Ascension - MD

Medical Resources

Lewis P. Gundry Health Sciences Library

900 S Caton Ave, Baltimore MD 21229
Phone: 667-234-3134
Email: stagneslibrary@ascension.org

1st Floor (main building)

Library Open Hours: 7:30AM - 4:00PM (Monday - Friday)

After Hours Access limited (door unlocks at 6:30AM weekdays) 

Librarian: Lucinda Bennett

Medical Databases & Platforms

Access Medicine

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

PubMed

PICO Search

Options:

Mobile Apps

http://www.imedicalapps.com/

"iMedicalApps is the leading online publication for medical professionals, patients, and analysts interested in mobile medical technology and health care apps. Our physician editors lead a team of physicians, allied health professionals, medical trainees, and mHealth analysts in providing reviews, research, and commentary of mobile medical technology. Our publication is heavily based on our own experiences in the hospital and clinic setting."

 

http://www.medscape.com/public/iphone?src=emed-call

8,500+ prescription and OTC drugs, herbals, and supplements
6,200+ Reference articles for decision-making support
Clinical tools: drug interaction checker, calculators, and pill identifier
And more!

 

sanfordguide.com/coronavirus

"In the interest of providing the medical community with concise information about the rapidly changing SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 situation, Sanford Guide has made its resources related to the pandemic available without a digital subscription."
Access is available on the Web, on IPhone or IPad, and Android devices.

 

Access App

"Learn when you want, where you want, and how you want. Access is your personal medical resource library that makes studying easier and more efficient. Currently available in its preview phase, as early adopters, you have the opportunity to shape the future of optimized and personal medical education. Access personalizes and tailors your medical education experience, giving you the healthcare content you need, on the go, even when you’re offline."

Be sure to create an account on Access Medicine first (on a desktop) and then use those credentials to log into the app.

Open Access Journals & Other Resources

 

Inclusive Language & Mental Health Environments

Healthcare is an ever-changing and dynamic environment. It is important that providers in all fields learn the language and skills to compassionately care for patients of vast backgrounds and mental health status. The following PDFs are crafted by the American Hospital Association to help healthcare workers practice such language. Take a look and feel free to print, share and spread the word in your department.

Compassionate SUD Language

Culturally Aware Language

Mental Health Conditions

People First Language

PTSD Supportive Language

Suicide Destigmatizing Language

Medal - The Medical Algorithms Company

Check out the Medical Algorithms Project, now called Medal The Medical Algorithms Company. 

It has been around for over a decade, and has 1,000s of medical care algorithms for over 45 different specialties in medicine and nursing.  

It was developed by Dr. Sriram Iyengar, Ph.D., of the School of Health information Systems, University of Texas, Houston, and the Institute for Algorithmic Medicine.  For individuals, it is still freely accessible at the URL below. 

You will need to register to gain access; it has iOS and Android apps available. This is an evidence-based clinical decision support tool, with over 22,000 plus calculators and risk scores.  

Here is the URL below:

https://www.medicalalgorithms.com/ 

Top Medical Journals

Citation Matcher

Titles From Our Print Collection

Catalog: Search for Print Resources 

ABOG Recertification

Reading Lists for 2025 are now available!

Access the electronic readings lists below. Note, there will be no August reading list. The Library will no longer be providing print copies of the articles, but we will announce the full reading lists here with live links to each citation. 

 

 

 

  • August 2025 Reading List - There will be no Aug 2025 list as confirmed with ACOG

 

The ACOG Practice Advisory linked below has been added to the 2023 MOC from ABOG in the Emerging Topics section:

Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination

Articles of Interest - From our Subscriptions

Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Opinion Paper: High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy for Early Postoperative Management of Patients With Sleep-Disordered Breathing

 Pappu, A. , Auckley, D. , Cloward, T. , Dominguez, J. , Dupuy-McCauley, K. , Gali, B. , Gay, P. , Hillman, D. , McConville, S. , Nafiu, O. , Won, C. & Singh, M. (2025). Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Opinion Paper: High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Therapy for Early Postoperative Management of Patients With Sleep-Disordered Breathing. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 141 (4), 740-747. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007424.

Abstract

"High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) therapy, a cornerstone in managing respiratory failure, has garnered attention for its potential uses in postoperative care, particularly for patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Despite established benefits in critical care settings, its efficacy in improving postoperative outcomes for SDB patients remains under-researched. This Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine (SASM) opinion paper aims to critically evaluate existing literature, highlight the physiological rationale for HFNO’s effectiveness, especially in the early (within 24 hours) postoperative period, and identify research gaps and future directions."

 

Association of Weekend Warrior and Other Physical Activity Patterns With Mortality Among Adults With Diabetes

 
Dicker, D. , Karpati, T. , Promislow, S. & Reges, O. (2025). Annals of Internal Medicine, 178 (8), 1065-1072. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-02547.

 

Abstract

Background:

“Weekend warrior” and regularly active physical activity patterns have been associated with reduced mortality risk in the general population. The association in patients with diabetes is unknown.

Objective:

To examine the associations of different physical activity patterns, particularly weekend warrior and regularly active behavior, with all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality among adults with diabetes.

Design:

Prospective cohort study.

Setting:

National Health Interview Survey (1997 to 2018) linked to the National Death Index records through 31 December 2019.

Participants:

51 650 U.S. adults with self-reported diabetes.

Measurements:

Participants categorized by 4 physical activity groups: inactive (reporting no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA]), insufficiently active (MVPA <150 minutes per week), weekend warrior (MVPA ≥150 minutes per week in 1 to 2 sessions), and regularly active (MVPA ≥150 minutes per week in ≥3 sessions).

Results:

During a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 16 345 deaths (cardiovascular, 5620; cancer, 2883) were documented. Compared with inactive participants, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality were significantly lower across physical activity groups: insufficiently active persons (HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.85 to 0.95]), weekend warriors (HR, 0.79 [CI, 0.69 to 0.91]), and regularly active persons (HR, 0.83 [CI, 0.78 to 0.87]). These reductions were mostly due to benefits with cardiovascular mortality: insufficiently active persons (HR, 0.98 [CI, 0.89 to 1.07]), weekend warriors (HR, 0.67 [CI, 0.52 to 0.86]), and regularly active persons (HR, 0.81 [CI, 0.74 to 0.88]). There were fewer differences by cancer mortality: insufficiently active persons (HR, 0.88 [CI, 0.78 to 1.00]), weekend warriors (HR, 0.99 [CI, 0.76 to 1.30]), and regularly active persons (HR, 0.85 [CI, 0.75 to 0.96]).

Limitation:

Physical activity was self-reported and assessed at a single time point.

Conclusion:

Weekend warrior and regularly active physical activity patterns meeting current physical activity recommendations (MVPA ≥150 minutes per week) were associated with 21% and 17% lower risks for all-cause mortality and 33% and 19% lower hazards of cardiovascular mortality among adults with diabetes compared with those with diabetes who are physically inactive.

 

 

Determinants of geographic variation in the incidence of adult nonmalignant meningioma in the United States, 2010–2019

 Withrow DR, Boyle J, Linet MS, et al. Determinants of geographic variation in the incidence of adult nonmalignant meningioma in the United States, 2010–2019. Cancer. 2025;e70042. doi:10.1002/cncr.70042

Abstract:

Background

US incidence rates of nonmalignant brain tumors are 3-fold higher in highest versus lowest incidence states. A county-level analysis was conducted to assess whether geographic variation in nonmalignant meningioma (NMM) incidence is related to demographics, cancer registry, health care, and other factors.

Methods

Age-adjusted incidence rates of NMM in US counties during 2010–2019 were modeled with data from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the United States. Demographic, geographic, cancer registry, environmental, health care, health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors at the county level were drawn from numerous data sources. Bayesian index regression models were fit containing spatial random effects.

Results

Three domains were significantly associated with rates of NMM at the county level: cancer registry practices (funding source and % radiographically confirmed), socioeconomic status index (higher levels with percent working in white-collar occupations as an important contributor), and demographics (% Black and % female). No associations were observed for general health or environmental factors. In the fully adjusted model, the number of counties with significantly elevated and lowered spatial random effects decreased by 33% and 28%, respectively, compared to a no-covariate model.

Conclusions

Although general health and environmental factors cannot be ruled out in explaining the geographic variation in NMM incidence rates, results suggest that socioeconomic factors, certain demographic characteristics, and cancer diagnosis and registry practices may all play a significant role in driving such variation. These results may have implications for other tumor types diagnosed primarily radiographically or outside hospital settings, where variation in detection and reporting may affect incidence rates.

 

 
 Shirasaki, K. , Ohbe, H. , Hifumi, T. , Okajima, M. , Otani, N. & Yasunaga, H. (2025). Association Between Patients’ Admission to the ICU and Psychological Disorders in Their Families: A Retrospective Matched-Pair Cohort Study. Critical Care Medicine, 53 (10), e1963-e1972. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006793.

Abstract

 

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a family member’s ICU admission on post-intensive care syndrome family (PICS-F).

DESIGN:

Retrospective, cohort study using a matched-pair, cohort design and a large administrative database reflecting the entire Japanese population.

SETTING:

The data were provided by DeSC Healthcare (Tokyo, Japan); the database comprised administrative claims data of 3.44 million insurance subscribers.

PATIENTS:

The exposure group was defined as family members of ICU patients from April 1, 2014 to November 30, 2022. Then, families of ICU patients were randomly matched to individuals in the non-exposure group with an exposure to non-exposure ratio of 1:4; matching was performed by age (the same month and year of birth), sex, status of medical insurance, and relationship with the householder.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

The primary outcome was the prevalence of psychological disorders associated with a diagnosis of PICS-F that needed medical care at least once within 6 months after the ICU admission date of the matched pair. Multivariable logistic regression analyses and subgroup analyses by relationship to the ICU patient (spouse, parent, or child) were performed.
Of the eligible individuals, 35,652 family members of 27,748 ICU patients were matched with 142,463 individuals in the non-exposure group. The prevalence of psychological disorders associated with PICS-F within 6 months from the index date was significantly higher in the ICU patients’ families than in the matched individuals (15.1% vs. 13.6%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02–1.15). Similar to the main analyses, ICU patients’ spouses had a significantly higher prevalence of psychological disorders associated with PICS-F than matched individuals, but there were no significant differences in ICU patients’ parents and children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Families of ICU patients, especially spouses, were more likely to seek medical care for psychological disorders associated with PICS-F within 6 months than individuals not exposed to a family member’s ICU admission.
 Sundermann, A. , Jasper, E. , Kumar, S. , Hartmann, K. & Velez Edwards, D. (2025). Dating Discrepancies on Research Ultrasonography and Risk of Pregnancy Loss in a Prospective Cohort. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 146 (4), 515-523. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006031.
 

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the risk associated with discrepancies between last menstrual period (LMP)–based and ultrasound-based gestational dating and pregnancy loss in a prospective cohort of individuals of normal fertility who underwent standardized early-pregnancy ultrasonography.

METHODS:

Participants in a community-based, prospective pregnancy cohort were recruited preconceptionally or in early pregnancy. Participants underwent standardized research ultrasonography targeted for the sixth week of gestation. We calculated the magnitude of lag between ultrasound-based age and LMP-based age at the research ultrasonogram. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to estimate the association between this difference and pregnancy loss. To assess for effect modification, analyses were stratified by week of research ultrasonogram, developmental features observed on the ultrasonogram, and menstrual regularity.

RESULTS:

Among 4,935 participants, the median difference between LMP-based and ultrasound-based gestational age on the research ultrasonogram was 1 day (interquartile range −1 to 5 days), and 9.3% of pregnancies ended in loss. Risk of pregnancy loss increased exponentially with each additional day ultrasound-based dating lagged LMP-based dating ( P <.001). This association persisted when stratified by week of ultrasonography and was more pronounced among pregnancies with a measurable crown–rump length. Ultrasound-based gestational age lagging LMP-based gestational age by more than 3 days was associated with a fivefold increased risk of pregnancy loss (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 5.34, 95% CI, 4.37–6.52), and a lag of more than 5 days was associated with a greater than sixfold increased risk (adjusted HR 6.99, 95% CI, 5.78–8.44). These findings persisted when analyses were restricted to individuals with regular cycles and certain LMP dates.

CONCLUSION:

Increasing lag between ultrasound-based dating and LMP-based dating among asymptomatic patients was strongly associated with pregnancy loss risk. This clinically quantifiable measure can inform concern for pregnancy loss before symptom onset among individuals with a certain LMP.

 

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Ascension Resources

Ascension Patient Health Library

"Ascension has partnered with WebMD Ignite on a new Patient Health Library, which has recently launched on Ascension.org. This library increases our community's access to trusted education content in video, digital, and print formats, in both English and Spanish. By keeping patients, their family and friends informed throughout their journey, we can improve health outcomes, build trust and reinforce out Vision of health, healing and hope for all."

Ascension Care Management Library

This tool is a Health Encyclopedia that lists medical terms in A - Z fashion. Select "Search Clinical Content" for provider educational entries, or select "Search Patient Health Library" for quick references for the patient side of health questions. 

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American Academy of Pediatrics Resources

As of November 2021, all publications via the AAP have been on a single platform All journals subscribed to by the Library will be housed on the following pages, which will be made available on the Library site:

Briggs

These helpful guides on how to access Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy have been shared by a fellow Ascension Librarian in Wisconsin.

How to get to Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation through Lexicomp

Briggs Drugs in Pregnancy & Lactation – via LexiComp [Direct Link]

The Medical Letter

"We want to make sure you are aware of the valuable features of The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics so you can immediately maximize the benefits and find what you need.

We have prepared this brief Getting Started Guide to provide your users with tips on how best to use your new subscription to The Medical Letter."

Getting Started Guide. [Power Point Download]

Guideline Resources

Academy Websites & Publisher's Open Access  

Official Government Guidelines

The US government's National Guideline Clearinghouse is a repository of US clinical practice guidelines as well as some international guidelines with the goal of improving patient safety standards and healthcare measures.  Click on the NGC links below to take you to the URLs, to the link for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and to the link to the US government site for the Preventive Taskforce guidelines.

Governments & Free Agency Websites

Blogs & Podcasts

  • Elsevier Clinical Insights
     
     
  • Not Otherwise Specified 
    • "In “Not Otherwise Specified,” Dr. Lisa Rosenbaum, cardiologist and national correspondent for the New England Journal of Medicine, defies our sound-bite culture to go deep with some of medicine’s most innovative thinkers. Her guests’ stories and ideas about health care’s toughest challenges and greatest promise may change the way you think about medicine, health, and society."

MKSAP

Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program 19: Parts A & B now available for check-out!

Print copies of the latest Parts A & B are available for check-out in the Library Office - not in the stacks! MKSAP 18 IS in the stacks.

The borrowing time for each volume is 2 weeks. There is only a single copy of each volume so please be mindful of your due dates.

If you have a personal subscription to the online content of MKSAP, using the print resource as a supplement is an excellent way to diversify your study game.

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