Poonam Sharma, MD Archives - The Hospitalist

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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Left Atrial Appendage Closure Noninferior to Warfain for Cardioembolic Event Prophylaxis in Nonvalvular Afibrillation
March 3, 2015
Clinical question: Is mechanical, left atrial appendage (LAA) closure as effective as warfarin therapy in preventing cardioembolic events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (Afib)? Background: Anticoagulation with warfarin has long been the standard therapy for prevention of thrombo
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Tramadol Associated with Increased Rate of Hypoglycemia
March 3, 2015
Clinical question: Does tramadol increase rates of hospitalization from hypoglycemia compared to other opioids? Background: As tramadol use has increased in the general population, there have been multiple reports of hypoglycemia after initiation of the painkiller, including in patients with no o
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Longer Surgeries Associated with Increased VTE Risk
March 3, 2015
Clinical question: Does duration of surgical procedure influence venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk? Background: The relationship between surgical procedure length and VTE risk has not been vigorously assessed, although it has been postulated that longer procedures are associated with increased VT