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New Oral Anticoagulants Increase GI Bleed Risk
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Do thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding when compared to vitamin K antagonists and heparins? Background: New oral anticoagulants (thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors) are available and being used with increased frequency due to equ
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De-Escalating Antibiotics in Sepsis
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does tailoring antibiotics based on known pathogens impact mortality for patients with severe sepsis or shock? Background: In patients with sepsis, the use of early empiric antibiotics reduces morbidity and mortality.
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Three-Month Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Zotarolimus-Eluting Stents
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Is short-term, dual antiplatelet therapy noninferior to long-term therapy in zotarolimus-eluting stents? Background: Current guidelines recommend long-term (>12 months) dual antiplatelet therapy after the placement of drug-eluting stents.
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Antibiotic Algorithm Can Guide Therapy in Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Can an algorithm based on risk for multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms and illness severity guide antibiotic selection in healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)? Background: The 2005 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America (ATS/IDSA) guidelines identify
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Adults Hospitalized for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Have High Morbidity, Mortality Rates
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: What are the complications and outcomes of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in adults requiring hospitalization? Background: RSV is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children, leading to hospitalization and even death.
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ICU Pressures Improve Transfers to the Floor
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does ICU strain negatively affect the outcomes of patients transferred to the floor? Background: With healthcare costs increasing and critical care staff shortages projected, ICUs will have to operate under increasing strain.
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Neither Low-Dose Dopamine nor Low-Dose Nesiritide Improves Renal Dysfunction in Acute Heart Failure Patients
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does low-dose dopamine or low-dose nesiritide added to diuretic therapy enhance pulmonary volume reduction and preserve renal function in patients with acute heart failure and renal dysfunction, compared to placebo? Background: Small studies have suggested that low-dose dopamin
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Beta Blockers Lower Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction in COPD Patients
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does the use and timing of beta blockers in COPD patients experiencing a first myocardial infarction (MI) affect survival after the event? Background: Beta blockers are effective in reducing mortality and reinfarction after an MI; however, concerns regarding the side effects of
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Edoxaban Is Noninferior to Warfarin in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: What is the long-term efficacy and safety of edoxaban compared with warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib)? Background: Edoxaban is an oral factor Xa inhibitor approved for use in Japan for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after orthopedic surgery.
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Interdisciplinary Intervention Improves Medication Compliance, Not Blood Pressure or LDL-C Levels
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Can intervention by pharmacists and physicians improve compliance to cardio-protective medications? Background: Adherence to cardio-protective medications in the year after hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome is poor. Study design: RCT. Setting: Four Department of