Background: There are approximately 500,000 episodes of alcohol withdrawal that require pharmacologic treatment yearly. Lorazepam is commonly used due to its high therapeutic to-toxic effect index and its status as historically being the usual treatment. Phenobarbital is another common drug used to treat alcohol withdrawal. Patients with heavy alcohol use may become resistant to some [...]

Background: In 2019, the US Food & Drug Administration issued a warning regarding safety of gabapentin use in patients with respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Gabapentin is widely prescribed, often for off-label indications, however limited data exist regarding safety and outcomes among patients with COPD. Methods: We analyzed data from 29 US [...]

Background: In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, the need for physicians to understand cost considerations is paramount. Cultivating cost awareness among residents is critical as residents play a pivotal role in shaping the future of medicine. However, the incorporation of cost-consciousness into medical education remains a challenge, often overshadowed by clinical priorities. By examining current [...]

Background: Nearly one-third of laboratory tests in hospitalized patients and up to 60% of routine, repeat lab tests are unnecessary. Unnecessary testing results in excess venipuncture, iatrogenic anemia, patient discomfort, excess costs, wasted lab resources, and a potential cascade of additional tests and interventions. Few academic medical centers, including our institution, have systematic lab stewardship [...]

Case Presentation: A 59-year-old male with chronic renal insufficiency due to IgG4-related disease (on chronic steroid therapy) and autoimmune pancreatitis presented to the ER with lightheadedness and numbness of bilateral upper extremities after masturbation. He experienced urinary incontinence, but no loss of consciousness. EMS found him hypotensive and bradycardic (BP 84/50, HR 30s) and administered [...]