Antifungal susceptibilities of Candida sp. in New Zealand.
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Antifungal Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
W P McKinney
Publications and source records attributed to W P McKinney.
Vaccines for international travel.
American travelers increasingly are selecting exotic destinations in the developing world. This poses a challenge to primary care clinicians who wish to provide recommendations to their patients regarding optimal protection from infectious disease risks. Recommendations should be individualized for each traveler and journey, accounting for personal health, health risks of specific destinations, style of travel, and activities anticipated. This article updates practitioners on the essentials of immunization before international travel.
Adolescent↗
Adverse cardiac events after surgery: assessing risk in a veteran population.
OBJECTIVE: To establish rates of and risk factors for cardiac complications after noncardiac surgery in veterans. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A large urban veterans affairs hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand patients with known or suspected cardiac problems undergoing 1,121 noncardiac procedures. MEASUREMENTS: Patients were assessed preoperatively for important clinical variables. Postoperative evaluation was done by an assessor blinded to preoperative status with a daily physical examination, electrocardiogram, and creatine kinase with MB fraction until postoperative day 6, day of discharge, death, or reoperation (whichever occurred earliest). Serial electrocardiograms, enzymes, and chest radiographs were obtained as indicated. Severe cardiac complications included cardiac death, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, and fibrillation and pulmonary edema. Serious cardiac complications included the above, heart failure, and unstable angina. MAIN RESULTS: Severe and serious complications were seen in 24% and 32% of aortic, 8.3% and 10% of carotid, 11.8% and 14.7% of peripheral vascular, 9.0% and 13.1% of intraabdominal/intrathoracic, 2.9% and 3.3% of intermediate-risk (head and neck and major orthopedic procedures), and 0.27% and 1.1% of low-risk procedures respectively. The five associated patient-specific risk factors identified by logistic regression are: myocardial infarction < 6 months (odds ratio [OR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 12.9), emergency surgery (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 5.6), myocardial infarction > 6 months (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.5), heart failure ever (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.0), and rhythm other than sinus (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 0.9 to 3.2). Inclusion of the planned operative procedure significantly improves the predictive ability of our risk model. CONCLUSIONS: Five patient-specific risk factors are associated with high risk for cardiac complications in the perioperative period of noncardiac surgery in veterans. Inclusion of the operative procedure significantly improves the predictive ability of the risk model. Overall cardiac complication rates (pretest probabilities) are established for these patients. A simple nomogram is presented for calculation of post-test probabilities by incorporating the operative procedure.
Adult↗
Pharmacist recognition of potential drug interactions.
The ability of pharmacists to identify potential drug interactions was studied. Simulated medication profiles were created from a list of 16 drugs. Staff pharmacists and soon-to-graduate student pharmacists at a Veterans Affairs medical center each received a set of eight 2-drug profiles, four 4-drug profiles, two 8-drug profiles, and one 16-drug profile. Each set of profiles contained a number of pairs of drugs rated by the Drug Therapy Screening System as producing an interaction of moderate or major importance. The subjects were given one hour to screen the profile for the potentially interacting pairs. The subjects detected only 66% of the interactions in the 2-drug profiles, 34% of the interactions in the 4-drug profiles, 20% of the interactions in the 8-drug profiles, and 17% of the interactions in the 16-drug profile. None of the subjects detected all interactions in the 8- or 16-drug profiles. Both true-positive and false-positive rates of identification decreased significantly as the number of drugs listed on the profile increased. This primarily reflected a reduced tendency to report the presence of drug interactions, but there was additional evidence that the accuracy of identification also declined. The number of years of pharmacy training was the only demographic characteristic highly correlated with accuracy. More years of pharmacy education seemed to improve the ability to detect drug interactions. However, none of the pharmacists or students was able to detect all potentially interacting pairs in a profile containing 8 or 16 drugs. Computerized drug interaction profiles should be used by pharmacists to ensure recognition of all potential drug interactions.
Drug Interactions↗
The status of the clinicopathologic conference in academic medical centers.
To determine the current level of use, characteristics, and perceived value of the clinicopathologic conference (CPC), we sent a 22-item survey questionnaire to the program directors of internal medicine residency training programs. Of the 278 residency training programs that returned questionnaires, 221 (80%) indicated that they held CPCs regularly. The conference received a mean rating (Likert scale 1 = best to 5 = worst) of 2.2 (95% confidence interval 2.2, 2. 3) for both its perceived educational value and its popularity. The CPC remains widely used in internal medicine training programs. Although relatively few programs have rigorous guidelines for preparation and evaluation of their presentations, the CPC is generally viewed as being popular and having sound educational value.
Academic Medical Centers↗
Acute pulmonary histoplasmosis: progressive pneumonia resulting from high inoculum exposure.
Histoplasmosis is endemic in certain areas of North, Central, and South America, especially within the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys of the United States. We describe a case of histoplasmosis in a farm-dwelling resident of Kentucky who probably had multiple prior opportunities for exposure. However, during the gathering of topsoil containing chicken droppings for use as fertilizer, he was likely to have been exposed to such a high inoculum of the organism that he developed a severe pulmonary infection. He presented with a one-week history of malaise, myalgias, fever to 103 degrees F, and headaches. A chest X-ray showed bilateral reticulonodular infiltrates. He was initially treated for community-acquired pneumonia. When his symptoms did not resolve, a bronchoscopy was performed. Washings from the broncho-alveolar lavage grew Histoplasma capsulatum, and he responded well to itraconazole therapy. This case is presented to emphasize risks from high-inoculum exposure and the hazard imposed by harvesting certain types of organic material for use as fertilizer.
Acute Disease↗
Does this patient have appendicitis?
Appendicitis is a common cause of abdominal pain for which prompt diagnosis is rewarded by a marked decrease in morbidity and mortality. The history and physical examination are at least as accurate as any laboratory modality in diagnosing or excluding appendicitis. Those signs and symptoms most helpful in diagnosing or excluding appendicitis are reviewed. The presence of a positive psoas sign, fever, or migratory pain to the right lower quadrant suggests an increased likelihood of appendicitis. Conversely, the presence of vomiting before pain makes appendicitis unlikely. The lack of the classic migration of pain, right lower quadrant pain, guarding, or fever makes appendicitis less likely. This article reviews the literature evaluating the operating characteristics of the most useful elements of the history and physical examination for the diagnosis of appendicitis.
Abdomen, Acute↗
Physicians, pharmaceutical sales representatives, and the cost of prescribing.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of primary care physicians' attitudes toward and use of information provided by pharmaceutical representatives on prescribing costs in ambulatory practice. DESIGN: A mailed questionnaire collected information about physician demographic and practice characteristics and attitudes toward and use of information provided by pharmaceutical representatives. PARTICIPANTS: Kentucky physicians practicing primary care adult medicine (family medicine, general practice, general medicine; n = 1603). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Relative cost of prescribing, based on physician responses to treatment choices for ambulatory clinical scenarios in primary care. A multivariable regression model assessed predictive relationships between independent variables and prescription costs. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-six returned questionnaires were suitable for analysis. No significant differences were noted in age, gender, days worked per week, or years since graduation between responders and a sample of nonresponders. A significant positive correlation was found between physician cost of prescribing and perceived credibility, availability, applicability, and use of information provided by pharmaceutical representatives (P < .01, Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient). Physicians in academic or hospital-based practice settings had significantly lower prescribing costs than physicians in nonacademic and nonhospital practices (P = .001, analysis of variance). Frequency of use of information provided by pharmaceutical representatives (P = .01, multiple linear regression) and the group practice setting (P = .02, multiple linear regression) remained significant, independent positive predictors of cost in the multivariable regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of use of information provided by pharmaceutical representatives and the group practice, nonacademic and nonhospital setting may be associated with increased primary care physician prescribing costs.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Safety of intramuscular influenza immunization among patients receiving long-term warfarin anticoagulation therapy.
BACKGROUND: The effect of influenza vaccine on the prothrombin time (PT) among patients taking warfarin is unclear, as previous studies have shown conflicting results and the clinical significance of such a purported effect is uncertain. Moreover, to our knowledge, there are no data confirming the safety of intramuscular injections in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy with regard to possible local hematoma formation. We measured the effect of influenza vaccine on the PT among patients receiving long-term warfarin sodium therapy and evaluated the safety of intramuscular injections among them. METHODS: Forty-one adult patients who were receiving anticoagulant therapy were given 0.5 mL of influenza vaccine intramuscularly. Prothrombin time and arm girth were measured at baseline and on days 3, 7, and 14 after immunization. Local pain and tenderness were assessed on a five-point scale. Patients and study nurses were blinded to all prior measurements. Differences between baseline PT and that at each subsequent visit and the maximal change in arm circumference from baseline were calculated for each patient. Mean, range, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the entire group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant change in PT between baseline and days 3, 7, and 14 after vaccination, and no significant change in arm circumference was noted. There were no clinically detectable local complications after intramuscular injection and no major or minor bleeding episodes after influenza vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza vaccine has no significant effect on the PT in patients who are being treated with warfarin. Influenza vaccine can be administered intramuscularly to patients who are receiving anticoagulant therapy without the risk of local bleeding complications.
Aged↗
Ulcer prevention with misoprostol in chronic NSAID users.
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
Validation of a clinical prediction rule for the differential diagnosis of acute meningitis.
OBJECTIVE: To attempt to validate a previously reported clinical prediction rule derived to assist in distinguishing between acute bacterial meningitis and acute viral meningitis. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review of patients treated at five hospitals between 1981 and 1990. The criterion standard for bacterial meningitis was a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or blood culture or a positive test for bacterial antigen in the CSF. For viral meningitis, the criterion standard was a positive viral culture from CSF, stool, or blood or a discharge diagnosis of viral meningitis with no other etiology evident. SETTING: Two Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, two county hospitals, and one private hospital, each affiliated with one of two medical schools. PATIENTS: All persons aged more than 17 years who were hospitalized over a ten-year period at one of five academically affiliated hospitals for the management of acute meningitis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-two cases of bacterial meningitis and 98 cases of viral meningitis were confirmed. With all patients included, the discriminatory power of the model as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.977 (95% CI, 0.957-0.997), compared with the AUC of 0.97 in the derivation set of the original publication. The AUCs (95% CIs) for data subsets were: Dallas cases 0.994 (0.986-1.0). Milwaukee cases 0.912 (0.834-0.990); ages 18-39 years 0.952 (0.892-1.0), ages 40-59 years 0.99 (0.951-1.0), and age > or = 60 years 0.955 (0.898-1.0). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that the clinical prediction rule proved robust when applied to a geographically distinct population comprised exclusively of adults. There was sustained performance of the model when applied to cases from each city and from three age strata. Prospective validation of this prediction rule will be necessary to confirm its utility in clinical practice.
Acute Disease↗
The medical applications of the internet: informational resources for research, education, and patient care.
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Computer Communication Networks↗
Long-term oral anticoagulant therapy: update on indications, therapeutic ranges, and monitoring.
Oral anticoagulant therapy is used extensively in the treatment of deep venous thrombosis-pulmonary embolism and prevention of systemic thromboembolism. Adoption of the International Normalized Ratio system for the laboratory monitoring of therapy has solved the problems encountered with the variable sensitivities of the available thromboplastins in North America. Although in recent years the recommended intensity of treatment has been reduced for many indications, bleeding remains the most common side effect of long-term oral anticoagulation therapy. Several drugs interact with warfarin sodium, the most commonly used oral anticoagulant drug, and potentiate its effect, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. However, awareness of potential drug interactions and careful monitoring to maintain patients within the recommended therapeutic ranges can minimize the risk of bleeding and lead to its safe use in most patients.
Administration, Oral↗
Educating patients with limited literacy skills: the effectiveness of printed and videotaped materials about colon cancer.
We investigated whether printed or videotaped information is more effective in enhancing colon cancer knowledge. Subjects (n = 1100) were randomized into three groups: to receive a booklet, view a videotape, or receive no intervention. Subjects receiving the intervention showed increased knowledge compared with control subjects (booklet = 23% and videotape = 26% vs no intervention = 3%). Findings suggest that personalized educational materials are effective in enhancing colon cancer knowledge.
Colonic Neoplasms↗
A fire on the AIDS ward.
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Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
Exploring the medical applications of the internet: a guide for beginning users.
Various techniques for accessing informational resources of interest to physicians and other medical professionals currently are available on Internet, a global internetworking of computer systems. The basic strategies for sending electronic mail, transferring files, and logging on to distant computers, as well as newer and more user-friendly indexing and interface systems for accomplishing these tasks are discussed.
Computer Communication Networks↗
Perioperative prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism.
Venous thromboembolism is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, causing 100,000 to 200,000 deaths per year in the United States. Patients undergoing surgery are at the highest risk of venous thromboembolism. The magnitude of this risk in a patient depends on the surgical procedure performed and the presence of other risk factors that predispose to venous thromboembolism. The clinical diagnosis of both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is notoriously inaccurate. Furthermore, two thirds of all fatal pulmonary emboli cause death within 30 minutes of the embolic episode, leaving little time for diagnostic work-up and effective treatment. Prophylactic treatment for prevention of venous thromboembolism is therefore important in these patients, and several effective mechanical and chemical methods for this purpose are available. The pathogenesis of deep vein thrombosis in the surgical patients, the predisposing risk factors, and the available prophylactic modalities are discussed in this article. Recommendations for the use of various approaches in different risk categories are provided.
Humans↗
Medical school policies regarding medical students and HIV infection.
PURPOSE: To ascertain how medical schools address several difficult policy issues regarding medical students and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and to examine whether schools' policies differ according to the incidences of HIV in the schools' locations. METHOD: Between January 5, 1990, and March 20, 1991, 15-minute telephone interviews were conducted with spokespersons (deans or other policymakers) at 42 U.S. medical schools: the 14 in areas of high incidence of HIV, the ten in areas of low incidence, and a convenience sample of 18 in areas of medium incidence. The interview questions were about preventing HIV infection, reporting HIV infection, confidentiality, screening for HIV infection, limiting clinical activities, counseling, hepatitis B vaccination, prophylactic zidovudine administration, and disability and health insurance. RESULTS: A total of 16 schools, including seven of the 14 in high-incidence areas, had no policy regarding medical students with HIV infection. No strong statistically significant difference was found between the responses of schools in low-incidence areas and those of schools in high-incidence areas. No medical school routinely tested its students for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: Schools should do more to ensure that students remember and follow the guidelines about preventing occupational exposure to HIV; in addition, prior to screening for HIV, schools should ensure that students are provided with appropriate levels of health, life, and disability insurance.
AIDS Serodiagnosis↗