Background: Depending on the criterion applied, the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) criteria initially identify distinct populations that present to the emergency department (ED) with suspected sepsis (Prasad et al., SHM 2018). Our work has shown that 52% of patients meet SIRS criteria first and 48% meet [...]

Background: Medical Emergency Teams (METs) are utilized in an inpatient setting to identify patients who exhibit signs of clinical deterioration. Patients, family, or staff activate the team by calling a Code MET when there is a change in clinical status. Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) fare worse than age-, gender-, and race-matched populations. We [...]

Background: Chest radiographs (CXRs) aid in the evaluation of clinical status and assess the placement of new lines and tubes in patients in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). Despite studies documenting the safety of foregoing routine CXRs for stable, intubated patients and guidelines recommending against this practice, it remains standard in many ICUs. Purpose: [...]