Jon Lovins, MD
News
Metformin Continues to Be First-Line Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes
July 1, 2016
Clinical question: Which medications are most safe and effective at managing type 2 diabetes? Background: Patients and practitioners need an updated review of the evidence to select the optimal medication for type 2 diabetes management. Study design: Systematic review. Synopsis: The authors
News
Reevaluating Cardiovascular Risk after TIA
July 1, 2016
Clinical question: What is the prognosis of patients who have a TIA or minor stroke? Background: Prior studies had estimated the risk in the three months following a TIA or minor stroke of having a stroke or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) as 12% to 20%, but this may not reflect the risk of modern
News
Single Dose of Dexamethasone Not an Alternative to ‘Steroid Burst’ for Acute Asthma Treatment
June 27, 2016
Clinical question: Is one dose of dexamethasone comparable to five days of prednisone for treating mild-to-moderate asthma exacerbations? Background: Corticosteroids are the mainstay of initial treatment for asthma exacerbations.
News
Interhospital Transfer Handoff Practice Variance at U.S. Tertiary Care Centers
June 24, 2016
Clinical question: How do interhospital handoff practices differ among U.S. tertiary care centers, and what challenges and innovations have providers encountered? Background: Little has been studied regarding interhospital transfers.
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Oral Steroids as Good as NSAIDs for Acute Gout
June 24, 2016
Clinical question: Are oral steroids as effective as NSAIDs in treating acute gout? Background: Two small trials have suggested that oral steroids are as effective as NSAIDs in treating acute gout.
News
Better Reporting Needed to Accurately Estimate Medical Error as Cause of Death in U.S.
June 20, 2016
Clinical question: What is the contribution of hospital-based medical errors to national mortality in the U.S. compared to other causes listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)? Background: Medical error can contribute to patient mortality.
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Hospital Admission, Stroke Clinic Follow-up Improve Outcomes for Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack, Minor Ischemic Stroke
June 20, 2016
Clinical question: How do guideline-based care and outcomes of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor ischemic stroke differ among patients admitted to the hospital and discharged from the ED, as well as in those referred versus not referred to stroke prevention clinics following di