Background: Substance use continues to increase in the United States. Substance use has been linked to new onset cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders which lead to hospitalizations. We aimed to assess the association of epidemiology and racial disparities of substance use disorders (SUDs) using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database. Methods: A retrospective study of the […]

Background: Sepsis is a leading health care burden associated with high mortality in the United States. Poor outcomes associated with sepsis continue despite modifications in the sepsis care guidelines. Several factors influence the outcome of sepsis including patient characteristics, etiology of sepsis, and management in the appropriate intensive care unit setting. The aim of our […]

Background: Diabetes is an exceedingly common disease encountered by medical trainees, with over 8 million hospitalizations in 2018 listing type 1 or type 2 diabetes as a diagnosis (1). Evidence supports continuing certain oral diabetes medications during admission when safe, reflected in recent consensus statements from professional societies (2,3). Nevertheless, oral medications are often held […]

Background: Much of medical education relies on effective consultation between primary teams and consultants. Previous work has shown that trainees have difficulty with placing and receiving consults. Resident-driven interventions have been shown to increase the number of teaching interactions during consults. Purpose: Our objective was to evaluate the effect of an educational workshop and the […]

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the third most common vascular disease in the US, frequently underdiagnosed and potentially fatal condition where embolic material blocks one or more pulmonary arteries impairing blood flow. In this study, we aim to describe the prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of mortality of mechanical (MT) and surgical thrombectomy (ST). Methods: This […]

Background: The use of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) with spacers for delivering bronchodilator therapy is established as equivalent to the use of nebulizers (nebs) for symptom response.[1-3] Additional well-documented benefits to using MDIs in place of nebs include fewer systemic side effects, better long-term patient adherence to therapy, and, in the era of COVID-19, decreased use […]

Background: The ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely Campaign and The Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend against screening and treating for suspected urinary tract infections (UTI) unless patients are symptomatic or meet specific clinical parameters (1). Inappropriate testing for UTIs with urinalysis and urine cultures is prevalent in healthcare and may lead to waste in resources, […]

Background: Hospitals generally have clear protocols, often nursing driven, for management of inpatient hypoglycemia. The American Diabetes Association recommends a standardized approach to hypoglycemia management in the hospital to address hypoglycemia. A frequent cause of hypoglycemia is poor management of the first hypoglycemia episode. Standard treatment protocols include the use of oral carbohydrate agents for […]

Case Presentation: A 61-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted for surgical resection of left fifth metatarsal due to osteomyelitis refractory to prolonged antibiotic use. Vital signs on admission were all within normal limits; significant lab values included ESR 79 mm/hr, CRP 7.07 mg/dL, and WBC 9.2 k/uL. Following surgical debridement and amputation, […]

Background: The optimal duration of hospitalist clinical blocks is unknown. Longer block lengths may offer greater continuity and discontinuity between providers has been adversely associated with 30-day mortality and readmissions. However, extending days worked may lead to fatigue and negatively impact hospitalist satisfaction or contribute to burnout. We conducted a randomized trial comparing two different […]