Zvi H. Abramson, MD, MPH and Vered Cohen-Naor, MD
Background: Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. While immunization has been shown to reduce these complications, many of the elderly are not immunized.
Objective: To identify correlates for under-utilization of influenza immunization among the elderly.
Methods: A telephone survey was conducted among a random sample of patients aged 65 and over registered at a Jerusalem primary care community clinic. The 626 questionnaires were analyzed for associations of immunization receipt for the latest influenza season. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent correlates. Respondents were also asked what factors had influenced their decision about immunization.
Results: The most frequently reported influence on getting immunized was a physician's recommendation. Immunization was independently associated with the identity of the primary care physician (P0.0001) and with having visited the physician during the previous 3 months (P=0.0006). Immunization was more likely among persons who believed that it provides complete protection from influenza (P0.0001) and less likely among those who believed immunization can cause influenza (P0.0001). Higher immunization rates were also associated with being married (P=0.0031).
Conclusion: Through their influence on patient knowledge and the effect of their recommendation, primary care physicians play a pivotal role in determining immunization rates. Physicians should routinely discuss the effects of immunization and recommend it to the elderly.
Aliza Noy, MD, Ruth Orni-Wasserlauf, MD, Patrick Sorkine, MD and Yardena Siegman-Igra, MD, MPH.
Background: An increase in multiple drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae due to extended spectrum -lactamase production has recently been reported from many centers around the world. There is no information in the literature regarding this problem in Israel. A high prevalence of ceftazidime-resistant K. pneumoniae was noted in our Intensive Care Unit in the first few months of 1995.
Objective: To describe the epidemiology of ceftazidime-resistant K. pneumoniae in our medical center, as representing the situation in tertiary care hospitals in Israel.
Methods: We vigorously restricted the use of ceftazidime in the ICU and enforced barrier precautions. The susceptibility rate of K. pneumoniae was surveyed in the ICU and throughout the hospital before and after the intervention in the ICU.
Results: Following the intervention, the susceptibility rate of K. pneumoniae increased from 11% (3/28) to 47% (14/30) (P0.01) among ICU isolates, from 55% (154/280) to 62% (175/281) (P=0.08) among total hospital isolates, and from 61% (50/82) to 74% (84/113) (P0.05) among total hospital blood isolates, although no additional control measures were employed outside the ICU.
Conclusions: The epidemiology of ceftazidime-resistant K. pneumoniae in our medical center is similar to that reported from other centers around the world. Early awareness to the emergence of this resistance, identification of the source of the epidemic, and prompt action at the putative source site may reduce the rate of acquisition and spread of such resistance inside and outside of the source unit.
Manfred S. Green, MD, PhD
Maya Koren Michowitz, MD, Yoav Michowitz, MD, Ronit Zaidenstien, MD and Ahuva Golik, MD
Eli Magen, MD and Reuven J. Viskoper, MD
Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems play a critical role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme have proven effective for the treatment of these diseases. Since angiotensin II receptor antagonists can inhibit the effects of angiotensin II via ACE-independent pathways, e.g., chymase, they were considered to be more effective than ACEIs. On the other hand, ACE inhibitors can increase bradykinin, and thus, nitric oxide, which may cause potent cardioprotection, inhibition of smooth muscle proliferation and attenuation of inflammation mechanisms. It appears that angiotensin II receptor antagonists and ACEIs may mediate cardioprotection in different ways. This is the rationale to explore the possibility of a combined administration of both drugs for the treatment of chronic heart failure and other cardiovascular pathology. In this review we try to analyze the role of ACE, kinins and chymase inhibition in the pathophysiology and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Daniel E. Furst, MD and Alan Tyndall, MD
Rita Rachmani, MD, Zohar Levi, MD, Rika Zissin, MD, Merav Lidar, MD and Mordechai Ravid, MD, FACP
Jayson Rapoport, MB, BS, MRCP
Atzmon Tsur, MD and Gershon Volpin, MD
Howard A. Schwid, MD
Anesthesia simulators are rapidly becoming more prevalent worldwide. Several types of anesthesia simulators utilizing a variety of technologies are available. High fidelity mannequin-based simulators, low fidelity screen-based simulators, and relatively inexpensive intermediate fidelity simulators have found applications in training, assessment of clinical competence, and research. A number of recent studies support the use of anesthesia simulators and may lead to widespread adoption of simulation in other fields of medicine.