scholarly journals Risk of ionizing radiation exposure from CT scans in the Neuro ICU - a patient safety blind spot?

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 2489
Author(s):  
Avinash B. Kumar ◽  
Roy C. Neeley
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Ct Scans ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ct Studies

Introduction: The exposure to ionizing radiation has increased significantly with the wide availability of computed tomography (CT) scans and portable imaging technology. We examine the pattern of use of inpatient diagnostic imaging and radiation exposure in the neuro-intensive care unit (Neuro ICU, N-ICU) patient population at a large academic medical center. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients admitted to the Neuro ICU at our academic medical center from January 1 to December 31, 2013. The number and type of CT studies was collected, and the corresponding estimated radiation dose was calculated. We limited the evaluation to CT scans, which accounts for the majority of radiation exposure. Data were electronically collected and cross-referenced to the patients’ electronic medical records (EMR) and radiology records. Radiation dose estimates were calculated based on published reference values and conversion factors (CT head (2mSv)), CT angiography of the head and neck (7-10 mSv), Ct Chest /Abd/pelvis ( 10 mSv), CT cerebral perfusion analysis (3.3 mSv). Results: In the calendar year 2013, we had a total of 2353 admission encounters (F=1078). The mean age on admission was 56.55Y ± 16.7. The mean length of ICU stay was 6.3 days. Mechanical ventilation was initiated on 420 patients with a mean length on mechanical ventilation 5.09 days. 2028 CT scans were completed of which approximately 60% were head CT without contrast (n=1209). 379 patients had multiple CT studies. The mean number of studies was 3.8 ± 2. The number of patients with more thanthree3 studies during their ICU stay was 159.  The maximum number of studies on a single patient was 21. Conclusion: Patients in the Neuro ICU are at a risk for significant exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation exposure must be factored into the culture of quality and patient safety in the ICU.

Patient Safety Trilogy: Perspectives from Clinical Engineering

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabella Gieras ◽  
Paul Sherman ◽  
Dennis Minsent
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Clinical Engineering ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Healthcare Technology ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Clinical Engineers

This article examines the role a clinical engineering or healthcare technology management (HTM) department can play in promoting patient safety from three different perspectives: a community hospital, a national government health system, and an academic medical center. After a general overview, Izabella Gieras from Huntington Hospital in Pasadena, CA, leads off by examining the growing role of human factors in healthcare technology, and describing how her facility uses clinical simulations in medical equipment evaluations. A section by Paul Sherman follows, examining patient safety initiatives from the perspective of the Veterans Health Administration with a focus on hazard alerts and recalls. Dennis Minsent from Oregon Health & Science University writes about patient safety from an academic healthcare perspective, and details how clinical engineers can engage in multidisciplinary safety opportunities.

Resident and RN perceptions of the impact of a medical emergency team on education and patient safety in an academic medical center*

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 3091-3096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babak Sarani ◽  
Seema Sonnad ◽  
Meredith R. Bergey ◽  
Joanne Phillips ◽  
Mary Kate Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Medical Emergency Team ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Emergency Team ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Comparison of Clinical and Thrombotic Outcomes in Sars-Cov-2- Pneumonia Versus Other Viral Pneumonia in an Urban Academic Medical Center

Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1956-1956
Author(s):  
Rachel N. Goldberg ◽  
Kevin Johns ◽  
William Ye ◽  
Jeff J. Mucksavage ◽  
John G. Quigley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Renal Replacement Therapy ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Viral Pneumonia ◽  
Coagulation Cascade ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Title: Comparison of Clinical and Thrombotic Outcomes in SARS-CoV-2- Pneumonia versus Other Viral Pneumonia in an Urban Academic Medical Center Objective: To compare clinical and thrombotic outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia versus other viral pneumonias. Introduction: Viral pneumonia (PNA) causes oxidative stress to the pulmonary vasculature, triggering endothelial dysfunction and activation of the coagulation cascade. Elevations in coagulation markers, including d-dimer and fibrinogen, have been observed. Recent studies indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes endothelial cell injury, with activation of the coagulation cascade, and a high frequency of systemic thrombotic events. It remains unclear whether it is viral pneumonia itself, a specific viral strain (and/or viral load) that drives the clinical and thrombotic outcomes. Furthermore, limited data is available regarding clinical outcomes in a diverse patient population hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study is from a single urban medical center in Chicago, Illinois. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study evaluating the medical records of hospitalized adult patients admitted to University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System (UIHHSS) with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia or other viral (H1N1 or H3N2) pneumonia between 10/01/2017 and 09/01/2020. Methods: Patients were included if ≥18 years old, hospitalized, with a primary confirmed diagnosis of viral pneumonia (SARS-CoV-2, H1N1 or H3N2) based on ICD-10 code, viral diagnostic testing, diagnosis description, and appropriate clinical characteristics/imaging studies. Past medical history, inpatient medications, coagulation parameters, arterial/venous thrombotic outcomes, and other clinical outcomes (renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, co-infection) were abstracted from UIHHSS electronic health record database. Results: Medical records of 257 patient with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia were reviewed, 199 patients with SARS-CoV-2 PNA (95 male, average age 58 years, 52% Hispanic, 37% non-Hispanic Black) and 58 patients with other viral PNA (24 male, average age 63 years, 21% Hispanic, 55% non-Hispanic Black; 34 with H3N2, 24 with H1N1). Coagulation parameters (maximum D-dimer, fibrinogen, INR) were similar in both groups; average D-dimer was >3x ULN. Anticoagulation therapy was similarly prescribed in both groups (SARS-CoV-2, 95% vs 84%, H1N1 or H3N2), with prophylactic dose anticoagulation prescribed most frequently (73% vs 62%) and with high average compliance rates (89% vs 83%). Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU; 32% vs 29%) and the median length of stay (10 vs 4 days) was similar in both groups. Thrombotic events (n = 6, 3%) occurred only in SARS-CoV-2 PNA patients in the ICU: 3 pulmonary embolism (PE), 1 distal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 2 non-ST elevated myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI). There was a significantly higher incidence of use of renal replacement therapy (8.5% vs 0%, p=0.016) and mortality (15.6% vs 3.4%, p=0.048) in the SARS-CoV-2 PNA group compared to the H3N2/H1N1 PNA group. There were no differences in the rates of mechanical ventilation, the incidence of major bleeding or co-infection. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (aOR 1.07), the presence of SARS-CoV-2 PNA (aOR 11.37), and ICU admission (aOR 41.95) were significantly associated with risk of mortality during hospitalization. Race and ethnicity were not associated with mortality. Conclusion: The overall incidence of thrombotic events was low and occurred only in the SARS-CoV-2 PNA group. The low rate of venous thrombosis detected in this group, especially in the ICU setting, is likely related to the reduced use of diagnostic studies during the first COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and to the high rates of anticoagulation prophylaxis orders and compliance. SARS-CoV-2 PNA was associated with a higher rate of renal failure and mortality compared to patients with H3N2/H1N1 viral pneumonia. There was no difference in mortality rates between Hispanic and non-Hispanic and between Black and non-Black patients. This study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia leads to greater endothelial dysfunction than that observed in H3N2/H1N1 viral pneumonia and that race/ethnicity does not drive mortality outcomes. Disclosures Benken: BMS: Research Funding; CareDx: Research Funding; Transplant Genomics: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Verici Dx: Research Funding.

scholarly journals A Single Virtual Consult Reduces Severe Hyperglycemia in Patients Admitted with COVID19 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A335-A335
Author(s):  
Diana Athonvarangkul ◽  
Felona Gunawan ◽  
Kathryn Nagel ◽  
Leigh Bak ◽  
Kevan C Herold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Glucose Management ◽  
And Control ◽  
Glycemic Management

Abstract Diabetes and hyperglycemia are risk factors for morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID19. Subspecialty consultative resources to help front-line clinicians treat these conditions is often limited. We implemented a “Virtual Hyperglycemia Surveillance Service (VHSS)” to guide glucose management in COVID19 patients admitted to our 1541-bed academic medical center. From April 22 to June 9, 2020, hospitalized adult patients with COVID19 and 2 or more blood glucose (BG) values greater than 250 mg/dl over 24-h were identified using a daily BG report. The VHSS reviewed BGs and treatment plans, then made recommendations for future glycemic management via a one-time note, visible to all providers. Some patients with re-admission or persistently elevated BG after 1 week received a second VHSS note. We compared BGs from 24-h pre- and 72-h post-intervention starting at 6AM on the day following VHSS review. We also evaluated for hypoglycemia, insulin infusion use and use of formal diabetes consults. A subgroup analysis was performed on patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). At the end of the intervention, we identified a retrospective control cohort admitted to the same hospital from March 21 to April 21, 2020 who met the inclusion criteria for a VHSS assessment. The VHSS group consisted of 100 patients with 126 individual VHSS encounters, and the control group comprised 50 patients. Baseline characteristics in the VHSS and control groups, respectively, were: mean age 62.5 vs 62.1 years, % male 58 vs 56, mean weight 91.4 vs 93.4 kg, BMI 31.8 vs 33.0 kg/m2, and HbA1c 9.1 vs 8.8 %. There were fewer patients in the ICU in the VHSS than control group (44% vs 66%). In the VHSS group, mean BG pre- vs. post-intervention was 260.3 ±21.7 and 227.4 ±25.3 mg/dl (p<0.001). In the control group, mean BG pre-and post- the day they met assessment criteria was 264.8 ± 6.5 mg/dl and 250.6 ± 8.6 mg/dl (p=0.18). There was no difference in the use of insulin infusions or diabetes consults between the two groups. More hypoglycemia (BG<70 mg/dl) occurred in the VHSS than control group (8.3% vs 0%, p=0.04). Within the VHSS group, the average change in BG was significantly greater in ICU than non-ICU patients (-51.8 ±8.7 vs -19.6 ±5.0 mg/dl, p<0.01) and the reduction in the % of BG over 250 mg/dl was also significantly greater in the ICU (-32.2% vs -16.8%, p=0.02). Implementation of a single virtual consult for severely hyperglycemic hospitalized COVID19 patients was associated with rapidly reduced BG concentrations, especially in the ICU. The mean reduction in BG with VHSS intervention was more than 2-fold greater than that observed in our control group. Glucose control remained suboptimal, however, suggesting the need for subsequent input from this specialty service.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators and Mortality in Surgical Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 801-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Ramanathan ◽  
Patricia Leavell ◽  
Luke G. Wolfe ◽  
Therese M. Duane
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Patient Safety Indicators ◽  
Academic Medical

Patient safety indicators (PSI), developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, use administrative billing data to measure and compare patient safety events at medical centers. We retrospectively examined whether PSIs accurately reflect patients’ risk of mortality, hospital length of stay, and intensive care unit (ICU) requirements at an academic medical center. Surgical patient records with PSIs were reviewed between October 2011 and September 2012 at our urban academic medical center. Primary outcomes studied included mortality, hospital length of stay, and ICU requirements. Subset analysis was performed for each PSI and its association with the outcome measures. PSIs were more common among surgical patients who died as compared with those alive at discharge (35.3 vs 2.7 PSIs/100 patients, P < 0.01). Although patients who died with PSIs had shorter hospital courses, they had a significantly greater ICU requirement than those without a PSI (96.0 vs 61.1%, P < 0.01) and patients who were alive at discharge (96.0 vs 48.0%, P < 0.01). The most frequently associated PSIs with mortality were postoperative metabolic derangements (41.7%), postoperative sepsis (38.5%), and pressure ulcers (33.3%). PSIs occur at a higher frequency in surgical patients who die and are associated with increased ICU requirements.

Comparing successful insertions, dwell time, reinsertions and the costs of supplies between integrated and simple short peripheral catheters

2021 ◽  
pp. 112972982110548
Author(s):  
Jonathan D Cura
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Dwell Time ◽  
Clinical Performance ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Insertion Site ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: Along with the challenges to strengthen patient safety in the use of short peripheral catheters (SPCs), various studies have been conducted in the past to explore differences between two main types of SPCs—integrated SPC (ISPC) and simple SPC (SSPC) in terms of clinical performance. The accumulated evidence from the literature lean toward the benefits of ISPC use in preventing complications leading to longer dwell time and more economical savings than SSPC use. The study aimed to compare ISPC and SSPC in terms of first-attempt successful insertions, number of attempts before successful insertion, perceived ease of insertion, dwell time, reinsertion rate, reasons for removal, and costs of supplies used for the insertions. Furthermore, it aimed to verify whether the previous results of referenced work in the use of ISPC were similar, and its use provided more foreseeable benefit for patient safety and cost-efficiency. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a 650-bed tertiary academic medical center in the Philippines. Eligible participants were adult patients who were required SPC for at least 72 h by the physician. Using inferential statistics, comparisons were done among adult patients with integrated ( n = 350) and simple ( n = 350) SPC. Comparisons were also made according to insertion site and gauge of SPC. Results: The successful first-attempt insertions did not vary significantly at around 80% in both groups ( p = 0.428). No significant differences were found in terms of attempts before successful insertion ( p = 0.677), dwell time ( p = 0.144), reinsertions ( p = 0.934), and reasons for removal ( p = 0.424). Meanwhile, comparable differences were noted in terms of perceived ease of insertion ( p < 0.001) and cost of supplies used during the insertions ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: ISPCs can yield the same results with that of SSPCs while being easier to use and less costly.

scholarly journals Establishment of a Pharmacogenetics Service Focused on Optimizing Existing Pharmacogenetic Testing at a Large Academic Health Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 154
Author(s):  
Amy L. Pasternak ◽  
Kristen M. Ward ◽  
Mohammad B. Ateya ◽  
Hae Mi Choe ◽  
Amy N. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Laboratory Tests ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Clinical Implementation ◽  
Academic Health ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Multiple Groups ◽  
Test Ordering

Multiple groups have described strategies for clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics (PGx) that often include internal laboratory tests that are specifically developed for their implementation needs. However, many institutions are not able to follow this practice and instead must utilize external laboratories to obtain PGx testing results. As each external laboratory might have different ordering and reporting workflows, consistent reporting and storing of PGx results within the medical record can be a challenge. This might result in patient safety concerns as important PGx information might not be easily identifiable at the point of current or future prescribing. Herein, we describe initial PGx clinical implementation efforts at a large academic medical center, focusing on optimizing three different test ordering workflows and two distinct result reporting strategies. From this, we identified common issues such as variable reporting location and structure of PGx results, as well as duplicate PGx testing. We identified several opportunities to optimize our current processes, including—(1) PGx laboratory stewardship, (2) increasing visibility of PGx tests, and (3) clinician and patient education. Key to the success was the importance of engaging clinician, informatics, and pathology stakeholders, as we developed interventions to improve our PGX implementation processes.

Risk Factors and Effects of Care Management on Hospital Readmissions Among High Users at an Academic Medical Center

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 134-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quang H. Pham ◽  
Sara X. Li ◽  
Brent C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Care Management ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Complex Care ◽  
Intensive Care Management ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Care Management Program ◽  
The Mean

Few studies have examined predictors of hospital readmission among high-using patients enrolled in a behaviorally oriented intensive care management program. The purpose of this case control study was to describe risk factors and the effectiveness of a complex care management program for hospital readmission among vulnerable patients at a large academic medical center. One hundred sixty-three patients enrolled in the University of Michigan Complex Care Management Program (UM CCMP) were hospitalized between January 2014 and March 2015. Sixty were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Among all patients, the mean age was 51.1 years, 38.7% were non-White, 81.5% had Medicaid and/or Medicare, 50.3% were without stable housing, and 27.6% had significant psychiatric illnesses. Although mostly not statistically significant, multivariable risk of readmission was increased by having twice the mean number of hospitalizations in the last 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44, 95% CI [1.00, 2.06]), having chronic pain on a scheduled narcotic (OR = 1.49, 95% CI [0.67, 3.35]), and going to a primary care physician within 30 days of discharge (OR = 1.35, 95% CI [0.63, 2.89]). Risk was decreased by going to a specialist (OR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.23, 1.27]) and receiving moderate-intensity CCMP intervention (OR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.20, 1.19]). Among hospitalized high-using patients enrolled in the UM intensive care management program, readmission is likely significantly influenced by medical, behavioral, and social challenges. Care management appears most effective in preventing readmission among patients with mid- rather than high- or low-level needs. These findings at a single program should be explored in further, larger studies.

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