Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Though often undertaken to provide patients with specialized care, interhospital transfer (IHT) is associated with worse outcomes for select patients. Certain aspects of the transfer process have been suggested as contributors to these outcomes. We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients ≥ 18 years who underwent IHT to a tertiary care hospital between January 2005 and September 2013. ⋯ Stratified analyses demonstrated a significant association between transfer characteristics and adjusted odds of 30-day mortality among cardiothoracic and gastrointestinal surgical service transfers. Our findings suggest high acuity patients have worse outcomes during off-peak times of transfer and during times of high care team workload. Further study is needed to identify underlying reasons to explain these associations and devise potential solutions.
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An Academic Research Coach: An Innovative Approach to Increasing Scholarly Productivity in Medicine.
Academic faculty who devote most of their time to clinical work often struggle to engage in meaningful scholarly work. They may be disadvantaged by limited research training and limited time. Simply providing senior mentors and biostatistical support has limited effectiveness. ⋯ Employing a dedicated health services researcher as part of a faculty development program is an effective way to engage clinically oriented faculty in meaningful scholarship. Key aspects of the program included an accessible and knowledgeable coach and an ongoing marketing strategy.
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Editorial Comment
Quantity, Quality, or Neither-Measuring the Effectiveness of Rounds.