News
Functional Impairment Boosts Readmission for Medicare Seniors
May 5, 2015
Clinical question: Is functional impairment associated with an increased risk of 30-day readmission? Background: Many Medicare seniors suffer from some level of impairment in functional status, which, in turn, has been linked to high healthcare utilization.
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Delirium, Falls Reduced by Nonpharmacological Intervention
May 5, 2015
Clinical question: Are multicomponent, nonpharmacological interventions effective in decreasing delirium and falls? Background: Delirium is prevalent among elderly hospitalized patients and is associated with increased morbidity, length of stay, healthcare costs, and risk of institutionalization.
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Bridging Anticoagulation for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
May 5, 2015
Bridging prior to procedures linked with higher bleeding risk, adverse outcomes
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Fondaparinux for Treatment of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
April 3, 2015
Clinical question: Is fondaparinux as safe and effective as argatroban and danaparoid in treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)? Background: Guidelines for the treatment of HIT recommend using danaparoid (factor Xa inhibitor), argatroban, or lepirudin (both direct thrombin inhibitors).
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Physician Dashboard, Pay-for-Performance Improve Rate of Appropriate VTE Prophylaxis
April 3, 2015
Transparent feedback through real-time dashboards, payment incentives can improve patient safety, quality benchmarks
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Intercepting Wrong-Patient Orders in a Computerized Provider Order Entry System
April 3, 2015
Clinical question: Does implementing a patient verification dialog that appears at the beginning of each ordering session, accompanied by a 2.5-second delay, decrease wrong-patient orders? Background: Computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is known to increase the rate of wrong-patient order en
News
Epidemiology of Peri-Operative, Transfusion-Associated, Circulatory Overload
April 3, 2015
Understanding characteristics of TACO could improve decision making around transfusion strategies for at-risk patients
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The Spectrum of Acute Encephalitis
April 3, 2015
Advanced age, immunocompromised state, coma portend worse outcomes for patients with acute encephalitis
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Peri-Operative Hyperglycemia and Risk of Adverse Events in Diabetic Patients
April 3, 2015
Clinical question: How does peri-operative hyperglycemia affect the risk of adverse events in diabetic patients compared to nondiabetic patients? Background: Peri-operative hyperglycemia is associated with increased rates of infection, myocardial infarction, stroke, and death.
News
Complaints Against Doctors Linked to Depression, Defensive Medicine
April 3, 2015
Clinical question: What is the impact of complaints on doctors’ psychological welfare and health? Background: Studies have shown that malpractice litigation is associated with physician depression and suicide.