Background: Pain management is complex, and multiple variables may affect pain relief for patients. It is estimated that roughly 40% of hospitalized patients experience moderate to severe pain. Because hospitalists now care for an increasing number of inpatients across the United States, developing hospitalist‐based quality improvement for pain is essential, both for improving patient care […]

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a morbid and potentially lethal complication. National policies related to CLABSI mandate public reporting of this adverse event, with hospitals receiving penalties based on their CLABSI rates. Contemporary data suggest that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) placed outside critical care settings are a large contributor to hospital CLABSI […]

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with an increased risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Catheters that are coated or impregnated with antimicrobial and/or antithrombotic agents have been developed to prevent these complications. However, their effectiveness in preventing CLABSI and VTE is unclear. Using data from a large […]

Background: HIV remains a public health risk, with a high rate of transmission by people unaware they are infected with the virus. Although in New York State it has become law to offer testing at every point of entry in the health care system, we are still not achieving compliance with our test offers across […]

Background: Detailing has been employed by the pharmaceutical sales industry to increase physician knowledge about new medications. Work‐hour rules and hectic schedules have challenged residency training programs to develop and utilize efficient and effective teaching methods. Academic detailing has been successful in the realm of continuing medical education. Purpose: We chose to employ academic detailing […]

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used to deliver intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy. Infectious disease (ID) physicians are often consulted prior to PICC placement, but whether their engagement influences PICC appropriateness and complications is not known. Methods: Using data from the Michigan Hospital Medicine Safety Consortium on PICCs placed in hospitalized medical patients […]