Do not perform computerized tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of renal stones. It is initially preferable to use ultrasound.
The presence of renal stones can be identified by a simple ultrasound test. Ultrasonography identifies calcium stones particularly well, but also reveals stones of other compositions, with the exception of certain particular types (e.g. cysteine stones). Sometimes...
Do not perform creatinine clearance tests in situations where it is impossible to ensure an accurate urine collection, or when it is not necessary to measure urinary creatinine excretion. In such cases, it is preferable to assess renal function by calculating the eGFR (the volume of the filtrate).
Clearance (or the volume of plasma from which a given substance – creatinine in the case in point – is completely removed per unit of time) is measured using a mathematical formula comprising four factors: blood creatinine concentration; urinary creatinine...
Don’t routinely prescribe benzodiazepines or Z -drugs in elderly patients in case of insomnia as first choice treatment. Physicians should always recommend intermittent use of these drugs.In case of chronic use, evaluate both the indications and the possible occurrence of side effects
Several studies show an increased risk of falls and hip fracture in elderly patients taking benzodiazepines or Z-drugs (zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon). This risk also exists for safer protocols (i.e. short-term therapies with low-dose and short half-life drugs). The...
Don’t prescribe therapies with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) without initial and periodical assessment in each patient of the actual clinical indications and of the side effects risk at that time.
NSAIDs are used primarily in chronic therapies, as analgesic drugs and are burdened with significant side effects, especially at gastrointestinal, renal and cardiovascular level. The available studies suggest caution by the physicians both at the moment of initial...The campaign DOING MORE DOES NOT MEAN DOING BETTER – CHOOSING WISELY ITALY is promoted by Italy’s Slow Medicine
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