Victor K.

Utilization of opioid-free analgesia (OFA) for post-surgical pain is a growing trend to counter the risks of opioid abuse and opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs). However, utilization patterns of OFA have not been examined. In this study, we investigated the utilization patterns and predictors of OFA in a surgical population in the United States.

Laboratory tests are an important contributor to treatment decisions in the emergency department (ED). Rapid turnaround of laboratory tests can optimize ED throughout by reducing the length of stay (LOS) and improving patient outcomes. Despite evidence supporting the effect of shorter turnaround time (TAT) on LOS and outcomes, there is still a lack of large retrospective studies examining these associations. Here, we evaluated the effect of a reduction in laboratory TAT on ED LOS using… Show more

Laboratory tests are an important contributor to treatment decisions in the emergency department (ED). Rapid turnaround of laboratory tests can optimize ED throughout by reducing the length of stay (LOS) and improving patient outcomes. Despite evidence supporting the effect of shorter turnaround time (TAT) on LOS and outcomes, there is still a lack of large retrospective studies examining these associations. Here, we evaluated the effect of a reduction in laboratory TAT on ED LOS using retrospective analysis of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Show less

Despite advances in clinical chemistry testing, poor blood sample quality continues to impact laboratory operations and the quality of results. While previous studies have identified pre-analytical causes of lower sample quality, few studies have examined the economic impact of poor sample quality on the laboratory. Specifically, the costs associated with workarounds related to fibrin and gel contaminants remain largely unexplored.

Patients undergoing cardiac surgery (CS) routinely receive intravenous (IV) crystalloids perioperatively (during and immediately post-surgery). A study using a large US electronic health record database, reported an association between the use of low-chloride IV crystalloids and improved outcomes. Here we examine the association between perioperative crystalloid choice and treatment costs among adults undergoing CS.