Inexpensive Drug Can Cut Heart Patient Rehospitalizations by One-Third

A new study has shown that the inexpensive drug digoxin, also known as digitalis, can cut the risk of rehospitalization in heart failure patients by more than 30 percent.

During the study, researchers reexamined the results of a 1997 study that concluded that digoxin did not lower death rates. They found that while it might not lower death rates, it did make patients 34 percent less likely to be admitted to a hospital within 30 days. Half of the members of the trial group were 65 years or older.

The researchers are now seeking to replicate the results in a modern study.

To learn more, click here.

House Leaders Call for Hearing on CRE

On the heels of the CDC's release of new information regarding carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, lawmakers are calling for the House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the deadly bacteria. (We first wrote about the CRE threat here last week.)

The lawmakers are asking the committee to meet with healthcare providers, researchers and health agency representatives as quickly as possible to determine the appropriate federal response to the threat.

CRE is lethal in about 50 percent of cases, is resistant to even last-resort antibiotics and can spread its resistance to other germs. It has been reported in hospitals and long-term care centers in 42 states.

Good Friday/Easter Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed on Friday, March 29 in honor of Good Friday/Easter. Orders that are placed by noon on Monday, March 25 will be delivered by Thursday, March 28.

We invite you to call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 with any questions or concerns. 

CDC: Antibiotic-Resistant CRE Bacteria On the Rise, Becoming More Lethal

According to a new report from the CDC, a lethal, drug-resistant bacteria is spreading throughout U.S. healthcare facilities. The bacteria, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, has been on the rise and has become more resistant to last-resort antibiotics over the past decade.

The CDC describes CRE as a "triple threat" because of the following:

• Resistance: The bacteria are resistant to nearly all antibiotics, including the most powerful, last-resort drugs. 
• Death: CRE germs kill 50% of the patients who contact bloodstream infections from them. 
• Spread of disease: CRE bacteria can easily transfer their antibiotic resistance to other bacteria. For example, carbapenem-resistant klebsiella can spread its drug-resistant properties to E. coli, making that bacteria resistant to antibiotics too. 

CRE is typically spread person-to-person, often by the hands of healthcare workers.

According to Tom Friedman, Director of the CDC, "CRE are nightmare bacteria. Our strongest antibiotics don't work and patients are left with potentially untreatable infections. Doctors, nurses, hospital leaders and public health must work together now to implement CDC's 'detect and protect' strategy and stop these infections from spreading."

The CDC has released a CRE Toolkit that includes guidance on halting the spread of the bacteria. According to the toolkit, all long-term care facilities should observe the following eight core measures:

1. Hand hygiene 
2. Contact precautions
3. Healthcare personnel education
4. Minimizing device use 
5. Patient and staff cohorting
6. Laboratory notification
7. Antimicrobial stewardship
8. CRE screening

To learn more, click here.

Study: MRSA Peaks in Nursing Homes in February, March

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have determined that seniors are at the greatest risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the winter months.

Healthcare-associated MRSA infections most commonly affect people 65 years and older. The researchers determined that these infections typically peak in February or March. They theorize that this is tied to antibiotic use during the winter flu season. Healthcare-associated MRSA strains show a corresponding resistance to the antibiotics that are commonly prescribed during the flu season.

To learn more, click here.

Diabetics on Januvia, Byetta at Double the Risk for Pancreatitis

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that diabetes who take the medications Januvia and Byetta are at a significantly elevated risk of developing dangerous pancreatic inflammation. Januvia and Byetta are glucagon-like peptide-1 based drugs.

The researchers found that people taking these drugs are twice as likely as other diabetics to be hospitalized with pancreatitis within 60 days of starting the drug. They recommend that care providers be alert to the symptoms of pancreatitis, including abdominal pain, nausea and persistent vomiting.

To learn more, click here.

FDA: Osteoporosis Drug Ingredient Linked to Cancer

The FDA is warning that there is a strong possibility that calcitonin salmon, an ingredient used in osteoporosis drugs, is linked to cancer. Calcitonin salmon is a man-made version of the hormone calcitonin, which is found in salmon.

Calcitonin-containing drugs include Novartis AG's Mialcalcin injection and nasal spray and Unigene Laboratories Inc's nasal spray. There are also generic products that contain calcitonin.

The FDA said that it has concerns over the risks versus the benefits of using the drugs to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. An advisory panel to the FDA is scheduled to discuss the matter on March 5 and will make a recommendation on whether to allow the products to continue to be marketed for the treatment of osteoporosis.

To learn more, click here.