Tag: antibiotics
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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