Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Reduction of 30-day postdischarge hospital readmission or emergency department (ED) visit rates in high-risk elderly medical patients through delivery of a targeted care bundle.
Care coordination has shown inconsistent results as a mechanism to reduce hospital readmission and postdischarge emergency department (ED) visit rates. ⋯ A targeted care bundle delivered to high-risk elderly inpatients decreased unplanned acute health care utilization up to 30 days following discharge. Dissipation of this effect by 60 days postdischarge defines reasonable expectations for analogous hospital-based educational interventions. Further research is needed regarding the impacts of similar care bundles in larger populations across a variety of inpatient settings.
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Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) arise from identical etiologies and many fatal or disabling strokes are preceded by a TIA. Ten percent of patients presenting with a TIA will suffer a stroke within 3 months with half occurring in the first 48 hours. Still, many patients with a TIA do not receive timely evaluation or therapy. ⋯ Intermediate-risk patients have a 4.1% risk of early second stroke and may be considered for admission, observation, or expedited clinic evaluation. Low-risk patients have a 2-day stroke risk of only 1% and are likely appropriate for prompt outpatient evaluation. TIA is a medical emergency, similar to unstable angina, and high risk patients should receive treatment and prevention measures instituted with comparable urgency.
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To determine the range and frequency of experiences, clinical and nonclinical roles, training, work expectations, and career plans of practicing pediatric hospitalists. ⋯ This study provides the most comprehensive information available regarding the clinical and nonclinical roles, training, work expectations, and career plans of pediatric hospitalists. However, the field is currently a moving target; there is significant flux in the hospitalist workforce and variation in the roles of these professionals in their clinical and nonclinical work environment.
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To describe patterns of transfer, resource utilization, and clinical outcomes associated with interhospital transfer of critically ill and injured children. ⋯ In this multiyear, statewide sample, mortality and resource utilization were higher among children who underwent interhospital transfer to intensive care after initial hospitalization, compared with those transferred directly from emergency to intensive care. Decision-making underlying initial triage and subsequent interhospital transfer of critically ill children warrants further study.