Development of an Oral Care Multidisciplinary Initiative in an Acute Care Community Hospital: Framework, Timeline, and Outcomes.

Purpose Published literature universally supports the provision of oral care in acute care settings to decrease hospital-acquired aspiration pneumonia (HAAP) events. This evidence-based practice project aimed to implement a comprehensive oral care initiative to reduce a problematic HAAP rate. Method Through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, the project scope included an assessment of the current state of oral care delivery, development of an Oral Care Task Force, creation of risk stratification criteria with recommended oral care products, and robust education for the clinical staff.

Increasing diabetic patient engagement and self-reported medication adherence using a web-based multimedia program.

Background And Purpose: Evidence-based, multimedia applications to supplement clinical care can improve patient engagement and clinical outcomes. Patients with diabetes with potentially devastating complication of foot ulcers present a substantial opportunity to improve engagement. This project examines how providing an online, multimedia self-management program affects patient engagement and self-reported medication adherence scores within 4-6 weeks compared with preprogram scores.

Large-Scale Hospital Mattress Switch-Out Leads to Reduction Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers: Operationalization of a Multidisciplinary Task Force.

Background: Identifying strategies to protect patients most at risk for hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPU) is essential. HAPUs have significant impact on patients and their families and have profound cost and reimbursement implications.

Aims: This article describes the successful implementation of a hospital-wide mattress switch-out program using a Multidisciplinary Task Force, which resulted in a decrease in HAPUs and significant cost savings.

Radiographic findings of anastomotic leaks.

Although computed tomography (CT) scans play an important role in the diagnosis and management of anastomotic leaks (AL), there is no consensus on what radiographic findings are associated with AL. The purpose of this study is to identify the most common CT scan findings associated with AL and whether the amount of extraluminal air or the density of extraluminal fluid can be correlated with the presence of an AL. A retrospective chart review of 210 patients with anastomotic leaks from 2003 to 2010 at Mount Sinai Medical Center was performed.