The Hospitalist

Audio File: Akron Children’s Hospital Head of Division of Dermatology at discusses when a hospitalist should seek a consult

Excerpts of our interview with Neera Agarwal-Antal, head of the division of dermatology at Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio

Audio File: Chief Medical Officer Offers Advice to Multiple HM Groups Working Under Same Roof

Paul Stander, CMO of Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, suggests amicable competition strategies for multiple hospitalist groups in a single setting

Cover Story: Competition Keeps Us on Our Toes

Two Virginia HM groups find ways to compete, remain collegial

Cover Story: When Should Hospitalists Consult A Dermatologist About Pediatric Conditions?

Distinguishing between acute and chronic dermatologic conditions is important

Article: A Tracheostomy Collar Facilitates Quicker Transition

Managing heart failure, treating infections, and optimizing nutrition are crucial before weaning off ventilation, a pulmonologist says

Article: Hospitalists Can’t Ignore Rise in CRE Infections

Insist on antimicrobial stewardship, contact precautions, hand hygiene, and better room cleanings to fight carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections, a CDC expert says

Article: Hybrid Nocturnist Solution is Key to Lehigh Valley Hospitalist Program’s Success

Night-shift hospitalists maintain group stability, boost morale

Article: New Study to Assess Impact of Dermatologist’s Consultation for Hospital Patients

Study seeks to determine whether cellulitis patients are better off seeing hospitalists alone, or in combination with a dermatologist

Article: Communication Key to Peaceful Coexistence for Competing Hospital Medicine Groups

Encouraging rival hospitalists to work together on committees and clearly defining each group’s territory can alleviate tension

Cover Story: 15 Things Dermatologists Think Hospitalists Need to Know

Experts offer tips to assess dermatologic cases

Cover Story: Rival Hospitalists Can Bring Havoc, or Healthy Competition to Hospitals

Encouraging competing hospital medicine groups to work together amicably under one roof can be a challenge, say hospital executives

Article: CORRECTION

Clarifying a quote in the March 2013 story “Lucky No. 7?”

Society Pages: SHM Names Masters of Hospital Medicine, Board of Directors for 2013

New leaders reflect continued growth in the specialty of hospital medicine

Society Pages: Work-Hour Restrictions Impact Staffing, Education for Academic Hospital Medicine

The addition of physician full-time equivalents, and nurse practitioners or physician assistants, is most notable change, according to the 2012 State of Hospital Medicine report

Society Pages: SHM Supports Clarification to Observational Status Loophole for Medicare Patients

Change would enable beneficiaries to qualify for Medicare-covered skilled nursing facility care after leaving the hospital

Society Pages: We Welcome the Newest SHM Members

A listing of new Society of Hospital Medicine members

Society Pages: SHM To Award First Certificates of Leadership at HM13

Q&A with Thomas McIlraith, MD, SFHM, who will accept one of the Society of Hospital Medicine’s first Certificate of Leadership awards

Society Pages: Fellow in Hospital Medicine Spotlight: Mangla Gulati, MD, FACP, FHM

Dr. Gulati is a physician advisor, the medical director for clinical effectiveness, and an assistant professor in the division of general internal medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine

Society Pages: SHM Welcomes Nonphysician Fellows to Hospital Medicine

For the first time, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and practice administrators will be inducted as Fellows and Senior Fellows  

Society Pages: HM13 At Hand App Puts Meeting Materials Within Easy Reach

This year, HM13 presentations, schedules, attendee contact information, and more will be available via an app for smartphones and tablet computers

Society Pages: SHM Introduces Beta Version of Its Learning Portal

Upgrade allows users to electronically track and capture their continuing medical education records

Public Policy: Sunshine Rule Requires Physicians to Report Gifts from Drug, Medical Device Companies

Exemption will allow indirect payments to speakers at CME classes or courses

Letters: Addressing The Joint Commission's Concern About Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression

The recent article by Susan Kreimer “Serious Complications from Opioid Overuse in Hospitalized Patients Prompts Nationwide Alert” in the February 2013 issue of The Hospitalist highlights an important patient safety issue

Letters: 'Systems,' Not 'Points,' Is Correct Terminology for ROS Statements

"The Billing and Coding Bandwagon" article in the May 2011 issue of The Hospitalist should have noted that "systems" is the correct term to use in an ROS statement

Letters: Some Thoughts on the Patient-Doctor Relationship

Listening is a key component of conveying an attitude of respect toward the patient

Key Clinical Guidelines: Surviving Sepsis Campaign 2012 Guidelines: Updates For the Hospitalist

Updates bring new tools for early recognition, effective management of sepsis patients

Key Clinical Question: How Should Common Symptoms at the End of Life be Managed?

Pain, nausea, dyspnea, and secretions are common end-of-life symptoms that hospitalists should be competent in treating

Pediatric HM Literature: Pediatric Readmissions Vary Significantly Across Children’s Hospitals

Pediatric 30-day readmission rates are lower than in elderly adults; top three conditions distinctly different

In the Literature: Physician Reviews of Hospital Medicine-Related Research

Reviews include BNP-driven fluid management, 30-day readmission patterns, hospitalists’ workload and patient safety, permanent atrial fibrillation, low-dose thrombolysis  for PE, and many more

On the Move: Hospitalists on the Move

Movers and shakers in hospital medicine; new business moves

Billing & Coding: Documentation, CMS-Approved Language Key to Getting Paid for Hospitalist Teaching Services

The teaching physician is paid for their personal and medically necessary service in providing patient care

Innovations: Thirty-Day Hospital Readmissions Drop in 2012, CMS Reports

Newly implemented Medicare penalties source of lower readmission rates

President’s Column: Hospitalists Poised to Advance Health Care Through Teamwork

Collaboration among hospitalists can help ensure open access to new discoveries that improve health care quality and affordability

Practice Management: Coordinated Approach May Help in Caring for Hospitals’ Neediest Patients

Care plans for frequent fliers can reduce readmission rates, ED visits, and stress

From the Editor’s Desk: Lack of Transparency Plagues U.S. Health Care System

Health care reform efforts have done little to change the price or the cost of care, or make them transparent

Ask Dr. Hospitalist: Hospitalists Encouraged to Join Hospital Committees Early

Serving on committees improves hospitalist practice health, grants hospital-wide exposure

On the Horizon: Drive Change in an ACO

Change your mindset and consider four key strategies