A balancing act

Article Abstract:

The case of a 50-year-old man illustrates the balancing act that many doctors have to maintain. He was hospitalized with a history of headache and a change in mental status. These are two symptoms of meningitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the membranes surrounding the brain. The first problem encountered was the fact that he was allergic to the antibiotics used to treat meningitis. He weighed 450 pounds, which prevented his doctors from getting a CT scan of his head. Eventually, the doctors did a lumbar puncture to examine his cerebrospinal fluid and gave him another class of antibiotics.

Diagnosis, Meningitis

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Cost-Effectiveness of Antiseptic-Impregnated Central Venous Catheters for the Prevention of Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection

Article Abstract:

Using central venous catheters impregnated with the antiseptics chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine can lower the risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSI) and may even save money. Indwelling catheters can increase the risk of infection, especially when used for long periods of time. Using a mathematical model on a group of hypothetical patients, researchers found that using these catheters would lower the rate of CR-BSI from 1% to 3% and would save $68 to $391 per catheter used. These catheters could be used as part of a comprehensive infection control program.

Statistical Data Included, Usage

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Efficacy of Antiseptic-Impregnated Central Venous Catheters in Preventing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection: A Meta-analysis

Article Abstract:

Central venous catheters containing chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine appear to significantly reduce the risk of infection in patients who have these catheters. Central venous catheters are used to deliver food and medication to critically ill patients. However, the presence of a catheter in the skin can lead to bacterial infection. A review of 12 clinical trials that evaluated 2,603 central venous catheters showed that the incidence of infection was reduced by half when the catheters were impregnated with the antiseptics chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine.

Evaluation, Silver sulfadiazine

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