A Prospective Multimodal Education Intervention for Providers Does Not Increase Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Rates.

Background: Over 50% of hospitalizations from hepatic encephalopathy (HE) are preventable, but patients often do not receive medical treatment.

Aims: To use a multimodal education intervention (MMEI) to increase HE treatment rates and to evaluate (1) trends in HE treatment, (2) predictors of receiving treatment, and (3) the impact of treatment on hospitalization outcomes.

Methods: Prospective single-center cohort study of patients hospitalized with HE from April 1, 2020-September 30, 2022.

Mortality Increased Among Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis Before and Following Different Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted patient care and worsened the morbidity and mortality of some chronic diseases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalizations and outcomes in patients with cirrhosis both before and during different time periods of the pandemic has not been evaluated.

Aims: Describe characteristics of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and evaluate inpatient mortality and 30-day readmission before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illicit Drug Use and Endoscopy: When Do We Say No?

Background: Illicit drug use (IDU) is often encountered in patients undergoing elective ambulatory surgical procedures such as endoscopy. Given the variety of systemic effects of these drugs, sedation and anesthetics are believed to increase the risk of cardiopulmonary complications during procedures. Procedural cancelations are common, regardless of the drug type, recency of use, and total dosage consumed.