Tom Collins is a freelance writer in South Florida who has written about medical topics from nasty infections to ethical dilemmas, runaway tumors to tornado-chasing doctors. He travels the globe gathering conference health news and lives in West Palm Beach.
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Best of RIV highlights delirium, alcohol detox, and med rec projects
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
A project to improve how hospitalists address inpatient delirium, which has led to reductions in length of stay and cost, took center stage on...
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Medical cannabis brings complexity to hospitals
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
Once a patient crosses the hospital threshold, how do you incorporate into your care a product that is still illegal at the federal level?
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Telehospitalist, workload projects win RIV competition
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
A program using “telehospitalists” to hasten and improve patient care won the top prize in the Innovations category of...
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Adapting to change key to hospitalists’ future, SHM president says
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
“Run toward change,” Dr. Afsar urged attendees. “And be a force of positive change.”
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Hospitalists get emergency airway management training
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
“Do the basics well and the scary things will become manageable,” Dr. Cabrera said
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Hands-on critical care lessons provided at HM19
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
Expert advice on handling episodes of shock, managing airways, and other topics.
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Experts offer HM19 ‘must-see’ tips
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
Seasoned experts are here to ease your struggle with suggestions for sessions they consider the best of the best and tips on getting the most out...
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Luncheon makes connecting easy
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
The Resident and Student Luncheon allows hospitalists just starting out in their careers to have meaningful conversations with experienced faculty...
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RIV brings competition, collaboration to HM19
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
It is common for research, ideas, and programs displayed in the innovations portion of the RIV to become widespread in the field over the next 5-...
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Alcohol abstinence questioned as addiction treatment goal
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – Data suggest that patients often achieve significant improvements by reducing alcohol intake short of abstinence.
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Checklists, colleagues key when psychiatric patient overdoses
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – Psychiatrists grieve when a patient overdoses and dies, but talking to other clinicians and using specialized checklists...
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Technical issues inhibit data collection on fentanyl
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – When it comes to mortality, the data on fentanyl are sometimes available, but they are cumbersome to collect, an expert...
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Understanding properties of fentanyl, other opioids key to treatment
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – Fentanyl has opioid receptor affinity similar to that of morphine, research shows, and it’s not known why it is up to 100...
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Drug test results ‘should not dictate treatment’
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – Many clinicians say they’re unsure about interpreting urine drug screens, but a 30-minute training session can make a big...
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Rural teleprescribing for opioid use disorder shows success
- Author:
- Thomas R. Collins
BONITA SPRINGS, FLA. – More than 56% of rural counties in the country have no buprenorphine provider.