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What the SGR Repeal Means for Hospitalists
April 22, 2015
The long awaited permanent repeal of the poorly designed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) came just in time to avert the 21.2% Medicare physician payment cut that would have taken effect on April 1st, 2015.
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Most Hospitalist Groups Don’t Offer Paid Time Off
April 21, 2015
More than two-thirds of HM groups do not offer paid time off (PTO) to their hospitalists, but lack of vacation time isn’t a career deal breaker for aspiring hospitalists, say some HM leaders. “Lack of separate PTO in general has not affected young hospitalists from choosing hospital medicine as t
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Outpatient Status Determinations for Medicare Patients Costly, Time-Consuming
April 21, 2015
The process of determining outpatient and inpatient status for hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries needs reform, according to a recent article in the Journal of Hospital Medicine. These status determinations, made by Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs), are a growing concern for hospitals as increa
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Multi-Site Hospitalist Leaders: HM15 Session Summary
April 15, 2015
Session: Multi-site Hospitalist Leaders: Unique Challenges/What You Should Know HM15 Presenter/Moderator: Scott Rissmiller, MD Summation: This standing-room-only session was the result of a popular HMX e-community, which has become an active discussion board.
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High-Dose Barium Enemas Prevent Recurrent Diverticular Bleeding
April 13, 2015
Clinical question Does barium impaction therapy using high-dose barium enemas prevent recurrent diverticular bleeding? Bottom line This small study demonstrates that barium impaction therapy using high-dose barium enemas is safe and effective at reducing the rate of recurrent diverticular bleed
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Steroids May Benefit Patients With Severe CAP and High CRP Levels
April 13, 2015
Clinical question: Do steroids improve outcomes in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia and a high inflammatory response? Bottom line In patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who have elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a short course of methylprednisolone
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Case Studies in Improving Patient Care – “Missing the Beat on Patient Experience”
April 10, 2015
Presenter: Elizabeth Harry, MD Summation: Dr. Harry structured her talk on Jonathan Sweller’s theory of Cognitive Load.
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HM15 Session Analysis: The Physician-Administrator Management Dyad
April 9, 2015
Hm15 Presenters: Chuck Ainsworth, MD, MCC,; Dan Virnich, MD, MBA; Roberta Himebaugh, MBA, SFHM; Robert Hickling, MHA; Sendil Krishnan, MD Summation: The presenters, a group of physicians and administrators for hospital medicine groups, explored three dyad models.
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HM15 Session Analysis: Innovative Hospitalist Staffing Models
April 9, 2015
HM15 Presenters: John Nelson, MD, MHM; Daniel Hanson, MD, FHM; Darren Thomas, MD Summation: The presenters, from three entirely different geographic regions across the U.S., walked the audience through several different innovative hospitalist staffing models, from staffing in a multi-hospital sy
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Palliative Care and Last-Minute Heroics
April 9, 2015
4/8/15 Session: Last-Minute Heroics and Palliative Care – Do They Meet in the Middle? HM15 Presenter: Tammie Quest, MD Summation: Heroics- a set of medical actions that attempt to prolong life with a low likelihood of success. Palliative care- an approach of care provided to patients and
