Ernest Shen, PhD

This study found that the dramatic shift from face-to-face posthospital transitional care to telehealth did not affect 30-day readmission or mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is no significant association between unfavorable patient satisfaction and opioid reductions for chronic pain, but encounters with unestablished providers may slightly impair satisfaction when reducing opioids.

The authors assessed the effect of provider education and clinical decision support (CDS) on antibiotic prescribing for acute sinusitis. Education and CDS improved antibiotic stewardship and changed diagnosis patterns.

Antibiotics are not required to achieve high patient satisfaction. Patient age, chronic conditions, and an established patient–provider relationship influence satisfaction with acute care.

Acute sinusitis is a common acute illness and offers an opportunity to eliminate low-value care. The authors describe current practices, comparing primary care, urgent care, and the emergency department.