In the News
Readmissions higher with discharge to home care versus SNF, but overall costs lower
Postdischarge mortality rates and improvements in functional status were similar whether Medicare beneficiaries were discharged home with home health care or to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), according to a retrospective analysis.
Many patients in ED and hospital have troponin levels above stated upper limit of normal
A study that measured high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I levels among British patients undergoing any type of lab testing found that average levels vary significantly by clinical setting and age and sex of the patient.
Hospital cleaning bundle reduced incidence of health care-associated VRE infections
The intervention, which focused on staff training at 11 hospitals in Australia, reduced the number of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections but did not change rates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia or Clostridium difficile infection.
CDC checklist can help quickly distinguish anthrax from nonanthrax illnesses
The checklist includes heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mental status, diaphoresis, dyspnea, severe headache, characteristic skin lesions, abnormal lung sounds, and increased girth.
Vote for your favorite entry
ACP Hospitalist Weekly's cartoon caption contest continues. Readers can vote for their favorite caption to determine the winner.