What's New | Decker

2016 EAST practice management guideline on prevention of fall-related injuries in the elderly
2016 CTF on Preventive Health Care recommendations on screening for cognitive impairment in older adults
2016 USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for depression in adults
2015 AGS Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults
2016 AAO preferred practice guideline on comprehensive adult medical eye evaluation

Spirometry has few absolute contraindications, although several conditions should merit caution and others may affect the quality of results. Pain, nausea, or other subjective discomforts, as well as altered mental status, will likely lead to poor results and therefore are relative contraindications.
The role of the carbon monoxide (CO) diffusing capacity (DL_CO) test is to provide information on the transfer of gas from alveolar air to the bloodstream. DL_CO reflects the overall efficiency of gas movement at each step from the mouth to the hemoglobin in the pulmonary capillary blood.
Certain substances and behavior should be avoided prior to testing as they can lead to either false positives or false negatives. Recent upper respiratory tract infection and cigarette smoking can elevate bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Improvements in transdermal drug delivery with use of fractional lasers/radiofrequency ablation combined with ultrasound therapy. Advances in nanotechnology will further improve the ability to deliver targeted therapies
Improved understanding of signaling pathways in wound healing states will allow for future target-specific therapeutics. Some candidate drugs are being tested in animal models
Tissue engineering and use of polysaccharide and protein scaffolds may eventually improve wound healing via delivery of growth factors, favorable cytokines, and improvement in tissue oxygenation

Initial volume resuscitation should commence with 1 L isotonic crystalloid solution followed by blood products at 1:1:1 ratio (1 unit packed red blood cells to 1 unit fresh frozen plasma to 1 unit platelets) if the patient is not responsive to the initial fluid bolus.
In patients with massive hemorrhage or evidence of fibrinolysis, tranexamic acid has demonstrated improved survival if administered within 3 hours of injury.
Use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta may be an important adjunct in the control of life-threatening abdominal or pelvic hemorrhage.
In cases of external hemorrhage of an extremity, a tourniquet should be used to control bleeding.

Complementary and alternative medicine therapies are now an important part of the management of chronic low back pain in patients.
Physical modalities such as yoga and tai chi aim for a mind-body connection effect to help treat chronic low back pain.
Acupuncture has been shown in some medical studies to be of benefit with chronic pain when combined with conventional treatments.
Herbal medicines are increasingly being used by patients to treat back pain. Regulation of this industry is required to ensure the safety and reliability of these agents.
Medical marijuana is being advocated by many for chronic low back pain; at present, research is not conclusive on the benefit of this herbal. Further research is required prior to universal recommendation.

Spirometry has few absolute contraindications, although several conditions should merit caution and others may affect the quality of results. Pain, nausea, or other subjective discomforts, as well as altered mental status, will likely lead to poor results and therefore are relative contraindications.
The role of the carbon monoxide (CO) diffusing capacity (DL_CO) test is to provide information on the transfer of gas from alveolar air to the bloodstream. DL_CO reflects the overall efficiency of gas movement at each step from the mouth to the hemoglobin in the pulmonary capillary blood.
Certain substances and behavior should be avoided prior to testing as they can lead to either false positives or false negatives. Recent upper respiratory tract infection and cigarette smoking can elevate bronchial hyperresponsiveness.

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) has a high prevalence and substantial morbidity
Diagnosis of ODD is based on a careful history, interview, mental status examination, and collateral information from school.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a new DSM-5 diagnosis that should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis of children and adolescents with ODD
Genetic and neuroimaging studies have examined the possible neurobiological basis of ODD, but to date there is no definitive biomarker or biological findings in ODD.
Parent behavioral management training and psychosocial interventions are the cornerstone of treatment planning for ODD.

SAM Geriatric Medicine