News
Risk for In-Hospital Adverse Cardiac Events Low for Some Patients with Chest Pain
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: Do stable, low-risk patients hospitalized for chest pain after negative ED evaluation experience adverse cardiac events in the hospital? Background: Chest pain results in more than seven million ED visits annually, with a cost of over $11 billion to hospitalize these patients f
News
New Strategy in Patients with Suspected Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Improves Diagnostic Accuracy
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: Can a diagnostic strategy that utilizes a clinical prediction rule combined with an immunoassay appropriately guide management for patients with suspected heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)? Background: The appropriate and timely diagnosis of HIT can decrease the risks of t
News
Vasoactive Medications Safe in ICU via Peripheral Intravenous Access
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: Can vasoactive medications be safely given in the ICU via peripheral intravenous (PIV) access instead of central venous access? Background: Vasoactive medications are given to a variety of patients in shock to maintain hemodynamic function.
News
Cost, Frequency of Emergency Department Revisits Evaluated
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: What is the cost and frequency of ED revisits within three days and 30 days? Background: ED revisits lead to a financial and resource utilization burden on the medical system.
News
Early, Late Hospital Readmission Factors Differ
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: What are the differences between factors associated with early (zero to seven days after discharge) and late (eight to 30 days after discharge) readmission? Background: Thirty-day readmission rates are a quality metric; however, recent evidence challenges the notion that readmi
News
Patient Adherence to Pharmacological Thromboprophylaxis Improves with Interventions
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: How can patient adherence to pharmacological thromboprophylaxis be improved? Background: Prior studies suggest that the hospital-wide prevalence of nonadministration of VTE thromboprophylaxis orders ranges from 5% to 13%, with patient refusal listed as the most common reason fo
News
Mortality Risk in Patients Older than 75 Presenting with Non-ST-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome
September 9, 2015
Clinical question: Is there a score that will predict the mortality rate in elderly patients presenting with a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI)? Background: Although they represent only 9% of patients in clinical trials, patients over the age of 75 make up one third of patients wit
News
Cognitive, Emotional Memory Disconnect Impacts Patient Satisfaction
September 8, 2015
Patients judge quality of medical care on emotional memory
News
Inflammation Contributes to Effect of Diabetes on Brain
August 17, 2015
NEW YORK - Inflammation may contribute to impaired cerebral vasoregulation in type 2 diabetes, research suggests. In a two-year study, participants with type 2 diabetes experienced diminished regional and global vasoreactivity in the brain, as well as a decline in cognitive function and the abili
News
Many Older Acute MI Patients Don’t Complete Rehab
August 11, 2015
(Reuters Health) - Most older adults who are hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction do not attend even one of the recommended cardiac rehabilitation sessions, according to a new study. Cardiac rehab increases physical and cardiovascular fitness through structured exercise and