Hospitalist News via MedWorm.com MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Hospitalist News' source. Sun, 29 Aug 2010 10:43:53 +0100 Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals Linked to Poor Survival http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790409&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701942%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Patient transfer to long-term acute care hospitals after a critical illness is increasing rapidly, but survival there is “generally poor,” according to an analysis of Medicare data from 1997 to 2006. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790409 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790409 Intensivists Are Doing More ICU Procedures: As more multidisciplinary teams staff ICUs, ‘skill and training should determine who does what.’ http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790408&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701930%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI BEACH — The growing range of surgical procedures being done in the intensive care unit begs the question of who is qualified to perform them, and specialists at the annual congress expressed varying opinions on the matter. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790408 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790408 Pyloromyotomy Risk Low at Children's Hospitals http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790407&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701929%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: For infants undergoing corrective surgery for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, freestanding children's hospitals had the lowest unadjusted complication rate, at 1.2% vs. 1.6% at children's units located within general hospitals and 2.2% at general hospitals. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790407 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790407 Palivizumab May Shorten Hospital Stay, Calif. Data Indicate http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790406&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701917%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The mean length of stay for RSV fell 13% after the introduction of palivizumab, versus a decrease of 3.4% for other causes of infant hospitalization. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790406 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790406 Data Sought on Motavizumab Hypersensitivity http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790405&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701905%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SILVER SPRING, MD. — More information on the risks and severity of hypersensitivity reactions associated with the monoclonal antibody motavizumab is needed before it is approved for preventing serious lower respiratory tract infections with respiratory syncytial virus in high-risk infants, according to the majority of a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790405 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790405 Postnatal CMV Infection Outcomes Poor in VLBW Infants http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790404&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701899%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Very low-birth-weight infants with symptomatic, postnatally acquired CMV infection had high rates of pneumonitis (73%) and late-onset sepsis (43%). (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790404 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790404 In-Hospital Vaccines for Parents Benefit Babies http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790403&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701887%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Of the 574 parents eligible to receive the flu vaccine, 550 accepted, for a total immunization rate of 96%. Infants of the case mothers, the majority of whom received Tdap vaccination immediately post partum, were significantly more likely to have received their first set of immunizations by 3 months (88% vs. 82%), and significantly more likely to have completed their primary series by 8 months (67% vs. 59%) and 9 months (75% vs. 65%). (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790403 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790403 Early Tracheostomy Cut Pneumonia Risk in Head Injury http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790402&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701875%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Patients who sustained severe, blunt head trauma and underwent tracheostomy more than 7 days following hospitalization had a significant, 88% increased risk for developing pneumonia, compared with patients who underwent a tracheostomy during their first week in hospital. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790402 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790402 Glasgow Coma Scale ‘Misses the Point’ in TBI: Classification of traumatic brain injury needs an ‘extreme makeover,’ neurosurgeon says. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790401&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701863%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — The way Dr. Geoffrey T. Manley sees it, the classification of traumatic brain injury needs an extreme makeover. For the past 35 years, clinicians have relied on symptomatology from the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to classify traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) as mild, moderate, or severe, but such emphasis on symptoms “misses the point,” Dr. Manley, chief of neurotrauma and vice chairman of the department of neurosurgery at the University of California, San Francisco, said at the meeting. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790401 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790401 Rapid Lymphopenia Recovery Predicts Better Outcome http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790400&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701851%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Trauma patients who developed lymphopenia within hours of their injury, followed by recovery of their blood lymphocyte level within 4 days of an injury, had a significantly lower mortality rate, 13%, than did patients who did not have a quick blood lymphocyte recovery (22%) or did not have the early drop in blood lymphocytes (18%). (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790400 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790400 Primary Fibrinolysis Lowers Trauma Survival http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790399&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070184X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Mortality was 64% in patients with primary fibrinolysis vs. 29% in those with transient fibrinolysis and 18% with no fibrinolysis. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790399 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790399 Hospital Quality Data Application http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790398&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701838%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is offering a free, Microsoft Windows–based software application to help hospitals compile, analyze, and post hospital quality data. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790398 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790398 Strategies to Limit Bleeding in PCI Underused http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790397&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701826%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Strategies to limit periprocedural bleeding in percutaneous coronary interventions are effective, particularly in the patients at highest risk for bleeding, according to a study of a nationwide database. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790397 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790397 Early Follow-Up May Lower Readmission in Heart Failure http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790396&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701814%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Heart failure patients discharged from hospitals with high levels of early postdischarge follow-up are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days, according to a large study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790396 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790396 Aortic Valve Surgery Risk Tied to Hypertension: Operative mortality reached 9% in those with pulmonary hypertension and 5% in those without. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790395&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701802%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Patients with pulmonary hypertension had a significant 50% increased risk of operative death during aortic valve replacement. Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension (60 mm Hg or greater) following aortic valve replacement had a significantly worse 5-year survival, 45%, compared with 78% survival in patients with no pulmonary hypertension following valve replacement. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790395 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790395 Pneumonia, PEG Tubes Predict Longer Stays in Acute Stroke Patients http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790394&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701796%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes TORONTO — Hospitalized acute stroke patients who developed pneumonia or needed feeding tubes had significantly longer hospital stays, based on data from 187 stroke patients. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790394 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790394 Endovascular Procedures Produce High Rate of New Ischemic Lesions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790393&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701784%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: One or more ischemic lesions appeared after 36% of 2,702 endovascular procedures, but focal neurologic deficits were seen in only 11% of patients with new ischemic lesions. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790393 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790393 Empiric Corticosteroids May Worsen RCVS Risks http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790392&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701772%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Among 12 RCVS patients who had poor outcomes at one facility; corticosteroid use was associated with about an eight-fold increase in risk. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790392 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790392 Disposable Sheath Prevents Endoscope Contamination http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790391&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701760%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: A disposable sheath took significantly less time to use than a germicidal solution (89 seconds vs. 14 minutes), and was as effective in decontaminating flexible endoscopes. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790391 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790391 More Time on Mechanical Ventilation Was Not Linked to Worse Survival http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790390&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701759%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: In 996 patients on mechanical ventilation longer than expected, standardized mortality ratios were 0.74 for the ICU and 0.77 for the hospital. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790390 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790390 Do Patients Die From, or With, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790389&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701747%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI BEACH — The extent of mortality due to ventilator-associated pneumonia remains uncertain, but its impact on increasing morbidity and hospital costs is clear, Dr. Robert C. Hyzy said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790389 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790389 Laparoscopic Surgery for Diverticulitis Halves Complications http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790388&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701735%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Laparoscopic surgery to treat diverticulitis is associated with half as many complications as open surgery, according to a study of nearly 7,000 surgeries performed over a 3-year period, reported Dr. Andrew Russ and colleagues. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790388 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790388 Frailty Calls for Deferring Some Appendectomies http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790387&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701723%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Nonoperative management of acute appendicitis in 37 cancer patients led to acute failure in 3 patients (2 of whom died), eventual surgery in 5 patients, and death in another 3 patients, with 26 patients having a successful outcome. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790387 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790387 Mortality Down for Esophageal Perforation Repair http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790386&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701711%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Esophageal perforation repair had an 8% mortality rate, compared with historic reports of 10%-40% mortality. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790386 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790386 Gel Plugs Severe Air Leaks in Lung Surgery http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790385&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070170X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Gel treatment of intraoperative air leaks during lung surgery led to a 42% rate of freedom from air leaks during hospitalization compared with a 31% rate in control patients, a difference that was not statistically significant. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790385 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790385 Delayed Elective Surgery Increased Postop Infection Rate http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790384&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701693%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The postsurgical infection rate for patients who had surgery on the day they were admitted was 5.7% in CABG patients vs. 18.2% in those who waited 6-10 days. The corresponding rates were 8.4% vs. 21.6% in lung resection patients, and 10.2% vs. 20.6% in colon resection patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790384 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790384 Endocrine Intervention Reduces Length of Stay http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790383&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701681%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Length of stay averaged 5.0 days with endocrine intervention vs. 5.8 days without, while costs per stay dropped from $9,301 to $8,009. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790383 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790383 Despite Skepticism, Probiotics Are Popular for Patients on Antibiotics http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790382&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070167X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI — Probiotics are considered safe and are being recommended for hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics, but physicians continue to be skeptical about the benefits, according to results of a physician survey. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790382 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790382 Statins Averted Surgical Infections in Diabetics http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790381&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701668%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BOSTON — Statin therapy was associated with a significantly reduced risk for Candida colonization or infection in patients with type 2 diabetes who were undergoing gastrointestinal tract surgery. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790381 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790381 Individual SCIP Measures Don't Cut Infection http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790380&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701656%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Patients who received two out of six infection prevention measures recommended by the Surgical Care Improvement Project had a lower risk of postoperative infection, compared with patients who hadn't received at least two of the measures, according to a large retrospective study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790380 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790380 End-of-Life Care: Its Cost in Heart Failure http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790379&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701644%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DR. GOLDSTEIN is professor of medicine at Wayne State University and division head emeritus of cardiovascular medicine at Henry Ford Hospital, both in Detroit. End-of-life care is considered a factor in the explosion of American health care costs in the past decade, and decreasing its cost is one of the targets included in current health care legislation. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790379 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790379 Bringing Home Lessons From Washington http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790378&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701632%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes After spending nearly 3 years in Washington working on current health policy issues, Dr. Patrick Conway, a pediatric hospitalist, is eager to get back to caring for patients. In 2007, he began a 1-year appointment to the White House Fellowship Program, a nonpartisan program that pairs young people from a cross-section of professions with senior leaders in the federal government. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790378 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790378 Proposed Rule to Expand Hospital Visitation Rights http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790377&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701620%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A new proposal from the Department of Health and Human Services aims to expand the rights of patients to choose who visits them at the hospital. The proposed rule, which was released last month, applies to all hospitals and critical access hospitals that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The proposal comes after President Obama issued a memorandum calling for new rules that would allow patients to pick who may and may not visit them. It also instructed HHS to ensure that hospitals are respecting patients' advance directives and giving patients' representatives the chance to be informed about and participate in care planning. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790377 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790377 Use of Gloves May Hamper Infection Control http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790376&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701619%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Recommended WHO practices for infection control were followed after 44% of gloved high-risk contacts and after 59% of ungloved high-risk contacts. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790376 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790376 Vital Signs: Uninsured Hospitalization Rates Have Increased in Every Region Except the Midwest Since 1998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790375&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701607%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790375 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790375 Supplemental Oxygen Led to Hyperoxia, Death: In-hospital mortality was 63% in those who developed hyperoxia after resuscitation. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790374&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701590%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Highly concentrated supplemental oxygen given after cardiac arrest often led to arterial hyperoxia, which in turn raised the risk of in-hospital mortality, according to findings from an observational study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790374 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790374 Steroid Reduced Post-AF Ablation Arrhythmias: Single IV dose of methylprednisolone http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790373&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701589%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DENVER — A single hefty dose of steroid given shortly after atrial fibrillation ablation shows promise as a simple, safe means of reducing the substantial problem of early postprocedural atrial arrhythmias, according to the interim findings of a randomized trial. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790373 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790373 Low-Dose Oral Steroids Work For Acute COPD Exacerbations http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790372&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701577%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Treatment failure occurred in 10.9% of patients given high-dose IV steroids and 10.3% of those given low-dose oral steroids, a nonsignificant difference. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790372 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3790372 Designing ‘Sustainable Jobs’ for Hospitalists http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683359&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701565%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Dr. David O. Meltzer, the chief of hospital medicine at the University of Chicago, has no problem keeping busy. When he's not fulfilling clinical and administrative duties directly associated with his hospitalist role, he's doing research, working on a book about hospitalists, or leading discussions about the best use of limited national funds for health research. But Dr. Meltzer loves the variety, and he thinks that young hospitalists can avoid burnout by developing diverse professional roles. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683359 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683359 Managing Patient Assignments Properly Boosts Efficiency http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683358&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701553%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — Hospitalists within a practice most likely know which of their colleagues want time off on nights and weekends, but they probably haven't given a lot of thought to how to efficiently assign new patients, Dr. John Nelson said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683358 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683358 Family Opinions Important in Recruiting Hospital Faculty http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683357&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701541%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes When recruiting top personnel to a hospital, it's crucial to gain the approval of the candidate's spouse and family, according to an online survey conducted by the executive search and consulting firm MillicanSolutions. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683357 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683357 Correction http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683356&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070153X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes An article titled “Probiotics for C. difficile and Diarrhea Have Pros and Cons” (published May 1, 2010) misspelled the last name of Dr. Curtis Donskey. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683356 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683356 Boosting Patient Satisfaction http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683355&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701528%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DR. VELEZ, a hospitalist at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, is Institute Experience Officer, chair of the Voice of the Patient Advocacy Council, and chair of the Patient Experience Workgroup of the Quality Committee for the foundation's Medicine Institute. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683355 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683355 Most Abnormal Pediatric Coagulation Results Insignificant http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683354&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701516%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MONTREAL — Half of abnormal preoperative coagulation results normalize on repeat testing in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy—and among the other half that remain abnormal, 93% of the abnormalities are clinically insignificant, according to a retrospective chart review. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683354 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683354 Tx Rates Similar With Routine Bilirubin Screening http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683353&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701504%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: There were 125 blood draws per month for bilirubin before and 117 after implementation of a routine screening protocol. An average of 6.8 infants per month underwent predischarge phototherapy before and 4.6 after routine screening was adopted. When readmission phototherapy was included, 9.5 infants received treatment before and 8 infants after routine screening was implemented. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683353 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683353 Moderate Glucose Target May Reduce Deaths: Moderate blood glucose control was linked to a significant 40% reduced mortality after CABG. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683352&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701498%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: After receiving a coronary artery bypass graft, patients who maintained a moderate blood glucose level of 126–179 mg/dL had a significant 40% lower mortality and a significant 30% lower rate of major complications, compared with patients whose mean blood glucose was 180 mg/dL or higher. Mortality and morbidity were not significantly lower in patients who maintained a blood glucose level of less than 126 mg/dL, compared with patients with levels that were 180 mg/dL or higher. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683352 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683352 More Evidence for C. difficile, PPI Association http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683351&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701486%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Use of proton pump inhibitors appears to increase the risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection and may even have a causal effect, according to two cohort studies. In the first study, PPI use during treatment for an incident C. difficile infection was associated with a 42% higher risk of recurrent C. difficile infection. The second study showed a dose-response effect between increasing levels of acid suppression among inpatients taking PPIs and increasing risk for nosocomial C. difficile infection. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683351 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683351 Hospitals Take Aim at C. difficile Infections http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683350&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701474%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Health care facilities around the country have added new infection prevention measures aimed at stopping the spread of Clostridium difficile infections, but few have been able to add staff to help cope with the problem, according to an online survey conducted by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683350 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683350 Probiotic Reduced Diarrhea Due to Antibiotics, C. difficile http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683349&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701462%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI — A proprietary probiotic combination of two live Lactobacillus organisms significantly reduced the incidence and severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, as well as the incidence of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea, compared with placebo in a prospective, double-blind study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683349 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683349 Tigecycline Might Protect Against C. difficile http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683348&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701450%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The risk of hospital-onset Clostridium difficile pseudomembranous colitis in tigecycline-treated patients was one-fifth that of patients not on the antibiotic. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683348 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683348 Nosocomial C. difficile Common in Pneumonia Patients http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683347&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701449%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes VIENNA — The three major guideline-recommended, empiric antibiotic strategies for community-acquired pneumonia are associated with similar rates of nosocomial acquisition of Clostridium difficile, according to a prospective, observational study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683347 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683347 Systematic Sepsis Screening Shows Efficacy http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683346&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701437%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Systematic, twice-daily sepsis screening of postoperative patients using the SIRS score had a 16.3% positive predictive value and a 99.9% negative predictive value. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683346 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683346 Best Surgical Site Antiseptic Under Debate http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683345&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701425%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes LAS VEGAS — Surgeons agree that applying a combination solution to a patient's skin before surgery offers the best protection against surgical site infections. However, controversy remains over which solution works best: iodine povacrylex in isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine plus isopropyl alcohol. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683345 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683345 CA-MRSA Accounts for 66% of MRSA Infections http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683344&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701413%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: U.S. hospital discharges for CA-MRSA over a 10-year period went up eightfold, from 0.4 per 1,000 to 3.3 per 1,000. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683344 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683344 Central Line—Associated Infection Rate Lower Than Predicted http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683343&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701401%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Central line–associated bloodstream infections were reduced by 18% nationwide in 2009. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683343 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683343 Computerized Tool Guides Antimicrobial Use http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683342&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701395%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: After implementation of a computerized antibiotic stewardship system, the rate of appropriate prescribing rose from 8% to 92% for tigecycline and from 19% to 91% for linezolid. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683342 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683342 Reported Infection Rates Not Tied to ICU Mortality http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683341&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701383%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NEW ORLEANS — A hospital's reported rate of infections acquired in the intensive care unit may not be an indication of ICU mortality risk. The finding that these publicly reported infection rates often are not tied to patient outcomes shows that the data can be misleading and may not be a measure of overall ICU performance, according to researchers who conducted a retrospective study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683341 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683341 Early Tracheotomy Didn't Decrease Incidence of VAP http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683340&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701371%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Performing a tracheotomy a week after intubation and mechanical ventilation rather than waiting the standard 2–3 weeks did not reduce the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia in an Italian study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683340 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683340 Vital Signs: Annual Hospital Revenue Generated per Internist Down 16% Since 2007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683339&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070136X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683339 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683339 ‘Failure to Rescue’ Less Likely In ICUs With Intensivists http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683338&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701358%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN ANTONIO — Mortality related to “failure to rescue” was lower for colectomy and pancreatectomy patients admitted to an ICU associated with a physician certified in critical care medicine, Dr. Amir A. Ghaferi said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683338 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683338 Hospitals Improving More Quickly Than Other Care http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683337&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701346%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Hospitals are outpacing outpatient services in improving the quality of U.S. health care, according to a report released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The 2009 National Healthcare Quality Report, which tracks 169 quality measures, showed that hospitals are improving quality at a median annual rate about 5.8%, compared with about 1.4% for outpatient settings. Specific improvements include a decrease from 3.4% in 2002–2007 to 1.4% in 2009 in the percentage of adult surgery patients with postoperative pneumonia or a thromboembolic event. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683337 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683337 Prophylactic ICU Decontamination Cuts Mortality: One regimen costs only $1 per day. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683336&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701334%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The number needed to treat with selective oropharyngeal decontamination instead of standard care in order to prevent one additional death by day 28 was 34. The number needed to treat with selective digestive tract decontamination was 29. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683336 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683336 Patient Satisfaction Data Gaining Clout http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683335&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701322%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — With patient satisfaction becoming an increasingly scrutinized—and public—measure of quality, hospitalists have a stake in becoming more adept at reporting such information and using it to improve their performance, according to Dr. Winthrop F. Whitcomb, medical director for health care quality at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683335 Mon, 31 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3683335 ICU Handoffs Hard to Define, Easy to Fumble http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614158&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701310%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI BEACH — Most critical care patients experience at least 20 “handoffs” during their average 4-day hospital stay—handoffs that are “major opportunities for miscommunication” that can lead to errors, Dr. Andrew Shorr said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614158 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614158 Hospitalists Can Take Leading Role In Health Care Reform Efforts http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614157&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701309%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — Hospitalists should be feeling upbeat about the potential opportunities for their profession under the new health care reform law, several speakers said at the annual meeting of the Society of Hospital Medicine. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614157 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614157 AAFP President Charts Course as Hospitalist http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614156&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701292%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Dr. Lori Heim is anything but a typical hospitalist. She came to the field after working for many years as a family physician in the outpatient arena, and she now enjoys the chance to focus on quality and have time for interests outside of her own practice. And when Dr. Heim isn't in the hospital, she's likely at the airport, on her way to another meeting with lawmakers or physicians to discuss health reform, workforce issues, or the Medicare payment formula. As the current president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, Dr. Heim brings a unique perspective to her Laurinburg, N.C., hospital. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614156 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614156 ABIM, ABEM Agree on Critical Care Certification http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614155&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701280%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In a long-awaited move, the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine have agreed to cosponsor a pathway to certification in Internal Medicine Critical Care Medicine. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614155 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614155 Endovascular Reperfusion Success Over 8 Hours Post Stroke http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614154&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701279%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: In acute stroke patients who underwent endovascular reperfusion begun more than 8 hours after stroke onset, 74% had successful recanalization and 9% had a symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614154 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614154 SMART Criteria Allow Broader Use of IV r-TPA http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614153&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701267%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Favorable outcomes were reported for 58% of patients receiving IV r-TPA, even though 89% of treated patients met at least one of the exclusion criteria. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614153 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614153 Four-Factor Model Predicts Vascular Surgery Site Infection http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614152&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701255%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes ATLANTA — Preoperative patient factors were moderately predictive of surgical site infection risk in a retrospective case-control study of 253 patients undergoing elective vascular surgery. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614152 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614152 Postop Infection Rates Increased in 2001-2006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614151&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701243%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The incidence of postoperative infections following elective colectomy or cholecystectomy in U.S. hospitals in 2006 exceeded the rates in 2001, despite widespread adoption of infection-control measures. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614151 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614151 Rankings: They're All Subjective http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614150&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701231%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DR. MICHOTA is the director of academic affairs in the Department of Hospital Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. For years, hospitals have seen themselves reflected in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of the top 50 hospitals. But a new analysis casts doubt on the validity of the rankings, suggesting that they rely too much on subjective assessments of hospital reputation. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614150 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614150 MRSA Surveillance, Decolonization, Isolation Work at 4 Years http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614149&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070122X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Prevalence of MRSA infection at NorthShore University HealthSystem dropped from a baseline of 8.9 per 10,000 patient-days to 3.3 per 10,000 at 4 years after universal MRSA surveillance with decolonization and contact isolation of those found to be colonized. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614149 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614149 ICU Compliance Rates of 95% Cut CLABSIs http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614148&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701218%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Only when an ICU had a central line bundle policy, monitored compliance, and had 95% or greater compliance did CLABSI rates decrease significantly. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614148 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614148 Survey: 68% of Hospitals Join in Infection-Control Efforts http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614147&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701206%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Between 2005 and 2009, the proportion of hospitals that participate in a state or regional collaborative effort to reduce hospital-acquired infections jumped from 42% to 68%. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614147 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614147 Probiotics for C. difficile and Diarrhea Have Pros and Cons http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614146&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070119X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes MIAMI — Varying degrees of success and some caveats come with the use of probiotics to combat or prevent Clostridium difficile infection and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Saccharomyces boulardii, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria are among the better-studied probiotic options for these purposes, Dr. Curtis Danskey said at the International Probiotics Association World Congress. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614146 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614146 Asymptomatic C. difficile Triples Diarrhea Risk http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614145&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701188%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: After adjustment for age and antibiotic use, the relative risk of diarrhea in C. difficile–colonized patients was more than 3-fold greater (odds ratio 3.3) than in noncolonized patients; the risk for clinical diagnosis and treatment was 10-fold greater (OR 10.1). (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614145 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614145 Acute Pancreatitis Patients Receive High Radiation Doses http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614144&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701176%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Radiation exposure from CT scans for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis is significant, even though the condition is often easily diagnosed with laboratory tests, Dr. Desiree E. Morgan and her colleagues reported. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614144 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614144 Obese Patients' Surgical Risks May Carry P4P Impact http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614143&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701164%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The complication rate for cholecystectomy was 21% for obese patients and 16.5% for nonobese. For appendectomy, the complication rate was 21% for obese patients and 18.8% for nonobese patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614143 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614143 Intracolonic Vancomycin Adds to C. difficile Therapy http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614142&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701152%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes LAS VEGAS — Intracolonic administration of vancomycin, given by retention enemas, was an effective adjunct to conventional oral and intravenous antibiotic therapy in patients with severe, fulminant Clostridium difficile colitis. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614142 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614142 Ablation Advantageous for Refractory Paroxysmal AF http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614141&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701140%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: At 9 months, 66% of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who received radiofrequency catheter ablation were free of treatment failure vs. 16% of patients who received drug therapy. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614141 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614141 Antiplatelet Agents Tied to Risk of Brain Hemorrhage http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614140&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701139%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage was seen in 6.2% of all trauma admissions in 1999–2000 and in 12.3% in 2007-2008, while the use of strong antiplatelet agents increased fivefold. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614140 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614140 Amiodarone + Pacing Avoided Postop Atrial Fib http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614139&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701127%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Atrial fibrillation during hospitalization occurred in 19% of 26 patients on metoprolol, 11% of 35 on amiodarone alone, 9% of 32 on pacing alone, and none of 22 patients on both amiodarone and pacing. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614139 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614139 Follow-Up Lowers 30-Day CHF Readmissions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614138&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701115%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes ATLANTA — Ensuring that patients hospitalized for heart failure are evaluated by a physician within 7 days after discharge is emerging as a potential new target for hospital quality improvement. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614138 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614138 Nasal Screening for MRSA Cuts NICU Infection Rate http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614137&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701103%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: During the screening period, 5 infants (0.15%) became infected in the NICU, compared with 29 (1.11%) during the period when screening was not performed. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614137 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614137 Rapid HIV Test May Help in Identifying Exposed Newborns http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614136&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701097%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The results of a rapid HIV test performed on cord plasma or newborn blood were consistent with ELISA results in 54 neonates studied. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614136 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614136 Protocol Reduced Neonatal Blood Infections http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614135&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701085%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: At one hospital, the incidence of late-onset bloodstream infections among very low-birth-weight infants was 38% before the start of a comprehensive infection-control program, and 23% afterward, a significant difference. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614135 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614135 Vital Signs: Acute Renal Failure Had the Highest Average Annual Growth in Hospital Costs, 1997–2007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614134&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701073%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614134 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614134 Obama Orders Equal Rights Regarding Hospital Visitation http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614133&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701061%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes President Obama in April issued a call for equal hospital visitation rights for all patients, a move he said would be beneficial especially to childless widows and widowers and to gays and lesbians. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614133 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614133 ‘No Pay’ Rule on CAUTIs Might Not Curtail Payments http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614132&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070105X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes ATLANTA — The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service's “no pay” policy for hospital-acquired urinary tract infections is not likely to have much financial impact on hospitals for two reasons: The catheter code is rarely used, and many patients who are diagnosed with UTIs have comorbid conditions that exclude them from the policy. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614132 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614132 Core Competencies Defined For Pediatric Hospitalists http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3614131&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701048%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — After an 8-year development effort, the Society of Hospital Medicine has published core competencies for pediatric hospitalists. The competencies define the expected standards for all pediatric hospitalists, regardless of practice setting or location, said Dr. Mary C. Ottolini of the SHM's pediatric committee. The competencies also are a means of differentiating hospitalists from primary care pediatricians or other pediatric specialists. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3614131 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3614131 Hospitalists Brace for Challenges of Health Care Reform http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486701&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701036%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The health care reform law signed by President Obama last month clears the way for about 32 million previously uninsured Americans to get coverage in coming years, but the changes will bring new challenges for hospitalists, physicians told Hospitalist News. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486701 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486701 Working to Improve Transitions of Care http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486700&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701024%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Dr. Joseph M. Li and his team of 33 hospitalists are expanding the traditional role of the specialty, taking on more teaching opportunities and providing limited outpatient care. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486700 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486700 Subacute Care Service Improves Transitions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486699&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701012%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes LONG BEACH, CALIF. — Creation of a subacute care service at a university medical center decreased hospital readmissions from nursing homes, reduced the average length of hospitalization, freed up inpatient beds, cut hospital costs by $600,000 a year, and provided the opportunity for an additional $1.6 million in hospital revenues, representatives of the center said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486699 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486699 More Children Now Hospitalized With C. difficile Infections http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486698&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210701000%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The overall rate of pediatric hospitalizations due to C. difficile infections increased from 7.24 to 12.80 per 10,000 hospitalizations, with the highest rates occurring in children aged 1-4 years (rate of 44.87/10,000), 5-9 years (35.27/10,000), and less than 1 year, except newborns (32.01/10,000). (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486698 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486698 Discharge Policy Issued for Newborns, Mothers http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486697&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700997%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Healthy term infants and their mothers should receive individualized care during their hospital stay, but pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and other health care providers should work together to determine the optimal time for hospital discharge for each mother-infant dyad, according to a policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486697 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486697 OB Hospitalist Program Good for All http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486696&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700985%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DR. PELLETIER is director of the OB hospitalist program at Women's and Children's Hospital in Lafayette, La., and is a gynecologist in private practice. When the CEO of my hospital first announced that we would be developing an obstetrical hospitalist program in 2005, she didn't get a warm reception. Chairs were pushed. Colorful language was displayed. Threats were issued. As the person tapped to lead this new initiative, I was on the receiving end of my fair share of angry rants from colleagues. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486696 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486696 Safety of CT Alone Debated for Obtunded Blunt Trauma http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486695&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700973%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes CHANDLER, ARIZ. — Computed tomography alone is safe for cervical spine clearance in obtunded blunt trauma patients with gross extremity movement, according to the authors of a prospective, uncontrolled study of 197 patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486695 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486695 Rebound Hyperlactatemia Tied to Trauma Death http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486694&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700961%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes CHANDLER, ARIZ. — Rebound elevation of serum lactate is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality in critically ill trauma patients, based on a prospective study of 698 patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486694 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486694 Despite Opposition, Mandatory Vaccine Program a Success http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486693&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070095X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A mandatory influenza vaccination program for all employees in a large Midwestern health care organization increased the rate of immunization to more than 98%, according to a study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486693 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486693 Coverage Near 100% With Mandatory Flu Shots http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486692&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700948%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: An influenza immunization mandate increased vaccination rates among hospital employees from a high of 74% to 96% at one institution and from 63% to 91% at another. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486692 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486692 Conventional Infection-Control Measures Reduce MRSA http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486691&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700936%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A hospital-based strategy using multiple infection-control interventions resulted in more than a 90% reduction in health care–associated infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus without the need for active MRSA surveillance. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486691 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486691 Infrared System Detects Fever Instantly Without Touch http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486690&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700924%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Compared with the use of oral or rectal thermometers to detect patients with fever, an infrared thermal detection system had a sensitivity of 70%, a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 42%, and a negative predictive value of 97%. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486690 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486690 CT Angiography Best for Evaluating Chest Pain http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486689&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700912%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SNOWMASS, COLO. — CT angiography has rapidly emerged as the most cost-effective imaging technique to exclude acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department. The overall diagnostic accuracy of CT angiography is essentially equivalent to that of SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging, its main competition. But CT angiography is the clear winner in terms of time to diagnosis and cost, Dr. Christopher M. Kramer said at a conference sponsored by the American College of Cardiology. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486689 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486689 Compression Ultrasound May Safely Predict Low VTE Risk http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486688&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700900%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A single negative whole-leg compression ultrasound may safely identify which patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis can forego anticoagulation therapy because they are at low risk for venous thromboembolism, according to a meta-analysis. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486688 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486688 Surveillance Program Needed to Track VTE http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486687&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700894%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Available information on the burden of VTE has been based on two epidemiologic studies and on limited data from hospital discharge surveys or analysis of provider claims databases. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486687 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486687 Infusion May Help Prevent Recurrence of C. difficile http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486686&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700882%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A fully humanized monoclonal antibody infusion given along with antibiotics decreased the rate of recurrent Clostridium difficile infections by 72%, compared with placebo in a phase II trial. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486686 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486686 C. difficile Infection Surpasses MRSA in Community Hospitals http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486685&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700870%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes ATLANTA — Hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection was more common than infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a study of 28 community hospitals. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486685 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486685 Stroke Thrombolysis Can Be Based on Last Time Seen Well http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486684&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700869%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: Patients with unwitnessed strokes had an 8% rate of hemorrhagic transformation following TPA treatment, compared with a 12% rate among patents with a witnessed stroke. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486684 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486684 Program Cuts Stroke Mortality, Length of Stay http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486683&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700857%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: U.S. hospitals participating in Get With The Guidelines-Stroke had a 10% relative drop in ischemic stroke deaths and a 29% relative drop in length of stay beyond 4 days in 2009, compared with 2003. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486683 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486683 Vital Signs: Ambulatory vs. Inpatient Surgeries by Body System, 2007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486682&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700845%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486682 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486682 Glucose Targets Vary Among Inpatients http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486681&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700833%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN FRANCISCO — Meeting the targets in consensus recommendations on inpatient glycemic control requires different protocols for different kinds of patients. For hospitalized patients who are not critically ill, a protocol employing scheduled subcutaneous insulin therapy with basal, nutritional, and correctional components is effective, Dr. Mary T. Korytkowski said at a meeting sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486681 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486681 Higher Diuretic Dose May Help In Heart Failure: Advantage just missed significance. http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486680&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700821%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes ATLANTA — The first randomized trial to compare two diuretic doses in patients with acute decompensated heart failure showed no clear advantage to either a low or high dose, but the results may have shown a hint that higher doses have a few advantages, study investigators said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486680 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486680 New Strain of C. difficile Prompts Guidelines Update http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3486679&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070081X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes New clinical practice guidelines for the management of Clostridium difficile infection reflect the impact of a new widely circulating epidemic strain causing more severe disease in recent years. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3486679 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3486679 Giving Pediatric Patients the VIP Treatment http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378108&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700808%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Dr. Steve Narang, a pediatric hospitalist in Baton Rouge, La., has a deceptively simple philosophy about delivering care to his patients: He wants them to get the best care available, even if that isn't the latest and supposedly greatest therapy. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378108 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378108 Medicare Working to Prevent Beneficiary Readmissions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378107&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700791%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — Medicare wants to save money and improve quality of care by reducing the number of patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after their initial stay, Dr. Michael Rapp said. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378107 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378107 Project Gives BOOST to Discharge Planning http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378106&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070078X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. — The Society of Hospital Medicine wants to give hospitals a boost when it comes to discharge planning and preventing hospital readmissions. “The field of hospital medicine has been characterized by some as the worst thing to ever happen to continuity of care,” Dr. Winthrop F. Whitcomb, cofounder and past president of the SHM, said at the World Health Care Congress Leadership Summit on Hospital Readmissions. “We really want to be part of the solution, not just part of the problem.” (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378106 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378106 Urine NGAL May Reveal Kidney Failure Etiology http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378105&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700778%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BOSTON — Measuring urine neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin upon hospital admission in patients with cirrhosis and renal failure can distinguish hepatorenal syndrome and acute kidney injury from other forms of kidney dysfunction and might help predict inpatient mortality, a study has shown. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378105 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378105 FDA Tracking Excess Radiation Exposure From Brain Imaging http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378104&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700766%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The Food and Drug Administration continues to investigate cases of excess radiation exposure during CT brain perfusion imaging, with more than 250 potential cases identified at several hospitals in California and Alabama, according to an agency teleconference. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378104 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378104 INR Rise Tied to Hemorrhage Risk After Ischemic Stroke Tx http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378103&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700754%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BALTIMORE — A slightly elevated international normalized ratio in the hours following the administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator to patients with acute ischemic stroke could be associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic conversion, the results of a small, retrospective study suggest. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378103 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378103 Intraventricular Hemorrhage May Best Predict Patient's Need for Neurocritical Care http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378102&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700742%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BALTIMORE — Patients with intracranial bleeding who are in true need of neurosurgical or neurocritical interventions are most often those with intraventricular hemorrhage or a symptom duration of less than 3 hours, according to a retrospective study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378102 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378102 More Stroke Patients Get TPA on Weekends http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378101&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700730%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Patients presenting to the hospital with acute ischemic stroke were more likely to receive tissue plasminogen activator on weekends than on weekdays, but mortality rates were similar regardless of admission day, according to a retrospective study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378101 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378101 Progesterone Shows Promise For Traumatic Brain Injury http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378100&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700729%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — One of the reasons Dr. David W. Wright entered the field of traumatic brain injury research was that he grew weary of telling family members of patients with TBI that there was nothing he could do to improve their loved one's clinical outcome. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378100 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378100 CDC Will Track Adverse Events From Transfusions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378099&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700717%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking U.S. hospitals to enroll in a new national surveillance system for monitoring adverse events in patients receiving blood transfusions. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378099 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378099 Analysis Shows That Trauma Center Care Is Cost Effective, Saves QALYs http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378098&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700705%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes PITTSBURGH — Treatment at trauma centers was associated with 70 additional life-years per 100 patients, compared with care at nontrauma centers in a large, multistate study. Although care at a trauma center was found to be more expensive than care at a nontrauma hospital, trauma center costs were well within widely accepted benchmarks used to judge cost-effectiveness, Ellen MacKenzie, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378098 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378098 Trauma Resuscitation Study to Test Hypothermia http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378097&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700699%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes CHANDLER, ARIZ. — The idea of using suspended animation in trauma care was unthinkable just 5 years ago, but surgeons now stand at the cusp of the first clinical trial in humans. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378097 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378097 Swallowing Evaluation Useful After Ventilation http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378096&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700687%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes PITTSBURGH — A simple bedside swallowing evaluation can be used to safely clear patients for oral food and drink after they have been on mechanical ventilation, and it can identify those who need additional evaluation, based on results of a prospective study of almost 300 trauma patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378096 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378096 Keep Tabs on CA-MRSA Infection by Obtaining Cultures http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378095&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700675%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BETHESDA, MD. — Draining abscesses and obtaining cultures are now more important to the management of pediatric skin and soft tissue infections in the era of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378095 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378095 Rate of Invasive CA-MRSA Increasing in Children http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378094&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700663%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes BETHESDA, MD. — Invasive infections in children caused by community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus are on the rise. Though still far less common than simple skin and soft tissue CA-MRSA infections, increasing reports of serious infections such as osteomyelitis, bacteremia, and pneumonia have been raising concern in recent years. The increase appears to be related at least in part to the emergence of the “USA300” S. aureus clone containing the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, Dr. Sheldon L. Kaplan said at the annual conference on antimicrobial resistance sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378094 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378094 Good Leaders Build Good Teams http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378093&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700651%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes DR. BEERS is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's National Medical Center in Washington. Great leaders never work alone. Success occurs when a group of people work together as a high-functioning team toward a shared vision. But achieving this unity is usually much easier said than done. Many think of team building as something only for cheery consultants with an arsenal of group games and activities. This type of team building has its place, but the real work occurs in routine day-to-day interactions. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378093 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378093 Time to Shut Down Low-Volume Heart Transplantation Centers? http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378092&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070064X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SNOWMASS, COLO. — Heart transplantation is one of the greatest operations ever devised—but the number of heart transplant centers in the United States needs to be cut by about two-thirds. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378092 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378092 Primary PCI in STEMI: Stick to Culprit Lesions http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378091&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700638%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SNOWMASS, COLO. — Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with ST-elevation MI and multivessel disease is best limited to the culprit vessel in hemodynamically stable patients, according to the first large population-based study on this issue to include long-term outcomes. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378091 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378091 Delaying Surgery After PCI Cuts Kidney Injury http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378090&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700626%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Combining coronary artery catheterization and cardiac surgery in the same hospital admission was linked to a significantly increased risk for acute kidney injury, compared with performing the surgery during a second, later hospitalization, a single-center study of more than 600 patients showed. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378090 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378090 Prostacyclin Errors Rampant In PAH Patients http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378089&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700614%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Serious errors in prostacyclin infusion therapy are extremely common even at large pulmonary arterial hypertension centers, according to a national survey. “These findings suggest that infusion therapy for pulmonary hypertension is problematic and that an opportunity exists to improve safety. The development of treatment standards of care and/or guidelines should be considered,” Martha S. Kingman, R.N., concluded at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378089 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378089 Atrial Arrhythmia Strikes 13% After Lung Cancer Surgery http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378088&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700602%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Patients undergoing lung resection for non–small cell lung cancer had a 13% risk for developing a new atrial arrhythmia in a review of nearly 14,000 patients in a nationwide database involving 111 centers. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378088 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378088 Risk Factors Identified for Postop Pneumonia http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378087&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700596%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Postoperative pneumonia is an uncommon complication with daunting morbidity and mortality—and a fair number of previously unrecognized modifiable preoperative risk factors, according to a large national study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378087 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378087 Lactate Clearance Measure Simplifies Severe Sepsis Therapy http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378086&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700584%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A simpler method to monitor tissue oxygenation in severe sepsis led to short-term survival rates similar to those of the standard approach, and could ease initial management of critically ill patients, according to a report in JAMA. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378086 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378086 Cost of Antibiotic Resistance Hits Private Payers http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378085&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700572%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Major Finding: The cost of antimicrobial resistance is rising, but many patients now are younger and living longer, so the burden is shifting from Medicare to private insurance. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378085 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378085 Vital Signs: Hospital Care Expenditures Topped $700 Billion in 2008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378084&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700560%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378084 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378084 Delirium Tremens Treated With High Sedative Doses in ICU http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378083&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700559%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Patients with delirium tremens accounted for 2% of all intensive care unit admissions at a busy New York inner-city hospital over the course of a year—and they often needed prodigious doses of benzodiazepines as well as second-line sedatives to manage signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378083 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378083 Risk Management Plan for ESAs Begins This Month http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378082&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700547%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes The Food and Drug Administration is requiring a risk management plan for erythropoietin-stimulating agents that addresses the potential hazards and benefits associated with these anemia drugs, the agency has announced. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378082 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378082 Rapid Response Systems Now Established at 2,900 Hospitals http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378081&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700535%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes In the years since rapid response teams made their debut in U.S. hospitals, the teams have become hugely popular, even as researchers have raised doubts about their ability to reduce mortality. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378081 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3378081 Exploring the Effects of Secondhand Smoke http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294349&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700523%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes For Dr. Karen Wilson, research holds the key to improving the care of hospitalized children. As an assistant professor of pediatric hospital medicine at the University of Rochester (N.Y.), Dr. Wilson has spent the last few years studying how secondhand smoke affects children, especially the high-risk children who end up hospitalized for respiratory illnesses. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294349 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294349 Joint Commission Reports More Gains on Quality Measures http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294348&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700511%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes U.S. hospitals have improved the care they provide for patients with myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia, according to a report issued last month by the Joint Commission. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294348 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294348 U.S. Hospitals Resume Care for Injured Haitians http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294347&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070050X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes Medical evacuations of patients critically injured in Haiti's devastating earthquake to hospitals in the United States resumed on Feb. 1, following a 5-day interruption. The exact cause of the interruption appears to be under dispute. According to published reports, some sources said the issue involved how hospitals would be reimbursed for caring for these patients. Other sources cited a lack of capacity at hospitals in Florida, where most of the patients had been sent. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294347 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294347 Inadequate VTE Prophylaxis Makes Costs Soar http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294346&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700493%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Partial venous thromboembolic event prophylaxis in at-risk medical and surgical inpatients is associated with a mean 2-day greater hospital length of stay and $22,000 more per patient in total hospital charges than for recipients of best-practice appropriate prophylaxis, according to a large national study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294346 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294346 Surgical Safety Training Program Can Foster Increased Vigilance http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294345&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700481%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes A training program modeled on airline industry initiatives can change behavior and cultivate a culture of safety in the operating room, based on data from a survey and follow-up study. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294345 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294345 Extended VTE Prophylaxis Helpful After Surgery http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294344&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS187591221070047X%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Two-thirds of patients placed on thromboprophylaxis after total hip or knee replacement surgery receive it for 2 weeks or less—and their venous thromboembolic event rate is markedly higher than in patients on prophylaxis for longer, according to a retrospective study of more than 3,000 patients. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294344 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294344 In Respiratory Failure, RA May Boost Mortality http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294343&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700468%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — Much has been made of late of rheumatoid arthritis patients' substantially reduced life expectancy because of cardiovascular disease. Far less widely known is that they also have increased in-hospital mortality following acute respiratory failure. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294343 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294343 Doripenem Eases Ventilator-Related Pneumonia http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294342&cid=s_38403_148_f&fid=38403&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehospitalistnews.com%2Farticle%2FPIIS1875912210700456%2Fabstract%3Frss%3Dyes SAN DIEGO — The use of doripenem as initial therapy in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia shortened the duration of mechanical ventilation and hospital length of stay, according to a pooled analysis of the two randomized trials that compared the drug with imipenem or piperacillin/tazobactam. (Source: Hospitalist News) Hospitalist News journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294342 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3294342