December 2014


Photo by Thinkstock

Remembering, and respecting, the most vulnerable

Hospitals seek to improve care for patients with intellectual, developmental disabilities.

Is it time to forgo the handshake?

Experts seek ways to decrease pathogen transmission while staying polite.

Become capable of capacity assessment

Expert analysis on determining decision-making ability from Mayo Clinic meeting.

Tips on TIPS and other cirrhosis treatments

Mayo Clinic internist discusses how to manage liver disease.

Fecal transplant pills and other innovations in C. difficile

A report from IDWeek 2014 covers the latest treatments.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury

Experts offer advice on managing the third leading cause of hospital-acquired acute renal failure.

Improving care by targeting ‘superutilizers'

Health care costs and readmissions are reduced by focusing on patients with frequent ED visits and hospitalizations.

Hospitalists can help IOM fix dying process

A new report calls for improvements in end-of-life care.

Coding for intellectual, developmental disabilities

Documentation of severity and/or the associated IQ is required for correct coding and severity-of-illness assignment.

Simulation and reality

The author recounts his mother's career as a simulated patient.

That bean of caffeine!

A third-year medical student offers a brief history of that vital beverage, coffee.

Letter from the Editor

This month's issue includes articles on caring for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, reducing readmissions, assessing capacity, and more.

MKSAP quiz on venous thromboembolism

Patient cases involving recurrent venous thrombophlebitis, post-discharge care for pulmonary embolism, and more.

New tests for acute kidney injury and yeast bloodstream infections

Details on the latest recalls, label changes, and approvals.

Recent Research

Hip fractures in nursing homes, cognitive impairment with TIA, beta-blockers before CABG, and more.

In the News

Defensive orders, arterial catheters in mechanically ventilated ICU patients, advanced practice providers, and more.