With what we now know about opioid misuse and abuse, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that only abuse-resistant/deterrent medications are used for our patients taking ER/LA opioid medications.

Robert Wachter, MD, assured attendees at Hospital Medicine 2013 that trends point to the ongoing health of the profession of hospital medicine, even in the face of increasing pressures to provide more and more care in the outpatient setting.

The complex world of Medicare reimbursement is about to get even more complicated as CMS moves from a fee-for-service reimbursement plan to value-based payments.

Esophageal pH monitoring is more cost effective than the long-term use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), since it can help rule out gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD) and avoid the unneeded costs associated with prolonged medication therapy.

Achieving safe, effective pain control for inpatients can challenge even experienced clinicians. Components of successful pain control include avoiding pain crises while still steering clear of respiratory depression, being confident with equianalgesic calculations, and transitioning to the outpatient setting.

While it’s important for nutrition and an integral part of patients’ lives, food also plays a role in functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Andrew J. Muir, MD, MHS, said having more antiviral hepatitis C drugs in the pipeline could spur more people to accept treatment and improve patient outcomes.

For practices enrolled in the Guideline Advantage program that aims to reduce risks for chronic disease, there is considerable variation in hypertension and hyperlipidemia control and in tobacco screening.

Marijuana use is associated with lower levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance and with smaller waist circumference.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) has introduced several high-prevalence diagnoses at the boundary of normality which is likely to lead to considerable false-positive rates and unnecessary treatment.

In patients with inflammatory diseases without diabetes, treatment with low-dose prednisolone has deleterious effects on carbohydrate metabolism.

Sorting through and demystifying the toolkit of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and other psychiatric medications available to hospital physicians.

Matthew Martinez, MD, FACC, discussed warfarin alternatives and newer mechanical and interventional strategies for the management of atrial fibrillation at Hospital Medicine 2013.

Researchers present surprising new data at Hospital Medicine 2013 about venous thromboembolism prophylaxis implementation, along with novel approaches to integrating primary care and hospital management of very ill patients.

Medication reconciliation at the time of admission as well as at patient discharge can prevent significant harm from adverse drug events, yet many providers feel they don’t have time to take this important step.