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
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99% of Medical-Device Monitoring Alerts Not Actionable
December 3, 2015
Nearly all medical-device monitoring alerts on regular hospital units were found not to be actionable, according to a study by pediatrician and researcher Chris Bonafide, MD, MSCE, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, based on reviewing hours of video from patient rooms.1 Reference Bonafide
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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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ICD-10 Flexibility Helps Transition to New Coding Systems, Principles, Payer Policy Requirements
December 1, 2015
Effective October 1, providers submit claims with ICD-10-CM codes. As they adapt to this new system, physicians, clinical staff, and billers should be relying on feedback from each other to achieve a successful transition.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Standard Triple Therapy for H. Pylori Lowest Ranked among 14 Treatment Regimens
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: How do current Helicobacter pylori treatments compare in efficacy and tolerance? Background: Efficacy of standard “triple therapy” for H.
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Social Isolation, Polypharmacy Predict Medication Noncompliance Post-Discharge in Cardiac Patients
December 1, 2015
Clinical question: What are predictors of primary medication nonadherence after discharge? Background: Primary nonadherence occurs when a patient receives a prescription at hospital discharge but does not fill it.