Age, comorbidity, frailty status: effects on disposition and resource allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Three aspects are of utmost importance: first, determination of frailty status (and not just the patient’s age), second, balancing of benefits and harms while considering the most likely outcome taking comorbidity into account, and third, shared decision-making focusing on the individual’s goals of care.

An independent appraisal and re-analysis of hydroxychloroquine treatment trial for COVID-19

A recent open-label study claimed that hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin represent promising new options for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. This re-analysis reveals severe limitations in the methodology of this study, including ambiguous inclusion/exclusion of participant data and inconsistent analysis techniques, and yielded nonsignificant differences between control and treatment groups across any treatment days.

The global COVID-19 response must include refugees and migrants

Self-isolation in refugee camps is impossible: you cannot stay at home if you have no home. It is now crucial that the unique needs of the refugee and migrant population are included in the global response to COVID-19.

Immunoglobulins or convalescent plasma to tackle COVID-19: buying time to save lives – current situation and perspectives

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic different treatments are being explored and tested, in the absence of official management protocols. Some show initial promise, many have been tried out without sound biological bases. Plasma and H-IVIG of recovered patients are a tried and tested approach that could prove helpful in the short term.

Pain – the fifth vital sign

An encouraging article recently published in Swiss Medical Weekly reported that that the fundamental basis of adequate pain management is available in almost all Swiss emergency departments. What could be valuable next steps for excellent pain management within EDs?

Bioethics: stop to think, but don’t stop thinking

We need to mature along with our scientific discoveries, defining in what way we wish to use them. Only then can we claim to master technologies rather than being overwhelmed by them. In order to support this process, bioethics should not get out of the way − on the contrary, it should get viral.

The cellular prion protein beyond prion diseases

The cellular prion protein (PrPC), a cell surface glycoprotein originally identified for its central role in prion diseases, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This article provides an overview of what is known about the role of PrPC beyond prion disorders and discusses the potential implications of targeting this protein in different diseases.

Management of neurosurgical implant-associated infections

With the technical developments in neurosurgery, increasing numbers of neurosurgical implants are used in an increasingly aged population of patients with several comorbidities. Consequently, the number of neurosurgical implant-associated infections is continuously raising.

Recommendations on the use of anticoagulants for the treatment of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in Switzerland

Management of acute heparin-­induced thrombocytopenia currently involves cessation of heparin exposure, and inhibition of coagulation with an anticoagulant other than heparin.

Chromobacterium violaceum bacteraemia: a new entity in Switzerland

Chromobacterium violaceum is a rare gram-negative anaerobe bacillus, generally associated with serious waterborne infections in tropical and subtropical regions. This article reports the first infection in Switzerland which is now the third documented case in less than a year and the second autochthonous infection ever in our continent.

Transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 to healthcare workers –observational results of a primary care hospital contact tracing

The current protective measures for healthcare workers, including strict adherence to basic standard hygiene and facemasks, offer considerable protection during short periods of contact with symptomatic COVID-19 cases by diminishing the risk of direct and indirect transmission.

Quality of sleep in patients with nocturnal leg cramps and validity of a single-item measure of cramp-related sleep disturbance: an observational study

Nocturnal leg cramps are characterised by sudden and painful involuntary contractions of the lower limbs occurring during sleep or at rest. Only a few studies have addressed the impact of nocturnal leg cramps on sleep quality.

Gout management in Swiss primary care – a retrospective observational study

Swiss gout patients receive comprehensive treatment, which is reflected in a high number of patients treated with urate-lowering therapy, laboratory tests per person and a high treatment success rate, although there is no systematic approach to the treatment of gout.

Interventional radiology workflow during the COVID-19 pandemic: recommendations of the Swiss Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology

Given the importance of continuum in providing services and exigence of protecting health care professionals during this period, the Swiss Society of Vascular and Interventional Radiology (SSVIR) is releasing guidance for interventional radiologists as preparedness to manage COVID-19 patients, the workflow of non-COVID-19 patients and optimize interactions with other healthcare professionals.