scholarly journals Epidemiology of fractures and their treatment in Malawi: Results of a multicentre prospective registry study to guide orthopaedic care planning

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0255052
Author(s):  
Alexander Thomas Schade ◽  
Foster Mbowuwa ◽  
Paul Chidothi ◽  
Peter MacPherson ◽  
Simon Matthew Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Model ◽  
Femoral Fractures ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Registry Study ◽  
Multiple Fractures ◽  
Fracture Care ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgeons ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Clinical Officers

Importance Injuries cause 30% more deaths than HIV, TB and malaria combined, and a prospective fracture care registry was established to investigate the fracture burden and treatment in Malawi to inform evidence-based improvements. Objective To use the analysis of prospectively-collected fracture data to develop evidence-based strategies to improve fracture care in Malawi and other similar settings. Design Multicentre prospective registry study. Setting Two large referral centres and two district hospitals in Malawi. Participants All patients with a fracture (confirmed by radiographs)—including patients with multiple fractures—were eligible to be included in the registry. Exposure All fractures that presented to two urban central and two rural district hospitals in Malawi over a 3.5-year period (September 2016 to March 2020). Main outcome(s) and measure(s) Demographics, characteristics of injuries, and treatment outcomes were collected on all eligible participants. Results Between September 2016 and March 2020, 23,734 patients were enrolled with a median age of 15 years (interquartile range: 10–35 years); 68.7% were male. The most common injuries were radius/ulna fractures (n = 8,682, 36.8%), tibia/fibula fractures (n = 4,036, 17.0%), humerus fractures (n = 3,527, 14.9%) and femoral fractures (n = 2,355, 9.9%). The majority of fractures (n = 21,729, 91.6%) were treated by orthopaedic clinical officers; 88% (20,885/2,849) of fractures were treated non-operatively, and 62.7% were treated and sent home on the same day. Open fractures (OR:53.19, CI:39.68–72.09), distal femoral fractures (OR:2.59, CI:1.78–3.78), patella (OR:10.31, CI:7.04–15.07), supracondylar humeral fractures (OR:3.10, CI:2.38–4.05), ankle fractures (OR:2.97, CI:2.26–3.92) and tibial plateau fractures (OR:2.08, CI:1.47–2.95) were more likely to be treated operatively compared to distal radius fractures. Conclusions and relevance The current model of fracture care in Malawi is such that trained orthopaedic surgeons manage fractures operatively in urban referral centres whereas orthopaedic clinical officers mainly manage fractures non-operatively in both district and referral centres. We recommend that orthopaedic surgeons should supervise orthopaedic clinical officers to manage non operative injuries in central and district hospitals. There is need for further studies to assess the clinical and patient reported outcomes of these fracture cases, managed both operatively and non-operatively.

scholarly journals RADT-47. A MULTICENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SURGICALLY TARGETED RADIATION THERAPY (START) USING IMPLANTED CS-131 SEEDS IN A COLLAGEN-BASED CARRIER TILE IN INTRACRANIAL BRAIN NEOPLASMS - PROTOCOL IN PROGRESS

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii191-ii192
Author(s):  
Peter Nakaji ◽  
David Brachman ◽  
Lisa Misell
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Brain Tumors ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Local Control ◽  
Real World ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Registry Study ◽  
Multicenter Observational Study ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Targeted Radiation Therapy

Abstract INTRODUCTION Post-resection radiotherapy (RT) is the most effective adjuvant treatment for brain tumors. However, there is no current consensus as to the “best” type of post-resection RT, either at diagnosis or recurrence. The use of internally placed radiation (brachytherapy) allows immediate initiation of RT when residual tumor burden is minimal, which theoretically should lessen the risk of recurrence. Brachytherapy placement intraoperatively allows more precise identification of the tumor margins than by postoperative imaging. Traditional brachytherapy methods have several drawbacks, including uneven dose distribution, long operating room times, a need for expensive equipment, and/or frequent adverse events (AE). To address these issues, a device with Cs-131 radiation seeds in a resorbable collagen-based carrier tile (GammaTile, GT Medical Technologies, Tempe AZ) was developed and is described as Surgically Targeted Radiation Therapy or STaRT. The device has demonstrated excellent safety and local control in early commercial use. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this registry study are to evaluate real-world clinical outcomes and patient reported outcomes that measure the effectiveness and safety of STaRT. METHOD Patients (N=600) with surgically resected (R) brain tumors of any pathology who have undergone STaRT are eligible. Accrual to start at 20+ sites in Q3 2020. Data collected includes local control, overall survival, QOL, neurocognition, functional decline, and surgical and radiation associated AE’s. Data will be collected at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, then every 6 months through 5 years. RESULT Data will be used to benchmark clinical outcomes of STaRT therapy and allow for comparisons to existing standard-of-care treatments. CONCLUSION This will be the first observational registry study of R+STaRT, delivered by Cs-131 sources in permanently implanted resorbable collagen tile carriers. The outcome measures captured will allow for evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of this treatment approach for patients in a real-world setting.

scholarly journals Exploring the impact of a decision support algorithm to improve clinicians’ chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment and management practices: a two-phase, longitudinal study

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Knoerl ◽  
Emanuele Mazzola ◽  
Fangxin Hong ◽  
Elahe Salehi ◽  
Nadine McCleary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Assessment Index ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) negatively affects physical function and chemotherapy dosing, yet, clinicians infrequently document CIPN assessment and/or adhere to evidence-based CIPN management in practice. The primary aims of this two-phase, pre-posttest study were to explore the impact of a CIPN clinician decision support algorithm on clinicians’ frequency of CIPN assessment documentation and adherence to evidence-based management. Methods One hundred sixty-two patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy (e.g., taxanes, platinums, or bortezomib) answered patient-reported outcome measures on CIPN severity and interference prior to three clinic visits at breast, gastrointestinal, or multiple myeloma outpatient clinics (n = 81 usual care phase [UCP], n = 81 algorithm phase [AP]). During the AP, study staff delivered a copy of the CIPN assessment and management algorithm to clinicians (N = 53) prior to each clinic visit. Changes in clinicians’ CIPN assessment documentation (i.e., index of numbness, tingling, and/or CIPN pain documentation) and adherence to evidence-based management at the third clinic visit were compared between the AP and UCP using Pearson’s chi-squared test. Results Clinicians’ frequency of adherence to evidence-based CIPN management was higher in the AP (29/52 [56%]) than the UCP (20/46 [43%]), but the change was not statistically significant (p = 0.31). There were no improvements in clinicians’ CIPN assessment frequency during the AP (assessment index = 0.5440) in comparison to during the UCP (assessment index = 0.6468). Conclusions Implementation of a clinician-decision support algorithm did not significantly improve clinicians’ CIPN assessment documentation or adherence to evidence-based management. Further research is needed to develop theory-based implementation interventions to bolster the frequency of CIPN assessment and use of evidence-based management strategies in practice. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.Gov, NCT03514680. Registered 21 April 2018.

scholarly journals Harmonizing evidence-based practice, implementation context, and implementation strategies with user-centered design: a case example in young adult cancer care

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily R Haines ◽  
Alex Dopp ◽  
Aaron R. Lyon ◽  
Holly O. Witteman ◽  
Miriam Bender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
User Centered Design ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome Measure ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
User Centered

Abstract Background. Attempting to implement evidence-based practices in contexts for which they are not well-suited may compromise their fidelity and effectiveness or burden users (e.g., patients, providers, healthcare organizations) with elaborate strategies intended to force implementation. To improve the fit between evidence-based practices and contexts, implementation science experts have called for methods for adapting evidence-based practices and contexts, and tailoring implementation strategies; yet, methods for considering the dynamic interplay among evidence-based practices, contexts, and implementation strategies remain lacking. We argue that harmonizing the three can be accomplished with User-Centered Design, an iterative and highly stakeholder-engaged set of principles and methods. Methods. This paper presents a case example in which we used User-Centered Design methods and a three-phase User-Centered Design process to design a care coordination intervention for young adults with cancer. Specifically, we used usability testing to redesign an existing evidence-based practice (i.e., patient-reported outcome measure that served as the basis for intervention) to optimize usability and usefulness, an ethnographic user and contextual inquiry to prepare the context (i.e., comprehensive cancer center) to promote receptivity to implementation, and iterative prototyping workshops with a multidisciplinary design team to design the care coordination intervention and anticipate implementation strategies needed to enhance contextual fit. Results. Our User-Centered Design process resulted in the Young Adult Needs Assessment and Service Bridge (NA-SB), including a patient-reported outcome measure redesigned to promote usability and usefulness and a protocol for its implementation. By ensuring NA-SB directly responded to features of users and context, we designed NA-SB for implementation , potentially minimizing the strategies needed to address misalignment that may have otherwise existed. Furthermore, we designed NA-SB for scale-up ; by engaging users from other cancer programs across the country to identify points of contextual variation which would require flexibility in delivery, we created a tool not overly tailored to one unique context. Conclusions. User-Centered Design can help maximize usability and usefulness when designing evidence-based practices, preparing contexts, and informing implementation strategies- in effect, harmonizing evidence-based practices, contexts, and implementation strategies to promote implementation and effectiveness.

scholarly journals Patient-Reported Quality of Life During Chemoradiation for Intact Pancreas Cancer: a Prospective Registry Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. E234-E235 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Breen ◽  
K.R. Jethwa ◽  
N.Y. Yu ◽  
R.C. Miller ◽  
J.B. Ashman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pancreas Cancer ◽  
Registry Study ◽  
Patient Reported

scholarly journals Is Telemedicine Suited for Lower Extremity Pathologies? An Analysis of Non-Urgent Follow-Up in a Foot and Ankle Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0034
Author(s):  
Wesley J. Manz ◽  
Rahul Goel ◽  
Omolola Fakunle ◽  
Sameh A. Labib ◽  
Jason T. Bariteau
Keyword(s):  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Continuous Data ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Office Visits ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Fracture Care ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
The Difference

Category: Other; Ankle; Hindfoot; Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: A lack of access to care is predictably associated with negative outcomes in foot and ankle surgery. Despite recent advances in telecommunication technologies, the field of orthopaedics has been slow to adopt these resources in offsetting barriers to care. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced departments to change their clinical approach, lending unprecedented opportunity to better understand how telehealth may bridge this care gap in foot and ankle practices. The purpose of this study was to assess patient-reported outcomes of telemedicine encounters, including comfort and patient satisfaction. Our hypothesis was that patients would be significantly less satisfied with telemedicine when compared to in-office appointments for all non-emergent visit types. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients seen via telemedicine between April 13, 2020, to June 19, 2020, by one surgeon in the Emory Orthopedics Foot and Ankle department was conducted. Patients were contacted by one of the study authors via telephone to complete a questionnaire; satisfaction and other visit characteristics were assessed with a modified Likert scale from 1 to 5. Patients were designated as either ‘New’ or ‘Established’ based on whether or not they had completed an in-office clinic visit within the last year. Anatomy and pathology of disorder were determined by chief complaint and billing code. Patient demographics were recorded, and data were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests for parametric continuous data, Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests for non-continuous data. Results: 338 eligible patients were contacted via telephone, with 216 (63.9%) completing the telemedicine questionnaire. The patient cohort had an average age of 50.6 (19-84) years old and was 73.6% female (n=159). Overall mean satisfaction for telemedicine visits (4.69) was significantly lower than in-office visits (4.86) (p<0.001). In a subgroup analysis of patient satisfaction, patients seeking fracture care had significantly higher telemedicine satisfaction when compared to those receiving non-fracture care (4.90 vs. 4.64, p=0.001). Telemedicine satisfaction was also significantly greater in patients traveling more than 50 miles from their home to clinic (4.96 vs. 4.67, p<0.001). Patients with median household income less than the Georgia state median ($55,679) were more satisfied with their telemedicine visits than those with greater income, though the difference was non-significant. Conclusion: our data suggest those with significantly hindered mobility such as increased distance from clinic, lower socioeconomic status, and those seeking care for fractures had higher telemedicine satisfaction than their peers. Further study is needed to detail the precise and safe use of telemedicine in practice, but these data illuminate the high ceiling telemedicine offers in expanding patient care. Our hope is that this study aids as a supportive rationale for the continued use of telehealth visits past the period of the pandemic and encourages a more nuanced view of what visit types may be best-suited for telehealthcare

scholarly journals An Evidence-Based Determination of Issues Affecting Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Lung Cancer: Results of a Survey of 660 Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1243-1248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Gralla ◽  
Patricia J. Hollen ◽  
Pavlos Msaouel ◽  
Beverly Vincent Davis ◽  
Judith Petersen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Patient Reported

scholarly journals Reduced Time to Surgery Improves Patient-Reported Outcome After Achilles Tendon Rupture

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (12) ◽  
pp. 2929-2934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Svedman ◽  
Robin Juthberg ◽  
Gunnar Edman ◽  
Paul W. Ackermann
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcome ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Good Outcome ◽  
Patient Reported

Background: Patient outcome after an acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) continues to be suboptimal and heterogeneous. Thus, prognostic factors are called for to optimize evidence-based ATR treatment protocols; however, the influence of delayed time from injury to surgery (TTS) on patient outcome after ATR remains largely unknown. Purpose: To determine whether patient outcomes and adverse events after surgical repair of acute ATR are related to delayed TTS. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Two hundred twenty-eight patients with ATR who were treated with uniform anesthetic and surgical techniques, within 10 days after injury, were retrospectively assessed. TTS depended on availability of the operating theater, and neither surgeon nor patient could influence the TTS. Patients were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: short TTS (<48 hours), intermediate TTS (48-72 hours), and long TTS (>72 hours). Patient-reported outcome at 1 year was assessed with the validated Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score, with scores higher than 80 on a 0- to 100-point scale indicating an overall good outcome. The incidences of adverse events (perioperative and postoperative) and deep venous thrombosis were assessed. Results: Short TTS was significantly associated with increased rate of good outcome and reduced risk of adverse events. Seventy-one percent (95% CI, 60%-83%) of the patients with short TTS attained a good outcome compared with 44% (95% CI, 33%-56%) of the patients with long TTS ( P = .002), with the intermediate TTS group in between, 63% (95% CI, 47%-78%). The incidence of adverse events was significantly reduced among patients with short TTS, 1.4% (95% CI, 1%-4%) compared with those with intermediate TTS, 11% (95% CI, 2%-21%) ( P = .035) and those with long TTS, 14.8% (95% CI, 7%-23%) ( P = .003). The risk of sustaining a deep venous thrombosis was not statistically significantly different among the 3 groups ( P = .15). Conclusion: Patients with acute ATR undergoing operation within 48 hours after injury had better outcomes and a lower number of adverse events compared with patients undergoing operation after 72 hours. These results align with evidence-based recommendations from other surgical disciplines and should be used as guidelines for optimizing ATR treatment protocols. Registration: NTC01317160 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

ApricityRx companion digital therapeutic for evidence-based mitigation and phenotype-linked molecular characterization of irAEs in patients receiving immune checkpoint therapy (ICT).

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. TPS2089-TPS2089
Author(s):  
Matthew T Campbell ◽  
Tian Zhang ◽  
Lynda Chin ◽  
Allison Betof Warner ◽  
Matthen Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Characterization ◽  
Real World ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Predictive Biomarkers ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Clinical Team ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Patient Reported

TPS2089 Background: Presentation of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) is heterogeneous and unpredictable in patients receiving immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). ICT has been approved for cancer patients as single agent, combination of dual ICT, ICT plus chemotherapy, and ICT plus targeted therapy. Given the ever increasing complexity in recognizing and managing irAEs, coupled with the lack of skilled resources and clinical experience in real world practice, there is increasing demand for digital solutions that can detect early toxicity and support evidence-based interventions in real world practice. To this end, we have developed ApricityRx, a companion digital therapeutic for end-to-end irAE management. In addition to (i) teaching patients about immune-related toxicities and (ii) empowering them to monitor key symptoms and vital signs, ApricityRx continuously analyzes the combined patient-reported data and longitudinal EMR data to (iii) detect symptom-triggers and lab test-triggers of irAEs, and (iv) activate the clinical team to triage, evaluate and treat in a timely fashion, while (v) providing access to synthesized longitudinal patient information and expert guidance on evidence-based management and care. In a feasibility trial conducted in a community setting, we demonstrated two-thirds of the study participants completed on average 5 eCheck-ins per calendar week (overall average 4 times per week), with 5% of the check-ins resulting in notifications alerting the clinical team to evaluate for the early signs of an irAE. Methods: To accelerate translational research in irAEs and to develop predictive biomarkers for risk stratification, we are launching a single-arm, open-label study that utilizes ApricityRx in patients receiving ICT alone or in combination. The objectives of the study will include (i) defining the operative characteristics of ApricityRx as an irAE mitigation strategy; (ii) identifying patients and time points for phenotype-triggered biospecimen collection and molecular characterization. The study aims to enroll initially up to 100 participants per site, with a total target of 1,000.

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