Evaluating outpatient diagnostic stewardship of comprehensive polymerase chain reaction testing in a regional health system.

Objective: We examined the use of comprehensive and targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of infection (CDI) among immunocompetent patients with and without CDI risk factors across different outpatient settings. A priori, we expected patients with higher CDI risk to be associated with targeted testing to reflect providers incorporating pretest risk factors in their choice of test assay.

Design: Retrospective analysis of adult patients from clinic, emergency room, and non-medically acute inpatient settings.

Associations of statin use with 30-day adverse outcomes among 4 801 406 US Veterans with and without SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study.

Objective: To estimate associations of statin use with hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality at 30 days among individuals with and without a positive test for SARS-CoV-2.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: US Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Association between duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis and postoperative outcomes after lumbar spine surgery.

Objectives: To describe the association between duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) and 30-day surgical site infection (SSI), 7-day acute kidney injury (AKI), 90-day infection (CDI), prolonged hospitalization, and 30-day reoperation after lumbar spine surgery for noninfectious indications, and to report adherence to current guidelines.

Design: Survey.

Participants And Setting: The study cohort comprised 6,198 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery for noninfectious indications across 137 Veterans' Health Administration surgery centers between 2016 and 2020.

The Incidence of Diabetes Among 2,777,768 Veterans With and Without Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Objective: To examine associations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection/coronavirus disease 2019 with incident diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Veterans Health Administration data. We defined all patients without preexisting diabetes with one or more nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021; n = 126,710) as exposed and those with no positive swab and one or more laboratory tests (1 March 2020-31 March 2021; n = 2,651,058) as unexposed.

Prior Glucose-Lowering Medication Use and 30-Day Outcomes Among 64,892 Veterans With Diabetes and COVID-19.

Objective: To identify preinfection risk factors for adverse outcomes among veterans with diabetes and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Research Design And Methods: We identified all Veterans Health Administration patients with diabetes and one or more positive nasal swab(s) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (1 March 2020-10 March 2021) ( = 64,892). We examined associations of HbA and glucose-lowering medication use with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality at 30 days using logistic regression models and during 4.

Risk factors for adverse outcomes among 35 879 veterans with and without diabetes after diagnosis with COVID-19.

Introduction: Risk factors and mediators of associations of diabetes with COVID-19 outcomes are unclear.

Research Design And Methods: We identified all veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare with ≥1 positive nasal swab for SARS-CoV-2 (28 February-31 July 2020; n=35 879). We assessed associations of diabetes (with and without insulin use) with hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death at 30 days, and with hazard of death until the censoring date.