Learn about our early experience with patients hospitalized with COVID-19, including recommendations for laboratory testing for prognostication and APRV ventilator mode.
Update March 13, 2020: Updated PPE recommendations from CDC and DPH. Added info for 3M N-95 mask fitting.
Update March 4, 2020: L.A. County Department of Public Health (DPH) has declared a local public health emergency with six new cases in the county. The State of California has also declared a state of emergency with the first related death in the state. The CDC and DPH have updated screening and testing guidelines. The Department of Medicine at Olive View-UCLA has announced plans for the care of persons under investigation (PUI) and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Check your email and messaging for the most up-to-date information.
The following are useful links and resources for your preparedness.
Congratulations to our very own Dr. Salvador Hernandez for his recent important work on the prevalence of chronic comorbidities among people with Chagas Disease in Los Angeles. Dr. Hernandez works closely with the Center of Excellence for Chagas Disease (CECD)…
Today's morning report case focused on a patient with poorly controlled diabetes who presented with non-productive cough for several months and was found to have a large RUL heterogeneous consolidation secondary to pulmonary Cryptococcosis. Take a look at some of…
Voriconazole Versus Amphotericin B for Primary Therapy of Invasive Aspergillosis Randomized Trial of Colchicine for Acute Pericarditis
Aspergillus is extremely common in the environment (think black mold), but only rarely causes invasive infection particularly with severe immunosuppression: immunosuppressive therapy, e.g. for acute leukemia, hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplant severe, prolonged neutropenia high-dose, prolonged glucocorticoid use…
Dr. Refugio presented a classic case of Pneumocystis jirovecci pneumonia (PJP) in a patient with newly diagnosed HIV. Here are some important learning points: The classic presenting symptoms for PJP are fever, non-productive cough, and progressive dyspnea Most cases occur…
Here are this month's articles: Dexamethasone in Adults with Bacterial Meningitis Effect of Spironolactone on Morbidity and Mortality in Patients with Severe Heart Failure
The mainstay of treatment for bacterial meningitis are: High-dose IV antibiotics: Ceftriaxone, Vancomycin, +/- Ampicillin Steroids Patient isolation Here's the evidence for using steroids in bacterial meningitis.
