Consistent engagement with current medical literature enables clinicians to apply the latest evidence-based treatment and integrate research into clinical practice. This approach enhances hospital patient outcomes by facilitating more effective and individualized care.

Today, we’re showcasing some of the latest hospital medicine-related articles published recently across medical journals. The topics in today’s rundown include infection prevention, transitions of care, and in-hospital cardiac arrest.

Hospital-Acquired Infection Articles

Association Between the Vulnerability to Hospital-Acquired Infection and Health Care Utilization: Evidence From the National Inpatient Sample From 2016 to 2020

  • Journal of Patient Safety, February 2026
  • Description: This study aims to identify the vulnerability of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and differences in health care utilization among patients with HAIs across various patient and hospital factors.
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Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing for Improvement of Hand Hygiene Compliance and Reduction of Hospital Acquired Infection in Intensive Care Unit

  • American Journal of Infection Control, January 2026
  • Description: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) impose a global burden, with hand hygiene (HH) a key preventive measure. Sustaining HH compliance requires behavioral change. Motivational interviewing (MI), promotes self-reflection and shows promise. This study evaluated MI's effectiveness on HH compliance among health care workers and its impact on HAI rates.
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Transitions of Care Articles

Addressing Organizational Risk Factors and Interventions During Transitions of Care for Older Patients: A Systematic Umbrella Review

  • BMC Health Services Research, March 2026
  • Description: Communication issues, poor discharge planning, and lack of standardized procedures contribute to patient safety concerns [during transitions]. Addressing such risks through effective organizational interventions is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Existing research often isolates organizational risks and interventions, overlooking their combined impact on patient safety across care settings. Therefore, this systematic umbrella review aims to identify and synthesize organizational risk factors and interventions related to patient safety outcomes in transitions of care, including a hospital admission or an emergency department visit, for older adults aged 65 and above.
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Utilization of the LACE Index by Transitions-of-Care Services Versus Standard of Care to Identify Patients at High Risk of Readmission in an Academic Medical Center

  • American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, January 2026
  • Description: This study aimed to determine whether the LACE index (length of stay, acuity of the hospital admission, comorbidities, emergency department visits in the previous 6 months) effectively identified patients at high risk for readmission compared to identification solely by use of discharge diagnoses associated with high readmission rates.
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In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Articles

Code Blue Blindspots: Mapping Nursing Exposure to Cardiac Arrests

  • Resuscitation, February 2026
  • Description: In-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) requires high-performance team responses under pressure, yet its relative rarity creates challenges for maintaining individual and team competence. Nurses often serve as first responders, but little is known about how their actual exposure to IHCA varies across time and schedule patterns.
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Prevalence and Outcomes of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • Critical Care, February 2026
  • Description: Cardiac arrest in the intensive care unit is distinct from other in-hospital cardiac arrests, involving critically ill patients in monitored settings. Its prevalence and outcomes remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to fill this evidence gap and identify areas for future research to improve outcomes in this patient population.
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Look forward to more journal-focused topics in the coming weeks. 

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