From the Director
Hi everyone!
Thank you all for the great birthday celebration, and especially for the photo book. I love it, and am glad to have a chance to celebrate with you all. Happy birthday also to Lynsey Michnowicz! We had a lot happening this week, with a great SAR talk by Deng Madut, an awesome chair’s by Sneha Vakamudi, the CIMIGRO med student event at Tyler’s (Chris Hostler gets to go to Tyler’s twice in ONE week!), a really fun lunch in the courtyard on Tuesday (thanks, chiefs, for planning it!), teaching by Joe Brogan captured on film, a farewell to our fantastic ACRs Claire Kappa, Adam Banks and Kevin Trulock, and ongoing Doctoberfest trivia. Other kudos to Jay Mast from Jan Dillard, LCSW at the DOC for great patient-centered care.
In other big news this week…Marc Samsky and Sarah Goldstein got engaged! Erin and I were pretty psyched to have the first ever ring sent to the program office for pre-proposal safekeeping. Also belated engagement congratulations to Bassem Matta, and also to Adam Banks. And a belated wedding congratulations to Rachel Titerance Hughes and Daniel Hughes.
Recruitment officially kicks off this week! We have our Monday night party, and then prelim interview day on Friday, with the first categorical day on Monday Nov 3. Thanks to all who have signed up for dinners, tours, resident share, etc. It’s going to be a great season, and you all are the most important part! The end of the week is the Residency Council’s annual Halloween Party, so get your costumes ready.
Welcome to our new ACRs John Wagener, Iris Vance and Christine Bestvina. We need some Turkey Bowl trash talk to get started before the big game.
In other program news, the ITE scores will be sent to your advisors this week and also to each of you individually. As a program, we did really well this year (great work!), and we will be doing some more analysis to see what areas we can improve on as a group. With thanks to Katie Broderick-Forsgren and GME Concentration mentor Dr. Sue Woods, as well as the ambulatory team, we are looking to improve our ambulatory curriculum. Please pay attention to the upcoming ambulatory evaluations and surveys, and get ready for the introduction of the Ambulatory Online PACE curriculum!
There are two opportunities this week to meet the editor of JAMA! Dr. Howard Bauchner will be speaking Monday at 11:45 in the Trent Siemans Center (med school) on cardiovascular guidelines and then at noon conference on Tuesday about careers in medicine. Please take advantage of these great talks!
This week’s Pubmed from the Program goes to Mike Woodworth for his presentation at ID Week detailing the history and epidemiology of nocardia infections at Duke, as well as his outstanding ID grand rounds “Lung in the time of Nocardia”. Great job, Mike.
Have a great week!
Aimee
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What Did I Read This Week?
Submitted by: Saumil Chudgar, MD
Haubitz S, Hitz F, Graedael L, Batschwaroff M, et al. “Ruling Out Legionella in Community-Acquired Pneumonia.” Am J Med 2014; 127: 1010e11-1010e19.
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WHAT I READ THIS WEEK What I read:Haubitz S, Hitz F, Graedael L, Batschwaroff M, et al. “Ruling Out Legionella in Community-Acquired Pneumonia.” Am J Med 2014; 127: 1010e11-1010e19.
Why did I read this? I was recently on the Duke GM wards, and we had several patients with CAP. As per IDSA guidelines, we treated them either Ceftriaxone + Azithro/Doxy or with a respiratory FQ like Moxi or Levo. The causes of CAP (typicals versus atypicals) and therapy for CAP is one of my favorite questions to ask medical students. We always check people for Legionella even without risk factors and end up including therapy for it with the Azithro or the respiratory FQ. I saw this article so read it to see if it provides an easy method to exclude Legionella. What I learned from reading this/thoughts on the article? The authors sought to validate a predictive score proposed in 2009 that used 6 dichotomous risk factors: Temp > 39.4C, CRP > 189 mg/L, LDH > 225 mmol/L, Platelet count < 171, Na < 133, and “dry cough.” They used a preexisting database and had 1939 eligible patients who had at least 5 of the 6 variables available/recorded. Thirty-seven of these patients were diagnosed with Legionella (1.9%). 34/37 was diagnosed by positive urine Ag, 2 by positive respiratory culture, and 1 by blood culture. Univariate analysis was done with calculated AUC – 5 of the 6 variables had a strong association with Legionella (all but dry cough). Having a score of < 2 (none or only one factor present) had a sensitivity of 94.4% to rule out Legionella in CAP (NPV of 99.6%). The urinary antigen test has a sensitivity of 64 to 88%. The authors suggest that in patients with a score < 2, further testing and coverage for Legionella only be used if the patient is felt to be high-risk for mortality or has a contributory history. I started the article very excited at the idea of a predictive score, but I do not think I am yet ready to use this in clinical practice. I only routinely obtain 4 of these 6 parameters in most patients with CAP whom I take care of – specifically, I rarely get an LDH or CRP unless there is another clinical indication to do so. I am not sure if it is worth adding those on versus getting a urinary Legionella antigen. One could argue the model has a higher sensitivity, but in practice, we do not tend to stop the macrolide if the patient is Legionella negative. So, does “ruling out” Legionella change our practice? The authors appropriately acknowledge studies that have shown potential anti-inflammatory benefits of macrolides even without atypical pneumonia present. I am interested to see how this score is applied further and what impact it may have on clinical practice.[divider]
Clinic Corner
All eligible test results should be followed-up, communicated to patient, and documented at a maximum of within 14 days of result.
All eligible test results with significant/abnormal results should be communicated to patient and documented within no more then 72 hours of test result
RESULTS: 68 second- and third-year residents completed both initial and follow-up self-assessments. A total of 3222 patient encounters with tests ordered by these residents in their own continuity clinics were reviewed; 1713 initially, 1509 in follow-up. Nearly a third (32%) of patients had “significant” results. All three clinics showed improvement; two of three with gains that were statistically significant.
*p-value <0.05
DISCUSSION: The failure to review and follow up on outpatient test results in a timely manner represents a patient safety and malpractice concern. Failures to document follow-up abnormal test results are also common in ambulatory care, averaging 7.1% in one review of 5400 primary care patients, ranging from 1-62% across studies included in a systematic review published in JGIM.
Surveys have found widespread dissatisfaction by primary care providers with their current systems to manage abnormal test results. Physicians who actively tracked their test orders to completion were also more likely to report being satisfied.
The good news is that when confronted with these facts in their own practice, however, residents responded by working to improve that practice – and succeeding!
(Sources: Int J Med Inform. 2003;71(2-3):137-49. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(12):1123. J Gen Intern Med. 2011;27(10):1334.)
A cross-sectional survey of 216 primary care physicians (PCPs) that utilize a single electronic medical record (EMR) without computer-based clinical decision support.
The overall response rate was 65% (140/216Therefore, we sought to identify problems in current test result management systems and possible ways to improve these systems.
METHODS:
We surveyed 262 physicians working in 15 internal medicine practices affiliated with 2 large urban teaching hospitals (response rate, 64%). We asked physicians about systems they used and the amount of time they spent managing test results. We asked them to report delays in reviewing test results and their overall satisfaction with their management of test results. We also asked physicians to rate features they would find useful in a new test result management system.
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From the Chief Residents
Grand Rounds
Fri., Oct. 31: General Medicine, Dr. David Edelman
Noon Conference
| Date | Topic | Lecturer | Time | Vendor |
| 10/27/14 | Ebola | Cameron Wolfe | 12:15/Room 2002 | Rudinos |
| 10/28/14 | JAMA Editor In Chief | Howard Bauchner | 12:00/Room 2002 | Dominos |
| 10/29/14 | Inpatient Geriatric Medicine: Management & Pearls | H. Whitson | 12:15/Room 2002 | We Care Wednesday |
| 10/30/14 | Library Overview | Megan Von Isenburg | 12:00/Room 2001 | Subway |
| 10/31/14 | Research Conference | 12:00/Room 2002 | Panera |
From the Residency Office
Recruitment Kick-Off!
October 27th- Recruitment Kick Off Tonight! Join us at City Beverage at 7pm for appetizers, drinks, and a fun start to this season. We hope you can make it!Pin Station Re-located
The pin station is the MedRes library has been re-configured so that images can be projected on the large screen for report. If you need an individual pin station for work, please feel free to use the one in the front cubicle of the MedRes office, suite 8254.Open Enrollment for Benefits Begins 10/27/14!
Enrollment Period is from October 27th – November 7th 2014.
Open Enrollment is the only time of year when all Duke employees can enroll in or change their medical, dental, vision and reimbursement account benefit selections. If you have questions about Open Enrollment, please contact Jill Watkins at 684-2897.
Housestaff Healthcare, Dental and Vision Premiums 2015
If you take no action during Open Enrollment, the selections you made for 2014 for your medical, dental, and vision coverage will continue for 2015. However, to continue to use a reimbursement account, you must re-enroll for 2015.
Reminder: Your coverage term for benefits through Duke HR is one year. Changes in plan coverage can only be made outside of the Open Enrollment period for life changing events.
Qualifying events include, but are not limited to:
- Marriage, divorce, or legal separation,
- Birth or adoption (or placement of adoption) of a child,
- Death of a covered dependent,
- Loss or gain of eligibility for insurance coverage for you or a covered dependent (coverage must not be a student or individual policy),
- Change in spouse's employment status, and
- Change in health insurance eligibility due to a relocation of residence or work place.
- Change in your child's full-time student status(marriage, death, baby, job, etc).
Job changes within Duke (e.g. GME to Duke Faculty) are not considered a life changing event. Please keep this in mind when you finalize your enrollment.
New Badge-Backers Required by GME
If you have not already done so, please come by the MedRes office as soon as possible and pick up your new badge backer that is required by GME. The backers indicate your level of training via a color-coded system and are necessary to ensure appropriate levels of supervision are in place at all times. In addition, they more clearly ID you as a Doctor to all patients, visitors and staff!CLER Visit Information
As part of the ACGME Accreditation System, we will participate in a CLER (Clinical Learning Environment Review) at some point during the current academic year. We will only be given 2-weeks notice prior to the visit. There is a large amount of helpful information, for both faculty and trainees, located in the Resource/Documents area of MedHub, as well as this great informational flyer put together by the GME office. Please take time to review it and if you have any questions about the visit, do not hesitate to contact the MedRes office or the GME office.Doctoberfest is Coming to an End!
DOCTOBERFEST IS HERE! “This is OUR Community” October 1-31, 2014
Thank you to everyone who has planned for an participated in our annual Doctoberfest celebration! Look for some special treats on Halloween as we mark the end of Doctoberfest and the beginning of Recruitment!
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Fun Lunch Day -Taco Tuesday[/caption]
How Do YOU Go Green? – Ride a bike to work? Use a recyclable water bottle? We want to hear how YOU Go Green both at home and at work! Please feel free to come by the MedRes office and post your ideas on our Go Green wall, or submit them online using the link below. All submissions will be entered in our weekly drawings for gifts and prizes and all of the ideas will be compiled and shared at the end of the month. Bleed Blue/Live Green!!
https://duke.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9TBHGku53op13uJ
Flu Vaccination Update
**Please Note: There has been an issue with the EOHW reporting system not showing compliance even if you got your shot at a Duke facility. If you have gotten your flu shot but are still showing as non-compliant, please contact the MedRes office. If you have not yet gotten your shot, please see the information below for locations where you can have it done. If you have any questions, please call EOHW 684-3136A schedule of vaccination clinics is posted on the employee intranet at https://intranet.dm.duke.edu/influenza/Lists/Calendar/calendar.aspx. This list will be updated throughout the flu season. Vaccination is also available at Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) during business hours.
If you have questions about the flu vaccine or its availability, please visit the DUHS Influenza Resource Guide or duke.edu/flu, ask your manager or contact EOHW.
Together, we can stop the flu. Thank you for your commitment to keeping our patients, and our community, safe and healthy.
Register Now for BLS Blitz - November 10-14, 2014
Use the Swank system to register for BLS classes. If you do not have an account in Swank contact the DHTS Service Desk 919-684-2243 to establish an account. You may register for one session. Detailed Registration Instructions and Informational Flyer When you attend class, arrive 15 minutes before session begins and you must have your:- Class Registration Confirmation
- Duke ID Badge
- AHA BLS Healthcare Provider Manual 2010
Trent Center Colloquium Series
Please join us at the Trent Semans Center for Health Education, Room 4030 for this upcoming colloquium and forward to interested faculty, students, residents and fellows. Space is limited. RSVP by Wednesday, November 5: trent-center@duke.edu. The slow food movement has transformed the ways we think about eating. Could a ”slow medicine” movement transform the ways we think about illness and health? In this discussion of the work of the physician, historian, and writer, Victoria Sweet, we will consider what it means to renew the practice of medicine. Abraham Nussbaum, MD, MA directs the adult inpatient psychiatric service at Denver Health. His research interests include the history of psychiatry, medical professionalism, psychiatric diagnosis, and the treatment of people with schizophrenia. The Trent Center Colloquium Series explores interdisciplinary topics in ethics and the social and cultural aspects of medicine. It is an opportunity for interested faculty, students, residents and fellows to both engage with current scholarship and, through informal, lively conversation, find avenues for collaborative exchange. This talk is also part of the Theology, Culture and Medicine Seminar Series co-sponsored by the Duke Divinity School and the Trent Center.Information/Opportunities
Career Fair-Chapel Hill Biomedical Informatics Research Training Opportunity Des Moines IM Opportunities STL_NocturnistFlyer STL__GenInternalMedicineFlyer Internal Medicine opportunities http://www.merritthawkins.com/ www.mountainmedsearch.com www.nhpartners.comUpcoming Dates and Events
October 27, 2014 - Recruitment Kick-Off Event
December 13, 2014 - DoM Holiday Party
November 27, 2014 - Turkey Bowl
Useful links
- https://intranet.dm.duke.edu/influenza/SitePages/Home.aspx
- http://duke.exitcareoncall.com/.
- Main Internal Medicine Residency website
- Main Curriculum website
- Ambulatory curriculum wiki
- Department of Medicine
- Confidential Comment Line Note: ALL submissions are strictly confidential unless you chose to complete the optional section requesting a response