April 19, 2023
What to say when sharing serious news
Two palliative care experts at CONVERGE outlined common tactics and phrases to avoid in conversations with patients and families and recommended some alternatives.
Taming nausea
Learn how to choose effective nausea treatments, including one you can keep in your coat pocket.
No benefit found from high-dose steroids, RAS inhibitors in latest COVID-19 trials
Multiple new studies tested renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors in inpatients with COVID-19, while the latest report from the RECOVERY trial found higher mortality in patients on no or regular oxygen who received high-dose corticosteroids compared to usual care.
New algorithm may help with medication optimization in patients with reduced ejection fraction
An algorithm based on the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction was validated against clinical trial data and accurately determined which patients were eligible for guideline-recommended medical therapy and dose titration.
Antibiotic regimens differ in associated risk of AKI in critically ill patients
Vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam were associated with a higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) than either vancomycin and cefepime or vancomycin and meropenem in ICU patients, particularly at longer durations and in those with normal kidney function on admission.
Intervention in safety-net system failed to reduce overuse of VTE prophylaxis
An order set and best practice advisory in the electronic health record did not significantly affect use of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE), but did provide some useful lessons, a study of 11 New York City hospitals found.