News
Antimicrobial Prescribing Common in Inpatient Setting
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: What is the daily prevalence of antimicrobial use in acute-care hospitals? Background: Inappropriate antimicrobial use is associated with adverse events and contributes to the emergence of resistant pathogens. Strategies need to be implemented to reduce inappropriate use.
News
Hemoglobin Transfusion Threshold Not Associated with Differences in Morbidity, Mortality Among Patients with Septic Shock
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: Is there a difference in 90-day mortality and other outcomes when a lower versus higher hemoglobin threshold is used for blood transfusions in ICU patients with septic shock? Background: Patients with septic shock frequently receive blood transfusions.
News
Early, Goal-Directed Therapy Doesn’t Improve Mortality in Patients with Early Septic Shock
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: Does early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) improve mortality in patients presenting to the ED with early septic shock? Background: EGDT (achieving central venous pressure of 8-12 mmHg, superior vena oxygen saturation (ScvO2) of > 70%, mean arterial pressure ≥ 65mmHg, and urine
News
Bedside Attention Tests May Be Useful in Detecting Delirium
February 2, 2015
Clinical question: Are simple bedside attention tests a reliable way to routinely screen for delirium? Background: Early diagnosis of delirium decreases adverse outcomes, but it often goes unrecognized, in part because clinicians do not routinely screen for it.
News
Time-Based Physician Services Require Proper Documentation
February 2, 2015
Providers typically rely on the “key components” (history, exam, medical decision-making) when documenting in the medical record, and they often misunderstand the use of time when selecting visit levels.
News
Vermont Hospital Honored for Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections
February 2, 2015
The University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMC), a 562-bed academic facility in Burlington, has been honored with a Partnership in Prevention award for sustainable improvements to eliminate healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The award, sponsored by the U.S.
News
Hospitals Preparing for Climate Change Win Support from White House
February 2, 2015
On Dec. 15 at a White House Roundtable, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) unveiled its Sustainable and Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities Initiative [PDF], with a new guide to help health facilities enhance their resilience to extreme weather events.
News
Fewer Hospital-Acquired Conditions Saves Estimated 50,000 Lives
February 2, 2015
Estimated total number of saved lives from 2011 to 2013 as a result of reductions in the incidence of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) in U.S. hospitals, compared with HAC rates in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Audio
LISTEN NOW: Hospitalist Chris Spoja discusses his decision to pursue a MMM degree
January 7, 2015
Listen to Chris Spoja, MD, a hospitalist with Sound Physicians, explain his decision to pursue a Master’s of Medical Management (MMM) degree. [audio mp3="http://www.the-hospitalist.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Spoja_MedicalMgmt_FINAL_011714.mp3"][/audio]
News
Fit Direct Observation of Medical Trainees Into Your Day
January 7, 2015
All of us who work with housestaff understand that a crucial component of teaching clinical medicine is to take the time to both supervise resident work and deliver constructive feedback on its quality.