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: 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 [...]

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 [...]

Background: Reduced payments from Medicare related to high rates of hospital-acquired pressure injuries has prompted hospitals to invest in new technologies and strategies to improve wound care and prevention. While many hospitals have increased the purchase of skin care products such as prophylactic dressings, little is known about the association between these products and reductions [...]

Background: Reduced payments from Medicare related to high rates of hospital-acquired pressure injuries has prompted hospitals to invest in new technologies and strategies to improve wound care and prevention. While many hospitals have increased the purchase of skin care products such as prophylactic dressings, little is known about the association between these products and reductions [...]

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects about 100,000 people in the US. The disease causes significant mortality, morbidity and frequent hospitalizations secondary to primary manifestations of the disease and its complications. We conducted a retrospective, single institution study in adult patients (pts), ≥ 18 years with SCD to assess factors associated with health care utilization [...]

Background: Hospitals are incentivized to reduce 30-day readmissions under the Affordable Care Act. Medicare payments can be reduced when inpatient readmissions are excessive. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) readmission measure is defined among encounters classified with only an inpatient status. At this time, observation encounters are not included in this measure. This [...]

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac surgery occurs in 30% of cases with 1% requiring dialysis resulting in significant morbidity and mortality.  HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (“statins”) have been postulated to be of benefit in this population, however results from existing clinical studies have been inconsistent. Since there is abundance of evidence showing that short-term [...]

Background: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.7 million patients per year develop hospital-associated infections (HAI), of whom 99,000 die. HAIs financially impact the United States healthcare system with an estimated cost of $6 billion per year. At Platte Valley Medical Center (PVMC) in 2013, the urinary catheter utilization ratio and rates [...]