scholarly journals P.007 Autoimmune Encephalitis Timing and Incidence: the Manitoba Experience

Author(s):  
DH Nguyen ◽  
C Xu ◽  
M Ng

Background: Early treatment of autoimmune encephalitis (AE) can improve outcomes. Despite expert recommendation, it remains unclear if suspected AE patients consistently receive empiric treatments prior to availability of antibody results. Methods: Retrospective chart review of patients referred for AE testing in Manitoba. Primary outcomes were the proportion of patients treated empirically prior to the availability of antibody results. Incidence, clinical presentation, investigations, complications, mortality rates, and hospital course were secondary outcome measures. Results: We identified 151 patients from 2012-2018. 43 patients met inclusion criteria. The annual incidence of AE in Manitoba was 0.37/100,000. 28/43 (65%) patients were treated prior to availability of antibody results (“Early group”). 15/43 (35%) patients did not receive treatment (“Late group”). Significantly more Early group patients had repeat immunotherapy (p=0.001), abnormal MRI (p=0.027), and investigations for malignancy (p=0.015). Durations of hospital and intensive care admission, complication rates, and mortality rates were not different between the two groups. Conclusions: This is the first-ever AE incidence, timing, and management study of a comprehensive Canadian geopolitical and medical catchment area. Just over 1/3 of suspected AE over seven years were not treated prior to antibody results becoming available. Patients treated earlier did not experience greater complication rates.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 445-453
Author(s):  
Angelina Vascimini, PharmD ◽  
Kevin Duane, PharmD ◽  
Stacey Curtis, PharmD

Objective: The opioid epidemic is frequently discussed including the staggering numbers involved with coprescribing opioids and benzodiazepines associated with death. Community pharmacists, with the help of a system intervention, have a unique opportunity to help reduce the coprescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids and reduce the associated risk of death.Design: A single center retrospective chart review was conducted after a system intervention was placed, as a quality improvement project, from November 2019 to May 2020.Setting: Independent community pharmacy.Patients/participants: Data included demographics, dosing of each medication pre- and post-intervention, and naloxone status.Main outcome(s) measures: The primary outcome evaluated was reduction in dose/discontinuation of these prescriptions. The secondary outcome evaluated was the number of naloxone prescriptions ordered per protocol and picked up.Results: The primary outcome did not show statistical difference; however, the secondary outcomes showed statistical significance.Conclusion: In conclusion, community pharmacists, with the help of evolving technologies, can reduce harm associated with the coprescribing of benzodiazepines and opioids.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e46-e46
Author(s):  
Maria Al Bandari ◽  
John Donnellan ◽  
Filomena Tavares

Abstract Primary Subject area Paediatric Radiology Background Peripherally inserted central catheters are commonly used in pediatrics to offer stable access for administering prolonged courses of antibiotics, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, or other intravenous fluids. Objectives To assess the complication rates of cuffed versus uncuffed PICCs in a pediatric tertiary referral centre. Design/Methods Research ethics board approval was sought and granted. A dual arm study design was employed with a retrospective chart review of PICCs inserted between June 2017 - June 2018, and a prospective chart review of PICCS inserted between January 2019 - June 2019 at a large tertiary pediatric referral center. Data collected from the electronic record included age, weight, and diagnosis. Line type, size, location, insertion and removal dates, and indications were recorded. Primary outcome was removal of PICC after completion of therapy or premature removal due to the following complications: infection, thrombosis, or mechanical failure (defined as catheter breakage, blockage, or dislodgement). Results The study included 266 patients. Across all patients weighing < 10 kg, 90.5% of those with cuffed PICCs and 65% of those with uncuffed catheters completed therapy. The predominant complication resulting in premature removal was mechanical failure, but this was only observed in patients with uncuffed catheters (25%). Infection was also observed only in uncuffed catheters (10%), and thrombosis (4.8%) was only in the cuffed lines. For patients weighing ≥ 10 kg, 86% of those with cuffed PICCs and 77.2% with uncuffed catheters completed therapy. More complications were observed in uncuffed catheters (infection 7.7%, mechanical failure 6.6%, thrombosis 5%). Infection resulting in premature removal occurred in 7% of cuffed catheters. There was no reported mechanical failure or thrombosis in the cuffed group. The distribution of diagnoses was relatively homogenous between the groups for most diagnoses. However, there was a higher percentage of oncology patients in the uncuffed group (23%) than the cuffed group (7%) due to the need for power-injectable lines, which were not available in a cuffed variant during this study. Conclusion All-cause pediatric PICC-associated complications rate in the neonate group for patients < 10kg in the uncuffed group is 35% and in the cuffed group is 4.8%. Whereas in the pediatric group ≥ 10kg, all-cause pediatric PICC-associated complications rate in the uncuffed group is 19.3% and in the cuffed group is 7%. There were no mechanical complications in the cuffed group and the vast majority of lines made it to completion of therapy. This work supports utilization of cuffed PICC lines in selected pediatric patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-102
Author(s):  
Omar A. Saleh ◽  
Efrat Fleissig ◽  
Charles C. Barr

Purpose: This study compares visual acuity (VA), anatomic outcomes, and complications in eyes that underwent complex retinal detachment (RD) repair in which silicone oil (SO) was retained vs removed. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing vitrectomy with SO tamponade. The eyes were divided into 2 groups based upon SO removal or retention. Main outcome measures were corrected VA, anatomic outcomes, and the presence of SO-related complications. Results: Fifty-seven eyes with removed SO and 53 eyes with retained SO were identified. In both groups, the mean best-corrected VA (BCVA) at the final visit was significantly better than at baseline. In the retained-SO group, vision improved from 1.79 ± 0.6 to 1.2 ± 0.7 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (Snellen, 20/1200 to 20/350) at the final visit ( P < .001). In the removed-SO group, mean BCVA improved from 1.84 ± 0.5 at baseline to 1.55 ± 0.6 logMAR units (Snellen, 20/1400 to 20/700) at the visit preceding SO removal ( P < .002) and to 1.43 ± 0.6 logMAR units (Snellen, 20/500) at the final visit ( P < .001). Complication rates were similar in both groups, apart from RD, which occurred more frequently in the removed-SO group ( P = .03). Conclusions: There was similarity in VA and complications among patients with removed or retained SO. Removal of SO may benefit eyes with SO-related complications, but SO retention may decrease the chance of RD and may be indicated in selected cases.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
George W. Carro ◽  
Bruce Brockstein ◽  
Thomas A. Hensing ◽  
Patrick Joseph Fleming ◽  
Shannon Maureen Gavin ◽  
...  

191 Background: Oral chemotherapy’s exponentially increasing role in the treatment of malignancies continues to pose unique challenges to oncology. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) drafted measures in the Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards that help address some of these issues concerning oral chemotherapy. There is a lack of data describing the prescribing process for oral chemotherapy. In a retrospective chart review, prescriptions at a hospital-based outpatient oncology center were evaluated for completeness of prescribing and follow up measures. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ten oral chemotherapy medications from May 2012 to July 2012 was conducted. The primary outcome measure was compliance with ASCO and ONS Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards. A secondary outcome was frequency of pharmacist interventions on oral chemotherapy prescriptions. Results: 412 prescriptions were evaluated. Prescriptions were graded on a scale from 1 to 8. One point was given for inclusion of each of the following: prescribing physician, patient name, drug name, dose, dosing methodology, quantity, refills, and accurate directions. Of all the prescriptions, 23% contained all aspects of a complete prescription. The most common reasons for point deductions were contradictory or unclear directions and allowing refills for oral chemotherapy which should not be refillable. Four percent of prescriptions had a documented pharmacist intervention. Conclusions: This study revealed areas for improvement in the prescribing process of oral chemotherapy. Targeting directions and refill fields within prescription templates will improve compliance with ASCO and ONS standards. This can be accomplished by implementing customized oral chemotherapy prescription templates within treatment plans in the electronic medical record system. Unlike chemotherapy administered in the clinic setting, oral chemotherapy prescriptions are not generally reviewed by oncology trained pharmacists. With the collaboration of medical and nursing staff, a new work flow was implemented which includes pharmacist review of electronic oral chemotherapy prescriptions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088506662110705
Author(s):  
Shan Wang ◽  
Christy Huynh ◽  
Shahidul Islam ◽  
Brian Malone ◽  
Naveed Masani ◽  
...  

Purpose Safety of remdesivir in patients with renal impairment is unknown. Incidence of liver injury secondary to remdesivir is also unknown. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and to trend the liver enzymes during remdesivir treatment and change in eGFR from baseline to end of treatment as well as 48 h post completion of remdesivir therapy. Methods This is a retrospective chart review study including adult patients admitted with COVID-19 receiving remdesivir with a baseline eGFR < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m^2 from December 2020 to May 2021. The primary outcome was to assess the incidence of AKI and hepatic injury. The secondary outcome was to assess the efficacy of remdesivir defined by change in oxygen requirement. Results Seventy-one patients were included in the study. Patients experienced an improvement in eGFR from baseline (T0) to end of remdesivir treatment (T1), as well as 48 h after the end of the treatment (T2) ( + 30.3% and + 30.6% respectively, P < .0001). Creatinine reduced from baseline (T0) to T1 and T2 (-20.9% and −20.5% respectively, P < .0001). Creatinine clearance improved from baseline to T1 and T2 ( + 26.6% and + 26.2% respectively, p < .0001). Elevation of aminotransferase (AST) was observed at T1 ( + 2.5%, P  =  .727), however, AST reduction was seen at T2 (-15.8%, P  =  .021). Elevation in alanine transaminase (ALT) was observed at T1 and T2 ( + 25% and + 12%, P  =  .004 and P  =  .137 respectively). Both direct and total bilirubin remained stable and were not significantly changed from baseline. Conclusion Our study showed that remdesivir use in renally-impaired patients with eGFR < 30 ml/min is safe. Remdesivir may be considered as a therapeutic option in this population with COVID-19 infection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596711875504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio E. Flores ◽  
Kristina R. Borak ◽  
Alan L. Zhang

Background: Hip arthroscopic surgery is a rapidly growing procedure, but it may be associated with a steep learning curve. Few studies have used patient-reported outcome (PRO) surveys to investigate the relationship between surgeon experience and patient outcomes after the arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Hypothesis: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for the treatment of FAI in the early stages of a surgeon’s career will have significantly worse outcomes and longer procedure times compared with patients treated after the surgeon has gained experience. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients undergoing hip arthroscopic surgery for FAI and labral injuries were prospectively enrolled during a sports medicine fellowship–trained surgeon’s first 15 months of practice. Patients were stratified into an early group, consisting of the first 30 consecutive cases performed by the surgeon, and a late group, consisting of the second 30 consecutive cases. Radiographic and physical examinations were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. PRO surveys, including the 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), were administered preoperatively and at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Results: There was no difference between the early and late groups for patient age (37.2 ± 11.5 vs 35.3 ± 10.8 years, respectively; P = .489), body mass index (25.6 ± 4.0 vs 25.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2, respectively; P = .615), or sex ( P = .465). There was a significantly increased procedure time (119.3 ± 21.0 vs 99.0 ± 28.6 minutes, respectively; P = .002) and traction time (72.7 ± 21.4 vs 59.0 ± 16.7 minutes, respectively; P = .007) in the early group compared with the late group. Mean postoperative PRO scores significantly improved in both groups compared with preoperative values for all surveys except for the SF-12 mental component summary. No differences were found in PRO score improvements or complication rates between the early and late groups. Conclusion: The total procedure time and traction time decrease after a surgeon’s first 30 hip arthroscopic surgery cases for FAI and labral tears, but patient outcomes can similarly improve regardless of surgeon experience in the early part of his or her career.


2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Lee ◽  
David A. Sherris ◽  
Eric J. Moore ◽  
Jonathan H. Lee ◽  
David A. Sherris ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative and early postoperative complication rates of performing open septorhinoplasty (OSR) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) concomitantly or individually. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective chart review of 55 patients treated at an academic referral center who had undergone combined OSR and FESS. Complication rates for the combined procedures were compared with published complication rates for the individual procedures. RESULTS: Patients’ ages ranged from 14 to 77 years (average, 43 years). Among the 55 cases, there were no major complications and 6 (11%) minor complications: 4 cases of cellulitis (7%; previously published risk, 1%-3%) and 2 cases of postoperative epistaxis (4%). CONCLUSION: OSR and FESS may be performed safely in combination without a clinically significant increased risk of complications. SIGNIFICANCE: The slightly increased risk of cellulitis may warrant the use of intraoperative sinus irrigation and postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis after combined OSR and FESS.


2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1539-1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN KELSALL ◽  
PAMELA ROGERS ◽  
GRISELDA GALINDO ◽  
MARY A. De VERA

Objective.To describe acute and delayed infusion reactions in a large cohort of patients with inflammatory arthritis, treated with infliximab (IFX).Methods.We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients treated with IFX at the Mary Pack Arthritis Centre between 2000 and 2008. The primary outcome was the occurrence of acute infusion reactions during infusions or 1–2 hours after each infusion, and secondary outcome was the occurrence of delayed infusion reactions 1–14 days after an infusion. Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize study outcomes and identify trends over followup.Results.Since 2000, 376 patients were referred to the Mary Pack IFX clinic and 200 received 4399 IFX infusions over a mean 140 ± 132 weeks of followup. Of these, 135 were patients with RA who received 2977 IFX infusions over mean followup of 138 ± 132 weeks. In total 258 episodes of acute reactions were observed for an overall acute reaction rate of 5.8%. Acute infusion reactions were mostly mild (42.6%) and moderate (43.8%) and commonly affected sites were head and neck (31.5%) and cutaneous (21.1%). A total of 37 delayed infusion reaction episodes were observed (0.9% rate); reactions were also mostly mild (16.2%) and moderate (64.9%).Conclusion.These clinical data from 200 patients treated with IFX demonstrate that acute and delayed infusion reactions occur infrequently and are mostly mild to moderate in presentation.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhibullah S Tora ◽  
James G Malcolm ◽  
Zayan Mahmooth ◽  
Amit Pujari ◽  
Rima S Rindler ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Cranioplasty (CP) following decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a common neurosurgical procedure for cranial cosmesis and protection. There is uncertainty regarding the complication rates and potential benefits related to the timing of CP. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of the timing of CP on complication rates for different etiologies of DC. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed of all CP cases between 2004 and 2018 for traumatic and nontraumatic indications of DC. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and complications were collected. Early and late CP were defined as replacement of the bone flap at ≤90 and &gt;90 d following DC, respectively. RESULTS A total of 278 patients were included, receiving 81 early and 197 late CPs. When analyzing all patients, early CP was associated with a statistically significant higher odds of any complication (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25, P &lt; .001), reoperation (OR: 2.57, P = .019), hydrocephalus (OR: 6.03, P = .003), and symptomatic extra-axial collections (OR: 9.22, P = .003). Subgroup analysis demonstrated statistically significant higher odds of these complications only for the CP trauma subgroup, but not the nontrauma subgroup. The odds of complications postCP demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of 4.4% for each week after DC (Unit Odds Ratio [U-OR]: 0.956, P = .0363). CONCLUSION In our retrospective series, early CP was associated with higher odds of postoperative complications compared to late CP in the trauma subgroup. Greater care should be taken in preoperative planning and increased vigilance postoperatively for complications with this potentially more vulnerable subpopulation. Future prospective controlled trials are needed to elucidate optimal timing for CP.


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