Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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Observational Study
Current use, training, and barriers in point-of-care ultrasound in hospital medicine: A national survey of VA hospitals.
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can reduce procedural complications and improve the diagnostic accuracy of hospitalists. Currently, it is unknown how many practicing hospitalists use POCUS, which applications are used most often, and what barriers to POCUS use exist. ⋯ From 2015 to 2020, diagnostic POCUS use increased, while procedural use decreased among hospitalists in the VA system. Lack of POCUS training is currently the most common barrier to POCUS use among hospitalists.
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American Society of Hematology 2021 Guidelines for Management of Venous Thromboembolism: Prevention and Treatment in Patients with Cancer RELEASE DATE: February 23, 2021 PRIOR VERSION(S): n/a DEVELOPER: American Society of Hematology FUNDING SOURCE: American Society of Hematology TARGET POPULATION: Adult patients with cancer.
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Guidelines recommend testing hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) for Legionella pneumophila only if the infection is severe or risk factors are present. There are no validated models for predicting Legionella. ⋯ Although Legionella is an uncommon cause of pneumonia, patient characteristics can identify individuals at high risk, allowing for more efficient testing.
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Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is an important complication of decompensated liver disease. Hospital admission for episodes of HE are very common, with these patients being managed by the hospitalists. These admissions are costly and burdensome to the health-care system. ⋯ Early specialty consultation may be warranted in certain conditions. Numerous challenges exist to optimal care of hospitalized OHE patients. However, hospitalists if equipped with knowledge about a systematic approach to taking care of these frail patients are in an ideal position to ensure good inpatient and transition of care outcomes.