Background: Early and sustained mobilization of patients throughout admission is a goal we all strive to achieve. Inpatient immobility leads to the development of medical complications such as pressure ulcers, acute venous thrombosis, nosocomial infections, decreased muscle mass, and overall functional decline. Additionally, patients become deconditioned from their baseline and require potentially preventable additional services [...]

Background: Shared decision making is a key component of patient-centered care, allowing physicians and patients to balance the capabilities of the medical system with the values of the patient. However, the concept of shared decision making is not unique to a physician-patient relationship. Institutions from Athens, Greece to Silicon Valley have recognized the benefits of [...]

Background: VTE (Venous Thromboembolism) is the most common preventable cause of hospital-related deaths and claim more than 100,000 lives a year in the United States. Hospitals are accountable for implementing strategies to reduce complications by identifying patients who are at risk for developing VTE and implementing strategies to reduce VTE. VTE prevention includes screening for [...]

Background: Communication between inpatient (IPP) and outpatient providers (OPP) at discharge is essential for continuity of care. However, studies show that communication is often inconsistent, leading to interruptions in care and patient safety events, especially for patients requiring complex management. The discharge summary (DS) serves as the primary mode of communication between IPP and OPP, [...]

Background: Patients with transplanted organs often have longer lengths of stay and readmissions compared to general internal medicine patients. Atypical presentations may result in unnecessary tests, missed diagnoses and incomplete treatment. Nephrologists and hospitalists bring different strengths and experiences to the management of such patients. Here we present an analysis of quality metrics as well [...]

Background: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a highly prevalent medical condition that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. As rates of opioid addiction have increased in the last several years, hospitalists are uniquely positioned at the front lines to initiate evidence-based treatment for patients who are admitted with comorbid OUD and help link patients [...]

Background: Medical teams may take care of patients on multiple units. Traditionally, alpha-numeric pagers have been the primary means for nurses to contact resident physicians off geographic units. However, mobile devices are increasingly being used and there are few studies that have analyzed their effectiveness as a means of communication compared to pagers. Purpose: The [...]

Background: As the aging population with multiple comorbidities continues to grow in our country, appropriate resource utilization and efficiency of care remain a priority for many acute care facilities to reduce hospital acquired debility, healthcare costs, and improve patient experience. The physical therapist’s assessment of the patient’s functional capacity plays a crucial role in discharge [...]

Background: Over 35 million patients are hospitalized annually in the United States, with patients experiencing functional deconditioning due to acute illness and hospital acquired limitations on their mobility such as bed rest orders and lack of timely assessment of their functional status. Other contributing factors include medical devices such as chest tubes, drains, IV lines, [...]

Background: Unnecessary hospitalizations and testing for syncope remain common (1), and physician attitudes continue to favor overuse for syncope (2). Structured protocols, specialized units, and decision support algorithms may reduce health service use, but lack of data precludes the ability to advocate for use of a specific decision support algorithm (3). Purpose: Our primary aim [...]