia has been hospitalized on life support -- but that hasn't kept the quiet-natured teenager from walking, eating her favorite foods or even doing planks as exercise. Now, with determination... read more

Association of Antibiotic Treatment with Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for an Asthma Exacerbation Treated with Systemic Corticosteroids

Association of Antibiotic Treatment with Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for an Asthma Exacerbation Treated with Systemic Corticosteroids

Antibiotic therapy may be associated with a longer hospital length of stay, higher hospital cost, and similar risk of treatment failure. These results highlight the need to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescribing among... read more

Mimics of Sepsis: What do ED Physicians Need to Know?

Mimics of Sepsis: What do ED Physicians Need to Know?

SIRS and sepsis are common clinical entities. A wide range of estimates for prevalence exists, with 300 to 1000 cases per 100,000 persons per year. Once a septic patient is admitted, more than half will require at least step... read more