A Quality Improvement Initiative for Increasing Cardiac Rehabilitation Referrals Using Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Methodology.

Background: Cardiovascular rehabilitation has been shown to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiac illnesses; however, the referral rate for eligible patients at Tulane Medical Center has remained below best practice standards.

Methods: This is a single-center, quality-improvement study conducted from January 2020 through December 2020, with historical controls from 2019. Using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle methodology, interventions were designed to improve referral rates for cardiac rehabilitation-eligible patients.

New-onset atrial arrhythmias associated with mortality in black and white patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background: Specific details about cardiovascular complications, especially arrhythmias, related to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) are not well described.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of cardiovascular complications and new-onset arrhythmias in Black and White hospitalized COVID-19 patients and determine the impact of new-onset arrhythmia on outcomes.

Methods: We collected and analyzed baseline demographic and clinical data from COVID-19 patients hospitalized at the Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, between March 1 and May 1, 2020.

Incidence and impact of adverse drug events contributing to hospital readmissions in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: The incidence and impact of adverse drug events (ADEs) leading to hospitalization and as a predominant risk factor for late graft loss has not been studied in transplantation.

Methods: This was a longitudinal cohort study of adult kidney recipients transplanted between 2005 and 2010 and followed through 2013. There were 3 cohorts: no readmissions, readmissions not due to an adverse drug event, and adverse drug events contributing to readmissions.