Understanding the Role of the Otolaryngology Hospitalist: Tracheostomies and Tracheostomy Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110457
Author(s):  
Mohamad Issa ◽  
Nadeem El-Kouri ◽  
Sara Mater ◽  
Jonathan Y. Lee ◽  
Carl Snyderman ◽  
...  

Introduction: The concept of a hospitalist has been well established. This model has been associated with reduced length of stay contributing to reduction in healthcare costs. Minimal literature is available assessing the effects of an otolaryngology (ENT) hospitalist at a tertiary medical center. The aim of this study is to assess the role of an ENT hospitalist on (1) performing tracheostomies and (2) providing care as part of the tracheostomy care team (TCT). Methods: Retrospective chart review of all tracheostomies performed by the ENT service over 2 years (July 2015-June 2017), and prospective data collection of all tracheostomy care consults over 1 year (July 2016-June 2017). In year 1 (from July 2015 to June 2016), no ENT hospitalist was employed, and in year 2 (from July 2016 to June 2017), an ENT hospitalist was employed. Results: Compared to other Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) surgeons, the ENT hospitalist performed tracheostomies with shorter patient wait times, and performed a greater proportion of percutaneous tracheostomies at the bedside versus open tracheostomies in the operating room. The tracheostomy care team (TCT) received 91 consults over the course of 1 year with an average of 1.1 billable procedures generated per consult. Conclusion: In this study, an ENT hospitalist was decreased patient wait time to tracheostomy and increased bedside percutaneous tracheostomies, which has positive implications for resource utilization and healthcare cost. The average wait time to receive a tracheostomy was reduced when calculated across the entire department due to the availability of the ENT hospitalist to see and perform tracheostomies. The TCT generated many billable bedside procedures in addition to encouraged decannulation of patients. This study highlights the fact that the ENT hospitalist contributes to providing expedient tracheostomies and provides valuable consulting services as part of a TCT at a high-volume tertiary care facility.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2056
Author(s):  
Frank Herbstreit ◽  
Marvin Overbeck ◽  
Marc Moritz Berger ◽  
Annabell Skarabis ◽  
Thorsten Brenner ◽  
...  

Infections with SARS-CoV-2 spread worldwide early in 2020. In previous winters, we had been treating patients with seasonal influenza. While creating a larger impact on the health care systems, comparisons regarding the intensive care unit (ICU) courses of both diseases are lacking. We compared patients with influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections treated at a tertiary care facility offering treatment for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and being a high-volume facility for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic (n = 64) were compared to 64 patients with severe influenza from 2016 to 2020 at our ICU. All patients were treated using a standardized protocol. ECMO was used in cases of severe ARDS. Both groups had similar comorbidities. Time in ICU and mortality were not significantly different, yet mortality with ECMO was high amongst COVID-19 patients with approximately two-thirds not surviving. This is in contrast to a mortality of less than 40% in influenza patients with ECMO. Mortality was higher than estimated by SAPSII score on admission in both groups. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to be male and non-smokers than those with influenza. The outcomes for patients with severe disease were similar. The study helps to understand similarities and differences between patients treated for severe influenza infections and COVID-19.


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P146-P146
Author(s):  
Selena E. Heman-Ackah ◽  
Dunn Ryan ◽  
Tina C. Huang

Objectives A number of factors have been identified that contribute to the presentation of asymmetric sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ASSNHL). Routinely patients presenting with ASSNHL undergo a battery of serologic testing and imaging in an attempt to determine a cause. The study will assess the utility of this diagnostic evaluation in elucidating a cause of an asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss. At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to: 1) Understand the utility of diagnostic screening in the management of ASSNHL. 2) Understand the cost-effectiveness of the diagnostic screening for ASSNHL. Methods The study design is a retrospective chart review. Charts from patients presenting to the otolaryngology clinic of a tertiary care facility between January 1, 2000, and November 30, 2007, with ASSNHL confirmed with audiometric evaluation were reviewed. Diagnostic tests included in the work-up of ASSNHL and test results were recorded. Percentage of positive tests was determined and compared to national data. Cost analysis of the diagnostic battery was performed. Results All patients presenting with sudden sensorineural hearing loss received 1 or more of the following serologic and radiographic tests: ANA, cholesterol, creatinine, DNA-ds, ESR, blood glucose, Lyme titer, rheumatoid factor, RPR, FTA-ABS, HSP, T3, TSH and MRI with gadolinium. The average cost associated with the full diagnostic evaluation is greater than $1,500. The positive rate for any of these tests was extremely low. Conclusions The utility of the comprehensive ASSNHL evaluation should be reconsidered. The choice of diagnostic evaluation should be directed by patient risk factors and exposures.


2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 1016-1022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerstin L Edlefsen ◽  
Jonathan F Tait ◽  
Mark H Wener ◽  
Michael Astion

Abstract Background: Institutions face increasing charges related to molecular genetic testing for neurological diseases. The literature contains little information on the utilization and performance of these tests. Methods: A retrospective utilization review was performed to determine the diagnostic yield of neurogenetic tests ordered during calendar year 2005 at a large academic medical center in the western United States. Results: Overall, a relevant mutation was identified in 30.2% of the 162 patients tested and in 21.5% of the 121 probands, defined as patients for whom no mutation has been previously identified in a family member. Patients with muscle weakness (n = 65) had a mutation detected in 26.2% of all patients and 23.5% of probands (n = 51), with an estimated testing cost per positive result of $3190. Patients tested for neuropathy (n = 36) had a mutation detected in 27.8% of patients and 22.6% of probands (n = 31), with an estimated cost per positive result of $5955. Patients with chorea (n = 25) had a positive result obtained in 68% of patients and 71.4% of probands (n = 7); the estimated cost per positive test was $440. Other diagnostic categories evaluated include ataxias (n = 18; yield, 11.1%; $7620 per positive), familial stroke or dementia syndromes (n = 8; yield, 12.5%; $6760 per positive), and multisystem mitochondrial disorders (n = 10; yield, 20%; $6485 per positive). Conclusions: Expert clinicians at a tertiary care center who ordered neurogenetic tests obtained a positive result in 21.5% of patients without previously identified familial mutations. These results can be used for comparison and to help establish utilization guidelines for neurogenetic testing.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
Lekha K. Mukkamala ◽  
Tian Xia ◽  
Rana Mady ◽  
Lisa Athwal ◽  
Marco A. Zarbin ◽  
...  

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe the patient characteristics, management, and outcomes of bleb-related endophthalmitis (BRE). Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who presented to a tertiary care facility from 2001 to 2016 with BRE. Collected data included demographics, medical and ocular history, visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), presence of hypopyon, treatment, microbiology, visual outcomes particularly of VA and IOP, and complications. Results: Thirty-six eyes (36 patients: 21 females, mean 66.8 years old, 78% with primary open-angle glaucoma) presented an average of 4.5 years (range, 2 days-33 years) after glaucoma surgery (30 trabeculectomies with mitomycin C, 6 tube shunts) with endophthalmitis. Mean VA and IOP at presentation were hand motion (HM; logMAR 2.1) and 19.9 mmHg, respectively, with 82% displaying hypopyon and 87% with purulent blebitis. Eighteen (50%) eyes (mean VA HM) underwent vitreous tap and injection (T/I) of intravitreal antibiotics (vancomycin 1 mg/0.1 cc and ceftazidime 2.25 mg/0.1 cc), and 18 (50%) eyes (mean VA HM) underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with intravitreal antibiotic injection. Eight (45%) eyes initially treated with T/I required a subsequent PPV, and 5 (28%) eyes treated initially with PPV underwent a second PPV. All patients also received systemic antibiotics (33 intravenous [IV] and 3 oral) and topical medications. Average time to documented resolution was 15 days, with mean VA of HM and IOP of 13.6 mmHg. Thirty-one (86%) eyes had vision worse than 20/200 at resolution, and those presenting with light perception or no light perception (NLP) vision (n = 6) had worse vision final VA (logMAR 2.6) than those with initial vision of HM or better (final VA logMAR 1.7). Three (8.6%) eyes were enucleated, with 4 worsening to NLP during the course of the infection. Conclusions: BRE is a visually devastating infection requiring prompt diagnosis and management. Despite aggressive treatment with antibiotics, visual prognosis is poor.


Author(s):  
Christiane Maria Prado Jeronimo ◽  
Maria Eduarda Leão Farias ◽  
Fernando Fonseca Almeida Val ◽  
Vanderson Souza Sampaio ◽  
Marcia Almeida Araújo Alexandre ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Steroid use for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is based on the possible role of these drugs in mitigating the inflammatory response, mainly in the lungs, triggered by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone (MP) among hospitalized patients with suspected COVID-19. Methods A parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, Phase IIb clinical trial was performed with hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years with clinical, epidemiological, and/or radiological suspected COVID-19 at a tertiary care facility in Manaus, Brazil. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to receive either intravenous MP (0.5 mg/kg) or placebo (saline solution) twice daily for 5 days. A modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis was conducted. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Results From 18 April to 16 June 2020, 647 patients were screened, 416 were randomized, and 393 were analyzed as mITT, with 194 individuals assigned to MP and 199 to placebo. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in 81.3%. The mortality rates at Day 28 were not different between groups. A subgroup analysis showed that patients over 60 years old in the MP group had a lower mortality rate at Day 28. Patients in the MP arm tended to need more insulin therapy, and no difference was seen in virus clearance in respiratory secretion until Day 7. Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that a short course of MP in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 did not reduce mortality in the overall population. Clinical Trials Registration NCT04343729.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 2048
Author(s):  
Babitha Rexlin G. ◽  
Suresh P. M.

Background: The planet faces a new challenge with COVID-19 disease caused by novel SARS-CoV2. Pediatric COVID-19 is considered to be mild. Methods: The study aim was to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings and outcome of a cohort of paediatric patients according to Ministry of health and family welfare (MOHFW) criteria, at KKGMCH a tertiary care facility in Kanyakumari district. It’s a retrospective chart review including data of children aged 0 to 12 years with COVID-19 from 20 March to 19 July 2020. Results: Of the 137 children with COVID-19, 17 (12.45%) were infants, 65 (35%) were 1-5 years and 72 (52.55%) were 6-12 years. Age didn’t have influence on acquiring the illness as p value is 0.125. Age had no influence on severity too as p value is 0.28. 46.7% were female and 53.3% were male. There was an apparent male preponderance with (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.21) but a non-significant p value of 0.54. of the 34 (24.8%) mild symptomatic, 22 (64.7%) were males and 12 (35.2%) were females. The p value is 0.086 stating gender non-influential on severity. 129 (94.1%) children had contact history. The contacts were parents or close relatives. No child with comorbidity presented during this period. Most common clinical features were fever (8.76%), cough (6.6%), rhinorrhoea (2.2%), vomiting (2.9%) and diarrhoea (1.5%). Children never progressed to severe respiratory illness requiring intensive care as per MOHFW criteria. 1 (0.7%) presented with focal consolidation in chest x-ray. All 137 (100%) children got cured.Conclusion: Study concludes pediatric COVID-19 is a mild disease without mortality at beginning of pandemic in Kanyakumari district. Factors like age and gender neither influenced the occurrence of the disease nor the severity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-266
Author(s):  
Tamara Milovanovic-Alempijevic ◽  
Vladimir Nikolic ◽  
Simon Zec ◽  
Aleksandar Veljkovic ◽  
Aleksandra Sokic-Milutinovic ◽  
...  

Background/Aim. In recent years, many studies have demonstrated a proximal shift in the distribution of adenomas and colorectal cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in the incidence and anatomical distribution of adenomas and colorectal cancers spanning a 20 year time gap. Methods. We performed a retrospective observational study of colorectal adenomas and cancers diagnosed during total colonoscopy in a high volume tertiary care facility in two 1-year periods of time ? 1990 and 2010. Results. During the analyzed period, 4,048 colonoscopies were performed, 1,148 were performed in 1990 and 2,900 were done in 2010. The study included 466 patients with adenomas and 121 patients with colorectal cancers. Frequency of proximal adenoma changed from 16.5% to 32.7% (p < 0.001). By analyzing colonoscopies in 2010, an increase in the incidence of adenomas compared to 1990 was noticed. The number of adenomas sized 0?5 mm rose from 32.8% to 56.9% (p < 0.001). Frequency of colon carcinoma changed from 5.3% to 2.0% (p < 0.001). Incidence of cancers in the proximal colon rose from 21.3% to 48.4% (p = 0.002). A higher incidence of cancers in the proximal colon and a lower incidence of distal cancers were observed, while no difference was observed in the incidence of rectal cancers. Conclusion. Presence of proximal colon adenoma and cancer is higher, while the overall incidence of colon cancer is lower. This finding should be taken into account when planning the screening for colorectal cancer.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-541
Author(s):  
Richard D. Wood

The new Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, in conjunction with affiliated Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, opened in June of this year, after 15 years in planning and construction. Ground-breaking took place in September 1968, construction began February 1969, and the physical relocation began June 1974. The new children's medical center merits attention as a major example of a new tertiary care facility, serving a tristate region and a university complex, while also rendering primary care through expanded ambulatory and emergency facilities, new transient one-day surgical service, and growing affiliations with health maintenance organizations in the general neighborhood. Regionally, the Hospital serves as a major consultative resource and pediatric referral center for hundreds of Delaware Valley hospitals and physicians.


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