Derivation and external validation of a simple prediction rule for the development of respiratory failure in hospitalized patients with influenza

Highlights:                                                                                      

1. The authors present a simple, discriminating, well-calibrated rule for an early prediction of the development of RF in hospitalized Influenza patients, with proper performance in an external validation cohort. This tool can be helpful in patient’s stratification during seasonal Influenza epidemics.
2. Elevated ACE expression in tissues (reflected by blood ACE levels) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and is also a marker for granulomatous diseases. The authors developed a new approach for characterization of ACE status in the blood—ACE phenotyping and established normal values of ACE levels 50–150% of control pooled plasma. ACE phenotyping has novel potential to noninvasively detect patients with systemic sarcoidosis.
3. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia after hip fracture surgery. ASA classification ≥ 3, higher CCI, and postoperative delirium were the risk factors for postoperative pneumonia. Male sex, postoperative delirium, and lower preoperative serum albumin level were the risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Thus, physicians should pay attention to patients with the risk factors.
4. Bundled care is an effective and inexpensive method for institutions to provide consistent and quality care. The findings of this study demonstrate that the implementation of a COPD care bundle is an effective strategy to decrease hospital readmissions.

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