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3 weeks ago | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ivonne Martinez |Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Are the new potassium binders, patiromer, and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) safer than sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS)? Background: Potassium binders were created to reduce the adverse gastrointestinal events, like intestinal necrosis, associated with SPS. However, analyses comparing the safety of SPS with the new binders remain limited.
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3 weeks ago | 
the-hospitalist.org | Karen Appold |Ronda Whitaker
Every incentive counts when it comes to recruiting and retaining top talent. In particular, today’s hospitalists view funding for continuing medical education (CME) and getting paid time off (PTO) as some of the most important benefits.
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1 month ago | 
the-hospitalist.org | Vanessa Caceres |Ronda Whitaker
Hospitalists work hard (not that we have to tell you that!), so celebrating March 6 as National Hospitalist Day is an ideal time to recognize the work done in hospital medicine. The Hospitalist recently caught up with a handful of hospitalists to find out more about their work and what makes them tick professionally. Their stories are organized under the themes of Advancing Care, Building Community, and Creating Opportunities (in other words, the ABCs).
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1 month ago | 
the-hospitalist.org | Lisa Casinger |Ronda Whitaker
In case you haven’t heard, SHM Converge is happening in Las Vegas this year (April 22-25). Whether it’s your first time attending or your first time in Las Vegas, or you’re a veteran of both, we have a few suggestions to occupy your downtime. Before we jump into places to go, things to do, and restaurants to discover, here are a few lesser-known tidbits about the Neon City. The Las Vegas Strip isn’t actually in Las Vegas; it’s outside the city limits in Winchester and Paradise.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Are hospital mortality and readmission rates associated with physician sex, and do these associations vary by patient sex? Background: Prior studies indicate that physician practice patterns vary by provider sex. However, evidence is limited as to whether the effect of physician sex on clinical outcomes varies by patient sex.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Can an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled intervention model reduce the risk of clinical deterioration and subsequent care escalation in hospitalized patients? Background: Clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients poses a significant risk of morbidity and mortality but identification by clinicians may be delayed. Automated early warning systems have been developed to help clinicians recognize these patients.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Does starting empagliflozin for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and new onset systolic heart failure (HF) or congestive symptoms reduce the risk of first hospitalization for heart failure or death from any cause? Background: After AMI, patients are at increased risk for HF and death, especially if they present with congestive symptoms or a decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Does inhaled amikacin reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in critically ill patients? Background: VAP is a common and serious complication in patients on mechanical ventilation, linked to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite various commonly employed preventive measures, the incidence of VAP remains high. This study investigated whether inhaled amikacin can effectively reduce rates of VAP.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: In patients with undifferentiated sepsis without an indication for anaerobic coverage, is there increased mortality with the combined use of vancomycin/piperacillin-tazobactam versus vancomycin/cefepime? Background: Guideline-recommended treatment of sepsis entails a combination regimen of either vancomycin/piperacillin-tazobactam or vancomycin/cefepime.
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Jan 1, 2025 | 
the-hospitalist.org | Ronda Whitaker
Clinical question: Does hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone reduce all-cause mortality among patients with septic shock due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)? Background: A meta-analysis of 17 studies looking at corticosteroids in CAP suggested the effects of corticosteroids varied with the severity of CAP.
