Articles: sars-cov-2.
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To investigate temporal changes in the association between SARS-CoV2 viral load (VL) and markers of inflammation during hospitalization, as well as the ability of these markers alone or in combination to predict severe outcomes. ⋯ An increasing number of inflammatory markers were associated with VL during the first 10 days of hospitalization, and several of these markers were associated with severe outcomes, in particular when combined with elevated VL. Future studies should assess the potential for combining antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment, preferably guided by viral and inflammatory biomarkers, for the selection of high-risk patients.
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Respect for the scientific process and a diversity of views; open discourse and debate based on principles of ethics, best available evidence, and scientific inquiry and integrity; and an understanding of evidence gaps and uncertainty and how to communicate about them are important values in the advancement of science and the practice of medicine. Physicians often must make decisions about their recommendations to patients in the face of scarce or conflicting data. Are these characteristics of medicine and science widely understood and effectively communicated among members of the profession and to patients and the public? Issues of scientific integrity are longstanding, but COVID-19 brought them to the forefront, in an environment that was sometimes characterized by communication missteps as guidance came and went-or changed-quickly. Today, is open debate flourishing? Have some debates shed more heat than light? Are people losing confidence in science and medicine? In health care institutions? The American College of Physicians explores these issues and offers guidance in this position paper.
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The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth expansion trends as policy makers instituted flexibilities and coverage changes. Federal telehealth flexibilities expire, however, at the end of 2024. To decide whether to extend those flexibilities, policy makers need information about consumer telehealth preferences, impacts of telehealth on care usage and quality, and telehealth accessibility for the full diversity of patients. ⋯ An integrated, value-based care approach may assist a diverse range of patients in accessing telehealth services. Action is still needed, however, to ensure that the full diversity of patients can easily access telehealth offerings. Based on experiences within our health system, we recommend that policy makers maintain public and private payer coverage for video- and phone-based telehealth services; encourage well-designed value-based payment models to simplify and expand telehealth access; improve broadband accessibility and broadband and device affordability so that all patients can access telehealth services; and hold digital health to equivalent high standards for care quality, safety, patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and health equity as in-person care.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Sep 2024
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination on cesarean section outcomes: a retrospective analysis.
Pregnant individuals have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a closer examination of maternal and fetal health outcomes. ⋯ Retrospective observational design and the single-center setting, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.
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Given the limited studies on types of vaccination and infection rates among health care workers (HCWs) in Türkiye, we analyzed the demographic, clinical, and vaccination characteristics as well as the attitudes of HCWs who have been infected with COVID-19. ⋯ Among both outpatients and inpatients with COVID-19, women HCWs outnumbered men HCWs. HCWs who received homologous vaccination contracted COVID-19 later than those who received heterologous vaccination.