MedWorm: Hospitalists

How High Can Your Support Payments Go?How High Can Your Support Payments Go?

Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:00:00 +0100

Hospitals have realized that hospitalist practices are a valuable asset and have created a system of ever-increasing subsidies to HM groups. How long can this financial support last? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines)

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IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. to Present at the UBS 22nd Annual Global Healthcare Services Conference

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:35:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announced today that Adam Singer, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer, are scheduled to present on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the UBS 22nd Annual Global Healthcare Services Conference being held in New York, NY. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Researchers warn of IV acetaminophen dosing errors

Drug Topics - Top News — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Researchers are warning pediatricians, pediatric hospitalists, and intensivists of the potential for intravenous acetaminophen dosing errors, especially in young patients under 2 years old. (Source: Drug Topics - Top News)

A Hospitalist-run Acute Care for the Elderly ServiceA Hospitalist-run Acute Care for the Elderly Service

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0100

This study evaluates how one such program helped minimize risks and improve outcomes. Journal of Hospital Medicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Hospitalists Play Critical Role in Primary Care

Physicians Practice — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:02 +0100

Hospitalists provide essential primary care in the hospital for the extremely sick, chronically ill patient population responsible for the majority of Medicare spending. (Source: Physicians Practice)

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IPC The Hospitalist Company Announces Estimated 2011 Results

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 6, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist group, today announced certain unaudited estimated financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011in advance of the announcement of its actual 2011 operating results. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

IOM Report Outlines Health IT Concerns

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:36:39 +0100

Source: Larry Beresford, The Hospitalist Content: “The Institute of Medicine in November issued a new report, “Patient Safety and Health IT (HIT): Building Safer Systems for Better Care,” which identifies potential harm that could stem from a digital healthcare system and proposes 10 recommendations. Many of the suggestions are directed at the U.S. Secretary of [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. to Present at the 30th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announced today that Adam Singer, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer, are scheduled to present on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the 30th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, CA. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Does Nursing Need the Clinical Nurse Leader?

The Journal for Nurse Practitioners — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Paula Ellis, MSN, RN, CARN, a nurse with a variety of leadership and behavioral health care experiences, works at St. Francis Health Center in Topeka, Kansas, directing home care, medical staff services, clinical resource management, transportation, and the hospitalist service. She is currently in the DNP program at the University of Kansas' School of Nursing, and her capstone project focuses on ED-based clinical nurse leader interventions to decrease unnecessary hospital admissions. (Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners)

What's on the Horizon: The Rehabilitation Hospitalist

PM and R — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The year was 1982, the second year of my residency training in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). I was evaluating the first patient with a spinal cord injury I had ever cared for in the emergency department of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Three residents arrived at the bedside after the trauma alert, one each from the departments of rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, and neurosurgery, and one attending physician, John F. Ditunno Jr, MD, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. The examination of the patient was carefully completed, and decisions were made about surgery and rehabilitation based on the evaluation. The PM&R resident and the attending physician communicated with the patient and the family. This was the beginning of lifetime care for this patie...

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Sleep and circadian misalignment for the hospitalist: A review

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractShift work is necessary for hospitalists to provide on‐site 24‐hour patient care. Like all shift workers, hospitalists working beyond daylight hours are subject to a misalignment between work obligations and the endogenous circadian system, which regulates sleep and alertness patterns. With chronic misalignment, sleep loss accumulates and can lead to shift work disorder or other chronic medical conditions. Hospitalists suffering from sleep deprivation also risk increased rates of medical errors. By realigning work and circadian schedules, a process called circadian adaptation, hospitalists can limit fatigue and potentially improve safety. Adaptation strategies include improving sleep hygiene before work, caffeine use at the start of the night shift, bright light exposure and pl...

IPC The Hospitalist Company Acquires South Florida Practice

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 7, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announced today that it acquired PCA Hospitalists, Inc. Based in Port St. Lucie, Florida, the acquisition represents a further expansion for IPC in the South Florida market, where the Company already has an established presence. IPC expects to add approximately 9,000 patient encounters annually from this acquisition. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Resident programs, hospitalist movement can hinder patient care

Modern Medicine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

A recent New York Times Sunday Magazine article inspired this column. "The Phantom Menace of Sleep-Deprived Doctors" was written by Darshak Sanghavi, M.D., chief of pediatric cardiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Mass. His article mourned the most recent in a series of misguided resident work-hour reductions, intended to enhance patient safety with what seemed to be an easy fix. (Source: Modern Medicine)

IPC The Hospitalist Company Names New Senior Vice-President of Operations

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 30, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), announced today that it has appointed Glenn Appelbaum to the newly created position of Senior Vice-President of Operations. In his new role, Appelbaum will be responsible for operational supervision of IPC's budgets and forecasts, developing plans for operational improvements, tracking performances to the plans, and for operational oversight of a number of the company's market areas. Appelbaum will report to R. Jeffrey Taylor, IPC's President and COO, and will assume his new responsibilities December 1, 2011. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Management of severe hypertriglyceridemia in the hospital: A review

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractFor hospitalists, hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is more than cardiovascular risk. Severe HTG occurs when serum triglycerides rise above 1000 mg/dL, and it carries a risk of abdominal pain and pancreatitis. The etiology of severe HTG is usually a combination of genetic and secondary factors. A detailed history with attention to family history, medications, and alcohol consumption can often lead to the cause. Physical examination findings may stretch across multiple organ systems. Patients with severe HTG should be admitted to the hospital for aggressive medical therapy if they develop symptoms such as abdominal pain or pancreatitis. Asymptomatic patients with severe HTG who have significant short‐term risk for developing symptoms require urgent consultation that may lead to a brief h...

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IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. to Present at the 2011 Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:30:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Nov. 22, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, announced today that Jeff Taylor, President and Chief Operating Officer, is scheduled to present on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the 23rd Annual Piper Jaffray Health Care Conference, being held in New York, NY. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Aggressive Bed Management Increases Capacity and RevenueAggressive Bed Management Increases Capacity and Revenue

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Better bed management is a new mantra for hospitalists nationwide. How is it best accomplished? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

What every hospitalist should know about the post‐bariatric surgery patient

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article will evaluate common causes for hospital admissions in the post‐bariatric surgery population as they relate to the hospitalist who is often responsible for their care. Here we provide an overview of the most common bariatric procedures currently performed, early postoperative complications, late medical complications (ie, abdominal complaints, weight fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic bone disease), and late surgical complications that often affect these patients and result in hospital admissions. Special attention will be paid to radiologic pearls that can assist in the initial evaluation and diagnosis of these patients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine (Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Electronic Health Records, Quality & Safety: Pritzker IHI Open School Recap

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:59:47 +0100

Source: Anthony Aspesi, FutureDocs Content: “A classroom at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine was packed earlier this month with both medical students and students in the Graduate Program in Health Administration and Policy (GPHAP) interested in learning more about the IHI and quality improvement. Dr. Chad Whelan, a hospitalist and institutional leader on [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

"Medical systems are made of holes and stacked like slices of Swiss cheese"

Clinical Cases and Images — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:00:02 +0100

From the NYtimes:"In 2000, the British psychologist James Reason wrote that medical systems are stacked like slices of Swiss cheese; there are holes in each system, but they don’t usually overlap. An exhausted intern writes the wrong dose of a drug, but an alert pharmacist or nurse catches the mistake. Every now and then, however, all the holes align, leading to a patient’s death or injury."We have to fix the systems.References:The Phantom Menace of Sleep Deprived Doctors. NYTimes, 2011.Image source: OpenClipArt.org, public domain. Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, follow us on Twitter and connect on Facebook. (Source: Clinical Cases and Images)

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Medication discrepancies identified at time of hospital discharge in a geriatric population

NeLM - Care of Older People — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: American Journal of Geriatric Pharmacotherapy Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Background: It has been reported that 14.1% of geriatric patients experience one or more medication discrepancies after hospitalisation. Objective: The goal of this study was to identify and characterise discharge medication list discrepancies among geriatric patients and to describe characteristics associated with discrepancies. Methods: An institutional review board-approved retrospective review was conducted of patients aged 65 years or older discharged from hospitalist and internal medicine services at a large tertiary care hospital in the USA from Aug 2008 to Dec 2009. A random cohort of 200 patients was selected and categorised by age, gender, att...

Chief resident year as stepping stone to attending academic hospitalist

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Do Hospitalists Cost More Than PCPs? A Look DeeperDo Hospitalists Cost More Than PCPs? A Look Deeper

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0100

In this expert interview, Joseph Li, the President of SHM responded to a study reporting that patients treated by hospitalists had higher costs than those treated only by their PCPs. Medscape Internal Medicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Ob/Gyn Hospitalists Hold Inaugural Meeting

Ob.Gyn. News — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

BOULDER, COLO. – A buzz of excitement – a sense of history in the making – was palpable as the newly incorporated Society of Ob/Gyn Hospitalists held its first-ever annual meeting here. (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

Tablets Now Changing the Game at Point of Care

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:04:52 +0100

Source: Terry Ketchersid, Acumen Nephrology EHR Blog Content: “Last week I attended the AMIA meeting in Washington DC. On Monday a couple of members of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Staff led a session cleverly entitled, “Tablets in Healthcare: Not Just for Pills Anymore.” Over the last couple years, Henry Feldman, a hospitalist, and Larry [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

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Older Patients Are at Greater Risk During ASC Transitions

NurseZone.com Nursing News — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:41:59 +0100

October 19, 2011 - Although the majority of surgeries in the United States are performed in ambulatory settings, ASCs have not played a key role in projects to evaluate safe practices for patient transitions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) focus on transitions in an effort to reduce costly hospital readmissions in initiatives implemented by teams of hospitalists and personnel in home care agencies, long-term care facilities, and care management organizations. Their initiatives involve standardized processes for communication and medication reconciliation, involvement of patients and caregivers in planning and providing care, and system redesign when necessary. (Source: NurseZone.com Nursing News)

October Webcasts Explore Early Rehab and Team Roles

SCCM RSS News — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:32:06 +0100

During November, the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) is offering webcasts that address two important topics. ICU Workforce: Financial and Credentialing Considerations The formulation of intensive care unit (ICU) workforce teams requires a focus on maximizing effectiveness and minimizing costs. Due to the increased demand for critical care-qualified providers and the relative shortage of physician intensivists, it is vital to integrate nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs) and hospitalists into intensivist-led teams in the ICU. During the November 15 webcast, ICU Workforce: Financial and Credentialing Considerations, expert faculty will focus on how to augment the ICU team and address administrative considerations including credentialing and financial issues... (...

IPC The Hospitalist Company Announces Management Transition as Part of CFO Succession Plan

Medical News (via PRIMEZONE) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0100

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:IPCM), a leading national hospitalist physician group practice company, today announced a management transition as part of its Chief Financial Officer succession plan. (Source: Medical News (via PRIMEZONE))

Hospitalists, PCPs, specialists, and non‐physicians: Too many cooks in the kitchen?

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Hospitalists and alcohol withdrawal: Yes, give benzodiazepines but is that the whole story?

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

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Dabigatran etexilate: What do hospitalists need to know?

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

AbstractDabigatran etexilate (dabigatran) is a novel, oral, reversible, direct thrombin inhibitor that exhibits several advantages over warfarin for therapeutic anticoagulation. The predictable pharmacokinetic profile and minimal food and drug interactions of dabigatran allow for a fixed‐dosing regimen and obviate the need for routine laboratory monitoring. Dabigatran has been approved in the United States for prevention of stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and in the European Union and other countries for primary prevention of thromboembolic events after total knee or hip replacement. More indications for the use of dabigatran are under review by regulatory authorities and are undergoing active clinical investigation. Due to its rapid onset of action, dabigatran ma...

Survey: Hospitalists' compensation on the rise

Cardiovascular Business News — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:14:25 +0100

Hospitalists can breathe a sigh of relief this year in terms of compensation, according to the latest survey released Sept. 28 by the Medical Group Management Association and the Society of Hospital Medicine. The State of Hospital Medicine 2011 report showed that median compensation for hospitalists practicing adult medicine increased from $215,000 to $220,619 in 2010. (Source: Cardiovascular Business News)

Evaluating Communication Between Pediatric Primary Care Physicians and Hospitalists

Clinical Pediatrics — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

To determine the preferences for and satisfaction with communication between pediatric primary care physicians (PCPs) and hospitalists, 2 surveys (PCP and hospitalist versions with matching questions) were developed. Overall, PCPs were less satisfied than hospitalists with communication (P < .01). The 2 provider types had differing opinions on responsibility for care after hospital discharge, with hospitalists more likely than PCPs to assign responsibility to the PCP for pending labs (65% vs 49%; P < .01), adverse events (85% vs 67%; P < .01), or status changes (85% vs 69%; P < .01). Whereas satisfaction with and preferences for patient-related communication differed between hospitalists and PCPs, the incongruent views on the responsibility for care after patient discharge have...

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When care requires more than simple answers

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:52:33 +0100

When teenagers stonewall adults, there can be many issues leading to the behavior By Sarah Teasdale, MD, EdM pediatric hospitalist at Children’s Hospital Boston It was near midnight about a year ago when I noticed a gaunt young man in his early twenties walking toward me in the Emergency Department. It was a young man who, about a decade earlier, had threatened to kill me. For nearly ten years prior to becoming a physician I was a high school teacher. That particular July, I was teaching English in summer school for students who had failed the class during the regular school year. It was a group of 15 surly teenagers ages 14 to 19, beaten down by a system in which they could not—or chose not—to succeed. The young man—I’ll call him Andre—was my student that summer. He wa...

Clarify the Evolving Definition of the ICU Team

SCCM RSS News — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:30:02 +0100

Register by Monday, September 19, 2011, for the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) upcoming webcast, Evolving Definitions of the ICU Team. Current healthcare and regulatory changes have impacted the intensive care unit (ICU) workforce, specifically the professionals who make up the critical care team. This webcast will present strategies on how to integrate nurse practitioners, physician assistants and hospitalists successfully into ICU teams to meet the needs of acute and critically ill patients... (Source: SCCM RSS News)

Study: Hospitalist care raises Medicare costs

Modern Medicine — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Patients treated by hospitalists spend less time in the hospital and incur lower costs than those treated by primary care physicians, but they are more likely to be readmitted and visit the emergency department, according to a new study. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Ten years later: Two hospitalists recall 9/11/01

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Camouflaging Informed Consent

Ob.Gyn. News — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is an associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. Email him at obnews@elsevier.com. (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

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New Senior Hospitalist Initiative: a new medical career pathway for NSW Health.

New South Wales Public Health Bulletin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hull C, Ellis C PMID: 22060058 [PubMed - in process] (Source: New South Wales Public Health Bulletin)

Webcast Explores Evolving Definitions of the ICU Team

SCCM RSS News — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:23:10 +0100

Current healthcare and regulatory changes have impacted the intensive care unit (ICU) workforce, specifically the professionals who make up the vital critical care team. To maximize the ICU team capacity, it is essential to integrate advanced practice providers and hospitalists. The Society of Critical Care Medicine's (SCCM) upcoming webcast, Evolving Definitions of the ICU Team, will discuss options on how to maximize the use of the ICU team by focusing on the integration of nurse practitioners, physician assistants and hospitalists to meet the needs of acute and critically ill patients... (Source: SCCM RSS News)

Jump‐start to the wards: a hospitalist model

The Clinical Teacher — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 22:59:17 +0100

SummaryBackground: In recent years, pursuing a second degree during medical school has become an increasingly attractive option. Interested students choose to leave medical school for one or several years, and then return to finish their clinical rotations. However, they often have minimal clinical exposure while completing these degree programmes, and may have difficulty adapting to the clinical environment when returning for their third or fourth year of medical school.Context: Whereas MD and PhD students tend to have clinical re‐entry courses at their medical schools, there are no formal reintegration programmes for medical students who choose to pursue 1‐ or 2‐year degrees.Innovation: We designed a 5‐day reintegration course based on a hospital service model, with phys...

Remembering the “Seven Rs”: More Ethical Caveats for the PNP Hospitalist

Journal of Pediatric Health Care — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:58:31 +0100

Andrea Kline Tilford, MS, RN, CPNP-PC/AC, FCCM (Source: Journal of Pediatric Health Care)

Integrated post-discharge transitional care in a hospitalist system to improve discharge outcome: An experimental study

BMC Medicine — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Use of an integrated post-discharge transitional care system (PDTC) as a post-hospital discharge follow-up service using disease-specific care, telephone monitoring, hotline counseling, and a hospitalist-run clinic reduces rates of post-discharge readmission and death. (Source: BMC Medicine)

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The New Old Age Blog: Do Hospitalists Save Money?

NYT — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:46:25 +0100

Patients with primary care doctors are more likely to be discharged to their homes than those cared for by hospitalists, and less likely to be readmitted, a new study finds. (Source: NYT)

Recent Report on Hospitalists Misses the Mark on Care, Cost

Physicians Practice — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0100

We cannot be so short-sighted as to suggest that hospitalist care is to blame for the fact that medical care is expensive and complicated in the outpatient setting. (Source: Physicians Practice)

Inpatient Management sold to Eagle Hospital Physicians

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:01:22 +0100

Inpatient Management Inc., a St. Louis hospitalist management company, has been sold to Eagle Hospital Physicians in Dallas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Founded in 1997 by Chief Executive Kirk Mathews and President Terri Orf, IMI will add more than 90 full-time physicians and 13 hospitalist practices to Eagle’s portfolio, including locations in California, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska and Washington. Mathews will continue to work with Eagle, serving as senior vice president of business development... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Study casts doubt on effectiveness of hospitalist care

American Medical News - PROFESSION — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:02:27 +0100

Compared with those treated by their primary care physicians, hospitalist patients are more likely to visit an ED and be readmitted. (Source: American Medical News - PROFESSION)

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Are Hospitalists Fueling Health Spending?Are Hospitalists Fueling Health Spending?

Medscape Cardiology Headlines — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:50:12 +0100

The growing number of hospitalists in the U.S. could be taxing Medicare resources, government-funded researchers suggest in a new report. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Cardiology Headlines)

Hospitalist Care More Costly on Balance (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Surgery — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:24:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Lower inhospital treatment costs associated with hospitalist care for Medicare beneficiaries were erased by higher rates of readmission and emergency department visits after discharge, researchers said, suggesting that current hospitalist models actually increase overall costs. (Source: MedPage Today Surgery)

Annals of Internal Medicine tip sheet for Aug. 2, 2011

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(American College of Physicians) Appearing in the Aug. 2 issue of Annal of Internal Medicine: "ACP and Three Physician Organizations Issue New Clinical Recommendations for Diagnosing and Treating COPD"; "Depending on Individual Patient Characteristics, the Risks of Pulmonary Nodule Biopsy May Outweigh the Benefits"; "Hospitalist Care Costs Add Up After Discharge"; and "Syphilis on the Rise Among Young Black and Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men." (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Hospitalist savings shift to other providers, cost Medicare more than $1.1 billion a year

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston) Inpatients cared for by hospitalists have higher Medicare costs in the 30 days after discharge than those whose personal physicians oversee their care, partly because hospitalists' patients are more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing facility than to their homes and more likely to have subsequent emergency room visits and readmissions. Such "cost shifting" translates to more than $1.1 billion in Medicare expenses annually, contradicting beliefs that hospitalist care reduces overall costs. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Are hospitalists fueling health spending?

Modern Medicine — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The growing number of hospitalists in the U.S. could be taxing Medicare resources, government-funded researchers suggest in a new report. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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Camouflaging Informed Consent

Rheumatology News — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is an associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. He said he had no relevant financial disclosures. E-mail Dr. Powell at rheumatologynews@elsevier.com. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Achieving Comanagment's Potential Requires System Redesign and Hospitalist-Focused Training [Editor's Correspondence]

Archives of Internal Medicine — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)

Achieving Comanagment's Potential Requires System Redesign and Hospitalist-Focused Training--Reply [Editor's Correspondence]

Archives of Internal Medicine — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Archives of Internal Medicine)

One Thing Leads to Another in Internal Medicine

Physicians Practice — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Unlike specialties that require completion of fellowship, the specialty of the internist hospitalist doesn't require constant repetition of mechanical procedures and the learning of technological devices. Rather, the internist specializes in the pathophysiology of the sick human being in all its manifestations, many of which can occur simultaneously (Source: Physicians Practice)

Second orthopaedic hospitalist position

Joomla! powered Site — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:26:55 +0100

THe Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital/NSLIJ in New York City is looking for candidates for a possible... (Source: Joomla! powered Site)

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Second Orthopaedic Hospitalist Position - New York City

Joomla! powered Site — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:26:55 +0100

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital/NSLIJ in New York City is looking for candidates for a possible... (Source: Joomla! powered Site)

As ‘Super-Users,’ Hospitalists Make Most of Technology

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:54:07 +0100

Source: Blake Lesselroth, Hospitalist News Content: “Hospitalists are often “super users” – technologically proficient clinician end-users that often are early adopters of new innovations and tend to influence colleagues. For this reason, they are positioned to develop modifications and extensions to electronic health record systems that will appeal to the larger clinician demographic. In this regard, [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

To Comfort, Always

Journal of General Internal Medicine — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 05:51:11 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s11606-011-1782-xAuthors Christopher Sankey, Academic Hospitalist, Yale School of Medicine, Harkness Hall A, 4th Floor, 367 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA Journal Journal of General Internal MedicineOnline ISSN 1525-1497Print ISSN 0884-8734 (Source: Journal of General Internal Medicine)

Telemedicine a Plus for Hospitalist Stroke Center

Clinical Neurology News — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Major Finding: A medical center diagnosed 75% more strokes using telemedicine, compared with the prior year before the technology was used. Previously, 0 patients received timely TPA vs. 10 patients who received it under the telemedicine system. (Source: Clinical Neurology News)

Hospitalist Rounds: Nausea, fever, and weight loss.

The Journal of Family Practice — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ferrara M, Bernheisel C The patient's monospot test was positive, but the clinical picture didn't fully match infectious mononucleosis. We dug further. PMID: 21731914 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Family Practice)

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As Health Reform Law Takes Effect, Hospitalists Have a Chance to Shine

Rheumatology News — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

GRAPEVINE, TEX. – Hospitalists will have new opportunities to show just how indispensable they are as the provisions of the Affordable Care Act go into effect, according to Dr. Robert Kocher, who helped formulate the health reform law that was enacted last year. (Source: Rheumatology News)

Camouflaging Informed Consent

Pediatric News — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Ten ways to improve the care of elderly patients in the hospital

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This article addresses these issues with 10 evidence‐based pearls developed to help hospitalists provide optimal care for this expanding population. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;6:351–357. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine (Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

All You Need is LoveAll You Need is Love

Medscape Med Students Headlines — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:00:00 +0100

What are the keys to thriving as a dual-hospitalist couple? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Med Students Headlines)

All You Need is Love

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:04:34 +0100

What are the keys to thriving as a dual-hospitalist couple? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Sharing "Moral Space": Ethical Caveats for the PNP Hospitalist

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:27:50 +0100

A growing number of hospitals provide clinician services to manage acute care admissions and PNPs are often caught walking a tight-rope trying to balance multiple needs and issues. Journal of Pediatric Health Care (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Journey to Excellence: A Clinical Guideline for Analgesia after Pediatric Nuss Procedure for Pectus Excavatum

Pain Management Nursing — Fri, 27 May 2011 15:40:52 +0100

To prepare for a new patient population at our community hospital, staff attended a conference to learn about the minimally invasive Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum and how to best provide postoperative care as established at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA. Initial preparation included developing a pain management plan of care to achieve excellent analgesia to maximize mobility and minimize complications. After a review of the literature and inquiries to the ASPMN/APS listserve, only two published studies were identified that addressed postoperative analgesia in this population. With no obvious “best practice” to follow, the Pediatric surgical and pain management Advanced Practice Nurses began collaborating with the pediatric anesthesiologist...

Docs sign on to online readmission reduction program

Healthcare IT News — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:24:46 +0100

See Also: CMS adds mortality, readmission data to its online hospital rating site AHRQ funds project to reduce heart failure readmissions More than 4,400 physicians have enlisted in an initiative – launched by QuantiaMD, the online physician community, and the Society of Hospital Medicine (SMH), which represents hospitalists – that's focused on helping high-risk patients achieve better outcomes and avoid preventable readmissions. QuantiaMD and SMH created the initiative in conjunction with a joint study that found that more than nine out of ten clinicians believe reducing readmissions is an important topic, but few have the resources at hand to tackle it. read more (Source: Healthcare IT News)

ACP Publications take home awards for publishing excellence

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Thu, 12 May 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(American College of Physicians) The American College of Physicians is pleased to announce that ACP Internist, ACP Hospitalist, and ACP InternistWeekly have won awards for excellence in publishing. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

PEERist Program Provides Rural Nebraska Hospital 24/7 HM Coverage

News stories via the Rural Assistance Center — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:44:07 +0100

Hospitalist article tells of the Physician Extender Emergency Room Hospitalist (PEERist) program in Auburn, Neb. that utilizes physician assistants to serve many hospitalist functions under their supervision. (Source: News stories via the Rural Assistance Center)

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Hospitalist Efforts and Improving Discharge Planning [Letters]

JAMA — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Hospitalist Efforts and Improving Discharge Planning--Reply [Letters]

JAMA — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Careful Negotiation, Clear Agreement Essential To Hospitalists In Shared-Service Situations

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:04:51 +0100

Comanagement differs from traditional medical consultations performed by hospitalists. Find out how. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Committed

Ob.Gyn. News — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. It is such a common scenario. It might be 4:45 p.m. in a rural, two-doctor office, or 9:30 a.m. Saturday during rounds in the nursery, or 11:55 a.m. in a teaching hospital. You are waiting on just one more lab result before you can finish that last patient encounter, but you are also running late for your daughter's soccer game. Do you stay and finish up, or sign the problem out to your partner who is on call? (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

At What Price Stewardship?

Pediatric News — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. It is the frequent juxtaposition of very disparate items that makes medical ethics both outrageously frustrating and ironically amusing. Does one hand of the health care system really have a clue about what the other hand is doing? (Source: Pediatric News)

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Understanding and meeting the hospitalist's challenge: Caring for adults with sickle cell disease

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Frequently asked questions by hospitalists managing pain in adults with sickle cell disease

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractPain is the predominant medical presentation to hospitalists for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Dramatic treatment gains of SCD in childhood have resulted in more adults now requiring hospitalization than children. This has created new challenges to improve the quality of hospital care for SCD. The evidence base for pain management in SCD is lacking. We therefore offer some evidence and our informed opinion to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) about pain management by hospitalists caring for adults with SCD. The most common questions center around defining a crisis; selecting and managing opioids; distinguishing between opioid tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction or misuse; determining appropriateness of discharge; and avoiding lengthy or recurrent hospita...

Surgical hospitalist: can this be a program for your group?

The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

This article outlines a new way of thinking about how to diagnosis and treat this problem. Learn the basics behind the possible creation of a surgical hospitalist program from assessing the need; reviewing physician issues; computing the financial analysis; understanding the political and bureaucratic issues; and, finally, recruiting to fill the positions. PMID: 21815557 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Journal of Medical Practice Management : MPM)

Frequently hospitalized patients may benefit from new medical specialty focused on their needs

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:51:51 +0100

Declining rates of hospitalization have discouraged primary care doctors from seeing their patients in the hospital and encouraged the growing use of "hospitalists," a new physician specialty focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Further developments in the field mean that frequently hospitalized patients also may need a specialist focused on their care. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Frequently hospitalized patients

Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:04:42 +0100

Declining rates of hospitalization have discouraged primary care doctors from seeing their patients in the hospital and encouraged the growing use of "hospitalists," a new doctor specialty focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Further developments in the field mean that frequently hospitalized patients also may need a specialist focused on their care, as per an expert on hospital care at the University of Chicago........ (Source: Medicineworld.org: New Article Alert)

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Frequently Hospitalized Patients Need New Medical Specialists

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Frequently hospitalized patients may benefit from new medical specialty focused on their needs

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(University of Chicago) Declining rates of hospitalization have discouraged primary care doctors from seeing their patients in the hospital and encouraged the growing use of "hospitalists," a new physician specialty focused on the care of hospitalized patients. Further developments in the field mean that frequently hospitalized patients also may need a specialist focused on their care. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Emerging Physician Career: Comprehensivist

About.com Health Careers — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

As if there are not already enough medical specialties and sub-specialties to lure physicians away from a career in primary care, yet another new specialty may become common in the near future. At least one industry expert, an academic physician out of Chicago, predicts that a new type of physician specialist will soon emerge, providing comprehensive care of chronically ill patients. These physicians, which may be known as "comprehensivists" will provide continuity of care and knowledge of the patient's health case that hospitalists are often unable to provide due to the nature of their shift-based schedules. At least that's the idea behind the role of comprehensivists, according to recent UPI report....Read Full Post (Source: About.com Health Careers)

Sharing “Moral Space”: Ethical Caveats for the PNP Hospitalist

Journal of Pediatric Health Care — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:46:10 +0100

A growing number of hospitals provide clinician services to manage acute care admissions referred by community based health care providers that elect this service option over providing their own inpatient care. This hospital-based clinician is referred to as a hospitalist, which the Society of Hospital Medicine defines as “A physician [clinician] whose primary focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients and whose responsibilities also include teaching, research, and leadership related to hospital care” (, p. 1101). Pediatric hospitals are steadily contributing to the growing trend in hospitalist care. In 2000, 50% of pediatric teaching facilities had hospitalist services available; within three years, this percentage had grown to 75% (). (Source: Journal of Pediatric Hea...

Burnout High Among Hospitalists

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:05:26 +0100

Lack of academic opportunity and high stress are associated with high levels of burnout. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Excess hospitalization days in an academic medical center: perceptions of hospitalists and discharge planners.

The American Journal of Managed Care — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:30:03 +0100

Authors: Kim CS, Hart AL, Paretti RF, Kuhn L, Dowling AE, Benkeser JL, Spahlinger DA To determine the frequency of and reasons for medically unnecessary hospital days. PMID: 21473658 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Managed Care)

Updated for the 2012 edition of CMDT: Chapter 3. Preoperative Evaluation and Perioperative Management

AccessMedicine Updates — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:13:48 +0100

Each year, tens of millions of patients in the United States undergo a surgical procedure requiring general or spinal-epidural anesthesia. An increasing number of these patients are over age 65. Operative mortality and morbidity have declined over the past 10–20 years due to improvements in surgical, anesthetic, and monitoring techniques. The rate of major complications varies from < 1% to nearly 20% depending on the presence of underlying disease, the type of surgery, and to a lesser extent, the patient's age. In patients over 70 years of age, the occurrence of a postoperative complication is associated with decreased long-term functional status and survival. Cardiac, pulmonary, infectious, and neurologic complications account for most of the perioperative morbidity and mortality. The t...

Cogent merger creates largest private hospitalist co. in U.S.

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

Call of Duty

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:04:52 +0100

On the morning of January 8, Dr. Dave Bowman found himself thrust into the epicenter of one of the worst shooting rampages in American history. As a hospitalist, he was ready. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Orthopaedic hospitalist wanted

Joomla! powered Site — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:20:13 +0100

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital/NSLIJ in New York City is looking for an orthopaedic hospitalist (house... (Source: Joomla! powered Site)

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Orthopaedic Hospitalist Wanted - Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City

Joomla! powered Site — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:20:13 +0100

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital/NSLIJ in New York City is looking for an orthopaedic hospitalist (house... (Source: Joomla! powered Site)

Top 5 Common Misconceptions About the Medical Inpatient: Approaching Cardiovascular Prevention for the Hospitalist

Clinical Cardiology — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Clinical Cardiology)

The hospitalist field turns 15: New opportunities and challenges

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

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Erratum: Investing in the future: Building an academic hospitalist faculty development program

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Hospitals May Rethink Records Storage Policy: Massachusetts General Hospital paid $1 million to settle suit when records were lost on the subway.

Rheumatology News — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Hospitals and hospitalists should expect more aggressive enforcement of protected health information regulations following a $1 million settlement paid by Massachusetts General Physicians Organization Inc. over documents on 192 patients left on the subway by a MassGen employee, a top hospitalist says. (Source: Rheumatology News)

The Future is Near

Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:10:59 +0100

The growing prevalence of touchscreen technology in smartphones and tablets is having a significant impact on how some hospitalists do their jobs. How will it effect yours? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines)

The Triple Crown: Collaboration with clinical documentation specialists can be a win-win for patients, hospitals, and HM

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 14:54:30 +0100

Source: Gretchen Henkel, The Hospitalist Content: “Doctor, please clarify: Is this type of congestive heart failure acute or chronic, systolic or diastolic?” Most hospitalists have had patients’ charts flagged with these types of queries. And no, the people who write the questions are not trying to be difficult. In fact, says Karen Bachman, BSN, MHSA, director [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Society Of Hospital Medicine Now Accepting Applications For Young Researchers Awards

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:00:00 +0100

The Society of Hospital Medicine is now accepting applications for the Young Researchers Award. Applications are due April 14, and the awards will be presented at Hospital Medicine 2011, May 10-13, in Grapevine, Texas. Researchers interested in applying should visit here for details. The Young Researchers Award provides $25,000 per year, for two years, to two hospitalist researchers. Applicants must demonstrate an innovative approach to research in hospital medicine and institutional support. Physician hospitalists and SHM members are eligible... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Patient Satisfaction With Hospitalists: Facility-Level Analyses

American Journal of Medical Quality — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined hospitalists’ impact on patient satisfaction, considering a host of characteristics. Cross-sectional data received in calendar year 2008, aggregated to the facility level, represent 1777 hospitals (41% of which employed hospitalists) and 2 648 275 patients. Press Ganey’s psychometrically sound inpatient satisfaction survey consists of 38 items (10 sections) rated on a 5-point Likert-type scale. Findings suggest that facilities with hospitalists may have an advantage regarding satisfaction with nursing and personal issues (eg, privacy, emotional needs, response to complaints), both of which may be related to broader communication issues. Moreover, teaching (overall satisfaction) and large facilities (satisfaction with admissions, nursing, and tests/treatments...

Hospitalist Down Under

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0100

A transplanted hospitalist provides a personal look at patient care in New Zealand, which provides quality nationalized care at a fraction of U.S. costs. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

The cost of recurring care

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:18:15 +0100

Many hospitals are judged by how few recurring patients they see. For most businesses, attracting repeat customers is a primary goal. A loyal clientele often translates to stocked cash registers and word of mouth advertising that’s hard to beat. But unlike the retail or culinary worlds, the medical field is different. Doctors, nurses and clinicians do their best to see as few returning patients as possible, hoping that once a patient leaves, he or she will remain well enough to never need treatment again. Unfortunately for a small number of patients repeated hospitalization for recurring problems is needed. Not only do these return visits cause a good deal of emotional strain for the patients and their families, but they’re responsible for a sizable portion of the nation’s growing ...

Committed

Pediatric News — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. He said that he has no conflicts of interest to disclose. (Source: Pediatric News)

Defining Professionalism

Rheumatology News — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center in St. Louis. “Oh, Dr. Powell, you don't want to come to this,” she said. I turned to look at the resident behind me as I held the door to the auditorium open for her. We were walking into a noon conference, mostly aimed at the residents but occasionally visited by the attendings. (Source: Rheumatology News)

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Incentives Play Larger Role in Hospitalist Compensation

Rheumatology News — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Although base salary plus added bonuses based on quality and productivity measures represent the predominant compensation structure for hospitalists, methodologies for paying hospitalists vary widely and appear to be evolving toward paying a higher percentage of compensation as incentives, experts said. (Source: Rheumatology News)

All Aboard

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Are you identifying the patients most at risk of readmission? Help solve rehospitalization problems by focusing on transitions-of-care. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

SHAKE may be common in hospitals: Supplement-associated Hyperammonemia After Cachectic Episode

Clinical Cases and Images — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:47:00 +0100

High-protein dietary supplements were started for 2 patients, who had a period of anorexia before hospital admission but no history of liver disease. Subsequent altered mental status with ataxia developed in both patients.Hyperammonemia was noted, while liver function test results remained normal.Removal of the high-protein dietary supplements led to reversal of symptoms and normalization of the ammonia level.With the ubiquity of nutrition supplement use, SHAKE (supplement-associated hyperammonemia after c[k]achetic episode) syndrome may be common in modern hospitals.References:Iatrogenic Hyperammonemia After Anorexia. Emily Welsh, BA; Jan Kucera, MD; Michael D. Perloff, MD, PhD. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(5):486-488.Image source: sxc.hu. Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated...

Update in bridging anticoagulation

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 06:56:54 +0100

Abstract Patients treated with a vitamin K antagonist may require interruption of their anticoagulation prior to an invasive procedure or surgery, and as a result, may be placed at a higher risk for thromboembolic events during this time. Either low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin is frequently used to bridge the gap in anticoagulation treatment because of their relatively rapid onset and offset of action compared to warfarin. Despite the lack of randomized trials supporting the efficacy of this bridging therapy, guidelines have been developed to assist providers with this common clinical challenge. Key issues in bridging therapy include identifying patients who can safely undergo an invasive procedure while continuing their vitamin K antagonist, ...

Mollaret’s meningitis: 65 years of history

Internal and Emergency Medicine — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:45:26 +0100

Mollaret’s meningitis: 65 years of history Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s11739-011-0535-5Authors Francois Abi-Fadel, Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Downstate Medical Center, State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY USAKatarzyna Harasiuk, Department of Medicine, Hospitalist Division, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY USAMichael Ng, Division of Neurology, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY USA Journal Internal and Emergency MedicineOnline ISSN 1970-9366Print ISSN 1828-0447 (Source: Internal and Emergency Medicine)

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Elevated Expectations

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Are you getting what you need from your hospital administration? In these difficult economic times for healthcare, check out some valuable negotiating tips for hospital managers. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

PE & DVT dx iPhone point-of-care app (Joshua Steinberg MD)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The gold standard diagnostic tests for DVT and PE are invasive venography and invasive pulmonary angiography (and autopsy). These tests are invasive, time consuming, technically challenging, and sometimes not feasible for a highly ill patient. No single alternative test alone is quicker, easier, less invasive, and as accurate. But combinations of tests starting with clinical scoring systems for pretest probability followed by sequential labwork and imaging can almost always do the job. The only problem is that the algorithms involved are very hard to memorize and keep straight. That's where a point-of-care guide like this comes in. The app offers 1 algorithm for DVT diagnosis and 2 algorithms for PE diagnosis, as well as discussion of diagnostic approach and workup of hypercoagulable state...

Reflections on Haiti: The role of hospitalists in disaster response

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Triple therapy in hospitalized patients: Facts and controversies

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

AbstractThe use of triple therapy (warfarin plus dual antiplatelet therapy) has increased in recent years due to an aging population with a higher risk for atrial fibrillation, as well as the increased use of coronary stents for acute coronary syndromes. Triple therapy confers a higher bleeding risk than either warfarin or dual antiplatelet therapy alone. However, warfarin alone is inadequate for patients with indications for triple therapy because of an unacceptable risk of stent thrombosis, and dual antiplatelet therapy is inferior to warfarin for the prevention of ischemic strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation, mechanical valves, or intraventricular thrombosis. Hospitalists face the challenge of balancing the aforementioned risks; the optimal management of these patients requires...

Rural Hospitalist Study: The Advent of Hospitalists in Illinois Critical Access Hospitals: 2009

Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 18:38:03 +0100

Explores successful critical access hospital (CAH) rural hospitalist models and identifies common threads for success. Provides steps for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to better position their hospitals if they begin a hospitalist program. -- Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (Source: Rural publications via the Rural Assistance Center)

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Complications of Endoscopic and Radiologic Investigation of Biliary Tract Disorders

Current Gastroenterology Reports — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:32:57 +0100

Abstract The investigation and treatment of disorders of the human biliary tree depend considerably on invasive endoscopic and radiologic procedures. These are associated with a significant risk of complications, some of which can be fatal. This review looks at these complications through the lens of 40 years of publications in the medical literature, and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of their current classification, diagnosis, and treatment. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s11894-011-0179-7Authors Klaus Mergener, GI Hospitalist Program, Digestive Health Specialists, 3209 South 23rd Street, Suite 340, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA Journal Current Gastroenterology ReportsOnline ISSN 1534-312XPrint ISSN 1522-8037 (Source: Current Gastroente...

Health IT Hurdles

ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:09:34 +0100

Source: John Nelson, The Hospitalist Content: “I rent cars regularly, and only occasionally do I get the same model twice. I’m ready to roll after spending a couple of minutes becoming familiar with a car that is new to me. I adjust the seat and climate control, etc. I resist fiddling with the radio until [...] (Source: ICMCC: The International Council on Medical and Care Compunetics)

Hospitalist advises: Don't waste time preparing for change

MD Consult: News: Top Stories — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Read the full story on MD Consult: Hospitalist advises: Don't waste time preparing for change (Source: MD Consult: News: Top Stories)

Lawrence hospital expands pediatric care

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Lawrence General Hospital and the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center are expanding a partnership to provide medical care to newborns, the Eagle-Tribune reports. A pediatric inpatient hospitalist will be available in the 20-bed pediatric unit at Lawrence General all day, every day, under the expanded partnership, according to the... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Managing bloodstream infections in patients who have short-term central venous catheters

Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Catheter-related bloodstream infections can be complicated to manage, but a growing body of evidence supports specific recommendations. In 2009, the Infectious Diseases Society of America published updated guidelines for the diagnosis and management of all intravascular catheter-related infections. Here we provide a focused review on the management of bloodstream infections in adult patients with short-term (not surgically implanted and not tunneled) central venous catheters, including peripherally inserted central catheters. This review should serve as a ready reference for providers (eg, hospitalists, surgeons, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, intensivists) managing adult patients with short-term central venous catheters in place. (Source: Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine)

The need for mentors in the odyssey of the academic hospitalist

Journal of Hospital Medicine — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Hospital Medicine)

Defining Professionalism

Pediatric News — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

DR. POWELL is associate professor of pediatrics at St. Louis University and a pediatric hospitalist at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. “Oh, Dr. Powell, you don't want to come to this,” she said. I turned to look at the resident behind me as I held the door to the auditorium open for her. We were walking into a noon conference, mostly aimed at the residents but occasionally visited by attendings. She recognized me as a new attending at that academic center. But she could not have known anything about my prior activities elsewhere with various committees on medical ethics, health law, and ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) requirements. The title of the noon conference, “Professionalism,” had sparked my interest. I'd looked forward to it all...

The OB hospitalist and the risk manager: Ready for prime time

Journal of Healthcare Risk Management — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

AbstractIn 1996, Wachter and Goldman described a new model of care in which hospital‐based physicians provided patients' inpatient care in lieu of the patient’s primary physician.(1) They termed these physicians hospitalists. The hospitalist movement had taken hold, and by 1999, 65% of internists had hospitalists in their community and 28% reported using them for inpatient care.(2) In 2003, Louis Weinstein, in an article entitled “The Laborist: A New Focus of Practice for the Obstetrician”(3) advocated for the adoption of the hospitalist model to obstetrical care. In a 2010 study, of 28,545 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) contacted in a national survey, 7,044 clinicians responded, which yielded a response rate of 25%. Of the respondents, 1,...

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Business Blueprint

Medscape Cardiology Headlines — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Want to further your career? With training and experience, hospitalists are a natural fit for leadership roles. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Cardiology Headlines)

Split Personality

Medscape Med Students Headlines — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:00:00 +0100

Is it possible--or feasible--to be a med-ped hospitalist? The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Med Students Headlines)

Comanagement Benefits Limited (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Surgery — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:30:00 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Comanagement of neurosurgical patients by surgeons and hospitalists did not improve patient outcomes or satisfaction, a single-center, observational study showed. (Source: MedPage Today Surgery)

Berkshire Health Systems Selects Allscripts Electronic Health Record And Practice Management Solution For Employed And Affiliated Physicians

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) will deploy the Allscripts Electronic Health Record (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) solution with integrated claims and revenue cycle management for its 108 employed physicians, mid-level providers, hospitalists and emergency room physicians to enhance the quality of patient care, improve patient communications, and better manage the cost of care delivery. Berkshire Health Systems, a private, not-for-profit integrated delivery network serving the residents of Berkshire County, Mass... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Pneumonia Guide iPhone point-of-care app (Joshua Steinberg MD)

Family Medicine Digital Resources Library (FMDRL) Recently Uploaded — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Pneumonia Guide distills and organizes the guidance found in the 2005 and 2007 American Thoracic Society & Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines on management of Community Acquired Pneumonia, Healthcare Associated Pneumonia, and Hospital Acquired Pneumonia The app addresses such common questions as: * what criteria are useful in deciding which community acquired pneumonia patients should be hospitalized? * what are those three big-gun antibiotics for hospital acquired pneumonia, and what are the alternatives for those with medication allergies? * how long should antibiotics be continued? * exactly which pneumonia cases are considered to be hospital acquired? * which community acquired pneumonia patients require coverage for resistant organisms? * which hospitalized...

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Hospitalist Admit Billing

Physicians Practice — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

This physicians wants to know who should bill for a hospital admission: the surgeon or hospitalist? (Source: Physicians Practice)

Hospitalist Leaders To Participate In CMS Care Transitions Conference

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Two hospitalists on the leading edge of reducing unplanned readmissions to the hospital, will share their expertise at a public conference hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on December 3 in Baltimore, MD. Designed for hospitals, healthcare providers, and quality improvement organizations, the conference will provide information about the upcoming Community-Based Care Transitions Program created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Mark V... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A Bundle of Nerves

Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:12:43 +0100

Early returns on payment reform demonstration projects show successes, but skeptics question why alternatives aren't being explored. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Business of Medicine Headlines)

It ain’t tox, but . . .

The Poison Review — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:39:08 +0100

Bob Wachter’s post about a recent case discussion in the New England Journal of Medicine is quite interesting. As Wachter points out, the NEJM piece is historic because it represents the first time that the Journal‘slong-running feature “Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital” focused on medical errors rather than on genius diagnoses and obscure medical disorders. The case involved a 65-year-old woman who was admitted to day-surgery for a trigger-finger release, but due to a series of cumulative errors and unexpected events inadvertently received a carpal-tunnel release instead. The errors and occurrences leading to performance of the wrong procedure included: - falling behind schedule on a busy day - unanticipated change of surgical staff - need for...

Preprinted Standardized Orders Promote Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis Compared With Traditional Handwritten Orders: An Endorsement of Standardized Evidence-Based Practice

American Journal of Medical Quality — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective was to determine if a standardized process of care—namely, standardized evidence-based medical orders (SEBMOs)—improves physician compliance with venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. A total of 61 physicians received information about VTE prophylaxis after introduction of an admission SEBMO. Hospitalists received enhanced presentations about SEBMOs and their value in VTE prevention; specialists did not. Data were analyzed for 2 cohorts of 249 at-risk patients: one cohort was admitted with SEBMOs and the other with handwritten orders. VTE prophylaxis was ordered for 70% (173 of 249) of the SEBMO cohort compared with 22% (55 of 249) of patients whose physicians handwrote orders (relative risk ratio = 2.97; 95% confidence interval = 2.33-3.79; P < .0001). Spe...

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Effect of Hospitalists on Length of Stay in the Medicare Population: Variation According to Hospital and Patient Characteristics

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:38:54 +0100

Prior studies have shown that patients cared for by hospitalists have a shorter length of hospital stay then those attended to by nonhospitalists. What might account for this? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Billing for Hospitalists

Physicians Practice — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Billing as both a hospitalist and private physician (Source: Physicians Practice)

Mass. doctor invents product to curb hospital-acquired infections

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0100

(Saints Medical Center) Saints Medical Center is pleased to announce that Richard H. Ma, M.D, chair of its hospitalist department, has received a patent for a lightweight plastic cover for stethoscopes that will dramatically reduce hospital-acquired infections. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Medical Tourism

Medscape Orthopaedics Headlines — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:59:25 +0100

With nearly 6 million Americans seeking care abroad, hospitalists need to have a working knowledge of the quality and cost of overseas care. The Hospitalist (Source: Medscape Orthopaedics Headlines)

Practice management companies acquiring more physician groups

American Medical News - BUSINESS — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 12:55:43 +0100

The firms continue to focus on inpatient specialty practices and hospitalists around the country. (Source: American Medical News - BUSINESS)

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Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as Hospitalists

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:38:46 +0100

The benefits of pediatric NPs in hospitalist-roles are many, but available PNPs may not be so plentiful. Journal of Pediatric Health Care (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Influencing Factors Identified In Hospital Readmission Studies

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

In two studies published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, the risk factors for readmission to the hospital are examined based upon general medicine inpatients and those with at least two admissions in a six-month period. Alongside clinical factors such as having cancer, chronic diseases such as heart failure or lung disease, or being on high-risk medications, the studies identified other factors which increase the likelihood of a patient being readmitted which could help hospitalists focus in on these groups... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Hospital readmission studies: Influencing factors identified

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) In two studies published today in the Journal of Hospital Medicine, the risk factors for readmission to the hospital are examined based upon general medicine inpatients and those with at least two admissions in a six-month period. Alongside clinical factors such as having cancer, chronic diseases such as heart failure or lung disease, or being on high-risk medications, the studies identified other factors which increase the likelihood of a patient being readmitted which could help hospitalists focus in on these groups. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

IPC The Hospitalist acquires St. Louis practice

bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 21:14:42 +0100

IPC The Hospitalist Co. Inc., a national hospitalist physician group practice that has operations in St. Louis, announced last week that it has acquired Premier Hospitalists Inc. of St. Louis. (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Physician Practices headlines)