The American journal of medicine
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The vast majority of devices cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are through the 510(k) process, which allows medical devices to be quickly introduced into the market. The FDA 510(k) process is designed to minimize the burden and expense of bringing new devices to market; however, as a result, the FDA may be limited in its ability to establish the safety of these devices. ⋯ There is limited evidence examining the safety and effectiveness of devices cleared via the 510(k) process. Thousands of devices are cleared through the FDA's 510(k) process each year with limited or no evidence publicly available. This has led to the market being introduced to potentially costly, nonbeneficial, or harmful devices. Devices, like prescription drugs, should undergo a more rigorous clearance process.
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Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages are routinely consumed worldwide. Given their popularity, there has been much debate about the effect that these beverages have on cardiovascular health. We sought to determine the exact relationship between sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages consumption on cardiovascular health. ⋯ Increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages may be correlated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular/vascular complications and mortality, albeit without causality of cardiovascular/vascular morbidity.
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Stress ulcer prophylaxis initiated for intensive care unit (ICU)-specific indications is often continued upon transfer or discharge despite lack of indication. This quality improvement initiative aimed to achieve a 25% reduction from baseline in ICU-initiated acid suppression therapy prescriptions by May 2021. ⋯ Implementation of a pharmacist-initiated electronic handoff tool along with provider education and creation of formalized stress ulcer prophylaxis criteria may reduce the number of ICU-initiated acid suppression therapy prescriptions inadvertently or inappropriately continued at discharge.