Background: Methylnaltrexone (MNTX) is a peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonist indicated for opioid-induced constipation (OIC). We evaluated whether baseline use of laxatives, including stimulants, osmotic agents, stool softeners, or combinations thereof affects the efficacy and safety of MNTX. Methods: This post hoc analysis included pooled data from 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled, institutional review [...]

Background: Continuous multiparameter, physiologic monitoring may improve patient outcomes in the medical-surgical wards by identifying patients who need clinical evaluation and or intervention. Alarms may be actionable or non-actionable dependent on whether the alarm is technical in nature or represents a substantive change in patient condition. Alarms will enhance patient care when followed by provider [...]

Background: Almost three-quarters of hospitals with 50 or more beds have a palliative care program, and the percentage of annual hospital admissions receiving an initial palliative care consultation is more than 5%. Methylnaltrexone (MNTX) is a peripherally acting µ-opioid receptor antagonist indicated for opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced illness who are receiving palliative [...]

Background: Preventable hospital readmissions are a common problem for medical centers in the United States. Recent studies have focused on what patients perceive as causes for their return to the hospital. One factor driving readmissions is patients’ difficulty anticipating what to expect after they leave the hospital despite discharge instructions, especially anticipating and surmounting challenges [...]

Background: Resistance in learning (RIL) defines a set of attitudes or behaviors demonstrated by learners in an educational setting that result in decreased learning. Literature describes the etiology as multifactorial, including learning environment, characteristics of the learner, and teaching style. Hospitalists often use quality improvement methodology, such as PDSA cycles to improve the clinical care [...]

Background: Patients (pts) with congestive heart failure (CHF) are at an increased risk for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) [1]. Moreover, CABP itself and macrolide antibiotics, which current guidelines recommend for CABP treatment [2], are both associated with increased risk of cardiac events, including worsening heart failure [3,4]. Lefamulin (LEF) is a first-in-class systemic pleuromutilin antibiotic [...]