New test assists physicians with quicker treatment decisions for sepsis

Rapid blood culture diagnostics for patients with bacterial bloodstream infections delivered final results in 12 hours versus the two to three days required for conventional testing.

Study: personalized decision support affects intensive care

For patients in pediatric intensive care who are at high risk for acute kidney injury (AKI), giving clinicians automated decision support during the electronic order entry process increased the rate of blood testing for AKI by 9%.

Children’s Hospital debuts enhanced helipad

The return of the Children’s Hospital helipad, painted with the hospital’s trademark paper dolls, will shorten the transport time for patients by several minutes — essentially eliminating the need to shuttle patients along a 400-yard connector to reach the freestanding, pediatric hospital.

Tailoring treatment for heart defect

By defining the clinical and genetic factors that predict treatment response, Vanderbilt investigators aim to personalize therapy for a common heart complication in preterm infants.

Address outlines Pediatrics’ achievements, goals

In his annual State of the Department of Pediatrics address, Steven Webber, MRCP, the department’s chair, detailed the significant growth the department has enjoyed in the past year.

When it comes to patients’ medical mysteries, the VUMC Undiagnosed Diseases Network team is on the case