Leveraging machine learning to enhance appointment adherence at a novel post-discharge care transition clinic.

Objective: This study applies predictive analytics to identify patients at risk of missing appointments at a novel post-discharge clinic (PDC) in a large academic health system. Recognizing the critical role of appointment adherence in the success of new clinical ventures, this research aims to inform future targeted interventions to increase appointment adherence.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed electronic health records (EHRs) capturing a wide array of demographic, socio-economic, and clinical variables from 2168 patients with scheduled appointments at the PDC from September 2022 to August 2023.

Use of a Novel Standardized Administration Protocol Reduces Agitation Pro Re Nata (PRN) Medication Requirements: The Birmingham Agitation Management (BAM) Initiative.

Background: Agitation management is a principal challenge on inpatient psychiatric units. Overreliance on common prescribing strategies of pro re nata (PRN) medication administration is problematic, given the tendencies to have overlapping or unclear indications.

Objective: Piloted project to determine whether a standardized protocol for agitation intervention may reduce PRN medication administration.

Establishing Care Post Discharge Following a Heart Failure Hospitalization in an Uninsured Heart Failure Population.

Multidisciplinary interprofessional outpatient care improves mortality for patients with heart failure (HF) but is underutilized. We sought to identify factors associated with not establishing outpatient care among uninsured individuals with HF. We included uninsured individuals referred to an interprofessional clinic after a hospitalization with HF from 2016 to 2019.

Food Link: A Partnership Providing Healthy Foods to Food Insecure Patients.

Background: Defined as an economic and social condition characterized by uncertain access to adequate food, food insecurity (FI) is associated with negative health outcomes and higher health care costs.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to discuss the implementation and results of Food Link, a population-based FI program serving vulnerable populations in Birmingham, Alabama.

Methods: Academic, clinical, and community partners implemented Food Link in two free clinics serving patients with diabetes and heart failure.