News
Move to Allow Patients to Request ‘Refund’ Appealing and Risky
December 30, 2015
We’ve all seen hundreds of commercials from companies advertising products and services with a money-back guarantee. The Men’s Warehouse, for example, has been promising men across the globe for over a decade, “You’re going to like the way you look.
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Hospitalist Jaime Upegui, MD, Links Passion for Work to Love of Motorcycle Travel, Sports, Dance
December 30, 2015
Hospitalist Jaime Upegui, MD, division president at Apogee Physicians in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, knows exactly what he wants to do when he retires years from now: sell everything he owns and ride his motorcycle around the world. So far, the 39-year-old physician leader has driven across the U.S.
News
What Should Hospitalists Know about Surgical Tubes and Drains?
December 30, 2015
Case A 45-year-old woman was admitted with choledocholithiasis. Two days prior, following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), she had gone to the OR for cholecystectomy. The procedure was completed laparoscopically, though the surgeon reported a difficult dissection.
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Private Insurers to Reap Bulk of Spending on Hospitalized Patient Care
December 29, 2015
Spending on care of hospitalized patients is expected to pass $1 trillion in 2015, a new high. Thomas Selden, PhD, of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently asked where that money is likely to go. The answer: private insurers. Dr.
News
SHM Members Can Share Their Success Stories on Social Media
December 29, 2015
From care transitions to antibiotic stewardship, SHM members are making strides to improve the care of hospitalized patients, and we want to hear your success stories.
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
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Value of Ultra-Brief Cognitive Assessments in Predicting Negative Hospital Outcomes
December 28, 2015
Clinical question: What is the value of ultra-brief cognitive assessments in predicting hospital outcomes? Background: Cognitive assessment tools can be used to predict patient outcomes in the hospital setting.
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ACP Guidelines for Evaluation of Suspected Pulmonary Embolism
December 25, 2015
Clinical question: What are best practices for evaluating patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism (PE)? Background: Use of CT in the evaluation of PE has increased across all clinical settings without improving mortality.
News
Early Palliative Care Can Save Money
December 25, 2015
Clinical question: Does time to consult after admission change the effect palliative care consultation has on cost of care? Background: Studies have shown that early palliative care involvement improves quality of life and survival among cancer patients while reducing the cost of care.
News
Changes to Healthcare that Hospitalists Should Expect in 2016
December 24, 2015
On the heels of last year’s repeal of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, 2016 promises to be a year of significant changes for the healthcare system.