Background: An individual’s risk of atrial fibrillation‐related stroke can be estimated with the use of a CHADS2 score with higher scores correlating with a greater risk of cardioembolic stroke. Current clinical guidelines recommend the use of no anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents for a CHADS2 score of 0 and either an antiplatelet agent or full dose […]

Background: Osteoporotic fractures are a significant health issue and create a heavy economic burden. Initial studies suggest that diabetes mellitus (DM) could be a risk factor for increased fractures. One of the main mechanisms could be modulation of osteoblastic gene expression by chronic hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of […]

Background: Due to restrictions on resident duty hours, increasing numbers of patients at academic hospitals are being cared for by hospitalists paired with advanced practice providers (H‐APP teams). Hospitals are held accountable for their patient’s experiences by pay for performance programs such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services value based purchasing program, yet […]

Background: Unplanned hospital readmission is a complex process, particularly if the patient is readmitted to an acute‐care institution other than their original hospital. This study tested the hypothesis that alternate‐hospital readmission is associated with increased patient mortality compared to original‐hospital readmission. Methods: We performed a population‐based retrospective cohort analysis set between 1995 and 2010 within […]

Background: Streptococcus anginosus group is a subclass of viridans streptococci that consists of three distinct species: S. anginosus. S. constellatus, and S. intermedius. Organisms in this group are commonly found as commensal flora but have the potential to cause pyogenic infections such as empyema, brain abscess, liver abscess, infective endocarditis, and meningitis. Predisposing risk factors […]

Background: Many hospitals emphasize the importance of hand hygiene, which is one of the most important ways to prevent hospital‐acquired infections. However, relatively little attention is paid to stethoscope hygiene, although they can transfer dangerous pathogens between patients just like hands. The practice of stethoscope hygiene behavior was observed at a university based academic medical […]

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) provide reliable venous access for infusion, phlebotomy, and hemodynamic monitoring. With the advent of the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), their use has grown significantly in hospitalized patients. However, CVCs are also associated with bloodstream infection and venous thromboembolism; removal of devices that are clinically no longer indicated is a […]

Background: Incidental findings on diagnostic imaging may require follow‐up to exclude malignancy or other conditions. Previous studies have documented the prevalence of such findings, but an observational study of notification of patients and primary care providers (PCPs) about incidental radiologic findings has not been described. We evaluated the follow‐up of incidental lung nodules on computed […]

Background: Severe hypoglycemia in the hospital is associated with adverse patient outcomes. Many factors alter glycemic status, including corticosteroids, diet, enteral or parenteral feedings, surgical procedures, cardiac, renal or hepatic failure, and sepsis. These patient‐associated risk factors are medically managed to prevent hypoglycemic events. However, less data is available regarding systemic‐level factors within the hospital […]

Background: Since 2005, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, performs a formal multidisciplinary mortality review on all inpatient deaths. The vision of the Mortality Review System (MRS) is to eliminate suffering from process or systems of care failures. MRS is charged with identifying process and system failures that are opportunities to improve patient outcomes and reduce the mortality […]