July 2010


Colored scanning electron micrograph of platelets that have been activated Photo by PhotoResearchers

Those pesky platelets

An expert hematologist explains how to recognize and treat heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

VTE update covers new drugs, recommendations

Alternatives to warfarin will be available soon.

For diagnosing withdrawal, the eyes have it

Recognizing and treating opioid dependence inside the hospital, and beyond.

How to treat a double whammy: Acute coronary syndrome and GI bleeding

What to do when patients present with acute coronary syndrome and gastrointestinal bleeding.

International medical graduates get acculturation advice from a veteran

American slang is only one of many obstacles facing a new IMG.

ICU patients need to be seen as well as heard

Determining the floor plan of a hospital is usually the responsibility of an architect, but a recent study shows doctors should care about design, too.

Stickers, candy help reduce drug errors

Auckland City Hospital in New Zealand reduced medication errors due to inaccurate recording of patients' medications.

Letter from the Editor

This issue features our coverage from Internal Medicine 2010, including stories on thrombocytopenia, concurrent GI bleeding and acute coronary syndrome, managing patients in opioid withdrawal, and more.

Hospital medicine in Portugal

Our editorial advisor reports from the 16th National Portuguese Congress of Internal Medicine.

Medical quality: What's it all mean?

As medical students, we've heard the phrase “medical quality” thrown around quite a bit. It's reasonable to wonder what all the fuss is about, and how it applies at this stage in a physician's career.

Cardiac telemetry monitoring

Our columnist discusses “alarm fatigue.”.

Test yourself: Thrombocytopenia

This case and commentary, which address thrombocytopenia, are excerpted from ACP's Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP15).

FDA update: Defibrillator recall expanded

Drug recalls, warnings, approvals.

In the News

Guidelines on red blood cell transfusion, and more.