Peristalsis in an unusual place-The diagnostic utility of point-of-care ultrasound: A case report.

Complications related to inguinal hernias are commonly encountered in medicine. Clinical presentation can vary, and although diagnosis can often be made during physical examination, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can be useful in cases where the diagnosis is unclear. Our case underscores to clinicians the utility of POCUS in diagnosing inguinal hernias.

Perspectives on the quality and utility of letters conforming to the AAIM guidelines.

Standardized letters of recommendation (SLOR) have become common features of the medical school to residency transition. Research has shown many advantages over the narrative letter of recommendation including improved letter-writing efficiency, ease of interpretation, and improved reliability as performance predictors. Currently, at least four specialties require fellowship SLORs.

A shocking diagnosis.

The approach to clinical conundrums by an expert clinician is revealed through the presentation of an actual patient's case in an approach typical of a morning report. Similarly to patient care, sequential pieces of information are provided to the clinician, who is unfamiliar with the case. The focus is on the thought processes of both the clinical team caring for the patient and the discussant.

Features of successful academic hospitalist programs: Insights from the SCHOLAR (SuCcessful HOspitaLists in academics and research) project.

Background: As clinical demands increase, understanding the features that allow academic hospital medicine programs (AHPs) to thrive has become increasingly important.

Objective: To develop and validate a quantifiable definition of academic success for AHPs.

Methods: A working group of academic hospitalists was formed.

Preventable Admissions on a General Medicine Service: Prevalence, Causes and Comparison with AHRQ Prevention Quality Indicators-A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Background: Rates of preventable admissions will soon be publicly reported and used in calculating performance-based payments. The current method of assessing preventable admissions, the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Preventable Quality Indicators (PQI) rate, is drawn from claims data and was originally designed to assess population-level access to care.

Objective: To identify the prevalence and causes of preventable admissions by attending physician review and to compare its performance with the PQI tool in identifying preventable admissions.

Hospitalist perspective on the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections.

The prevalence of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) has been increasing in the United States. These infections are associated with an increase in hospital admissions. Hospitalists play an increasingly important role in the management of these infections and need to use hospital resources efficiently and effectively.

The hospitalist perspective on treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) is an important health care concern in the United States and worldwide, and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditure. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent causative pathogen of CABP. Other common pathogens include Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacteriaceae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.

Inpatient management of diabetic foot disorders: a clinical guide.

The implementation of an inpatient diabetic foot service should be the goal of all institutions that care for patients with diabetes. The objectives of this team are to prevent problems in patients while hospitalized, provide curative measures for patients admitted with diabetic foot disorders, and optimize the transition from inpatient to outpatient care. Essential skills that are required for an inpatient team include the ability to stage a foot wound, assess for peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, wound infection, and the need for debridement; appropriately culture a wound and select antibiotic therapy; provide, directly or indirectly, for optimal metabolic control; and implement effective discharge planning to prevent a recurrence.

2012 infectious diseases society of america clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence.

2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence.

Executive summary: 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Foot infections are a common and serious problem in persons with diabetes. Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) typically begin in a wound, most often a neuropathic ulceration. While all wounds are colonized with microorganisms, the presence of infection is defined by ≥2 classic findings of inflammation or purulence.

Likelihood of ordering physical restraints: influence of physician characteristics.

Objectives: To determine physician knowledge regarding restraint regulations and effectiveness and effect of physician characteristics on likelihood of ordering restraints.

Design: Cross-sectional, factorial research survey.

Setting: Academic medical center.

Effect of situational and clinical variables on the likelihood of physicians ordering physical restraints.

Objectives: To model clinical and situational variables that may affect likelihood of physicians to order physical restraints.

Design: Cross-sectional, factorial survey.

Setting: One academic medical center.

Role of hospitalists in an offsite alternate care center (ACC) for pandemic flu.

Recent concerns about an influenza pandemic have highlighted the need to plan for offsite Alternate Care Centers (ACCs). The likelihood of a successful response to patient surges will depend on the local health systems' ability to prepare well in advance of an influenza pandemic. Our health system has worked closely with our state's medical biodefense network to plan the establishment of an ACC for an influenza pandemic.