Background: Although multiple studies have shown that inappropriate use of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) is common for non‐intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalized patients, little is known about why physicians prescribe SUP without supporting evidence. This study seeks to understand which factors influence physician prescribing behavior regarding SUP. Methods: We designed a cross sectional Web‐based survey [...]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially lethal problem. The 2009 Joint Commission has set new goals for the standard of care for all patients with VTE. To our knowledge, no research exists investigating disparities in VTE hospital care between insured and uninsured patients. This study evaluated VTE patients at University of Colorado [...]

Background: Cost of medical care at the end of life is high, especially for hospitalizations that end in death. Palliative care services have been associated with decreased costs, including lower intensive care unit (ICU) costs. Mo previous studies have specifically documented the ways patients die on a hospitalist service or the influence of palliative care [...]

Background: Proper hand hygiene is one of the simplest interventions to reduce spread of infectious diseases in the hospital setting. CDC currently recommends hand washing with soap and water or alcohol‐based gel before and after each patient encounter. Hidden observers and total product utilization are the current standards for measuring compliance with these recommendations, but [...]

Background: Providing quality care is a top priority in hospital medicine. Quality of patient care comprised not only “technical” components (correct diagnosis and medical management), but also “sefvice” elements. Quality of service pertains to the interpersonal aspects of care, which rely on trust, communication, and patient respect. Kahn proposed 6 specific etiquette‐based behaviors to be [...]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of hospitalization, with an estimated 600,000 cases in 2002, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The increasing focus on patient safety, with both financial implications and reporting requirements have created strong incentives to improve performance. We used the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) quality improvement [...]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, so payers and regulators are encouraging hospitals to invest in systematic approaches to prevent them. Here, we describe an initiative to implement VTE prophylaxis best practices through computerized decision support (CDS), and measure its impact. Methods: We integrated content from [...]

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently under‐ or overtreated in hospitals. Thus, regulators are encouraging hospitals to invest in systematic approaches to better manage anticoagulation. Here, we describe an initiative to implement VTE treatment best practices through computerized decision support (CDS), and measure its impact. Methods: We integrated content from locally adapted national guidelines into [...]

Background: Racial and ethnicity differences in health outcomes exist across many areas in medicine. Few studies have investigated race/ethnicity differences among critically ill patients and have not fully accounted for severity of illness, socioeconomic status (SES), or end‐of‐life preferences. Methods: Thirty‐five California hospitals retrospectively collected data from 11,300 adult ICU admissions with an ICU stay [...]

Background: The long‐term health consequences related to obesity are well documented. Recent surgical and intensive care unit literature has reported no significant differences in morbidity or mortality related to obesity. However, the full consequences of obesity itself for the general medicine inpatient are unknown. This study sought to determine the effect of obesity on hospital‐relevant [...]