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No Mortality Benefit with Treatment of Single Peripheral Pulmonary Emboli
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does treatment of single peripheral pulmonary emboli impact mortality and rates of post-discharge venous thromboembolism (VTE)? Background: With the increase in CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) use the past decade, there has been an increased rate of detection of peripheral fill
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Healthcare-Associated Infections Continue to Impact the U.S. Healthcare System Financially
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: What is the estimated cost of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) to the U.S. healthcare system? Background: In spite of education efforts, HAIs occur frequently and contribute to high healthcare costs in the U.S. This study sought to estimate the costs of HAIs to the U.S.
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Lower Perioperative Mortality with Endovascular Vs. Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: How do perioperative and long-term morbidity and mortality compare in endovascular and open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)? Background: Open AAA repair has relatively high perioperative mortality.
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Discontinuation of Beta Blockers Increases Risk of Postoperative Myocardial Infarction and Death
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does perioperative beta-blocker discontinuation affect postoperative myocardial infarction (MI) in low-risk patients undergoing joint arthroplasty? Background: Recent trials show no benefit of perioperative beta blockers in reducing the incidence of perioperative myocardial inf
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Cancer Guideline for VTE Prophylaxis for Inpatients and Long-Term Treatment With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Acute VTE
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: On what aspects of VTE management in cancer patients are there consensus among the major guideline panels? Background: VTE is a common and serious complication of cancer.
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Trauma Patients with Pulmonary Embolism Might Not Have DVT on Imaging of Lower Extremities
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: What is the relationship between acute DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE) in trauma patients? Background: Major trauma is associated with an increased risk of acute DVT and PE. It is assumed that the majority of PEs arise from DVTs in the lower extremities.
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Eliminating Adverse Events and Redundant Tests Could Generate U.S. Healthcare Savings
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Using available data, what is the estimated cost savings of eliminating adverse events and avoiding redundant tests? Background: Reimbursement schemes are changing such that hospitals are reimbursed less for some adverse events.
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High Perioperative Oxygen Fraction Does Not Improve Surgical-Site Infection Frequency after Abdominal Surgery
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Does the use of 80% oxygen perioperatively in abdominal surgery decrease the frequency of surgical-site infection within 14 days without increasing the rate of pulmonary complications? Background: Low oxygen tension in wounds can negatively impact immune response and healing.
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Short Course of Oral Antibiotics Effective for Acute Osteomyelitis and Septic Arthritis in Children
October 27, 2014
By Mark Shen, MD Reviewed by Pediatric Editor Mark Shen, MD, medical director of hospital medicine at Dell Children’s Medical Center, Austin, Texas. Clinical question: Is a short course (less than four weeks) of antibiotics effective for the treatment of acute osteomyelitis and septic arthritis?
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Computer-Based Reminders Have Small to Modest Effect on Care Processes
October 27, 2014
Clinical question: Do on-screen, computer-based clinical reminders improve adherence to target processes of care or clinical outcomes? Background: Gaps between practice guidelines and routine care are caused, in part, by the inability of clinicians to access or recall information at the point of