Physician Responsiveness to Positive Blood Culture Results at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital-Is Anyone Paying Attention?

Background: Patients presenting with suspected infections are typically placed on empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. With mounting evidence supporting the efficacy of using the narrowest spectrum of antimicrobial therapy to cover the suspected pathogen, current guidelines recommend decreasing the breadth of coverage in response to culture results both in relation to microbe identification and antibiotic sensitivity.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of electronic health records at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Minnesota was performed for 208 positive blood cultures with antibiotic spectrum analysis from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016.

Surgical management of the patient living with autism.

Background: Although 1 in 59 children currently born are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known on how to best manage those patients who require surgical intervention.The purpose of this study is to (1) investigate the best care strategies for surgical patients living with autism spectrum disorder (2) provide recommendations on how to apply those strategies to clinical practice.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to investigate the best clinical practices for optimizing surgical care for individuals living with autism spectrum disorder.

Efficacy of telehealth visits for postoperative care at the Minneapolis VA.

Background: About half of Minneapolis VA patients reside in rural areas, receiving their primary care at a Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). Although some CBOC's are over 200 miles away, patients must travel to the Twin Cities for surgical services.

Methods: The 167 consecutive patients who opted for telehealth postoperative visits were surveyed.

The Opioid Epidemic and the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.

America is suffering from an epidemic of opioid misuse that has been attributed to the narcotic prescribing practices of physicians. This article focuses on the State of Minnesota and the role that its Board of Medical Practice (BMP) played in this crisis. It presents a review of guidelines issued by the BMP over the last 30 years, showing that it followed national trends in emphasizing increased prescribing of narcotics for pain up until last year, when a much more cautious and nuanced approach to opioid prescribing was advised.

Results of Immediate Discharge From Postanesthesia Care Unit to Home After Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Nonperforated Appendicitis.

Background: This study examines the efficacy and safety of immediate discharge from the postanesthesia care unit after laparoscopic appendectomy for patients with acute nonperforated appendicitis.

Methods: A retrospective study of 114 laparoscopic appendectomy cases was performed. Seventy-four patients met inclusion criteria of having uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Telemedicine for postoperative visits at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Results of a needs assessment study.

The Minneapolis VA Medical Center initiated a telemedicine program in the early 1990s as a way to streamline care and increase convenience for patients and clinicians. In this study, we explored employing telemedicine for postoperative visits for patients in the general surgery clinic. We surveyed 346 veterans about their preferred method of follow-up.