I. Problem/Challenge. Tracheal intubation is a procedure that requires continued practice to maintain a competent skill set. It has been estimated that 57 intubations are necessary to achieve the 90th percentile of success. Although there are many hospitalists that routinely treat patients that require airway management and intubation, there remains a fair amount of practitioners…
HIV-Associated Diarrhea I. Problem/Condition. Chronic diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects as many as 50% of patients with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define chronic diarrhea as an average of 2 or more loose or watery stools per day for one month. Chronic diarrhea leads to decreased quality of life,…
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy I. What every physician needs to know. Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) is an opportunistic infection of the central nervous system that causes demylenation of the nerves through destruction of oligodendrocytes by the JC virus (JCV). JCV is a double-stranded DNA polyomavirus acquired by asymptomatic infection in childhood. After initial infection, the virus…
