Mixed Bag

Study examines prescribing of levothyroxine for borderline thyroid hormone levels
A study of patients in the United Kingdom suggests widespread prescribing of the medication levothyroxine sodium to boost thyroid function among patients with borderline high levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone thyrotropin (a sign of low thyroid function), raising the possibility of overtreatment, according to a study published by JAMA Internal Medicine. MedicalXpress

Neither Antibiotics nor Ibuprofen Shortens Cough Duration in Acute Bronchitis
Neither amoxicillin-clavulanic acid nor ibuprofen improve cough symptoms in patients with acute bronchitis, according to a BMJ study. Journal Watch

AHA: Treat Unhealthy Habits as Aggressively as High Cholesterol, Blood Pressure
Healthcare providers should treat unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise as aggressively as they treat high cholesterol, hypertension, and other markers of heart disease, according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association. Journal Watch

Use of hypothermia does not improve outcomes for adults with severe meningitis; may be harmful
The trial was stopped early because of concerns over excess mortality in the hypothermia group (25 of 49 patients [51 percent]) compared with the control group (15 of 49 patients [31 percent]). At 3 months, 86 percent in the hypothermia group compared with 74 percent in the control group had an unfavorable outcome (as gauged via the Glasgow Outcome Scale [a functional assessment inventory]). Eurekalert!

Patient satisfaction is poor measure of hospital quality
The researchers found that patient satisfaction was a poor measure of quality. Furthermore, the best hospitals were not the quietest or those with the most responsive clinicians. Rather, busier hospitals generally had better performance; they scored high using process and outcome variables and volume indicators but scored medium in terms of patient satisfaction. MedicalXpress

Protocol Speeds ED Discharge for Chest Pain (CME/CE)
A 2-hour diagnostic protocol for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department boosted early discharge of low-risk patients, a trial showed.

Almost twice as many patients appropriately went home within 6 hours when assessed with the protocol for discharge if the modified Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (MI) score was zero, and 0- and 2-hour electrocardiography and troponin tests came back negative compared with standard assessment using prolonged observation with the troponin test at 6 to 12 hours after onset of pain. MedPage Today