scholarly journals Discharge Clinical Characteristics and Post-Discharge Events in Patients with Severe COVID-19: A Descriptive Case Series

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faysal G. Saab ◽  
Jeffrey N. Chiang ◽  
Rachel Brook ◽  
Paul C. Adamson ◽  
Jennifer A. Fulcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Oxygen Requirement ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Clinical Indicators ◽  
Inpatient Medicine ◽  
Oxygen Requirements

ABSTRACT Background As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues, little guidance is available on clinical indicators for safely discharging patients with severe COVID-19. Objective To describe the clinical courses of adult patients admitted for COVID-19 and identify associations between inpatient clinical features and post-discharge need for acute care. Design Retrospective chart reviews were performed to record laboratory values, temperature, and oxygen requirements of 99 adult inpatients with COVID-19. Those variables were used to predict emergency department (ED) visit or readmission within 30 days post-discharge. Patients (or Participants) Age ≥ 18 years, first hospitalization for COVID-19, admitted between March 1 and May 2, 2020, at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, managed by an inpatient medicine service. Main Measures Ferritin, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, D-dimer, procalcitonin, white blood cell count, absolute lymphocyte count, temperature, and oxygen requirement were noted. Key Results Of 99 patients, five required ED admission within 30 days, and another five required readmission. Fever within 24 h of discharge, oxygen requirement, and laboratory abnormalities were not associated with need for ED visit or readmission within 30 days of discharge after admission for COVID-19. Conclusion Our data suggest that neither persistent fever, oxygen requirement, nor laboratory marker derangement was associated with need for acute care in the 30-day period after discharge for severe COVID-19. These findings suggest that physicians need not await the normalization of laboratory markers, resolution of fever, or discontinuation of oxygen prior to discharging a stable or improving patient with COVID-19.

scholarly journals New-onset super-refractory status epilepticus

Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 95 (16) ◽  
pp. e2280-e2285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Matthews ◽  
Ayham Alkhachroum ◽  
Nina Massad ◽  
Riva Letchinger ◽  
Kevin Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Status Epilepticus ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Refractory Status Epilepticus ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Refractory Status ◽  
New Onset

ObjectiveTo better understand the heterogeneous population of patients with new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), we studied the most severe cases in patients who presented with new-onset super-refractory status epilepticus (NOSRSE).MethodsWe report a retrospective case series of 26 adults admitted to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center neurologic intensive care unit (NICU) from February 2009 to February 2016 with NOSRSE. We evaluated demographics, diagnostic studies, and treatment course. Outcomes were modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) at hospital discharge and most recent follow-up visit (minimum of 2 months post discharge), NICU and hospital length of stay, and long-term antiepileptic drug use.ResultsOf the 252 patients with refractory status epilepticus, 27/252 had NORSE and 26/27 of those had NOSRSE. Age was bimodally distributed with peaks at 27 and 63 years. The majority (96%) had an infectious or psychiatric prodrome. Etiology was cryptogenic in 73%, autoimmune in 19%, and infectious in 8%. Seven patients (27%) underwent brain biopsy, autopsy, or both; 3 (12%) were diagnostic (herpes simplex encephalitis, candida encephalitis, and acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis). On discharge, 6 patients (23%) had good or fair outcome (mRS 0–3). Of the patients with long-term follow-up data (median 9 months, interquartile range 2–22 months), 12 patients (71%) had mRS 0–3.ConclusionAmong our cohort, nearly all patients with NORSE had NOSRSE. The majority were cryptogenic with few antibody-positive cases identified. Neuropathology was diagnostic in 12% of cases. Although only 23% of patients had good or fair outcome on discharge, 71% met these criteria at follow-up.

Implementing a REBOA program outside of the ivory tower: initial case series and lessons learned at a community trauma center.

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J Glaser ◽  
Adam Czerwinski ◽  
Ashley Alley ◽  
Michael Keyes ◽  
Valentino Piacentino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Systolic Pressure ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Open Approach ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Clinical Series ◽  
Community Trauma

Background: REBOA has become an established adjunct to hemorrhage control. Prospective data sets are being collected, primarily from large, high volume trauma centers. There are limited data, and guidelines, to guide implementation and use outside of highly resourced environments. Smaller centers interested in adopting a REBOA program could benefit from closing this knowledge gap. Methods: A clinical series of cases utilizing REBOA from Grand Strand Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina were reviewed. This represents early data from a busy community trauma center (ACS Level 2), from January 2017 to May 2018. Seven cases are identified and reported on, including outcomes. Considerations and ‘lessons learned’ from this early institutional experience are commented on.   Results: REBOA was performed by trauma and acute care surgeons for hemorrhage and shock (blunt trauma n=3, penetrating trauma n=2, no- trauma n=2). All were placed in Zone 1 (one initially was placed in zone 3 then advanced). Mean (SD) systolic pressure (mmHg) before REBOA was 43 (30); post REBOA pressure was 104 (19). N=4 were placed via an open approach, n=3 percutaneous (n=2 with ultrasound). All with arrest before placement expired (n=3) and all others survived. Complications are described.   Conclusions: REBOA can be a feasible adjunct for shock treatment in the community hospital environment, with outcomes comparable to large centers, and can be implemented by acute care and trauma surgeons. A rigorous process improvement program and critical appraisal process are critical in maximizing benefit in these centers.

scholarly journals Cohort profile of Acutelines: a large data/biobank of acute and emergency medicine

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047349
Author(s):  
Ewoud ter Avest ◽  
Barbara C van Munster ◽  
Raymond J van Wijk ◽  
Sanne Tent ◽  
Sanne Ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Novel Studies ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Registration Number

PurposeResearch in acute care faces many challenges, including enrolment challenges, legal limitations in data sharing, limited funding and lack of singular ownership of the domain of acute care. To overcome these challenges, the Center of Acute Care of the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, has established a de novo data, image and biobank named ‘Acutelines’.ParticipantsClinical data, imaging data and biomaterials (ie, blood, urine, faeces, hair) are collected from patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a broad range of acute disease presentations. A deferred consent procedure (by proxy) is in place to allow collecting data and biomaterials prior to obtaining written consent. The digital infrastructure used ensures automated capturing of all bed-side monitoring data (ie, vital parameters, electrophysiological waveforms) and securely importing data from other sources, such as the electronic health records of the hospital, ambulance and general practitioner, municipal registration and pharmacy. Data are collected from all included participants during the first 72 hours of their hospitalisation, while follow-up data are collected at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after their ED visit.Findings to dateEnrolment of the first participant occurred on 1 September 2020. During the first month, 653 participants were screened for eligibility, of which 180 were approached as potential participants. In total, 151 (84%) provided consent for participation of which 89 participants fulfilled criteria for collection of biomaterials.Future plansThe main aim of Acutelines is to facilitate research in acute medicine by providing the framework for novel studies and issuing data, images and biomaterials for future research. The protocol will be extended by connecting with central registries to obtain long-term follow-up data, for which we already request permission from the participant.Trial registration numberNCT04615065.

scholarly journals Impact of COVID-19 infection among cancer patients treated at the Los Angeles County Medical Center

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 100273
Author(s):  
Lauren Antrim ◽  
Stephen Capone ◽  
Stephen Dong ◽  
David Chung ◽  
Sonia Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Los Angeles County ◽  
Medical Center

scholarly journals Characteristics and Outcomes Among Hospitalized COVID-19-Positive Patients in a Nonurban Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P Lennon ◽  
Theodore J Demetriou ◽  
M Fahad Khalid ◽  
Lauren Jodi Van Scoy ◽  
Erin L Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Military Medicine ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Outcome Data ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Retrospective Case

ABSTRACT Introduction Virtually all hospitalized coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outcome data come from urban environments. The extent to which these findings are generalizable to other settings is unknown. Coronavirus disease-2019 data from large, urban settings may be particularly difficult to apply in military medicine, where practice environments are often semi-urban, rural, or austere. The purpose of this study is compare presenting characteristics and outcomes of U.S. patients with COVID-19 in a nonurban setting to similar patients in an urban setting. Materials and Methods This is a retrospective case series of adults with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection who were admitted to Hershey Medical Center (HMC), a 548-bed tertiary academic medical center in central Pennsylvania serving semi-urban and rural populations, from March 23, 2020, to April 20, 2020 (the first month of COVID-19 admissions at HMC). Patients and outcomes of this cohort were compared to published data on a cohort of similar patients from the New York City (NYC) area. Results The cohorts had similar age, gender, comorbidities, need for intensive care or mechanical ventilation, and most vital sign and laboratory studies. The NYC’s cohort had shorter hospital stays (4.1 versus 7.2 days, P < .001) but more African American patients (23% versus 12%, P = .02) and higher prevalence of abnormal alanine (>60U/L; 39.0% versus 5.9%, P < .001) and aspartate (>40U/L; 58.4% versus 42.4%, P = .012) aminotransferase, oxygen saturation <90% (20.4% versus 7.2%, P = .004), and mortality (21% versus 1.4%, P < .001). Conclusions Hospitalists in nonurban environments would be prudent to use caution when considering the generalizability of results from dissimilar regions. Further investigation is needed to explore the possibility of reproducible causative systemic elements that may help improve COVID-19-related outcomes. Broader reports of these relationships across many settings will offer military medical planners greater ability to consider outcomes most relevant to their unique settings when considering COVID-19 planning.

scholarly journals 696. Bartonella quintana Endocarditis, A Case Series

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S400-S400
Author(s):  
Thomas D Dieringer ◽  
Glen Huang ◽  
Paul R Allyn ◽  
Jeffrey Klausner
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Infective Endocarditis ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Case Series ◽  
The United States ◽  
Aortic Insufficiency ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Bartonella Quintana

Abstract Background Homelessness has been a growing issue in the United States and worldwide. Bartonella quintana, the causative agent of “Trench fever”, is a well known illness among homeless populations in urban centers. While many cases of B. quintana are self limited, the disease can have advanced presentations including endocarditis. We present a short case series of three cases of B. quintana infective endocarditis (IE) in homeless individuals in Los Angeles and review the literature of cases of B. quintana IE in the homeless population. Methods Here we report three cases of B. quintana IE encountered in homeless individuals at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) hospital system. A literature review was also conducted. PubMed was searched for published cases of human IE secondary to B. quintana in homeless individuals. Results All three patients were male with ages ranging from 39 to 57 years old with a history of homelessness and alcohol use. Presentations were subacute to chronic in nature consisting of constitutional symptoms as well as a range of symptoms corresponding with heart and renal failure. Each patient was found to have varying degrees of aortic insufficiency with either identified aortic valve vegetation or valvular thickening. Diagnosis was made with a combination of Bartonella serologies and whole genome sequencing PCR. All three patient’s courses were complicated by renal failure at varying points limiting the use of gentamicin for the full treatment course. Two patients ultimately underwent aortic valve replacement due to severe aortic insufficiency and completed therapy with doxycycline and rifampin. A single patient was discharged with plan to complete doxycycline and rifampin therapy however was lost to follow up. A literature review of 10 manuscripts describing 13 cases of B. quintana IE were identified. All the patients were male and the median age was 45. Six of the cases were in Europe and eight were in North America. All cases had left sided valve involvement (10 aortic, 6 mitral, 3 both valves). No cases of right sided IE were identified. Conclusion B. quintana IE should be considered in homeless patients with a clinical presentation concerning for IE. A combination of serology and PCR testing can be useful in diagnosis of this uncommon cause of infective endocarditis. Disclosures Jeffrey Klausner, MD, MPH, Nothing to disclose

Blood Provision for Cardiac Ablation (CA) Procedures in the Catheterization Laboratory; a Veteran Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Experience in a Non-Trauma Center Setting

2020 ◽  
Vol 154 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S167-S168
Author(s):  
J M Petersen ◽  
V Patel ◽  
D Jhala
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Massive Transfusion ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Blood Bank ◽  
Cardiac Ablation ◽  
Cardiac Perforation ◽  
Catheterization Laboratory ◽  
Massive Transfusion Protocol ◽  
Transfusion Protocol

Abstract Introduction/Objective Cardiac perforation is a life-threatening complication (~1% risk, with reported rates between 0.2% to 5%) of CA procedures. As cardiac perforation may lead to extensive bleeding, it would be reasonable for a medical center carrying out CA to be capable of arranging for a massive transfusion protocol and for surgical repair as required. However, there is sparse literature to guide a non-trauma medical center implementing a CA program on what the number of red blood cell (RBC) units for crossmatch should be for each case. Methods In interdisciplinary collaborative meetings, the CA program logistics were agreed to between the multiple clinical services. Given the case series on the amount of drained blood in complicated cases, there was agreement that three units of RBCs would be crossmatched for each case. Education was provided on the massive transfusion protocol and on blood bank procedures. As part of quality assurance/quality improvement, records were reviewed from the beginning of the CA program (10/1/2019) to 1/31/2019 to determine number of patient cases, crossmatched units, and transfused units for quality assurance purposes. Results A total of fifteen patients underwent CA procedures, for which three units were crossmatched for each patient. As there were no cardiac perforations with the cardiac ablation procedures so far, no units were transfused. The organized approach for ensuring adequate blood bank support and education led to the reassurance, alleviation of clinical anxiety, and building of a successful CA program. Education sessions completed with thorough understanding of blood bank procedures including the massive transfusion protocol, labeling of blood bank specimens, and on ordering of blood for crossmatch. Conclusion This study provides a reference that may provide helpful guidance to other blood banks on what the number of RBCs to be crossmatched prior to each CA procedure. Multidisciplinary collaborative meetings in advance are an essential component for ensuring adequate support for CA procedures or any new service that requires blood product support. Thorough education of clinical staff on blood bank procedures particularly the massive transfusion protocol is also recommended. This procedure for massive transfusion should be available to be referred to in real time.

scholarly journals Nebulized in-line endotracheal dornase alfa and albuterol administered to mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients: a case series

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Weber ◽  
Alice S. Chau ◽  
Mikala Egeblad ◽  
Betsy J. Barnes ◽  
Tobias Janowitz
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated ◽  
Mechanically Ventilated Patients ◽  
Dornase Alfa ◽  
Extracellular Traps ◽  
Dnase 1 ◽  
Fraction Of Inspired Oxygen ◽  
Oxygen Requirements ◽  
Inspired Oxygen ◽  
Ventilated Patients

Abstract Background Mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 have a mortality of 24–53%, in part due to distal mucopurulent secretions interfering with ventilation. DNA from neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to the viscosity of mucopurulent secretions and NETs are found in the serum of COVID-19 patients. Dornase alfa is recombinant human DNase 1 and is used to digest DNA in mucoid sputum. Here, we report a single-center case series where dornase alfa was co-administered with albuterol through an in-line nebulizer system. Methods Demographic and clinical data were collected from the electronic medical records of five mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19—including three requiring veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation—treated with nebulized in-line endotracheal dornase alfa and albuterol, between March 31 and April 24, 2020. Data on tolerability and response were analyzed. Results The fraction of inspired oxygen requirements was reduced for all five patients after initiating dornase alfa administration. All patients were successfully extubated, discharged from hospital and remain alive. No drug-associated toxicities were identified. Conclusions Results suggest that dornase alfa will be well-tolerated by patients with severe COVID-19. Clinical trials are required to formally test the dosing, safety, and efficacy of dornase alfa in COVID-19, and several have been recently registered.

scholarly journals Clinical Presentation, Management, and Prognosis of Pseudogout in Joint Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merit P. George ◽  
Floranne C. Ernste ◽  
Aaron Tande ◽  
Douglas Osmon ◽  
Tad Mabry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Joint Infection ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Calcium Pyrophosphate ◽  
Degenerative Joint Disease ◽  
Joint Disease ◽  
Antibiotic Overuse ◽  
Concomitant Infection

Abstract. Introduction: Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), or pseudogout, is rare in prosthetic joints, but can mimic prosthetic joint infection (PJI) according to case reports. The purpose of this case series is to describe the demographics, presentation, management, and outcomes of a cohort of these patients seen at our academic medical center.Methods: Patients with post-implant pseudogout, who were evaluated at our medical center between January 1, 2000 and June 30, 2016, were identified from our EHR. Data pertaining to demographics, presentation, management, and outcomes were abstracted, and patients were categorized into two groups based on presence of concomitant infection along with positive CPDD findings in synovial fluid.Results: 22 patients were included. 90.9% of cases involved a TKA. The most common indication for arthroplasty was degenerative joint disease. Only four patients had a history of previous gout or pseudogout, three of which belonged to the group with no evidence of concomitant joint infection. Clinical features for patients without concomitant infection included pain (100%), swelling at the joint (88.9%), redness (33.3%), fever (22.2%), and decreased range of motion (100%). 45.5% of patients received antibiotics prior to joint aspiration (44.4% of patients with negative synovial fluid cultures, 46.2% of patients with concomitant infection).Conclusion: Our study suggests similar clinical presentation between post-implant pseudogout and PJI. Among patients with pseudogout as well as in those with PJI, the first dose of antibiotics should not be given before sampling for synovial culture. Unfortunately, many patients receive antibiotics prior to culture ascertainment, which raises concern for antibiotic overuse.

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