Background: Understanding of the Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order varies among different ethnic backgrounds. In Korea, the concept of DNR is not well-known. We therefore conducted a questionnaire-based study to explore and characterize ethnic differences (Korean vs. Non-Korean) in the understanding of DNR.   Methods: Subjects were recruited from the Englewood Hospital and Medical Center where is [...]

Background: Conducting early serious illness conversations (SICs) is a high-value intervention that improves the patient and family experience while aligning care with patient preferences. Given the constraints of hospital-based clinicians, using the EHR to identify appropriate patients for SICs remains a key challenge. The aims of this study were to explore whether the EHR’s readmission [...]

Background: Health care systems around the country are struggling with faculty and staff burnout. It is established that burnout leads to higher employee turnover and poorer patient outcomes. The Big Read is a hospitalist-led institution-wide initiative in which a large number of faculty/staff/trainees/students are invited to read and discuss the same book within a 3 [...]

Background: Lonely adults are prone to a variety of poor health outcomes, including accelerated functional and cognitive decline, depression, and premature mortality. As a result, lonely adults may be prone to higher health-related suffering, triggering increased healthcare utilization and possibly undesired aggressive care, particularly as they approach end of life (EOL). However, little is known [...]

Background: Hospitalists have an increasing role in caring for patients with advanced illness. Due to time constraints, lack of experience and the sensitivity of the topic, it is challenging for Hospitalists to engage in adequate conversations regarding advanced care planning. Moreover, when these conversations do occur, documentation of Advanced Directives and Code Status is frequently [...]

Background: Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016. Health authorities across the country have grappled with how to ensure equitable access for patients. In Victoria, British Columbia, a small group of pioneering community physicians were responding to all community and hospital MAiD requests. The lack of a coordinated system, coupled with [...]

Case Presentation: Mr. A is a 48-year-old male with a past medical history of end-stage heart failure. He was transported from prison due to worsening dyspnea and was admitted to the hospital with acute kidney injury. He rapidly deteriorated, requiring transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to worsening shock requiring vasopressors. Mr. A’s [...]

Case Presentation: The patient is a 74 year old woman with past medical history of dementia and an aggressive right upper lobe cavitary mass who presented with post-obstructive pneumonia. The lung mass was diagnosed two years prior, however the patient refused further workup. The patient named her two daughters to be dual healthcare powers of [...]