In the News


Mixing alcohol with opioids, benzodiazepines sending users to emergency departments

Nearly one-fifth of opioid abuse-related ED visits and more than one-fourth of benzodiazepine abuse-related ED visits involved alcohol, a study found.

Commentary discusses conventional medical centers and Ebola; Ebola resources available

Conventional U.S. medical centers may be unprepared and ill equipped to manage Ebola, and a national network of specialized containment and treatment facilities may be needed to reduce the virus' spread, according to a commentary published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

MKSAP Quiz: management of COPD

A 72-year-old woman is evaluated during a routine examination. She has very severe COPD with multiple exacerbations. She has dyspnea at all times with decreased exercise capacity. She does not have cough or any change in baseline sputum production. She is adherent to her medication regimen, and she completed pulmonary rehabilitation 1 year ago. She quit smoking 1 year ago. Her medications are a budesonide/formoterol inhaler, tiotropium, and an albuterol inhaler as needed. Following a physical and pulmonary exam, what is the most appropriate next step in management?

3-minute assessment for delirium may improve diagnosis

A 3-minute assessment for delirium as defined by the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) may help improve recognition of the disorder, according to a new study.

Guideline issued on androgen therapy in women

The Endocrine Society released an updated clinical practice guideline on androgen therapy in women.

Meaningful Use hardship exemptions extended

CMS has reopened the submission period for hardship exemptions for those who will not be able to meet the Meaningful Use requirements of the EHR incentive program.

ACP toolkit improves care coordination between primary care and specialists

ACP's High Value Care Coordination Toolkit features resources to improve referrals and care coordination between primary care physicians and specialists, eliminate waste and duplicative care, and create more efficiency in care delivery.

This year's EHR report card

Yul Ejnes, MD, MACP, continues his monthly column at KevinMD.com and re-grades his EHR in the areas of time, practice finances, quality of care, interoperability, and reliability and safety.

Put words in our mouth

ACP Internist Weekly wants readers to create captions for our new cartoon and help choose the winner. Pen the winning caption and win a $50 gift certificate good toward any ACP product, program or service.