Background: Reducing readmission rates may only be successfully realized if all factors that influence readmissions are thoughtfully considered. Beyond medical elements, nontraditional risk factors such as social and environmental variables may be associated with a higher likelihood of being readmitted.  In this study we evaluated the effect of distance between home and ‘key resources’ on [...]

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are essential devices used to provide central venous access. However, they are often placed inappropriately, leading to unnecessary risk of PICC-related complications. Vascular access operators typically place the majority of PICCs, yet little is known about these specialists and their beliefs regarding PICCs. We therefore conducted a national survey [...]

Background: Palliative care and geriatrics in hospital medicine have an established positive impact on patient experience and outcomes, however, these specialist care services remain underutilized. Recognizing an opportunity to improve the appropriateness of inpatient consultation on a large academic medical hospitalist service, we implemented a multi-disciplinary quality improvement intervention with the goal of increasing appropriate [...]

Background: Growing use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has led to the development of certification programs for PICC operators. Much like the debate regarding certification in medicine, whether such certification influences clinical care is unknown. This knowledge gap is relevant for health systems that hire operators based on certification status and for hospitalists who [...]