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News
Some Readmission Risk Factors Not Captured by Medicare
December 14, 2015
Clinical question: Are there patient characteristics not currently measured by the Medicare readmission program that account for differences in hospital readmission rates? Background: The Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) financially penalizes hospitals with higher than
News
Unassigned, Undocumented Patients Take a Toll on Healthcare and Hospitalists
December 3, 2015
When a patient must remain in the acute care hospital setting—despite being well enough to transition to a lower level of care, costs continue to mount as the patient receives care at the most expensive level. “But policymakers must understand that reducing support for essential hospitals might s
News
Heparin Bridging for Atrial Fibrillation
December 3, 2015
Maralyssa Bann, MD, Kay M. Johnson, MD, Anneliese M. Schleyer, MD, MHA, FHM, Shobha W. Stack, MD, PhD, Lindee Strizich, MD, MSc, Jessica S. Woan, MD; Hospital Medicine Program, University of Washington Medicine, Seattle
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Audio
LISTEN NOW: Scott Sears, MD, Discusses Hospitalist Challenges with Unassigned, Uninsured Patients
December 1, 2015
Scott Sears, MD, chief clinical officer for Sound Physicians in Tacoma, Wash., discusses why patients without health insurance put hospitalists in a difficult situation.
News
Modified Valsalva Better than Standard Maneuver to Restore Sinus Rhythm
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: Does a postural modification to the Valsalva maneuver improve its effectiveness? Background: The Valsalva maneuver, often used to treat supraventricular tachycardia, is rarely successful.
News
CHA2DS2-Vasc Score Modestly Predicts Stroke, Thromboembolism, Death
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: For patients with heart failure (HF), with and without concurrent Afib (AF), does the CHA2DS2-VASc score predict ischemic stroke, thromboembolism, and death? Background: Factors in the CHA2DS2-VASc score predict increased risk of stroke, thromboembolism, and death, regardless o
News
Intraoperative Hypotension Predicts Postoperative Mortality
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: What blood pressure deviations during surgery are predictive of mortality? Background: Despite the widely assumed importance of blood pressure (BP) management on postoperative outcomes, there are no accepted thresholds requiring intervention. Study design: Retrospective coho
News
Caprini Risk Assessment Tool Can Distinguish High Risk of VTE in Critically Ill Surgical Patients
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: Is the Caprini Risk Assessment Model for VTE risk valid in critically ill surgical patients? Background: Critically ill surgical patients are at increased risk of developing VTE. Chemoprophylaxis decreases VTE risk, but benefits must be balanced against bleeding risk.
News
Adherence to Restrictive Red Blood Cell Transfusion Guidelines Improved with Peer Feedback
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: Can a multifaceted approach involving clinician education, peer email feedback, and monthly audit data improve adherence to restrictive red blood cell (RBC) transfusion guidelines? Background: Randomized controlled trials and professional society guidelines support adoption of
News
Corticosteroids Improve Outcomes in Community- Acquired Pneumonia
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: Are adjunctive corticosteroids beneficial for patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)? Background: Numerous studies have tried to determine whether or not adjunctive corticosteroids for CAP treatment in hospitalized patients improve outcomes.
