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News
Caprini Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Surgical Patients
January 22, 2016
Clinical question: Is the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) a valid tool to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in critically ill surgical patients? Background: VTE is a major source of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients; prevention is critical to reduce morbidity and
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News
Total Knee Replacement Superior to Non-Surgical Intervention
January 22, 2016
Clinical question: Does total knee replacement followed by a 12-week non-surgical treatment program provide greater pain relief and improvement in function and quality of life than non-surgical treatment alone? Background: The number of total knee replacements in the U.S.
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News
Patients with Postoperative Myocardial Infarction May Benefit from Higher Transfusion Threshold
January 18, 2016
Clinical question: Is there an improved 30-day mortality rate if patients receive blood transfusion at higher hematocrit values after postoperative myocardial infarction (MI)? Background: Prior studies evaluating patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo non-cardiac
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News
Nebulized Hypertonic Saline Does Not Improve Outcomes for Non-ICU Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis
January 18, 2016
Clinical question: Does the use of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline shorten length of stay (LOS) in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis? Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a disease primarily of infants and young children, triggered by a viral infection that leads to variable inflammation
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News
Beta-Blockers May Increase Risk of Perioperative MACEs in Patients with Uncomplicated Hypertension
January 15, 2016
Clinical question: Does taking a perioperative beta-blocker increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in low-risk patients with essential hypertension (HTN)? Background: Guidelines for the use of perioperative beta-blockers are being reevaluated
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News
Pharmacist Involvement in Transitional Care Can Reduce Return ED Visits, Inpatient Readmissions
January 15, 2016
Clinical question: Does pharmacist involvement in transitions of care decrease medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmissions? Background: Previous studies show pharmacist involvement in discharge can reduce ADEs and improve patient satisf
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News
Displaying Prices to Providers May Reduce Overall Ordering Costs
January 12, 2016
Clinical question: Does price display impact order costs and volume as well as patient safety outcomes, and is it acceptable to providers? Background: Up to one-third of national healthcare expenditures are wasteful, with physicians playing a central role in overall cost, purchasing almost all te
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News
Criteria for Appropriate Use of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters
December 28, 2015
Clinical question: What are criteria for appropriate and inappropriate use of PICCs? Background: PICCs are commonly used in medical care in a variety of clinical contexts; however, criteria defining the appropriate use of PICCs and practices related to PICC placement have not been previously esta
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News
Value of Ultra-Brief Cognitive Assessments in Predicting Negative Hospital Outcomes
December 28, 2015
Clinical question: What is the value of ultra-brief cognitive assessments in predicting hospital outcomes? Background: Cognitive assessment tools can be used to predict patient outcomes in the hospital setting.
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News
ACP Guidelines for Evaluation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
December 25, 2015
Clinical question: What are best practices for evaluating patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE)? Background: Use of CT in the evaluation of PE has increased across all clinical settings without improving mortality.
