The American journal of medicine
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Review Case Reports
Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis in an immunocompromised patient: a case report and review.
Babesiosis is a tick- and transfusion-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic Babesia parasites. In 2009, a 61-year-old Minnesota woman with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and a history of recent chemotherapy and numerous blood transfusions for gastrointestinal bleeding became febrile and anemic 12 days postsplenectomy. Babesia were visualized on blood smears, confirmed by polymerase chain reaction as B. microti. ⋯ Babesia infection can be asymptomatic or cause mild to fulminant disease resulting in multiorgan failure or death. Patients with advanced age, asplenia, or other immune compromise are at risk for severe babesiosis and may require prolonged treatment to eradicate parasitemia. Incidence of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis has increased over the past decade.
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Poor physician handoff can be a major contributor to suboptimal care and medical errors occurring in the hospital. Physician handoffs for intensive care unit (ICU)-to-ward patient transfer may face more communication hurdles. However, few studies have focused on physician handoffs in patient transfers from the ICU to the inpatient ward. ⋯ The overall levels of satisfaction with communication during ICU-to-ward patient transfer were reasonably high among the stakeholders. However, clear opportunities to improve the quality of physician communication exist in several areas, with potential benefits to quality of care and patient safety.
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Type 2 diabetes is an important risk factor for heart failure and is common among patients with heart failure. The impact of weight on prognosis after hospitalization for acute heart failure among patients with diabetes is unknown. The objective of this study was to examine all-cause mortality in relation to weight status among patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized for decompensated heart failure. ⋯ The mechanisms underlying the association between weight status and mortality are not fully understood. Additional research is needed to explore the effects of body composition, recent weight changes, and prognosis after hospitalization for heart failure among patients with diabetes.