Background: Results from the recent SPRINT trial demonstrate lower rates of fatal and non-fatal major cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in non-diabetics at high cardiovascular risk with intensive versus standard treatment, i.e., less than 120 versus less than 140 mmHg systolic, respectively. However, the long-term outcomes remain unknown.Methods: A validated state-transition model with multivariate risk [...]

Background: The randomized controlled ANZ-STATInS trial demonstrated that de novo statin use did not alter interleukin-6 levels or Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score in of what before SEPSIS-3 was known as severe sepsis. Prospective observational studies indicate that prior statin use sepsis is associated with a decreased rate of severe sepsis. We aimed to [...]

Background: Although diagnostic errors are common in hospitals, little is known about the resulting economic burden. Whether the increasing attention to patient safety has led to a decrease in diagnostic error-related claims and cost over time is also unknown. Using a publicly available dataset, we examined incidence costs and outcomes associated with diagnostic errors in [...]

Background: Malnourished patients compose 25% to 54% of the admitted patient population. Much attention has been given to identifying these malnourished patients. However, few published articles have focused on identifying the gaps in care that follow a malnutrition diagnosis and their effects on length of stay and readmission. We aimed to describe the prevalence of [...]

Background: Overuse of urine testing may result in downstream events that impact antibiotic use and hospital length of stay (LOS). The aims of this study were to examine the impact of inpatient urine culture testing on inpatient antibiotic use and hospital length of stay using a national administrative dataset. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort [...]

Background: While pattern of readmissions in young survivors of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure has been described, burden of 30-day readmissions following hospitalization for pneumonia in young adults is poorly understood. Further, gender differences in readmission rates are unknown. Methods: We examined the 2013 Nationwide Readmission Database (NRD), a nationally representative all-payer database of [...]

Background: Approximately 15% of women in the United States aged 35-79 year are at high risk for developing breast cancer, however less than 0.2% of these women reported taking chemoprevention to reduce their risk. Objective of the study was to characterize the current utilization of chemoprevention agents among hospitalized women who are at higher risk [...]

Title: ANTI-MOTILITY USE IN PATIENTS WITH C. DIFFICILE –POTENTIALLY SAFE? Background: Anti-motility agents have typically been avoided in patients with Clostridium difficile diarrheal infections (CDI) due to fear of gastrointestinal complications such as toxic mega-colon.  However, severe diarrhea, such as chemotherapy-related diarrhea, can result in significant adverse consequences to patients, such as volume loss and [...]

Background: Mechanically ventilated patients are often administered analgesic medications such as dexmedetomidine (DEX) and lorazepam (LZP) to reduce pain and anxiety. Studies have suggested that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of developing acute brain dysfunction, mechanical ventilation time, and length of stay (LOS) (Pandharipande PP, et al. JAMA 2007). Although Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend use [...]

Background: A Rapid Response (RR) Team is activated when there is an acute change in a patient’s condition. Rapid responses are called when certain criteria are met. A delay in activation of the rapid response or non-activation of the rapid response can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Goal 16 of the Joint Commission’s [...]