Southern medical journal
-
Personal health behavior can influence the academic development of healthcare students. This study was designed to evaluate the personal health behavior, including sleep time, of healthcare students at a large health sciences center. ⋯ Although most healthcare students report adequate sleep times, more than half of them rate their sleep as fair or poor. In addition, some have poor health habits, including excessive alcohol use. Health science centers should introduce programs to promote healthy behaviors and reduce stress in healthcare students.
-
Southern medical journal · Mar 2020
Improving Critical Value Read-Back Failure Rate by Modifying the Notification Procedure.
The aim of the study was to determine whether a system process change improved successful read-back of critical values by the appropriate provider. ⋯ We recommend the use of the physician who has most recently engaged with the patient as documented in the medical record for the daily note as the primary source of contact for reporting critical values.
-
Southern medical journal · Mar 2020
Utilization of Acid Suppression Medication in an Underserved Population.
Acid suppression therapy (AST), composed of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), histamine-2 receptor blockers, and antacids, is one of the most common medication groups used in the United States. Long-term AST is concerning, however, because it is linked with an increased risk of community-acquired pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infections, bone fractures, and nutritional deficiencies. The potentially harmful biological and economic consequences associated with the improper use of acid suppression medications presents a great deal of risk to those in underserved communities. We sought to determine the prevalence of AST in an underserved population and the common diagnoses and symptoms associated with therapy. In addition, we studied the frequency of suboptimal usage of PPIs in an indigent care population and the potential factors related to high-risk behaviors. ⋯ ASTs are prevalent in low-income populations, and patients are not being managed appropriately to minimize their risk for complications of AST.