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
News
Use, Interpretation of SpO2 Treatment for Pediatric Bronchiolitis Is Questioned
January 7, 2015
Clinical question: Does artificial elevation of pulse oximetry measurement in bronchiolitis patients during ED evaluations affect hospitalization rates? Background: Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants younger than one year, leading to direct medical costs in the U.S.
News
69%: hospitals with perfect hand-hygiene compliance
December 3, 2014
69%: the percentage of hospitals that had perfect compliance with the Leapfrog Group employer coalition’s safe practices for hand hygiene in its 2013 annual quality survey of 1,437 U.S.
Audio
LISTEN NOW: Steve Pantilat, MD, SFHM, explains hospitalists’ role in palliative care
December 3, 2014
Steven Z.