Dr. Christopher A. Caulfield, associate professor of medicine and medical director of the UNC Medical Center Observation Unit, is featured in Today’s Hospitalist this month, suggesting hospitalists can safely aid patients by reducing the costs and adverse outcomes associated with unnecessary hospitalization.
Hospitalization is costly, and can be associated with the potential for adverse medical events. Caulfield’s recent study at UNC Medical Center shows that hospitalists are uniquely positioned to help avoid unnecessary emergency department admissions through consultation.
The article recognizes that a lot of time is spent on identifying high-risk patients who should be closely followed, while low-risk patients don’t get the same discussion, documentation or research. The study, published in the American Journal of Managed Care, can be found here.
Caulfield’s interview with Today’s Hospitalist can be found here.