706 Frostbite and Drugs of Abuse: Friend or Foe?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S184-S184
Author(s):  
Anne L Lambert Wagner ◽  
Kiran U Dyamenahalli ◽  
Tyler M Smith ◽  
Patrick Duffy ◽  
Elizabeth J Kovacs ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In the literature, the incidence of alcohol and/or drug use among burn patients ranges from 16.4%-69%. Burn patients with positive toxicology (tox) screens on admission are known to have increased rates of morbidity and mortality. To date little has been published on the effects of positive alcohol and/or drug screens on outcomes in the frostbite population. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of drugs and alcohol use in admitted patients with severe frostbite and their association with clinical outcomes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 141 frostbite patients admitted to a verified burn center from November 2015 to March 2019. Patients were identified using our burn registry and relevant data was obtained through chart reviews. The primary comparison was between patients with and without a positive tox screen on admission, assessing administration of thrombolytics (tPA) and rates of amputation. Contingency analysis for categorical variables was performed using Fisher’s exact test, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables, reporting, two-tailed p values. Results Tox screens were positive in 77.3% (109) of frostbite patients: 52.5% (74) for marijuana and 56.7% (80) for alcohol. Homelessness accounted for 50.4% (71) and 63.1% (89) were tobacco users. Compared to patients with negative tox screens, significantly higher rates of amputation were found in those using marijuana (p=0.016), other drugs of abuse (p=0.008) and tobacco (p=0.0093). Significantly higher limb salvage rates were found in patients presenting with a negative tox screen (p=0.0077). Only tobacco users had a significantly greater length of stay (p=0.02). 36.2% (51) of the patients received tPA with no difference in administration rates between positive and negative tox screened patients. Patients receiving tPA had significantly lower rates of amputation (p=0.02). 51.8% (73) of admitted patients were homeless, with 83.6% (61) testing tox positive. Both increased hospital length of stay (p=< 0.001) and amputation rates (p=0.0004) were observed in the homeless frostbite population. Conclusions Drugs, alcohol and homelessness significantly impact clinical outcomes in frostbite patients. Homelessness, marijuana, tobacco and other drugs of abuse are associated with significantly higher rates of amputation despite receiving tPA at the same rate. Administration of tPA is significant in lowering amputation rates. Applicability of Research to Practice The association between drugs of abuse, homelessness and frostbite highlight the need for increased preventative efforts especially in the homeless population.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S203-S204
Author(s):  
Anne L Lambert Wagner ◽  
Tyler M Smith ◽  
Kiran U Dyamenahalli ◽  
Patrick Duffy ◽  
Elizabeth J Kovacs ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Alcohol has been shown to increase hospital length of stay, complications and mortality in burn patients in studies examining its effects over the past 25 years. In contrast, there is a scarcity of published data on the effects of marijuana and other drugs of abuse in the burn population. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of marijuana use on burn patients in comparison to other drugs of abuse including alcohol. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 875 burn patients admitted to a verified burn center from July 2015 to July 2019. Patients were identified from our burn registry and additional data was obtained from chart reviews. The primary comparison was between patients with and without a positive toxicology (tox) screens on admission. Contingency analysis for categorical variables was performed using Fisher’s exact test, while the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables, reporting two-tailed p values. Results Results of admission tox screens on all burn admissions were positive in 48% (423) of patients for drugs of abuse including: marijuana 41% (358), alcohol 16% (141), and stimulants 15% (134). Tox screens positive for alcohol were significant for increased: hospital length of stay (LOS) (p=0.0121), ICU LOS (p=0.0166), ventilator days (p=0.0324), number of operations (p=0.0341), and complication rates (p=0.0005). Patients with positive drug, but negative alcohol screens showed significant increases in: hospital LOS (p=0.029), hospital complications (p=0.0251), and wound infections (p=0.04). Patients testing positive for marijuana approached significance for an increased hospital LOS (p=0.0756) and was significant for increased wound infections (p=0.0476). Looking at median ages: tox positive patients (35) were significantly younger (p=< 0.0001) than negative (49). The median age for patients testing positive for marijuana (35) was significantly younger (p=< 0.0001) than those that testing negative (47). Median age regarding alcohol tox screens was insignificant. Looking at significance in median TBSA, significance was found between tox positive (4.3%) and tox negative (3.5%) patients (p=0.004). TBSA was insignificant in the other groups. Conclusions Almost half of all admitted burn patients tested positive for alcohol and other drugs of abuse. As in previous studies, patients testing positive for alcohol continue to have a more complicated hospital course and longer hospital and ICU LOS. Marijuana, positive in 41% of all burn admissions, showed significance in increased wound infections and a slight trend towards an increased hospital stay. Applicability of Research to Practice The association between burns and drugs of abuse including alcohol indicates the need for increased preventative and educational efforts especially in patients suffering from alcohol abuse/dependence and younger patients.


2002 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantine G. Lyketsos ◽  
Gary Dunn ◽  
Michael J. Kaminsky ◽  
William R. Breakey

Neurosurgery ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nitin Agarwal ◽  
Ezequiel Goldschmidt ◽  
Tavis Taylor ◽  
Souvik Roy ◽  
Stefanie C Altieri Dunn ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND With an aging population, elderly patients with multiple comorbidities are more frequently undergoing spine surgery and may be at increased risk for complications. Objective measurement of frailty may predict the incidence of postoperative adverse events. OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between preoperative frailty and postoperative spine surgery outcomes including mortality, length of stay, readmission, surgical site infection, and venous thromboembolic disease. METHODS As part of a system-wide quality improvement initiative, frailty assessment was added to the routine assessment of patients considering spine surgery beginning in July 2016. Frailty was assessed with the Risk Analysis Index (RAI), and patients were categorized as nonfrail (RAI 0-29) or prefrail/frail (RAI ≥ 30). Comparisons between nonfrail and prefrail/frail patients were analyzed using Fisher's exact test for categorical data or by Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous data. RESULTS From August 2016 through September 2018, 668 patients (age of 59.5 ± 13.3 yr) had a preoperative RAI score recorded and underwent scheduled spine surgery. Prefrail and frail patients suffered comparatively higher rates of mortality at 90 d (1.9% vs 0.2%, P < .05) and 1 yr (5.1% vs 1.2%, P < .01) from the procedure date. They also had longer in-hospital length of stay (LOS) (3.9 d ± 3.6 vs 3.1 d ± 2.8, P < .001) and higher rates of 60 d (14.6% vs 8.2%, P < .05) and 90 d (15.8% vs 9.8%, P < .05) readmissions. CONCLUSION Preoperative frailty, as measured by the RAI, was associated with an increased risk of readmission and 90-d and 1-yr mortality following spine surgery. The RAI can be used to stratify spine patients and inform preoperative surgical decision making.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana J. Pinto ◽  
Karla F. Goessler ◽  
Alan L. Fernandes ◽  
Igor H. Murai ◽  
Lucas P. Sales ◽  
...  

AbstractPurposeThis small-scale, prospective cohort study nested within a randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the possible associations between physical activity levels and clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.MethodsHospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 were recruited from Clinical Hospital of the School of Medicine of the University of Sao Paulo (a quaternary referral teaching hospital), and from Ibirapuera Field Hospital, both located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Physical activity levels were assessed by Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay. The secondary outcomes were: mortality, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), and mechanical ventilation requirement.ResultsMean hospital length of stay was 8.5 ± 7.1 days; 3.3% of patients died, 13.8% were admitted to ICU, and 8.6% required mechanical ventilation. Linear regression models showed that physical activity indexes were not associated with hospital length of stay (work index: β=-0.57 [95%CI: −1.80 to 0.65], p=0.355; sport index: β=0.43 [95%CI: −0.94 to 1.80], p=0.536; leisure-time index: β=1.18 [95%CI: −0.22 to 2.59], p=0.099; total activity index: β=0.20 [95%CI: −0.48 to 0.87], p=0.563. Physical activity indexes were not associated with mortality, admission to ICU and mechanical ventilation requirement (all p>0.05).ConclusionsAmong hospitalized patients with COVID-19, physical activity did not associate with hospital length of stay or any other clinically-relevant outcomes. These findings suggest that previous physical activity levels may not change the prognosis of severe COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Lage ◽  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Charn-Xin Fuh ◽  
Richard A. Newcomb ◽  
Vicki A. Jackson ◽  
...  

Background: National guidelines recommend regular measurement of functional status among patients with cancer, particularly those who are elderly or high-risk, but little is known about how functional status relates to clinical outcomes among hospitalized patients with advanced cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate how functional impairment is associated with symptom burden and healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with advanced cancer with unplanned hospitalizations at Massachusetts General Hospital from September 2014 through March 2016. Upon admission, nurses assessed patients’ activities of daily living (ADLs; mobility, feeding, bathing, dressing, and grooming). Patients with any ADL impairment on admission were classified as having functional impairment. We used the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r) and Patient Health Questionnaire-4 to assess physical and psychological symptoms, respectively. Multivariable regression models were used to assess the relationships between functional impairment, hospital length of stay, and survival. Results: Among 971 patients, 390 (40.2%) had functional impairment. Those with functional impairment were older (mean age, 67.18 vs 60.81 years; P<.001) and had a higher physical symptom burden (mean ESAS physical score, 35.29 vs 30.85; P<.001) compared with those with no functional impairment. They were also more likely to report moderate-to-severe pain (74.9% vs 63.1%; P<.001) and symptoms of depression (38.3% vs 23.6%; P<.001) and anxiety (35.9% vs 22.4%; P<.001). Functional impairment was associated with longer hospital length of stay (β = 1.29; P<.001) and worse survival (hazard ratio, 1.73; P<.001). Conclusions: Hospitalized patients with advanced cancer who had functional impairment experienced a significantly higher symptom burden and worse clinical outcomes compared with those without functional impairment. These findings provide evidence supporting the routine assessment of functional status on hospital admission and using this to inform discharge planning, discussions about prognosis, and the development of interventions addressing patients’ symptoms and physical function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S672-S673
Author(s):  
John B McCoury ◽  
Randolph V Fugit ◽  
Mary T Bessesen

Abstract Background Randomized controlled trials of procalcitonin (PCT)-based algorithms for antibacterial therapy have been shown to reduce antimicrobial use and improve survival. Translation of PCT algorithms to clinical settings has often been unsuccessful. Methods We implemented a PCT algorithm, supported by focus groups prior to introduction of the PCT test in April 2016 and clinician training on the PCT algorithm for testing and antimicrobial management after test roll-out. The standard PCT algorithm period (SPAP) was defined as October 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. The antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) initiated an AST-supported PCT algorithm (ASPA) in August 2018. The AST prospectively evaluated patients admitted to ICU for sepsis and ordered PCT per algorithm if the primary medical team had not ordered them. The ASPA period was defined as October 1, 2018–March 31, 2019. The AST conducted concurrent review and feedback for all antibiotic orders during both periods, using PCT result when available. We compared patient characteristics and outcomes between the two periods. The primary outcome was adherence to the PCT algorithm, with subcomponents of appropriate PCT orders and antimicrobial discontinuation. Secondary outcomes were total antibiotic days, excess antibiotic days avoided, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission and mortality. Continuous variables were analyzed with Student t-test. Categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square or Mann–Whitney test, as appropriate. Results There were 35 cases in the SPAP cohort and 57 cases in the ASPA cohort. There were no differences in demographics or infection site (Table 1). Baseline PCT was ordered in 57% of the SPAP cohort and 90% of the ASPA cohort (P = 0.0006) (Table 2). Follow-up PCT was performed in 23% of SPAP and 76% of ASPA (P < 0.0001). Antibiotics were discontinued per algorithm in 2/35 (7%) in the SPAP cohort and 25/57 (44%) in the ASPA cohort (P < 0.0001). Total antibiotic days was 7 (IQR 4–10) in the SPAP cohort and 5 (IQR 2–7) in the ASPA cohort (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in LOS, ICU LOS, 30-day readmission, or mortality (Table 4). Conclusion A PCT algorithm successfully implemented by an AST was associated with a significant decrease in total antibiotic days. There were no differences in mortality or LOS. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S22-S22
Author(s):  
Alithea D Gabrellas ◽  
John J Veillette ◽  
Brandon J Webb ◽  
Edward A Stenehjem ◽  
Nancy A Grisel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Infectious diseases (ID) consultation improves SAB readmission rates, compliance with care bundles and mortality. Small community hospitals (SCHs) (which comprise 70% of US hospitals) often lack access to on-site ID physicians. IDt is one way to overcome this barrier, but it is unknown if IDt provides similar clinical benefits to traditional ID consultation. Our study aims to evaluate the impact of IDt on patient outcomes at 15 SCHs (bed range: 16–146) within the Intermountain Healthcare system in Utah. Methods Baseline demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), hospital length of stay (LOS), and mortality (in-hospital, 30- and 90-day) were collected using an electronic health record database and health department vital records on all patients with a positive S. aureus blood culture from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2018. Data from January 2014 through Sep 2016 were excluded to avoid potential influence of a concurrent antimicrobial stewardship study. Starting in October 2016 an IDt program (staffed by an ID physician and pharmacist) provided consultation for SCH providers and patients using electronic consultation and encrypted two-way audiovisual communication.Statistical analyses were performed using Fisher’s exact test or χ 2 test for categorical variables and Mann–Whitney U test for nonparametric continuous data. Results In total, 625 patients with SAB were identified: 127 (20%) received IDt and 498 (80%) did not (non-IDt). The two groups (IDt vs. non-IDt) were similar in median age (66 vs. 62 years; P = 0.76), percent male (62% vs. 58%; P = 0.35), and median baseline CCI (4 vs. 4; P = 0.54). There were no statistically significant differences in median LOS (5 vs. 5 days; P = 0.93) or in-hospital mortality (2% in both groups). The IDt group had a lower 30-day (9% vs. 15%; P = 0.049) and 90-day mortality (13% vs. 21%; P = 0.034). Conclusion IDt consultation was associated with a decrease in 30- and 90-day mortality for SCH SAB cases. Early transfer of critically ill patients might have affected LOS and in-hospital mortality. Post-discharge care factors might also contribute to 30- and 90-day mortality. While more work is needed to identify other factors associated with the effect of IDt on SAB, these data support the use of IDt to increase access to care and improve SAB outcomes in SCHs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. e100109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hoyt Burdick ◽  
Eduardo Pino ◽  
Denise Gabel-Comeau ◽  
Andrea McCoy ◽  
Carol Gu ◽  
...  

BackgroundSevere sepsis and septic shock are among the leading causes of death in the USA. While early prediction of severe sepsis can reduce adverse patient outcomes, sepsis remains one of the most expensive conditions to diagnose and treat.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a machine learning algorithm for severe sepsis prediction on in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay and 30-day readmission.DesignProspective clinical outcomes evaluation.SettingEvaluation was performed on a multiyear, multicentre clinical data set of real-world data containing 75 147 patient encounters from nine hospitals across the continental USA, ranging from community hospitals to large academic medical centres.ParticipantsAnalyses were performed for 17 758 adult patients who met two or more systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria at any point during their stay (‘sepsis-related’ patients).InterventionsMachine learning algorithm for severe sepsis prediction.Outcome measuresIn-hospital mortality, length of stay and 30-day readmission rates.ResultsHospitals saw an average 39.5% reduction of in-hospital mortality, a 32.3% reduction in hospital length of stay and a 22.7% reduction in 30-day readmission rate for sepsis-related patient stays when using the machine learning algorithm in clinical outcomes analysis.ConclusionsReductions of in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay and 30-day readmissions were observed in real-world clinical use of the machine learning-based algorithm. The predictive algorithm may be successfully used to improve sepsis-related outcomes in live clinical settings.Trial registration numberNCT03960203


2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S60
Author(s):  
H Paddock ◽  
R Fabia ◽  
S Giles ◽  
J Hayes ◽  
W Lowell ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S166-S166
Author(s):  
George Sakoulas ◽  
Matthew Geriak ◽  
Ravina Kullar ◽  
Kris Greenwood ◽  
Mackenzie Habib ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The majority of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality occurs in patients who progress to mechanical ventilation. Therefore, therapeutic interventions targeting the mitigation of this complication would markedly improve outcomes and reduce healthcare utilization. Methods Patients with COVID-19 from two hospitals in San Diego, California were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive standard of care (SOC) plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at 0.5 g/kg/day x 3 days with solumedrol 40 mg 30 minutes before infusion (IVIG group) versus SOC alone. The primary composite endpoint was receipt of mechanical ventilation or death before receiving ventilation. Patients were followed until discharge to home or up to 30 days from time of enrollment. Results Sixteen patients received IVIG plus SOC and 17 SOC alone. The median age was 54 years for SOC and 57 years for IVIG. Median time from hospital admission to study enrollment was 1 day (range 0–4) for SOC and 2 days (range 0–8) for IVIG. APACHE II scores and Charlson comorbidity indices were similar for IVIG and SOC (median 8 vs 7 and 2 for both, respectively). Seven SOC patients achieved the composite endpoint (6 ventilated, 1 death) versus 2 IVIG patients (2 ventilated), p=0.12, Fisher exact test. Among the subgroup with an estimated A-a gradient of &gt;200 mm Hg at time of enrollment, the IVIG group showed a lower rate of progression to the composite endpoint (2/14 vs 7/12, p=0.04 Fisher exact test), shorter median hospital length (11 vs 24 days, p=0.001 Mann Whitney U), and shorter median intensive care unit (ICU) stay (3 vs 13 days, p=0.005 Mann Whitey U). Conclusion This small, prospective, randomized, open-label study showed that when administered to hypoxic non-ventilated COVID-19 patients with an A-a gradient of &gt;200 mm Hg (corresponding to a requirement of 6 liters O2 via nasal cannula to achieve an SpO2 of 92%), IVIG significantly decreased the rates of progression to mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and total hospital length of stay. A Phase 3 prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial is underway to further validate these findings. Disclosures George Sakoulas, MD, Octapharma (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator)


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