scholarly journals Receptivity to a Nurse-Led Symptom Management Intervention Among Highly Symptomatic Patients With Cancer

Author(s):  
Grant A Wintheiser ◽  
Kathryn J Ruddy ◽  
Jeph Herrin ◽  
Parvez A Rahman ◽  
Deirdre R Pachman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The symptom burden associated with cancer and its treatment can negatively affect patients’ quality of life and survival. Symptom-focused collaborative care model (CCM) interventions can improve outcomes, but only if patients engage with them. We assessed the receptivity of severely symptomatic oncology patients to a remote nurse-led CCM intervention. Methods In a pragmatic, cluster-randomized, stepped-wedge trial conducted as part of the National Cancer Institute IMPACT Consortium (E2C2, NCT03892967), patients receiving cancer care were asked to rate their sleep disturbance, pain, anxiety, emotional distress, fatigue, and limitations in physical function. Patients reporting at least 1 severe symptom (≥7/10) were offered phone consultation with a nurse symptom care manager (RN SCM). Initially, patients had to “opt-in” to receive a call, but the protocol was later modified so they had to “opt-out” if they did not want a call. We assessed the impact of opt-in vs opt-out framing and patient characteristics on receptiveness to RN SCM calls. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results Of the 1204 symptom assessments (from 864 patients) on which at least 1 severe symptom was documented, 469 (39.0%) indicated receptivity to an RN SCM phone call. The opt-out period (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.32, P = .01), receiving care at a tertiary care center (OR = 3.59, 95% CI = 2.18 to 5.91, P < .001), and having severe pain (OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.24 to 2.62, P = .002) were associated with statistically significantly greater willingness to receive a call. Conclusions Many severely symptomatic patients were not receptive to an RN SCM phone call. Better understanding of reasons for refusal and strategies for improving patient receptivity are needed.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 849-852
Author(s):  
Mohamad El Warea ◽  
Roula Sasso ◽  
Rana Bachir ◽  
Mazen El Sayed

ABSTRACTIntroduction:In the summer of 2015, Beirut experienced a garbage crisis that led to rioting. Riot control measures resulted in multiple casualties. This study examines injury patterns of riot victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care center in a developing country.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted in the emergency department of the American University of Beirut Medical Center between August 22 and August 30, 2015. Patients seen in the emergency department with riot injuries were included. Patient characteristics, injuries, and resources utilized in the emergency department were analyzed.Results:Ninety-five patients were identified. Most patients presented to the emergency department within a short time period. The mean age of the patients was 28.0 ± 8.7 years. Most (90.5%) of the patients were males and 92.6% were protestors. Emergency medical services were utilized by 41.0% of patients. Laceration was the most common presenting complaint (28.5%), and blunt trauma was the most common type of injury (50.5%). The head/face/neck was the most common injured body region (55.8%). Most patients did not require blood tests or procedures (91.6% and 61.0%, respectively), and 91.2% of patients were treated in the emergency department and discharged. One patient required intensive care unit admission and another was dead on arrival.Conclusions:Most patients had mild injuries on presentation. The emergency department experienced a high influx of patients. Complications and deaths can occur from seemingly nonlethal weapons used during riots and warrant effective prehospital and hospital disaster planning.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
NACHIKET MADHAV APTE ◽  
Farhad Sami ◽  
AMIT SHRESHTA ◽  
Tarun Dalia ◽  
Sagar Ranka ◽  
...  

Introduction: The Emory risk score has been developed to predict new pacemaker implantation in patients undergoing TAVR procedures. There is limited data on assessing risk of early versus late pacemaker implantation in these patients. Hypothesis: The Emory risk score is similar for patients with both early and late pacemaker implantation in TAVR patients. Methods: A single center observational study was performed at our tertiary care center. All patients who underwent pacemaker implantation after TAVR procedures were included. Patients were categorized as early or late if they had pacemaker implantation within the same admission versus implantation post discharge. Standard statistical tests were used for analysis with two-sided p value <0.05 considered significant. IRB approval was obtained for the study Results: A total of 97 patients were studied between January 2017 to April 2020. The mean age was 77.5 ± 7 years and females were 41.2%. At baseline patients with early implantation of pacemakers (n=66) had a higher proportion of underlying RBBB (45.2% vs 23.3%, p=0.43), higher valve size as well as a higher incidence of valve oversizing > 146% (43.9 % vs 19.4 %, p =0.23)when compared to patients with late pacemakers(n=31). There was no difference between patient characteristics, baseline comorbidities, pre procedural ECG parameters as well as use of beta blocking agents. Late pacemaker implantations were associated with a overall lower Emory Risk score (1.06±1.41 vs 1.70±1.35, p =0.037). Conclusions: The Emory Risk score is significantly different for early and late pacemaker implantation. Further studies are needed evaluate risk of late pacemaker implantation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s263-s264
Author(s):  
Jordan Polistico ◽  
Avnish Sandhu ◽  
Teena Chopra ◽  
Erin Goldman ◽  
Jennifer LeRose ◽  
...  

Background: Influenza causes a high burden of disease in the United States, with an estimate of 960,000 hospitalizations in the 2017–2018 flu season. Traditional flu diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have a longer (24 hours or more) turnaround time that may lead to an increase in unnecessary inpatient admissions during peak influenza season. A new point-of-care rapid PCR assays, Xpert Flu, is an FDA-approved PCR test that has a significant decrease in turnaround time (2 hours). The present study sought to understand the impact of implementing a new Xpert Flu test on the rate of inpatient admissions. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to compare rates of inpatient admissions in patients tested with traditional flu PCR during the 2017–2018 flu season and the rapid flu PCR during the 2018–2019 flu season in a tertiary-care center in greater Detroit area. The center has 1 pediatric hospital (hospital A) and 3 adult hospitals (hospital B, C, D). Patients with influenza-like illness who presented to all 4 hospitals during 2 consecutive influenza seasons were analyzed. Results: In total, 20,923 patients were tested with either the rapid flu PCR or the traditional flu PCR. Among these, 14,124 patients (67.2%) were discharged from the emergency department and 6,844 (32.7%) were admitted. There was a significant decrease in inpatient admissions in the traditional flu PCR group compared to the rapid flu PCR group across all hospitals (49.56% vs 26.6% respectively; P < .001). As expected, a significant proportion of influenza testing was performed in the pediatric hospital, 10,513 (50.2%). A greater reduction (30% decrease in the rapid flu PCR group compared to the traditional flu PCR group) was observed in inpatient admissions in the pediatric hospital (Table 1) Conclusions: Rapid molecular influenza testing can significantly decrease inpatient admissions in a busy tertiary-care hospital, which can indirectly lead to improved patient quality with easy bed availability and less time spent in a private room with droplet precautions. Last but not the least, this testing method can certainly lead to lower healthcare costs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2021 ◽  
pp. 263183182110323
Author(s):  
Aditya Prakash Sharma ◽  
Japleen Kaur ◽  
Ravimohan S. Mavuduru ◽  
Shrawan K. Singh

Sexual health-care seeking behavior and practices have been affected during COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on this subspecialty is far reaching. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health-care seeking practice pertaining to sexual health in men in our tertiary care center and review the relevant literature regarding impact of COVID-19 on sexual health seeking practice and challenges faced. Outpatient data was analyzed from January 2019 to April 2021. Patients awaiting surgical procedures due to COVID were documented. A narrative synthesis of literature based on systematic search using the keywords sexual health, sexual health seeking, sexual health practice, andrology, and COVID with operators “AND” and “OR” was carried out in three search engines PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. The study outcomes were obtained by comparing data of outpatient attendance and compiling the reviewed literature. The mean attendance fell significantly from 95.11±11.17 to 17.25±13.70 persons (P <.0001) per outpatient clinic, March 2020 being the reference point. Teleconsultation has taken over physical consultation. In 98/949 cases, teleconsult could not be provided despite registration. Over 25 patients were waiting for surgical procedures pertaining to andrology due to shut down of elective services. Similar trends have been reported from other countries. Number of patients seeking consultation for sexual health problems has dramatically decreased during COVID-19 era. Establishment of data safe teleconsultation facility and its widespread advertisement is needed to encourage patients to seek consult.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562110056
Author(s):  
Connor Wagner ◽  
Carrie E. Zimmerman ◽  
Carlos Barrero ◽  
Christopher L. Kalmar ◽  
Paris Butler ◽  
...  

Objective: To evaluate the impact of a Cleft Nurse Navigator (CNN) program on care for patients with cleft lip and cleft palate and assess the programs efficacy to reduce existing socioeconomic disparities in care. Design: Retrospective review and outcomes analysis (n = 739). Setting: Academic tertiary care center. Patients: All patients presenting with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P) born between May 2009 and November 2019 with exclusions for atypical clefts, submucous cleft palates, international adoption, and very late presentation (after 250 days of life). Interventions: Multidisciplinary care coordination program facilitated by the CNN. Main Outcome Measures: Patient age at first outpatient appointment and age at surgery, reported feeding issues, weight gain, and patient-cleft team communications. Results: After CNN implementation, median age at outpatient appointment decreased from 20 to 16 days ( P = .021), volume of patient-cleft team communications increased from 1.5 to 2.8 ( P < .001), and frequency of reported feeding concerns decreased (50% to 35%; P < .001). In the pre-CNN cohort, nonwhite and publicly insured patients experienced delays in first outpatient appointment ( P < .001), cleft lip repair ( P < .011), and cleft palate repair ( P < .019) compared to white and privately insured patients, respectively. In the post-CNN cohort, there were no significant differences in first appointment timing by race nor surgical timing on the basis of racial identity nor insurance type. Conclusions: A variety of factors lead to delays in cleft care for marginalized patient populations. These findings suggest that a CNN can reduce disparities of access and communication and improve early feeding in at-risk cohorts.


Author(s):  
Aleksandra Polic ◽  
Tierra L. Curry ◽  
Judette M. Louis

Objective The study aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity on the management and outcomes of postpartum hemorrhage. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of women who delivered at a tertiary care center between February 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014 and experienced a postpartum hemorrhage. Charts were reviewed for clinical and sociodemographic data, and women were excluded if the medical record was incomplete. Hemorrhage-related severe morbidity indicators included blood transfusion, shock, renal failure, transfusion-related lung injury, cardiac arrest, and use of interventional radiology procedures. Obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) and nonobese women were compared. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, and linear regression where appropriate. The p-value <0.05 was significant. Results Of 9,890 deliveries, 2.6% (n = 262) were complicated by hemorrhage. Obese women were more likely to deliver by cesarean section (55.5 vs. 39.8%, p = 0.016), undergo a cesarean after labor (31.1 vs. 12.2%, p = 0.001), and have a higher quantitative blood loss (1,313 vs. 1,056 mL, p = 0.003). Both groups were equally likely to receive carboprost, methylergonovine, and misoprostol, but obese women were more likely to receive any uterotonic agent (95.7 vs. 88.9%, p = 0.007) and be moved to the operating room (32.3 vs. 20.4, p = 0.04). There was no difference in the use of intrauterine pressure balloon tamponade, interventional radiology, or decision to proceed with hysterectomy. The two groups were similar in time to stabilization. There was no difference in the need for blood transfusion. Obese women required more units of blood transfused (2.2 ± 2 vs. 2 ± 5 units, p = 0.023), were more likely to have any hemorrhage-related severe morbidity (34.1 vs. 25%, p = 0.016), and more than one hemorrhage related morbidity (17.1 vs. 7.9, p = 0.02). After controlling for confounding variables, quantitative blood loss, and not BMI was predictive of the need for transfusion. Conclusion Despite similar management, obese women were more likely to have severe morbidity and need more units of blood transfused. Key Points


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamshed Ali ◽  
Osman Faheem ◽  
Pirbhat Shams ◽  
ghufran adnan ◽  
Maria Khan

Introduction: Social containment measures have been adopted globally to control COVID-19 outbreak. Reduction in hospital visits and inpatient admission rates have become cause for concern. Through this study we aimed to analyze the impact of SARS-CoV-2 virus Outbreak on cardiology inpatient admissions at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Hypothesis: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant decline in cardiology admissions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at our center. Admission log was accessed via electronic record system. Comparison was made for same months of 2019 and 2020 with regard to cardiology inpatient admissions. Results: A total of 239 patients were admitted to cardiology services in 2019 period and 106 in 2020 period with resultant reduction of 55.6%. Number of patients admitted to the coronary care unit were 179 and 78 respectively where as the numbers declined to 28 from 60 for cardiac step down. Reduction for admission numbered to 52.4% for males and 38.89% for females. 9.3% patients left against medical advice in 2019 and 3.4% in 2020. Conclusions: Our study concludes that numbers of cardiology admissions have dwindled. Possible explanation for this can be implementation of social containment and fear of acquiring infection. This has raised a question of whether a significant number of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has occurred without seeking medical attention and has went unrecorded during the pandemic. This calls for stringent diagnostic measures in future to diagnose previously unrecorded burden.


2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982095438
Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Sarber ◽  
Douglas C. von Allmen ◽  
Raisa Tikhtman ◽  
Javier Howard ◽  
Narong Simakajornboon ◽  
...  

Objective Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), particularly in young children, is often treated with observation. However, there is little evidence regarding the outcomes with this approach. Our aim was to assess the impact of observation on sleep for children aged <3 years with mild OSA. Study Design Case-control study. Setting Pediatric tertiary care center. Methods We reviewed cases of children (<3 years old) diagnosed with mild OSA (obstructive apnea-hypopnea index, 1-5 events/h) who were treated with observation between 2012 and 2017 and had at least 2 polysomnograms performed 3 to 12 months apart. Demographic data and comorbid diagnoses were collected. Results Twenty-six children met inclusion criteria; their median age was 7.2 months (95% CI, 1.2-22.8). Nine (35%) were female and 24 (92%) were White. Their median body mass index percentile was 39 (95% CI, 1-76). Comorbidities included cardiac disease (42.3%), laryngomalacia (42.3%), allergies (34.6%), reactive airway disease (23.1%), and prematurity (7.7%). The obstructive apnea-hypopnea index significantly decreased from 2.7 events/h (95% CI, 1-4.5) to 1.3 (95% CI, 0-4.5; P = .013). There was no significant improvement in median saturation nadir (baseline, 86%; P = .76) or median time with end-tidal carbon dioxide >50 mm Hg (baseline, 0 minutes; P = .34). OSA resolved in 8 patients (31%) and worsened in 1 (3.8%). Only race was a significant predictor of resolution per regression analysis; however, only 2 non-White children were included. Conclusion In our cohort, resolution of mild OSA occurred in 31% of patients treated with 3 to 12 months of observation. The presence of laryngomalacia, asthma, and allergies did not affect resolution. Larger studies are needed to better identify factors (including race) associated with persistent OSA and optimal timing of intervention for these children. Level of Evidence 4.


2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Posner ◽  
Raymond T Finn ◽  
Rahul A Shimpi ◽  
Richard K Wood ◽  
Deborah Fisher ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal dysmotility are common in patients with advanced lung disease and are associated with allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation. The effect of transplantation on reflux and esophageal motility is unclear. The aim of this study was to describe the changes in esophageal function occurring after lung transplantation. A retrospective cohort study was performed on lung transplant candidates evaluated at a tertiary care center between 2015 and 2016. A total of 76 patients who underwent lung transplantation had high-resolution manometry and ambulatory pH-metry before and after transplant. Demographic data, esophageal function testing results, and clinical outcomes such as pulmonary function testing were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical tests and multivariable regression. Of the 76 patients, 59 (78%) received a bilateral transplant. There was a significant increase in esophageal contractility posttransplant, with an increase in median distal contractile integral from 1470 to 2549 mmHg cm s (P &lt; 0.01). There were 19 patients with Jackhammer esophagus posttransplant, including 15 patients with normal motility pretransplant. Nine patients with ineffective or fragmented peristalsis pretransplant had normal manometry posttransplant. Abnormal pH-metry was observed in 35 (46%) patients pretransplant and 29 (38%) patients posttransplant (P = 0.33). Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease posttransplant had less improvement in pulmonary function at one year, as measured by forced expiratory volume (P = 0.04). These results demonstrate that esophageal contractility increases significantly after lung transplantation, with an associated change in motility classification. In comparison, gastroesophageal reflux does not worsen, but is associated with worse pulmonary function, posttransplant.


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