Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Scientific writing is a core component of academic hospital medicine, and yet finding time to engage in deeply focused writing is difficult in part due to the highly clinical, 24/7 nature of the specialty that can limit opportunities for writing-focused collaboration and mentorship. ⋯ We implemented a low-cost, productive writing retreat program that attendees reported was helpful in supporting deep work and represented a meaningful step toward building a community centered around academic writing.
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Children with high-intensity neurologic impairment (HINI) have an increased risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) and prolonged intravenous (IV) antibiotic exposure. ⋯ Children with HINI hospitalized with UTI had low UTI readmission rates, but those who received long IV antibiotic courses were more likely to experience UTI readmission versus those receiving short courses. While residual confounding may influence our results, we did not find that short IV courses impacted readmission at the hospital level despite variation in use across institutions. Long IV antibiotic courses are associated with risks and may not confer benefit in this population.
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Patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) may have worse health outcomes and differences in processes of care. Language status may particularly affect situations that depend on communication, such as symptom management or end-of-life (EOL) care. ⋯ LEP was not associated with differences in the amount of opioids received for patients whose EOL management involved standardized order sets for symptom management at our hospital.
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Observational Study
Impact of a relocation to a new critical care building on pediatric safety events.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) relocated the pediatric, cardiac, and neonatal intensive care units (PICU, CICU and NICU) to a newly constructed critical care building (CCB) in November 2021. Simulation and onboarding sessions were implemented before the relocation, aimed at mitigating latent safety threats. ⋯ All three ICUs were relocated to the new CCB with minimal changes in the incidence, severity, or category of safety reports filed, suggesting staff training and preparations ahead of the relocation mitigated latent safety threats.