Background: Prior exposure to antibiotics is associated with a subsequent risk for sepsis (Baggs et al., 2018). However, there are limited data on characteristics of patients readmitted with sepsis following previous antibiotic exposure during a non-sepsis related hospitalization. We sought to characterize factors associated with sepsis-related readmission (SRR) within 30 days of a non-sepsis index […]

Background: Upper‐extremity (UE) deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is increasingly diagnosed in hospitalized patients. High morbidity and mortality rates associated with UEDVT have been reported, suggesting that UEDVT may be a marker of severe illness. The objective of this study was to determine UEDVT incidence, identify associated risk factors and outcomes, and describe UEDVT management during […]

Background: Coumadin anticoagulation is used in many indications: atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and DVT prophylaxis in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. In our institution, the international normalized ratio (INR) is checked daily until discharge once patients are started on Coumadin. We propose this practice poses undue hardship to patients from daily blood […]

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the most common causes of hospitalization in the United States. Intravenous hydration with normal saline (NS) is the most commonly used fluid for resuscitation. Recent studies have shown better outcomes with the use of more pH balanced fluid-like ringer’s lactate and Plasmalyte (PL). We conducted a retrospective cohort […]

Background: Pay disparities by gender are pervasive and have also been demonstrated in the hospital medicine physician workforce. The earnings gap has been attributed to multiple factors including the differences in work‐related priorities of women and men, but no existing data inform the potential gender differences in job factors considered important to individual hospitalists. Methods: […]

Background: Unstable Angina (UA) is a common subset of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and presents as atypical chest pain without the presence of cardiac biomarkers. It accounts for nearly 550,000 hospital admissions each year in the United States [1]. Management of UA can vary depending on the physician and/or intensity of symptoms. Prior studies have […]

Background: Falls are the leading cause of injury death among adults 65 or older. Physician knowledge of fall risk factors is crucial to reducing falls. Interventions targeting fall risk factors can reduce fall rates by 30%–40%. National studies show that screening conducted by physicians is often short of acceptable standards. The objective of this study […]

Background: Pneumonia is a major health concern despite advances in preventive measures including vaccinations. In the United States, Pneumonia is one of the most common cause of hospital admissions other than child birth. One million adults seek care in a hospital due to pneumonia every year with nearly 5% succumb to Pneumonia(1). We sought to […]

Background: In the United States, the relative incidence of diverticulitis has continued to rise and represents a significant portion of gastrointestinal related hospitalizations [1]. Management and treatment can include both medical and surgical options. Of recent, considerable attention has been given to try to decrease healthcare utilization [2]. We sought out to determine the annual […]

Background: Since the landmark IOM report “To err is human” was published in 2000, national focus has been on patient safety and preventing medical errors. Miscommunication during patient care handoffs is a particular area of concern. Because of the sheer number of handoffs that occur, the potential for these to cause harm is enormous. There […]