Background: Despite years of intense focus, inpatient and observation readmission rates remain high and largely unchanged. Little robust evidence exists to guide hospitals in the selection of interventions effective at reducing 30 day readmissions in real-world settings. Our local healthcare system incorporated the most recent recommendations for preventing readmissions into a comprehensive program called Transition [...]

Background: In the acute care environment, healthcare workers interface with patients who have limited access to medical care and a high prevalence of social determinants of health (SDoH) barriers.1 The inpatient setting presents a key intervention point where the social needs of vulnerable populations might be addressed. Standard inpatient medicine care teams, however, lack the [...]

Background: Recently, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) put forth their latest expectations of residents using Entrustable Professional Activities (EPA). Furthermore, prompted by an interest in improving the health of the population, enhancing the experience and outcome of the patient, and reducing the per capita [...]

Background: Disparities in screening mammography use persist among low-income women, even those who are insured, despite the proven mortality benefit. We evaluated the prevalence of breast cancer screening non-adherence among hospitalized women and their receptivity to inpatient screening mammography as a novel approach to increase breast cancer screening rate. Methods: A cross sectional study was [...]

Background: Aging is associated with increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation and thrombophlebitis. Anticoagulation has been shown to be effective in preventing thromboembolic events in AF patients and treatment of thrombophlebitis. Non-vitamin k antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been shown to be non-inferior or even superior to warfarin for long-term stroke prevention and thrombophlebitis treatment. In [...]

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: Select studies in the past have described significantly increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Increased atherosclerosis as well as microvascular involvement with recurrent focal ischemia and subsequent fibrosis are the proposed mechanisms. Our study aims to shed further light on SSc as an independent risk factor for [...]

Background: To evaluate prevalence of non-adherence to breast cancer screening guidelines after bedside educational intervention and informed individualized risk assessment score during an inpatient stay. Methods: A prospective intervention study was conducted among 507 cancer-free (except skin cancer) women aged 50-75 years hospitalized to a general medicine service. Study intervention included one-on-one bedside education via [...]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Disparities in screening mammography use persists among low income women, even those who are insured, despite the proven mortality benefit. More than a third of hospitalized women are both overdue for breast cancer [...]

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by chronic, irreversible airway obstruction that can precipitate into acute exacerbations (AECOPD) of cough, dyspnea and sputum production, often requiring hospitalization. Hospital systems aiming to improve outcomes for patients with AECOPD are testing innovative approaches to care in the acute care setting. To enroll [...]