Rural, Underserved, and Minority Populations' Perceptions of COVID-19 Information, Testing, and Vaccination: Report from a Southern State.

The purpose of this project was to survey rural, minority, and underserved Alabamians regarding their perceptions of COVID-19 information, testing, and vaccination. Community health workers surveyed 3721 individuals from October 20-December 31, 2020. Participants came from 46 of Alabama's 67 counties (35 rural and 11 urban counties) and were largely Black (69.

Differences in Routine Laboratory Ordering Between a Teaching Service and a Hospitalist Service at a Single Academic Medical Center.

Objectives: Studies have shown that the overutilization of laboratory tests ("labs") for hospitalized patients is common and can cause adverse health outcomes. Our objective was to compare the ordering tendencies for routine complete blood counts (CBC) and chemistry panels by internal medicine residents and hospitalists.

Methods: This observational study included a survey of medicine residents and hospitalists and a retrospective analysis of labs ordering data.

The effect of hospitalist discontinuity on adverse events.

Background: Patient-physician continuity is difficult to achieve in hospital settings because of the need to provide care continuously. The impact of hospital physician discontinuity on patient safety is unknown.

Objective: To determine the association between hospital physician continuity and the incidence of adverse events (AEs).

The impact of hospitalist discontinuity on hospital cost, readmissions, and patient satisfaction.

Background: Achieving patient-physician continuity is difficult in the inpatient setting, where care must be provided continuously. Little is known about the impact of hospital physician discontinuity on outcomes.

Objective: To determine the association between hospital physician continuity and percentage change in median cost of hospitalization, 30-day readmission, and patient satisfaction with physician communication.

Patient experiences after hospitalizations for elective surgery.

Background: Little is known from patients' perspective about the quality of postdischarge care and the causes of rehospitalization after elective surgery.

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted.

Results: Of 400 patient participants, 374 completed the 30-day follow-up questionnaire (completion rate, 94%).