June 2009


a1

Where's the target?

The NICE-SUGAR investigators’ finding that intensive control actually increased mortality among their more than 6,000 ICU patients will lead to a dramatic and rapid change in practice for hospitalists.

Get the germs where they live—in the hospital

An expert delivers good news and bad news about hospital-acquired infections.

Dealing with delirium in older hospitalized adults

This common complication can have serious adverse effects.

Debunking the gospel of heparin for strokes

Portraying heparin as a religion may be an exaggeration, but not so far from the truth.

Bridging the pain gap

The main goals of pain treatment should be to reduce pain to a level that’s tolerable for the patient, decrease suffering, maximize function and minimize adverse outcomes.

Letter from the Editor

Glucose control in the ICU has become a moving target for hospitals and hospitalists alike. Our cover story looks at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American Diabetes Association’s new guidelines on glucose and how the new evidence may affect hospitalists’ practice.

Letter to the Editor

Although a physician in a recent article said that no residency programs exist for NPs and PAs, postgraduate residencies and fellowships for PAs do exist and have for over 30 years.

Lunch with Lynch

Lunch with a former residency director leads to reflections on a career in medicine.

Reporting diabetic manifestations

Diabetes mellitus is on the rise and data regarding its type, manifestations and impact on cost and length of stay are needed to assess the effectiveness of current evaluation and management.

Measure of the month: Advance care plan

In accordance with a law passed by Congress late in 2006, physicians and other eligible professionals are able to receive bonus payments of a percentage (increased to 2%) of their total allowed Medicare charges, subject to a cap, by submitting information for defined quality measures.

MKSAP: Infectious diseases

The following cases and commentary, which address infectious diseases, are excerpted from ACP’s Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP14).

Cold products, digoxin, defibrillators recalled

Drug recalls, warnings, approvals.

Journal watch: Recent studies of note

Recent studies about statins use before stroke, heparin dose after STEMI, and other topics.

In the News

News on trends in hospitalist care, and more.