Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives
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J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect · Sep 2020
Patients' reasons for missing scheduled clinic appointments and their solutions at a major urban-based academic medical center.
Patients that do not show up for scheduled clinic appointments affect the quality of healthcare provided. This study aimed to recognize the reasons behind missing scheduled appointments and understand possible solutions from the patient's perspective. ⋯ The patients should be aware of different appointment reminders options and have the freedom to choose a suitable reminder. Patients should be educated about the importance of calling to cancel the appointment since some of the reasons for no show are unpreventable.
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J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect · Sep 2020
An interfaith dialogue with Sir William Osler: crossing the divide of COVID-19 pandemic.
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests, the USA (US) has become extensively polarized across social and political divides. The COVID-19 pandemic has left tens of thousands dead and several million American citizens without work. Furthermore, the months of quarantine and uncertainty with the COVID-19 virus impacted the economic stability and health of Americans. ⋯ A physician that exemplified many aspects interfaith dialogue in his clinical practice and personal life was the late Sir William Osler. This will be accomplished through a fictional dialogue between Sir William Osler and Dr. Mark Webb.
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J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect · Jan 2019
Reducing substance abuse in patients receiving prescription opioids for chronic non-cancer pain: a quality improvement and patient safety study in a primary care setting.
Background: Chronic non-cancer pain is a common cause of primary care physicians' office visits. Objective: To determine the impact of adopting screening and monitoring measures in primary care settings on the illicit substance use behavior of patients receiving opioid analgesic prescriptions. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of data on patients who were prescribed opioid analgesics for chronic non-cancer pain between 2014 and 2017 Q1 (i.e., first quarter of 2017). ⋯ Conclusion: Adopting a system-wide screening and monitoring measures in a primary care setting can significantly reduce the amount of illicit drug use among patients receiving an opioid prescription for non-cancer pain. This has important implications for patient safety and the current opioid epidemic in the USA. Further studies are needed to evaluate similar interventions in other settings such as a pain clinic.
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J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect · Jan 2019
Case ReportsEruptive xanthoma associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia and poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Eruptive xanthoma is characterized by yellowish skin papules encircled by an erythematous halo and associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia above 2,000 mg/dl. Hypertriglyceridemia can be caused by primary genetic mutations, secondary causes, such as uncontrolled diabetes, obesity, alcohol overuse, or combinations of both. Eruptive xanthoma can serve as an important clinical indicator of underlying systemic conditions (e.g. hypertriglyceridemia and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus). It is important for clinicians to recognize it to prevent further complications such as pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease.
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J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect · Jan 2018
Morbidity pattern and outcome of patients admitted in a coronary care unit: a report from a secondary hospital in southern region, Saudi Arabia.
Background: There is limited information about the clinical profile and outcome on patients admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) in Saudi Arabia is available. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate reasons for admission, clinical characteristics, outcome and predictors of outcome in CCU patients. Materials and methods: The data of 392 patients admitted to the CCU of a secondary care centre in southern region of Saudi Arabia from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 were collected. ⋯ Conclusion: The reasons for admission to the CCU were acute coronary syndrome, heart failure and cardiac arrest. Mortality among CCU patient was comparable to reports elsewhere. Cardiac arrest and age greater than 50 years were independent predictors of death.