Diagnosis and Management of Amanita Phalloides Toxicity in the Emergency Department Observation Unit: A Case Report.

Introduction: Mushroom toxicity is an important etiology of acute liver injury in a patient with gastrointestinal symptoms. Case Report: We present the case of a male patient presenting to the emergency department (ED) with gastrointestinal distress who was placed under ED observation for elevated liver function tests. During his hospital course, it was revealed he had consumed wild mushrooms believed to be Amanita phalloides. Conclusion: While mushroom ingestion and subsequent toxicity are rare, a high index of suspicion in foraging hobbyists is essential to arriving at the correct diagnosis and directing the patient to the appropriate management.

Epilepsy Caused by Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report.

Neurocysticercosis is one of the most common causes of acquired epilepsy worldwide. This diagnosis is rarely considered in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with recurrent seizures in the United States (U.S.). This is the case of a young adult male presenting with post-ictal confusion and recurrent seizures requiring intubation for agitation and airway protection. It illustrates the need to maintain a broad differential when considering etiology of seizures in a globalized patient population. Topics: Seizure, neurocysticercosis, epilepsy, parasitic infection.

Reaching consensus on a home infusion central line-associated bloodstream infection surveillance definition via a modified Delphi approach.

BACKGROUND: A consensus on a central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) surveillance definition in home infusion is needed to standardize measurement and benchmark CLABSI to provide data to drive improvement initiatives METHODS: Experts across fields including home infusion therapy, infectious diseases, and healthcare epidemiology convened to perform a 3-step modified Delphi approach to obtain input and achieve consensus on a candidate home infusion CLABSI definition. RESULTS: The numerator criterion was identified by participants as involving one of the 2 following: (1) recognized pathogen isolated from blood culture and pathogen is not related to infection at another site, or (2) one of the following signs or symptoms: fever of 38°C (100.4°F), chills, or hypotension (systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg), and one of the 2 following: (A) common skin contaminant isolated from 2 blood cultures drawn on separate occasions and organism is not related to infection at another site, or (B) common skin contaminant isolated from blood culture from patient with intravascular access device and provider institutes appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The criteria for a denominator included days from the day of admission with a central venous catheter to day of removal of central venous catheter. In addition, 11 inclusion criteria and 4 exclusion criteria were included. DISCUSSION: Home infusion therapy and healthcare epidemiology experts developed candidate criteria for a home infusion CLABSI surveillance definition. CONCLUSIONS: Home care and home infusion agencies can use this definition to monitor their own CLABSI rates and implement preventative strategies.