September 2012


Photo by Joseph M Kane Mayo Clinic Editorial Photography

Catch them if you can

Incidence estimates suggest that more than 1% of medical admissions could be factitious, and that's not counting the patients no one catches.

Fight or flight?

Conflict may be uncomfortable, but it's a fact of life for hospitalists.

Allergic reactions in the hospital

Allergic reactions can be hard to detect because their presentation is often delayed.

Teaching to the (blood glucose) test

Diabetes self-management education is cost-efficient and effective but underused, experts say.

From a warm welcome to a follow-up appointment

DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., improved patient satisfaction scores by improving communication.

Writing and wishing

Understanding patients' and families' perspectives plays a big part in successful end-of-life care.

2012 diagnostic documentation update

If there is any certainty in the health care industry today, it is that things will change.

Working the Hawaiian night shift

A nocturnist discusses a move that changed his life for the better.

The rights, privileges, and responsibilities appertaining thereto

An internal medicine resident reflects on his recent graduation, a cross-country move and the new responsibilities he now carries.

Serving tables to better serve patients

Early experience in the work world can help predict success in future careers, including medicine.

Letter from the Editor

What are the red flags that point to a patient with possible factitious disorder?.

Quality time

What would happen if quality measures were applied to your personal life?.

MKSAP quiz on hematology

These cases and commentary, which address hematology, are excerpted from ACP's Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP15).

Label changes for ondansetron and cefepime

Details on recalls, warnings, and approvals.

Recent Research

Criteria for cardiac catheterization, subclinical hyperthyroidism and CHD risk, and more.

In the News

Stress tests for low-risk chest pain, statins in stroke patients, and more.

Real cases from Yale-New Haven Hospital

The Brief Case is a new, quarterly column comprising summaries of real-life inpatient cases.