Can Bedside Ultrasound Inferior Vena Cava Measurements Accurately Diagnose Congestive Heart Failure in the Emergency Department? A Clin-IQ.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of CHF in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with undifferentiated dyspnea would allow clinicians to begin appropriate treatment more promptly. Current guidelines recommend B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels for more accurate diagnosis of CHF in dyspneic patients. Although BNP levels are relatively inexpensive, the test is not usually performed at bedside and results may take up to an hour or more. BNP may also have a "gray zone" in which the values can neither confirm nor rule out CHF. BNP has a reported sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 74% at a cutoff of 400 pg/ml. Studies investigating the sensitivity and specificity of bedside ultrasound (US) inferior vena cava (IVC) measurements for identifying CHF report a specificity of 84% to 96% and sensitivity values ranging from 37% to 93%, depending on the study. Given that US IVC measurements are performed at bedside and results are available rapidly, it is reasonable to evaluate whether US IVC measurements, taken by appropriately trained ED clinicians, alone or in combination with BNP, may increase diagnostic accuracy of congestive heart failure.

HIE-i-health information exchange with intelligence.

This article demonstrates the development and pilot testing of an innovative approach to implement health information exchange with intelligence (HIE-i) in primary care settings. Records of 346 patients were studied in 6 primary care practices. Clinical workflows were evaluated by time motion studies and observations. A viable and sustained HIE connection was adopted by primary care clinicians. Documentation and delivery of several preventive services, medication reconciliation, and workflow efficiency improved. The study was able to establish a sustained and effective HIE implementation. More research is needed to determine the clinical impact and sustainability of the HIE-i approach.

Improving colorectal cancer screening in family medicine: an Oklahoma Physicians Resource/Research Network (OKPRN) study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) practices across a variety of primary care clinics and identify the methods used by primary care physicians (PCPs) with higher rates of CRCS ("exemplars"). METHODS: Physician questionnaires, structured interviews, medical record abstractions, and practice observations were conducted for 48 PCPs in 25 practices within a regional practice-based research network followed by secondary in-depth interviews to further investigate the practices of PCPs in the top quartile of CRCS rates ("exemplars"). RESULTS: We abstracted 3596 medical records (mean of 75 records per PCP). Overall, exemplars had higher CRCS rates (median, 57.2% vs. 27.6%; P < .001). Patients of exemplars had higher screening rates for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and colonoscopy but not for flexible sigmoidoscopy or double-contrast barium enemas. Exemplars adopted few of the system-based innovations proposed by researchers to improve CRCS. Colonoscopy was promoted as the preferred CRCS method. FOBT was recommended for patients who could not afford or did not want colonoscopy. Flexible sigmoidoscopy or barium enemas were rarely recommended. Exemplars used brief CRCS promotion scripts that informally paralleled theory-driven counseling techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced PCPs use brief CRCS promotion scripts including counseling techniques that improve CRCS performance. Future research should be directed toward whether these techniques can be used to create an intervention aimed at PCPs to improve CRCS.

A pharmacist visit improves diabetes standards in a patient-centered medical home (PCMH).

Many patients with diabetes do not receive recommended standards of care. Diabetes patients were seen by a pharmacist in a diabetes assessment service (DAS) 1 week prior to a physician appointment to complete diabetes standards. Completion rates of American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards were compared between patients of 5 physicians offered the DAS intervention and a concurrent cohort of randomly selected patients of nonparticipating physicians. A total of 94 patients were seen by DAS; 210 patients comprised the controls. DAS patients had a significantly higher proportion of each standard completed (glycosylated hemoglobin, lipids, foot exam, eye referral, pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, and urine microalbumin) compared with the control group (P < .001). An average of 3.3 ± 1.8 diabetes standards per patient were completed. A planned visit with a pharmacist prior to a physician appointment, with the goal of completing ADA standards of care, was feasible and effective in this university-based family medicine center.

Treatment options for insomnia.

The frequency of sleep disruption and the degree to which insomnia significantly affects daytime function determine the need for evaluation and treatment. Physicians may initiate treatment of insomnia at an initial visit; for patients with a clear acute stressor such as grief, no further evaluation may be indicated. However, if insomnia is severe or long-lasting, a thorough evaluation to uncover coexisting medical, neurologic, or psychiatric illness is warranted. Treatment should begin with nonpharmacologic therapy, addressing sleep hygiene issues and exercise. There is good evidence supporting the effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy. Exercise improves sleep as effectively as benzodiazepines in some studies and, given its other health benefits, is recommended for patients with insomnia. Hypnotics generally should be prescribed for short periods only, with the frequency and duration of use customized to each patient's circumstances. Routine use of over-the-counter drugs containing antihistamines should be discouraged. Alcohol has the potential for abuse and should not be used as a sleep aid. Opiates are valuable in pain-associated insomnia. Benzodiazepines are most useful for short-term treatment; however, long-term use may lead to adverse effects and withdrawal phenomena. The better safety profile of the newer-generation nonbenzodiazepines (i.e., zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopidone, and ramelteon) makes them better first-line choices for long-term treatment of chronic insomnia.

Diagnosis and management of acute pyelonephritis in adults.

There are approximately 250,000 cases of acute pyelonephritis each year, resulting in more than 100,000 hospitalizations. The most common etiologic cause is infection with Escherichia coli. The combination of the leukocyte esterase test and the nitrite test (with either test proving positive) has a sensitivity of 75 to 84 percent and a specificity of 82 to 98 percent for urinary tract infection. Urine cultures are positive in 90 percent of patients with acute pyelonephritis, and cultures should be obtained before antibiotic therapy is initiated. The use of blood cultures should be reserved for patients with an uncertain diagnosis, those who are immunocompromised, and those who are suspected of having hematogenous infections. Outpatient oral antibiotic therapy with a fluoroquinolone is successful in most patients with mild uncomplicated pyelonephritis. Other effective alternatives include extended-spectrum penicillins, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium, cephalosporins, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Indications for inpatient treatment include complicated infections, sepsis, persistent vomiting, failed outpatient treatment, or extremes of age. In hospitalized patients, intravenous treatment is recommended with a fluoroquinolone, aminoglycoside with or without ampicillin, or a third-generation cephalosporin. The standard duration of therapy is seven to 14 days. Urine culture should be repeated one to two weeks after completion of antibiotic therapy. Treatment failure may be caused by resistant organisms, underlying anatomic/functional abnormalities, or immunosuppressed states. Lack of response should prompt repeat blood and urine cultures and, possibly, imaging studies. A change in antibiotics or surgical intervention may be required.

Selecting patients for flexible sigmoidoscopy. Determinants of incomplete depth of insertion.

BACKGROUND: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) is an effective method to prevent and reduce mortality from colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Incomplete depth of insertion (IDI) during FS may result in missed polyps and carcinomas. To determine whether it is possible to predict IDI, the authors analyzed factors that affected the depth of insertion in FS. METHODS: For the current study, FS results were recorded prospectively over a 5-year period. A questionnaire was administered to the patient by the investigator prior to FS to collect data, including age, gender, weight, comorbid illnesses, history of prior abdominal and pelvic surgeries, family history of colon carcinoma or polyps, and prior FS or colonoscopies. The depth of insertion of the flexible sigmoidoscope from the anal verge, which was defined as the reading on the outside of the instrument at its maximal insertion, was measured in centimeters. IDI was defined as a depth of insertion < 50 cm. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to develop a model that included variables predictive of IDI. RESULTS: The best classification tree included gender, age < 69 years (in women), and a history of hysterectomy. Men had a < 5% risk of an IDI and women age < 69 years without a hysterectomy fared as well (6.6%). Older women and younger women who underwent hysterectomy had higher rates of IDI (29.2% and 22.3%, respectively.) CONCLUSIONS: The authors developed a model based on age, gender, and hysterectomy status that, after further validation, may be useful for predicting which patients likely will have an incomplete examination. In those patients who have a high probability of IDI, the choice can be made to offer colonoscopy or perform FS under sedation, with analgesia, or with the help of distraction techniques.

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in adults: part I. Evaluation.

Acute rhinosinusitis is one of the most common conditions that physicians treat in ambulatory practice. Although often caused by viruses, it sometimes is caused by bacteria, a condition that is called acute bacterial rhinosinusitis. The signs and symptoms of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and prolonged viral upper respiratory infection are similar, which makes accurate clinical diagnosis difficult. Because two thirds of patients with acute bacterial rhinosinusitis improve without antibiotic treatment and most patients with viral upper respiratory infection improve within seven d antibiotic therapy should be reserved for use in patients who have had symptoms for more than seven days and meet clinical criteria. Four signs and symptoms are the most helpful in predicting acute bacterial rhinosinusitis: purulent nasal discharge, maxillary tooth or facial pain (especially unilateral), unilateral maxillary sinus tenderness, and worsening symptoms after initial improvement. Sinus radiography and ultrasonography are not recommended in the diagnosis of uncomplicated acute bacterial rhinosinusitis, although computed tomography has a role in the care of patients with recurrent or chronic symptoms.

Acute bacterial rhinosinusitis in adults: part II. Treatment.

Although most cases of acute rhinosinusitis are caused by viruses, acute bacterial rhinosinusitis is a fairly common complication. Even though most patients with acute rhinosinusitis recover promptly without it, antibiotic therapy should be considered in patients with prolonged or more severe symptoms. To avoid the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin should be used for 10 to 14 days. In patients with mild disease who have beta-lactam allergy, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or doxycycline are options. Second-line antibiotics should be considered if the patient has moderate disease, recent antibiotic use (past six weeks), or no response to treatment within 72 hours. Amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium and fluoroquinolones have the best coverage for Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. In patients with beta-lactam hypersensitivity who have moderate disease, a fluoroquinolone should be prescribed. The evidence supporting the use of ancillary treatments is limited. Decongestants often are recommended, and there is some evidence to support their use, although topical decongestants should not be used for more than three days to avoid rebound congestion. Topical ipratropium and the sedating antihistamines have anticholinergic effects that maybe beneficial, but there are no clinical studies supporting this possibility. Nasal irrigation with hypertonic and normal saline has been beneficial in chronic sinusitis and has no serious adverse effects. Nasal corticosteroids also may be beneficial in treating chronic sinusitis. Mist, zinc salt lozenges, echinacea extract, and vitamin C have no proven benefit in the treatment of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis.

Do perceptions of risk and quality of life affect use of hormone replacement therapy by postmenopausal women?

BACKGROUND: Although the understanding of the health impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is incomplete, even less is known about the attitudes, perceptions, and motivations of women faced with the decision to use HRT. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between HRT use and women's perceptions of the risk and benefits associated with HRT use. METHODS: A written questionnaire was administered to 387 women, aged 45 years and older, responding to a health plan invitation for free bone mineral density screening. Women were asked to estimate the lifetime probability of developing breast cancer, uterine cancer, osteoporosis, and myocardial infarction when taking HRT and when not taking HRT. Women rated their quality of life in their current state of health, with breast cancer, with uterine cancer, with osteoporosis, and after myocardial infarction. RESULTS: HRT users perceived a greater risk reduction using HRT compared with HRT nonusers for osteoporosis (-34.9% vs -17.8%, P <.001) and myocardial infarction (-20.7% vs -8.4%, P <.001). HRT nonusers perceived a greater risk increase using HRT compared with HRT nonusers for breast cancer (16.5% vs 3.3%, P <.001) and uterine cancer (9.2% vs 0.6%, P =.004). HRT users estimated a greater quality-of-life reduction compared with HRT nonusers for osteoporosis (-31.0 vs -24.5, P =.006). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of whether they used HRT, women in this study overestimated their risk for all four diseases. HRT users perceived greater benefit and less risk using HRT than nonusers. The results of our study show that continuing efforts are needed to help women understand the risks and benefits of HRT.

Predictors of incomplete flexible sigmoidoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Flexible sigmoidoscopy (flex sig) is an easily administered method of screening for colorectal polyps and cancer. In some patients, the depth of insertion is incomplete, which may result in missed polyps and cancers. To address the question of prospective patient selection for this procedure, we analyzed the factors affecting depth of insertion of sigmoidoscopies performed in outpatients over a 3-year period. STUDY DESIGN: The study involved retrospective chart review of procedures performed by one endoscopist over a 3-year period. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Variables that might affect the extent of depth of insertion of the flexible sigmoidoscope. RESULTS: We developed separate logistic regression models of incomplete depth of insertion for women and men because sex was an effect modifier for many factors. For women, incomplete depth of insertion was related to inadequate preparation [odds ratio (OR) 3.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.66 to 7.78]. Comparisons were made with the lowest risk group-women younger than 70 years with no hysterectomy. For women younger than 70 years, those with a hysterectomy were more likely to have an incomplete examination (OR 6.89; 95% CI, 2.68 to 17.73). For women 70 years and older, the odds ratio for women with a hysterectomy (OR 2.68; 95% CI, 0.96 to 7.46) was similar to that of women without a hysterectomy (OR 4.79; 95% CI, 2.27 to 10.12). For men, incomplete depth of insertion was related to age older than 75 years (OR 6.51; 95% CI, 1.72 to 30.40), history of abdominal surgery (OR 3.15; 95% CI, 0.95 to 10.41), and weight loss (OR 9.62; 95% CI, 1.98 to 46.67). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a relationship between incomplete examination and increasing age, female sex (more than 75% of the incomplete examinations were in women), poor bowel preparation (in women), hysterectomy, abdominal surgery (in men) and weight loss (in men). Further research is necessary to determine whether a predictive model can be developed that would be useful to select patients most appropriate for flex sig. In those patients in whom difficulty is anticipated, the choice can be made in to perform flex sig under sedation, analgesia, with the help of distraction techniques, or offer primary colonoscopy.

Measuring academic production.

BACKGROUND: The entire academic medical community is under increasing pressure to define and measure its activities. Previous relative value-based systems to measure research, teaching, administration, and patient care share several features that threaten their acceptability and validity. Using a bottom-up approach, our academic family medicine department attempted to develop a measurement system that avoided some of the flaws of the earlier systems. METHODS: The system was developed in two phases. In the first phase, faculty members were invited to submit lists of all their professional activities. In the second phase, the faculty rated the relative value of a comprehensive list of academic activities using an unbounded ratio scale and indicated how many times a year they did each activity. RESULTS: Phase One resulted in a list of 96 academic activities. The activity rated in Phase Two as having the greatest relative value was principal investigator of a funded grant (relative value=30.23), followed by sole author of a book (relative value=28.25). The activity with the smallest relative value was attending a faculty meeting (relative value=.36). A half-day clinic session had a relative value of 1.08. The department's annual production, measured in relative value units, was 5,764 units of administration, 5,702 units of clinical activities, 5,480 units of teaching, and 4,401 units of scholarly activities. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the process efficiently produced relative value measures for a large number of faculty activities using a process in which most of the faculty participated. Problems with internal coherence, face validity, and inconsistencies in estimation suggest it would be premature to use such estimates of relative value to quantify individuals 'productivity as a basis for budgetary decisions.