Comparison of the quality of patient referrals from physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.

Objective: To compare the quality of referrals of patients with complex medical problems from nurse practitioners (NPs), physician assistants (PAs), and physicians to general internists.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparison study involving regional referrals to an academic medical center from January 1, 2009, through December 31, 2010. All 160 patients referred by NPs and PAs combined and a random sample of 160 patients referred by physicians were studied.

The transition from an analog to a digital echocardiography laboratory: the Mayo experience.

Our echocardiography laboratory has completed the transition from an analog to a digital imaging laboratory. The process involved a thorough analysis of the practice and design of a complete digital solution. After an effective implementation of a robust reporting solution, the transition to digital imaging ensued.