Key result
Care from 2 hospitalists during the first 3 days of admission was associated with slightly greater odds of new drug toxic effects (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07) compared to a single hospitalist.
Why the study?
While continuity in primary care improves outcomes, less information exists regarding the association of inpatient continuity of care with hospital complications and length of stay.
Does receiving care from multiple hospitalists increase hospital complications and length of stay in hospitalized Medicare enrollees?
Population
617 680 Medicare medical admissions with length of stay longer than 4 days
Comparison
Number of different hospitalists (1 vs 2 vs 3) submitting charges during hospital days 1 to 3
Design
Retrospective cohort study
Authors
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Multiple hospitalists early may slightly raise drug toxicity risk; leaves open whether continuity affects complications in observational data.
Cohort (n=617,680)
Does receiving care from multiple hospitalists increase hospital complications and length of stay in hospitalized Medicare enrollees?
Odds Ratio: 1.04 (95% CI 1.02–1.07)
Receiving care from multiple hospitalists during the first 3 days of admission is not associated with worse length of stay or ICU transfers, though there is a marginal increase in drug toxic effects.
Goodwin et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Medical admissions (n=617,680). Care from multiple (2 or 3) different hospitalists vs. Care from a single hospitalist was evaluated on Overall length of stay and transfer to ICU or a new diagnosis of drug toxic effects on hospital day 4 or later (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07). Care from 2 hospitalists during the first 3 days of admission was associated with slightly greater odds of new drug toxic effects (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.07) compared to a single hospitalist.
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