Background: Obesity increases the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and death from most acute illnesses – particularly infectious diseases. (1,2) African American communities have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and are disproportionately impacted by the obesity epidemic in this country. (3, 4) However, little is known of their knowledge and attitudes related to […]

Background: Microbiota-based treatments have shown promise to reduce recurrence for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI), but consistent and reliable safety data are needed to support regulatory approvals and broaden patient access. Here we provide cumulative safety data from 5 prospective clinical studies evaluating RBX2660—a standardized, microbiota-based investigational live biotherapeutic—for reducing rCDI. Methods: This analysis included […]

Background: Provider morale is an important concern for hospitals, particularly during the COVID pandemic. Data from hospitals and alternate care sites (ACSs) have found low morale in hospitalists and nurses working with COVID patients. We compared hospitalist morale at a COVID ACS to regional conventional hospitals using the validated Hospitalist Morale Index (HMI). Methods: Using […]

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused a staggering 200 million cases with over 4 million deaths globally as of August 2021. COVID-19 is associated with lung inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are used to improve lung function by reducing inflammation, edema, mucus secretion, and inhibiting various cytokine activities. However, there is […]

Background: Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI) is an urgent public health threat. RBX2660 is a standardized, stabilized, investigational microbiota-based live biotherapeutic that has been evaluated in 5 prospective clinical trials. Eligibility criteria in clinical trials are often narrowly defined, excluding broader patient populations. Herein, we report a retrospective analysis of safety and efficacy of RBX2660 […]

Background: Of the many complications associated with COVID-19 infection, hypercoagulable states with subsequent thrombosis are some of the most feared implications. When trying to uncover a potential relationship between COVID-19 infection and risk for cerebrovascular ischemic events, knowing whether there is an increased risk for these events in those with other respiratory viral pathogens at […]

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: The HOMERuN (HOspital MEdicine Reengineering Network) Provider Wellness Workgroup, a national collaboration of academic hospitalist institutions, has been studying the landscape of hospitalist wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Burnout among hospital medicine clinicians during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been well-described. As we enter a different phase of the pandemic, our workgroup […]

Background: Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) expediently detects the pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 and is predictive of patient outcomes. Although lung POCUS can be used in the diagnosis and management of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, there are no standardized scanning protocols. Furthermore, it is not known how much scanning is needed to sufficiently rule-in the pulmonary […]

Background: Hospitalists often care for patients who have substance use disorders as well as patients who are incarcerated. Availability of medications for substance use disorders (MSUD) varies based on state law and access varies based on facility, city, and county. Since hospitalization presents a unique opportunity to prevent negative consequences of substance use disorders, it […]