Background: Rapid recognition of deteriorating patients and efficient physician – nursing communication is essential for patient safety and improved health outcomes (1,2).  We conducted a pilot study at a tertiary care academic hospital in September, 2024 with intervention to improve communication between night physicians (nocturnists) and nurses (RN). Methods: At the study site, night shifts last from 7pm-7am [...]

Background: Hospital admissions among nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) are burdensome, expensive, and provide limited clinical benefits. Compared to other patients, those with ADRD are more likely to experience adverse events, such as delirium, urinary infections, pneumonia, and functional decline. Research on nursing home residents has focused on the consequences [...]

Background: Healthcare networks not only address medical needs but also connect patients with critical social support services. Socioeconomic factors significantly influence both healthcare utilization and outcomes, and screening for health-related social needs (HRSN) has improved outcomes, particularly among at-risk patients (Hood 2016; Gulati 2024). Despite these benefits, widespread implementation lagged until January 2024, when the [...]

Background: Physician and nursing teamwork is instrumental in delivering high quality, safe and reliable patient care. Sub-optimal teamwork contributes to poor nursing morale and increased burnout. Physicians and nurses often are unaware of each other’s workflows. Building team collaboration through trust, respect, communication and mutual understanding may lead to improved quality of care and staff [...]

Background: Outside-hospital (OSH) transfers are crucial to providing patients with a higher level or more specialized care. Despite the intent to improve care, OSH transfers are associated with negative outcomes due to miscommunication, lack of information, and other factors affecting patient care. Currently, there is no widely standardized process for OSH transfers. Studies show that [...]

Case Presentation: A 73-year-old female, bedbound, nursing home resident with a medical history of ESRD on dialysis, diabetes and hypertension, presented complaining of body aches, malaise, chills and cough. She was afebrile with normal range vitals. CBC showed a WBC of 21.8 with neutrophil predominance. CXR without focal pulmonary findings and urinalysis was negative for [...]