Just in time for cough and cold season ~ Evidence Based Medicine

The American College of Chest Physicians has released new evidence based guidlines regarding how providers should treat coughs.

Evidence based medicine (EBM) has become the new standard of practice - this means that what we use to treat something with, should actually be proven to work in most cases. Below is the Wikipedia definition...

Evidence-based medicine is a medical movement based upon the application of the scientific method to medical practice, including long-established existing medical traditions not yet subjected to adequate scientific scrutiny. According to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, "Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_based_medicine

So, just what do these guidelines tell us? Over-the-counter cough suppresants don't treat cough effectively. Just what I've been hearing from my patient's for years....

Click the link to read the ACCP press release.
January 2006 Press Release

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen™