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ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

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  • Study: ICU patients' in-hospital mortality rate declined

    In-hospital mortality among patients in the ICU increased during the COVID-19 pandemic but returned to prepandemic levels by April 2022, according to a study presented at a meeting of the American Thoracic Society and published in JAMA. The study, which covered data from 2014 to 2023, found ICU patients in 2023 were older and more acutely ill and had more comorbidities compared with 2014. Healio (free registration) (6/10) Learn More

  • APIC, Leapfrog concerned over infection prevention cuts

    Some infection control professionals are being laid off and infection prevention programs are being cut by hospitals facing financial pressures, leading the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology and The Leapfrog Group to raise concerns about patient safety. Devin Jopp, CEO of APIC, says he is surprised that IP programs and staff are targets for cuts considering the importance of preventing patients from getting infections.  Chief Healthcare Executive (6/5) Learn More

  • Why the operational definition of sepsis needs an update

    Dr. Michael Klompas of Brigham and Women's Hospital discusses why he and Dr. Chanu Rhee are advocating for an update to the operational definition of sepsis. "There is broad agreement across infectious disease, emergency medicine, hospitalist, pharmacy and infection control professional societies that current sepsis recommendations are too expansive," Klompas said. Healio (free registration) (6/3) Learn More

  • Clinicians report middling EHR experiences

    A KLAS Arch Collaborative report shows most clinicians have a mediocre experience with electronic health records, with only 22% of nurses and 18% of physicians reporting a strong or elite experience. The report highlights that ambient speech technology and improved user interfaces have helped, but documentation burden and interoperability remain issues. HIT Consultant (6/11) Learn More

  • Pharmacists can play key role in cardiovascular health

    The pharmacist's role can offer important support for patients' cardiovascular health by combining medication management with nutrition-focused strategies, writes pharmacist Megan Smith. By using a "food as medicine" approach, pharmacists can leverage their regular patient interactions to provide education and optimize treatment plans for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Pharmacy Times (6/11) Learn More

  • Health systems prepare workforce for AI-driven future

    Hospitals and health systems are preparing their workforces for a future driven by artificial intelligence, launching initiatives such as Mercy's AI Dev Days, Stanford Health Care's AI 101 course and CommonSpirit Health's AI Learning Academy. The programs aim to provide hands-on experience and a baseline understanding of AI, emphasizing the importance of workforce education in effectively implementing new technologies. Becker's Hospital Review (6/9) Learn More

  • Race, ethnicity affect AFib outcomes among veterans

    Racial and ethnic disparities occurred in atrial fibrillation outcomes among 157,332 Veterans Health Administration patients, according to a study in JACC: Advances. Black patients have a 14% higher stroke risk than white patients, though Black, Asian and Hispanic patients are less likely to die from stroke. The study, led by the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, highlights the need for equitable access to atrial fibrillation treatments and addresses socioeconomic factors. Medscape (6/11) Learn More

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