The ACIP has updated its recommended 2013 adult immunization schedule to include new guidelines for the use of pneumococcal conjugate and influenza vaccines. The updated schedule also recommends routine Tdap vaccination for adults aged 65 or older, pregnant women, and all patients over 6 months old against influenza.
A recent evidence review suggests that primary care interventions may reduce child abuse and neglect, with clinic-based interventions showing reduced physical assault and improved medical adherence. Additionally, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all women of childbearing age for intimate partner violence.
Researchers found selective D-dimer testing safe and efficient in reducing diagnostic testing for suspected deep vein thrombosis. A three-pill generic-based regimen for HIV treatment could save up to $1 billion annually while being slightly less effective than the current one-pill regimen. State medical boards generally agree on invest...
A new 33-item protocol checklist has been released to enhance trial protocols' content and quality, providing crucial information for critical appraisal and interpretation.
Researchers estimate naloxone distribution could prevent 6.5% of all overdose deaths by providing a cost-effective way to reverse opioid overdoses. Quadruple doses of seasonal flu vaccine may better protect HIV-infected patients from serious illness or death, but evidence for quality impact is limited.
A recent study of over 4 million patients found that reducing hospital stays does not increase readmission rates or patient mortality. The UK colonoscopy guidelines were also compared to US guidelines, showing that the UK guidelines may detect advanced adenomas two years earlier without increasing colonoscopy rates. Additionally, adali...
Behavior-based prevention interventions can help reduce smoking initiation by 19% among young people. The American College of Physicians recommends these interventions to prevent tobacco-related illness in children and adolescents.
The American College of Physicians recommends limiting upper endoscopy to patients with heartburn only when accompanied by serious symptoms or specific risk factors. The guideline aims to reduce unnecessary procedures and associated costs, while ensuring effective care for GERD patients.
Routine use of upper endoscopy for most GERD patients does not improve patient health and may lead to unnecessary interventions. Computer alerts in HIV care improve patient outcomes by notifying providers of adverse events or missed appointments, leading to better follow-up practices.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations for hepatitis C screening in asymptomatic adults. The new guidelines suggest that targeted screening may be beneficial, as up to two-thirds of infected patients are missed by routine screening methods. However, there is currently no direct evidence that screening imp...
The American College of Physicians releases new clinical practice guidelines for stable ischemic heart disease, emphasizing patient education and risk factor modification. The guidelines address initial cardiac testing, management, and follow-up care for patients with stable IHD.
Two new clinical practice guidelines from six organizations address testing for patients with stable ischemic heart disease (IHD), recommending thorough history and physical examination prior to additional testing. A separate study found that adding testosterone to sildenafil therapy does not improve erectile function in men with low t...
Researchers found that prophylactic use of probiotics significantly reduces the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adults and children taking antibiotics. In contrast, epidural corticosteroid injections offer only short-term relief from sciatica pain and disability for patients with this condition.
A hospital in Roanoke, VA established a treatment protocol for dozens of patients with suspected fungal meningitis, using IV voriconazole and amphotericin-B. The clinical course and long-term neurological consequences are still being studied.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) suggests using evidence-based performance measures to assess the use of low-value interventions, such as routine X-ray or advanced imaging methods for uncomplicated low back pain. This approach aims to improve health care quality by changing clinician behavior through feedback and public reporting.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against the use of estrogen and progestin for chronic disease prevention in postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapies may reduce fracture risk but increase risk for stroke, thromboembolic events, and urinary incontinence. The recommendations aim to balance benefits with risks.
A physician warns of the dangers of fungal meningitis due to contaminated injectable corticosteroids, emphasizing the importance of sterility in compounding processes. The author advocates for a case-by-case approach to treatment and calls for increased regulation to prevent future outbreaks.
The 2002 Exophiala dermatitidis meningitis outbreak highlights the dangers of contaminated injectable corticosteroids. Without proper sterility, fungus can grow aggressively and cause invasive mycosis with a potentially long incubation period.
A recent fungal meningitis outbreak has highlighted the aggressive nature of this condition, particularly after joint or bone injections. The researchers report on a clinical observation involving a patient who died due to severe brain and spinal cord damage.
A recent study found that short-term sleep deprivation significantly decreases insulin sensitivity in fat cells, a key finding with implications for metabolic disorders. The researchers also discovered that regular sleep deprivation may lead to metabolic problems such as diabetes and obesity over time.
A new over-the-counter HIV test, OraQuick, is unlikely to significantly impact the fight against HIV due to its high cost and limited accessibility. Physicians recommend counseling patients about the use and limitations of home testing to make informed decisions.
Researchers found that inviting patients to read their doctors' notes boosts patient engagement, adherence, and control in healthcare plans with minimal impact on doctor workload. Additionally, the use of electronic health records improves diabetes care by enhancing monitoring, treatment, and glucose control. New equations for estimati...
Researchers found that brief, multicontact behavioral counseling interventions delivered by primary care physicians reduced hospital stays for adults with risky drinking. The campaign 'Tips from Former Smokers' successfully encouraged smokers to quit, with calls to the toll-free quit line more than doubling during the 12-week campaign.
Hospital-initiated transitional care strategies reduce unnecessary health services use and improve patient outcomes for adults with acute stroke or myocardial infarction. Electronic record use, medication reconciliation, and shared follow-up planning also enhance patient transition from hospital to primary care.
The US has seen a dramatic increase in West Nile Virus cases, exceeding 2012 levels. Experts urge health care professionals and the public to take mosquito-prevention measures to avoid life-threatening diseases.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends against annual screening for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women due to potential harms. Reduced out-of-pocket expenses can improve medication adherence for chronic conditions, with case management and patient education showing strong evidence.
A new systematic review of human studies and nutrient levels in unprocessed foods found that organic foods lack strong evidence for being more nutritious than conventional foods. However, organic produce contained higher levels of total phenols and organic milk and chicken had higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. NA-ACCORD also showed...
The American College of Physicians (ACP) advises against routine screening for chronic kidney disease in asymptomatic adults due to insufficient evidence supporting its benefits. Commercial screening tests can also inflate healthcare costs and undermine physician efforts to provide cost-conscious care.
Recent studies suggest that colonoscopy-related factors are more predictive of colorectal cancer risk than polyp characteristics. High levels of lead exposure also pose significant health risks, even at low blood lead levels. Meanwhile, a new lung cancer screening model shows high accuracy in identifying patients who will benefit from ...
New CDC guidelines recommend universal HCV screening for all Americans born between 1945 and 1965, with strong evidence supporting the association between sustained virologic response and reduced liver cancer risk. Brief alcohol screening and intervention are also recommended for those diagnosed with HCV.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine screening for age-related hearing loss due to insufficient evidence on benefits and harms. For schizophrenia, there is little research to support the use of second-generation antipsychotics over first-generation drugs.
Physicians can improve antibiotic prescribing habits by paying attention to contextual clues, reducing flu season prescribing rates. The authors recommend equal evaluation of HbA1c levels for diabetes diagnosis in all racial groups, as black patients have higher levels at the same blood glucose levels.
The American College of Physicians recommends against routine electrocardiogram (ECG) screening for asymptomatic adults at low risk for coronary heart disease, as it may lead to unnecessary procedures and overtreatment. The Task Force also found inadequate evidence that ECG screening in this population reduces the risk for CHD events.
The FDA Antiviral Advisory Committee discusses the pros and cons of Truvada approval for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Dr. Judith Feinberg votes in favor of approval, citing good outcomes and tolerability, while Dr. Lauren V. Wood expresses concerns about inconsistent evidence, adherence issues, and safety concerns. Primary care phy...
The NYC trans fat ban resulted in a significant reduction of trans fat consumption among fast food patrons, with a notable decrease in saturated fat intake. Young women who have never been pregnant are also at risk for urinary incontinence, affecting up to 12.6% of those surveyed. Prophylactic antidepressant therapy may help prevent tr...
The American College of Physicians developed a free curriculum to train internal medicine residents in identifying and eliminating wasteful treatment options. The high-value, cost-conscious care curriculum focuses on patient cases requiring careful analysis of benefits, harms, costs, and evidence-based decision making.
A study of 3,010 heart attack patients found that 40% were rehospitalized within 30 days due to the heart attack or other causes, with comorbid conditions like diabetes and COPD increasing risk. Additionally, half of heart patients make serious medication errors, even when pharmacists intervene.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that clinicians screen all adult patients for obesity and offer intensive behavioral interventions. While medium- to high-intensity counseling produced small short-term improvements in cardiovascular health, the task force concludes that these interventions are more effective when delive...
A recent study found that Alzheimer's patients who undergo hospitalization are at risk for complications such as delirium, loss of independence, and death. Researchers also highlighted the risks associated with Flavocoxid, a medical food used to treat osteoarthritis, which can cause liver injury in some patients. Additionally, screenin...
Hospital noise is a significant factor affecting quality-of-care in hospitalized patients, disrupting sleep, healing, and causing negative impacts on cardiovascular health. Research found that louder sounds are more disruptive, especially those engineered to alert, while noises like ice machines are arousing at low sound levels.
A computer-based algorithm can accurately predict seven-day heart failure mortality rates in emergency room patients. Researchers also found that childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for gastrointestinal cancers starting as early as 5.5 years after diagnosis.
The American College of Physicians Task Force recommends updating hormone therapy guidelines due to significant adverse events. Exercise and vitamin D supplementation are effective at reducing falls, but multifactorial risk assessment is not recommended for all elderly patients.
The USPSTF recommends against PSA-based screening for all men regardless of age, citing significant harms associated with the test. The Task Force concludes that the benefits of screening do not outweigh the risks, which include unnecessary treatments and life-long adverse effects.
Researchers found that a comprehensive care management program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may not be safe or suitable for patients, as it led to excess mortality. In contrast, laxative-free colonography proved accurate in detecting most significant lesions and eliminated a major barrier to colon cancer screening. ...
The American College of Physicians recommends screening women for intimate partner violence in healthcare settings to discuss IPV with clinicians. Physician counseling also increases sun-protective behaviors among patients at greatest risk for skin cancer, particularly children and young adults with fair skin.
Two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that younger women at increased risk for breast cancer may benefit from biennial mammography screening beginning at age 40. The data suggest that this approach has more benefits than harms for women with a two-fold increased risk. Meanwhile, hospital management strategies h...
The American College of Physicians recommends prioritizing funding for effective public health programs and investing in the nation's public health infrastructure. A strong public health infrastructure is essential for preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.
The American College of Physicians recommends testing a premium support program on a demonstration project basis to ensure patient access to care. The College also suggests policies to reform payment and delivery systems to reduce costs and maintain access to affordable care for beneficiaries.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has released a tip sheet on screening and treatment of chronic kidney disease, concluding that regular screening offers no clear benefits. In contrast, preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in preventing HIV infection among high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). The ACP also notes that...
A systematic review of 94 trials found that drugs are effective in achieving continence and improving quality of life, but with small improvements and frequent side effect discontinuation. Fesoterodine was more effective than tolterodine, while solifenacin showed the lowest rates of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects.