Evidence-based disease management

Article Abstract:

A strategy for incorporating evidence-based medicine into a disease management structure is discussed. Disease management coordinates medical care for a group of patients and does not focus strictly on episodes of illness. Incorporating evidence-based medicine assures that all treatments will be based on evaluations of what works and what doesn't work. Physicians should search the medical literature for this evidence and then develop practice guidelines, protocols and algorithms to guide treatment. These guidelines can then be implemented, evaluated and changed if necessary.

Management, Usage, Diseases, Medical care, Quality management, Medical care quality, Practice guidelines (Medicine)

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Risk factors for ICU-acquired pneumonia

Article Abstract:

There may be many risk factors for hospital-acquired pneumonia that can be modified to lower mortality rates from this condition. It is common among patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Researchers analyzed 12 studies that determined risk factors for ICU-acquired pneumonia. Mechanical ventilation is a known risk factor for pneumonia, especially in patients who have chronic lung disease or adult respiratory distress syndrome. Neurologic conditions increase the risk of pneumonia, as do tube feeding, laying on the back and aspiration.

Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Artificial respiration, Mechanical ventilation, Pneumonia, Intensive care units

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The arc of the pulmonary artery catheter

Article Abstract:

A study published in 2003 shows that a pulmonary artery catheter does not benefit or harm patients with septic shock or acute respiratory distress syndrome. For this reason, doctors may want to evaluate this technology further. Pulmonary artery catheters are used to monitor the heart and lungs in critically ill patients. They were first used in the 1970s, but studies have shown they may not benefit most patients.

Editorial, Evaluation, Critical care medicine, Cardiac catheterization, Heart catheterization

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