Advanced Practice Providers' Perceptions of Patient Workload: Results of a Multi-Institutional Survey.

Objective: This study examines data collected from a survey of advanced practice providers' (APPs') perceptions of reasonable versus actual APP-to-patient ratios and other factors that affect workload burden in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings.

Background: Advanced practice providers provide accessible, cost-effective, and quality care in a growing number of specialty practices across multiple patient care settings. They are caring for higher volumes of patients and assuming more responsibilities while continuing to navigate highly complex healthcare systems.

Minimizing hypoglycemia in the wake of a tight glycemic control protocol in hospitalized patients.

Healthcare professionals are struggling with how to best balance tight glycemic control while minimizing the potential for hypoglycemia in hospitalized patients. This article details an organizational quality improvement plan to prevent and appropriately treat hypoglycemia in the acute care setting. Innovative educational modalities coupled with electronic tracking of hypoglycemic events can reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia.

Evaluation of hospital glycemic control at US academic medical centers.

Objective: To evaluate contemporary hospital glycemic management in US academic medical centers.

Design: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients discharged from 37 academic medical centers between July 1 and September 30, 2004; 1,718 eligible adult patients met at least 1 of the inclusion criteria: 2 consecutive blood glucose readings >180 mg/dL within 24 hours, or insulin treatment at any time during hospitalization. We assessed 3 consecutive measurement days of glucose values, glycemic therapy, and additional clinical and laboratory characteristics.

Translation to practice: developing an evidence-based practice nurse internship program.

Creating a culture of inquiry in which nurses are engaged in the pursuit of the best evidence to support nursing practice ultimately improves patient care and clinical outcomes. So, how do we do that? Implementation of an evidence-based practice nurse internship program has proven to be a key ingredient for success in stimulating critical thinking and subsequent analysis of the evidence behind nursing practice. A pragmatic approach to developing and sustaining an evidence-based practice nurse internship program can be a helpful guide for those who are considering a similar proposition.

Metabolic syndrome in the acute care setting.

The metabolic syndrome is a clinical condition that is a powerful predictor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension, abdominal obesity, high blood glucose levels, and abnormal blood lipid levels characterize metabolic syndrome. Therapeutic treatment of the metabolic syndrome confers a significant risk reduction for both type 2 diabetes and premature cardiovascular events.