Paul Govern

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February 11, 2021

Study will delve into EHR for signs of suicidality

Retrieval of clearer, more complete information from the EHR could go a long way toward improving predictive models of who will next be at risk of suicide, thereby improving care for patients with suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

By Paul Govern
Christopher Hughes, MD, left, Pratik Pandharipande, MD, MSCI, and colleagues are studying two drugs recommended for patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
February 2, 2021

Study finds recommended ICU sedatives equally safe, effective

Sedative medications used in intensive care are associated with increased delirium, which is in turn connected with higher medical costs and greater risk of death and ICU-related dementia.

By Paul Govern
Philanthropists Steve and Judy Turner have endowed a new faculty chair in the Department of Neurology.
January 28, 2021

New faculty chair is latest gift from Steve and Judy Turner

Nashville philanthropists Steve and Judy Turner, adding generously to their longtime support of Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Vanderbilt University, have endowed a new faculty chair in the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine: the Judith Payne Turner Chair in Neurology.

By Paul Govern
Savannah Ramsey, RN, and colleagues designed a series of interventions to reduce noise levels in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. One of those interventions is sound-dampening curtains around certain patient bays.
January 27, 2021

Nurse-led research helps usher in quieter PACU

At Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, the post-anesthesia care unit, or PACU, is a hive of activity as patients are awakened from their operating room procedures. Given that each patient’s awakening is meant to be gentle, the general noise level in the PACU prompted concern from staff nurse Savannah Ramsey, RN.

By Paul Govern
January 21, 2021

Clinical informatics program accepting applications

Vanderbilt’s Master of Science in Applied Clinical Informatics program (MSACI) is now accepting applications for Fall 2021.

By Paul Govern
January 14, 2021

Neurology survey reveals high satisfaction for telehealth

A post-visit outpatient survey from VUMC’s Department of Neurology, conducted under an ongoing departmental quality improvement initiative, has turned up additional evidence of high satisfaction with telehealth among both patients and clinicians.

By Paul Govern
January 13, 2021

Dermatology’s Byers remembered for his skill, warmth

Jeffrey David Byers, MD, associate professor of Clinical Dermatology and vice chair for Clinical Affairs in the Department of Dermatology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, died Jan. 9. He was 54.
By Paul Govern
January 8, 2021

Large study finds higher burden of acute brain dysfunction for COVID-19 ICU patients

COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care in the early months of the pandemic were subject to a significantly higher burden of delirium and coma than is typically found in patients with acute respiratory failure. Choice of sedative medications and curbs on family visitation played a role in increasing acute brain dysfunction for these patients.
By Paul Govern
January 7, 2021

Vitamin D activation and cancer risk

Vitamin D protection against colon cancer varies according to parathyroid hormone response, particularly among women.
By Paul Govern
January 7, 2021

Building a cohort, the easy way

An automated system using keyword searches can help identify candidates for clinical trials on adverse drug reactions.
By Paul Govern
January 7, 2021

VA adopts enhanced recovery for total knee, total hip patients

For patients receiving total knee or total hip replacements at the Nashville VA Medical Center, the use of opioids for inpatient pain management and the total time patients spent in the hospital were both greatly reduced following the January 2016 adoption of sweeping quality improvement measures.
By Paul Govern
December 17, 2020

COVID-associated delays for elective services studied

This spring in the U.S., there were widespread delays in elective health care procedures and screenings. Hospitals, in observance of federal guidelines, were, for a time, conserving beds and protective equipment in preparation for a surge in COVID-19 admissions. And, perhaps on a more prolonged basis, patients in many areas of the country stayed away due to anxiety over catching COVID-19 from other patients or their health care team.
By Paul Govern