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News
Academic Hospitalist Groups Use Observation Status More Frequently
January 7, 2015
Insurers’ use of certain criteria to separate hospital stays into inpatient or observation status remains widespread. Observation status ensures provider reimbursement for hospitalizations deemed necessary by clinical judgment but not qualifying as inpatient care.
News
Medical Consultants Provide Benefits for Hospitalized Surgical Patients
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: How are medical consultants used for hospitalized surgical patients, and how does this vary among regions and hospitals in the U.S.? Background: Reimbursement for surgical procedures is moving toward bundled payments, making it increasingly important to understand the use of re
News
Fluid Resuscitation in Sepsis: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: Is there any difference between different resuscitative fluids (crystalloids or colloids) on mortality in critically ill sepsis patients? Background: Fluid resuscitation, in addition to antibiotics and source control, is a cornerstone of initial management of sepsis.
News
Hip Fracture Adverse Outcomes Among Nursing Home Residents
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: What are the risk factors for mortality and functional decline following hip fracture among nursing home residents? Background: Little is known about the survival and functional outcomes of nursing home residents who sustain hip fracture.
News
Post-Operative Pneumonia Reduced by Standardization in Noncritical Surgical Patients
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: What is the long-term effectiveness of a standardized pneumonia prevention program among surgical noncritical inpatients? Background: Few studies have focused on the prevention of post-operative pneumonia in non-mechanically ventilated patients.
News
Aspirin vs. Anticoagulation for VTE Prevention in Lower Extremity Orthopedic Surgery
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: What are rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding among adult patients receiving aspirin versus anticoagulants after major lower extremity orthopedic surgery? Background: VTE is common after hip fracture surgery and elective total knee/hip arthroplasty.
News
Depletive Fluid Management Strategy During Weaning from Mechanical Ventilation Can Lower VAP Rates
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: What is the benefit associated with a depletive fluid management strategy on ventilator-associated complication (VAC) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) during weaning from mechanical ventilation? Background: VAP is common in the ICU.
News
Limitations of Best Practice Alerts on Curbing Blood Transfusions
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: Why do providers continue to transfuse blood products outside of recommended guidelines, despite best practice alerts (BPAs)? Background: There is evidence that a restrictive approach to blood transfusion versus a liberal approach is beneficial in reducing cost, morbidity, and
News
Peri-Operative Atrial Fibrillation, Long-Term Risk of Ischemic Stroke
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: Is there an association between peri-operative AF and long-term risk of ischemic stroke in patients undergoing any type of surgery? Background: Peri-operative AF is usually viewed as a transient response to physiological stress, and the long-term risk of stroke after peri-opera
News
Lower Health Literacy Contributes to Post-Discharge Medication Errors
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: What patient characteristics contribute to post-discharge medication errors? Background: Post-discharge medication errors are common, but the characteristics of patients associated with those errors are not well understood. Study design: Prospective study with patient data c
