Biomedical subjects
K Kroenke
Publications and source records attributed to K Kroenke.
Improving house staff ordering of three common laboratory tests. Reductions in test ordering need not result in underutilization.
Most studies of modifying test ordering have focused on costs. Questions not addressed are whether programs to reduce testing lead to a higher proportion of clinically indicated tests and is underutilization an adverse outcome of such programs? To investigate this, we studied the house staff's ordering of three common laboratory tests at baseline and after educational and administrative interventions. Over a 2-year period, 3,603 urine cultures, sputum cultures, and admission urinalyses were reviewed. A lecture emphasizing the indications for these tests followed by chart audit and weekly feedback increased the proportion of clinically indicated tests. Subsequently, an administrative intervention requiring the intern to list the reason for ordering the test on the laboratory request form further improved test ordering. Underutilization, defined as a failure to order a potentially indicated test, was assessed during two representative periods. The "underutilization rate" (omitted tests per 100 patients) was no worse during maximal intervention than it was 9 months after the last intervention (7.7 vs. 11.1, NS). No immediate adverse consequences resulted from tests not ordered. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to selectively reduce the ordering of unnecessary tests without sacrificing quality of care.
Paramedical consultations: the role of nonphysician health care providers in the care of hospitalized patients.
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Accepting illness: reflections on an essay by Montaigne.
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The value of serum magnesium determination in hypertensive patients receiving diuretics.
Some clinicians contend that hypomagnesemia is a common problem in patients receiving diuretic therapy and that routine serum magnesium determinations may be indicated in such patients. We determined serum magnesium (Mg++) levels in 354 patients with uncomplicated hypertension. No significant difference was observed in the mean Mg++ between the 245 diuretic-treated patients and the 109 patients not receiving diuretics, 0.965 vs 0.97 mmol/L (1.93 vs 1.94 mEq/L). When analyzed by type of diuretic, there were statistically significant differences in the mean serum Mg++ concentrations between those receiving thiazides, 0.94 mmol/L (1.87 mEq/L); those receiving no diuretics, 0.97 mmol/L (1.94 mEq/L); and those receiving triamterene-containing diuretics, 1.01 mmol/L (2.01 mEq/L). These absolute differences, however, were clinically quite small, and hypomagnesemia was uncommon. Neither patient age, the duration of diuretic use, nor the serum potassium level correlated with Mg++. With respect to dose, those receiving 100 mg/d of hydrochlorothiazide had the lowest Mg++ concentrations and the greatest prevalence of hypomagnesemia (12%), defined as Mg++ less than 0.75 mmol/L (1.5 mEq/L). Serum Mg++ need not routinely be determined in patients with uncomplicated hypertension who are receiving triamterene-containing diuretics or low-dose (50 mg/d or less) hydrochlorothiazide.
Functional assessment of the elderly. A comparison of standard instruments with clinical judgment.
Using specific instruments and scales to measure mental status, nutritional state, visual acuity, gait, and activities of daily living, we studied 79 medical inpatients aged 70 years or older. We then interviewed the patients' primary physicians and nurses and asked them to rate their patients. The prevalence of functional impairment was high: 25 (32%) of the 79 patients were mentally impaired, 31 (39%) were malnourished, 18 (23%) were visually impaired, 31 (39%) had impaired gait, and 23 (29%) had problems with continence. Although clinicians recognized severe impairments, the sensitivity of their clinical judgment was poor in detecting moderate impairment in four categories: mental status sensitivity was 28% (5/18); nutrition, 54% (14/26); vision, 27% (4/15); and continence, 42% (5/12). With clinical judgment alone, physicians and nurses correctly identify severe impairment, but the more prevalent moderate impairments in mental status, nutrition, vision, and continence are poorly recognized. Comprehensive functional assessment instruments can detect these moderate impairments, which may be remediable through early intervention.
Ambulatory care: practice imperfect.
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Using filing cards to document and computerize procedures performed by internal medicine residents.
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Ongoing patient randomization: an innovation in medical care research.
Hospitals often have rotational assignment of patients to one of several similar provider care teams. The research potential of these arrangements has gone unnoticed. By changing to random assignment of patients and physicians to provider care teams (firms) this kind of organization can be used for sequential, randomized clinical trials which are ethical and efficient. The paper describes such arrangements at three different hospitals: Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Brooke Army Medical Center, and University Hospitals of Cleveland. Associated methodologic issues are discussed. This is a new, more widely applicable method for medical care research.
Book reviews in medical journals.
In a study of book reviews published in four general medical journals over a six-month period, 480 reviews were analyzed. Twenty-five features that reviewers address when evaluating a text were identified, and the frequency of commentary for each feature was determined. The mean number of features addressed per review was 9.0. Reviews averaged 389 words, but review length did not correlate with the length or scope of the book, with the number of features addressed, nor with the reviewer's assessment of the text. Extraneous commentary by the reviewer occurred in 16% of the reviews. This editorializing appeared in lengthier reviews that addressed fewer features. Favorable reviews were far more common than unfavorable ones (88.5% vs. 11.5%). Consequently, for the fifty-five books reviewed in more than one journal, agreement regarding rating of the text was high (86%). Results of this study may provide useful guidelines for reviewers of medical texts.
Polypharmacy. Causes, consequences, and cure.
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The case presentation. Stumbling blocks and stepping stones.
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Acute renal failure after digital subtraction angiography.
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Sphygmomanometry: the correct arm position.
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