Recurrent acute pancreatitis: a harbinger for irreversible chronic pancreatitis.

Recurrent acute pancreatitis is beginning to be recognized as an intermediary stage in the continuous spectrum between acute and chronic pancreatitis. It is crucial to identify this disease stage and intervene with diagnostic and therapeutic modalities to prevent the painful and irreversible condition of chronic pancreatitis. We review the recent advances in diagnosing and managing this important 'call for action' condition.

An examination of the most expensive adult hospitalizations in America.

Background: While no hospitalization is inexpensive, some are extremely costly. Learning from these exceptions is critical. The patients and conditions that ultimately translate into the most exorbitant adult hospitalizations have not been characterized.

Acute Pancreatitis: The Increasing Role of Medical Management of a Traditionally Surgically Managed Disease.

Management of acute pancreatitis and its complications has rapidly evolved in recent years. The earlier pillars of management that included prolonged bowel rest, empiric intravenous antibiotics, and early surgical intervention for complications such as pancreatic necrosis have become much less common. The latest evidence-based approaches to acute pancreatitis are taking almost a diametrically different path to previous management.

Hospitalist Infectious Disease Service in Academic Medical Centers: A Win-Win for Hospitalists and Fellows.

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Does sepsis treatment differ between primary and overflow intensive care units?

Background: Sepsis is a major cause of death in hospitalized patients. Early goal-directed therapy is the standard of care. When primary intensive care units (ICUs) are full, sepsis patients are cared for in overflow ICUs.