News
Adoption of Choosing Wisely Recommendations Slow to Catch On
February 1, 2016
Clinical question: Have the Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations led to changes in practice? Background: The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to reduce the incidence of low-value care by providing evidence-based recommendations for common clinical situations.
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Overall Patient Satisfaction Better on Hospitalist Teams Compared with Teaching Teams
January 25, 2016
Ethan Cumbler, MD, FHM, Erinn Ayres, MD, Carmella Nogar, PA, Kinsey Wray, PA, and Julia Clemons, MD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver
News
Caprini Score Accurately Predicts Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Surgical Patients
January 22, 2016
Clinical question: Is the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) a valid tool to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in critically ill surgical patients? Background: VTE is a major source of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients; prevention is critical to reduce morbidity and
News
Total Knee Replacement Superior to Non-Surgical Intervention
January 22, 2016
Clinical question: Does total knee replacement followed by a 12-week non-surgical treatment program provide greater pain relief and improvement in function and quality of life than non-surgical treatment alone? Background: The number of total knee replacements in the U.S.
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Patients with Postoperative Myocardial Infarction May Benefit from Higher Transfusion Threshold
January 18, 2016
Clinical question: Is there an improved 30-day mortality rate if patients receive blood transfusion at higher hematocrit values after postoperative myocardial infarction (MI)? Background: Prior studies evaluating patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo non-cardiac
News
Nebulized Hypertonic Saline Does Not Improve Outcomes for Non-ICU Infants with Acute Bronchiolitis
January 18, 2016
Clinical question: Does the use of nebulized 3% hypertonic saline shorten length of stay (LOS) in infants hospitalized with acute bronchiolitis? Background: Acute bronchiolitis is a disease primarily of infants and young children, triggered by a viral infection that leads to variable inflammation
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Beta-Blockers May Increase Risk of Perioperative MACEs in Patients with Uncomplicated Hypertension
January 15, 2016
Clinical question: Does taking a perioperative beta-blocker increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in low-risk patients with essential hypertension (HTN)? Background: Guidelines for the use of perioperative beta-blockers are being reevaluated
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Pharmacist Involvement in Transitional Care Can Reduce Return ED Visits, Inpatient Readmissions
January 15, 2016
Clinical question: Does pharmacist involvement in transitions of care decrease medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmissions? Background: Previous studies show pharmacist involvement in discharge can reduce ADEs and improve patient satisf
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Displaying Prices to Providers May Reduce Overall Ordering Costs
January 12, 2016
Clinical question: Does price display impact order costs and volume as well as patient safety outcomes, and is it acceptable to providers? Background: Up to one-third of national healthcare expenditures are wasteful, with physicians playing a central role in overall cost, purchasing almost all te
News
Criteria for Appropriate Use of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters
December 28, 2015
Clinical question: What are criteria for appropriate and inappropriate use of PICCs? Background: PICCs are commonly used in medical care in a variety of clinical contexts; however, criteria defining the appropriate use of PICCs and practices related to PICC placement have not been previously esta