Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies: The Impact of a Postgraduate Educational Program on Diagnosis, Morbidity, and Treatment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-98
Author(s):  
Marc Puterman ◽  
Rafael Gorodischer ◽  
Alberto Leiberman

Aspirated foreign bodies (FBs) may remain undetected and cause serious complications. As part of a postgraduate educational program, results of a local survey were presented to the local medical staff in order to increase its awareness of this diagnostic possibility. The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the management of children with tracheobronchial FBs during two 2-year periods, before and after teaching sessions held in December 1976. In comparison with the previous two years during the 1977-1978 period, the percentage of cases in which a positive history of aspiration was obtained increased from 47.6% to 84.0%; the mean number of hospitalizations due to tracheobronchial FBs decreased from 1.9 to 1.04 per infant, and the mean number of hospital days required for final diagnosis decreased from 17.6 to 5.3. The postgraduate educational program had a positive effect on physician performance and patient care.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Shakespeare ◽  
Handsome Dube ◽  
Sikhangezile Moyo ◽  
Solwayo Ngwenya

Abstract Background On the 27th of March 2020 the Zimbabwean government declared the Covid-19 pandemic a ‘national disaster’. Travel restrictions and emergency regulations have had significant impacts on maternity services, including resource stock-outs, and closure of antenatal clinics during the lockdown period. Estimates of the indirect impact of Covid-19 on maternal and perinatal mortality was expected it to be considerable, but little data was yet available. This study aimed to examine the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown control measures on non-Covid outcomes in a government tertiary level maternity unit in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, by comparing maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality before, and after the lockdown was implemented. Methods This was a retrospective, observational study, using a cross-sectional design to compare routine monthly maternal and perinatal statistics three months before and after Covid-19 emergency measures were implemented at Mpilo Central Hospital. Results Between January-March and April-June 2020, the mean monthly deliveries reduced from 747.3 (SD ± 61.3) in the first quarter of 2020 to 681.0 (SD ± 17.6) during lockdown, but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.20. The Caesarean section rates fell from a mean of 29.8% (SD ± 1.7) versus 28.0% (SD ± 1.7), which was also not statistically significant, p = 0.18. During lockdown, the percentage of women delivering at Mpilo Central Hospital who were booked at the hospital fell from a mean of 41.6% (SD ± 1.1) to 35.8% (SD ± 4.3) which was statistically significant, p = 0.03. There was no significant change, however, in maternal mortality or severe maternal morbidity (such as post-partum haemorrhage (PPH), uterine rupture, and severe preeclampsia/eclampsia), stillbirth rate or special care baby unit admission. There was an increase in the mean total number of early neonatal deaths (ENND) (mean 18.7 (SD ± 2.9) versus 24.0 (SD ± 4.6), but this was not statistically significant, p = 0.32. Conclusions Overall, maternity services at Mpilo showed resilience during the lockdown period, with no significant change in maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes, with the same number of man-hours worked before and during the lockdown Maternal and perinatal outcomes should continue to be monitored to assess the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown measures as the pandemic in Zimbabwe unfolds. Further studies would be beneficial to explore women’s experiences and understand how bookings and deliveries at local clinics changed during this time.


2020 ◽  
pp. 019459982096963
Author(s):  
Vanessa F. Torrecillas ◽  
Kaden Neuberger ◽  
Alexander Ramirez ◽  
Paul Krakovitz ◽  
Jeremy D. Meier

Objective Third-party payers advocate for prior authorization (PA) to reduce overutilization of health care resources. The impact of PA in elective surgery is understudied, especially in cases where evidence-based clinical practice guidelines define operative candidacy. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of PA on the incidence of pediatric tonsillectomy. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Health claims database from a third-party payer. Methods Any pediatric patient who had evaluation for tonsillectomy from 2016 to 2019 was eligible for inclusion. A time series analysis was used to evaluate the change in incidence of tonsillectomy before and after PA. Lag time from consultation to surgery before and after PA was compared with segmented regression. Results A total of 10,047 tonsillectomy claims met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Female patients made up 51% of claims, and the mean age was 7.9 years. Just 1.5% of claims were denied after PA implementation. There was no change in the incidence of tonsillectomy for all plan types ( P = .1). Increased lag time from consultation to surgery was noted immediately after PA implementation by 2.38 days (95% CI, 0.23-4.54; P = .030); otherwise, there was no significant change over time ( P = .98). Conclusion A modest number of tonsillectomy claims were denied approval after implementation of PA. The value of PA for pediatric tonsillectomy is questionable, as it did not result in decreased incidence of tonsillectomy in this cohort.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 842-843
Author(s):  
M. Higashida-Konishi ◽  
K. Izumi ◽  
S. Hama ◽  
Y. Hayashi ◽  
Y. Okano ◽  
...  

Background:In the case of seronegative arthritis, it was difficult to make a differential diagnosis between remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema syndrome (RS3PE) and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (seronegative RA) because the distribution of affected joints was similar and the patients with RS3PE or seronegative RA may have edema.Objectives:To compare the clinical characteristics of RS3PE and seronegative RAMethods:We retrospectively examine consecutive patients diagnosed with RS3PE or seronegative RA in our hospital from 2007 to 2019. Patients in whom both ACPA and RF were negative were included. The patients with RS3PE met the criteria of McCarty et al.: (1) pitting edema of the dorsum of both hands and both feet, (2) sudden onset of polyarthritis, (3) seronegative for ACPA and RF. (4)no radiologically evident erosions developed. The patients with seronegative RA met the EULAR/ACR 2010 criteria. The patients who were diagnosed with RS3PE at first and then diagnosed with seronegative RA afterward were included in seronegative RA group. The first analysis was performed on the affected joints, CRP, ESR, Hb, LDH, edema, the history of malignancy 2 years before and after the diagnosis, treatment, and the history of infection requiring hospitalization after the start of treatment. The affected joints were shoulders, elbows, wrists, finger joints (the MCP, and PIP joints), hips, knees, ankles, and toe joints (the MTP and PIP joints). The secondary analysis was performed on the above evaluations with a propensity score (PS) matching for age.Results:In the first analysis, 20 patients with RS3PE and 122 patients with seronegative RA were enrolled. The mean ages (RS3PE, seronegative RA) were 81.1, 67.4 years old. Females were 60.0%, 63.1%. The mean observation period was 25.4, 63.6 months. The proportion of affected joints were shoulders (25.0%, 42.6%), elbows (10.0%, 29.5%: p=0.06), wrists (85.0%, 73.8%), finger joints (80.0%, 95.1%: p=0.01), hips (0%, 9.8%), knees (40.0%, 37.7%), ankles (65.0%, 39.3%: p=0.03) and toe joints (40.0%, 32.8%). Edema at diganosis was observed in 100%, 17.21% (p <0.0001). The mean levels of the following blood tests at diagnosis were noted: CRP, 9.0 and 4.8 mg/dL (p=0.02); ESR, 87.6 and 60.7 mm/1h (p=0.003); Hb, 10.4 and 11.8 mg/dl (p=0.001); LDH, 198.3 and 177.9 U/L (p = 0.12); MMP-3, 742.5 and 633.8 ng/mL (p = 0.14). The proportion of patients with high LDH levels (>222 U/L) was 13.6% and 9.0% (p=0.0269). The proportion of patients having the history of malignancy was 20.0%, 8.2% (p=0.10). The patient treated with prednisolone as the initial treatment was 100% and 41.0%; the mean dose was 14.3 and 9.9 mg/d. After the start of treatment, the proportion of infection requiring hospitalization was 20.0 and 3.28% (p=0.002).In the secondary analysis with PS, 17 patients with RS3PE and 17 patients with seronegative RA were enrolled. The mean ages were 80.4, 78.9 years old. Females were 52.9, 76.4%. The affected joints with difference were elbows (11.8, 35.3%: p=0.10), wrists (82.4, 100%: p=0.06), and finger joints (82.4, 100%: p=0.06). The mean levels of Hb at diagnosis was 10.4, 11.4 mg/dL (p=0.01). The proportion of patients having the history of malignancy was 23.5% and 0% (p=0.03). After the start of treatment, the proportion of infection requiring hospitalization was 23.5% and 0% (p=0.03).Conclusion:When the ankles are affected and edema is observed, RS3PE is more likely than seronegative RA. RS3PE had higher levels of CRP, ESR, and LDH. The proportion of anemia was higher in RS3PE. The proportions of infection requiring hospitalization and the history of malignancy were higher in RS3PE.References:[1]McCarty DJ, O’Duffy JD et al. Remitting Seronegative Symmetrical Synovitis with Pitting Edema (RS3PE Syndrome). JAMA 1985; 254: 2763–2767. DOI:10.1001/jama.1985.03360190069027Disclosure of Interests:Misako Higashida-Konishi: None declared, Keisuke Izumi Grant/research support from: Asahi Kasei Pharma, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Speakers bureau: Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp, Astellas Pharma Inc., Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Satoshi Hama: None declared, Yutaro Hayashi: None declared, Yutaka Okano: None declared, Hisaji Oshima: None declared


2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Tweed ◽  
Mike Tweed

Background Critically ill patients are at high risk for pressure ulcers. Successful prevention of pressure ulcers requires that caregivers have adequate knowledge of this complication. Objective To assess intensive care nurses’ knowledge of pressure ulcers and the impact of an educational program on knowledge levels. Methods A knowledge assessment test was developed. A cohort of registered nurses in a tertiary referral hospital in New Zealand had knowledge assessed 3 times: before an educational program, within 2 weeks after the program, and 20 weeks later. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine if attributes such as length of time since qualifying or level of intensive care unit experience were associated with test scores. The content and results of the assessment test were evaluated. Results Completion of the educational program resulted in improved levels of knowledge. Mean scores on the assessment test were 84% at baseline and 89% following the educational program. The mean baseline score did not differ significantly from the mean 20-week follow-up score of 85%. No association was detected between demographic data and test scores. Content validity and standard setting were verified by using a variety of methods. Conclusion Levels of knowledge to prevent and manage pressure ulcers were good initially and improved with an educational program, but soon returned to baseline.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. 250-255
Author(s):  
Vasantmeghna S. Murthy ◽  
Vedant S. Shukla

Abstract Background Executive functions (EFs) are critical to daily life and sensitive to our physiological functioning and emotional states. The number of people living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis (HD) globally is increasing steadily. We aimed to determine the impact of a single session of HD on EFs in patients with CKD receiving maintenance HD (MHD). Methods This was a quasi-experimental study conducted at the department of psychiatry and dialysis unit of a tertiary hospital. Patients undergoing MHD underwent screening to rule out delirium, using the Confusion Assessment Method prior to EF testing. The tests of EF used were the Trail-Making Test—Part B (TMT-B) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), both of which were administered before and after a session of HD. Statistical tests used were Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test, paired t-test, single sample t-test, and correlation analyses. Results The mean time taken on TMT-B before HD was 195.36 seconds and after HD, 171.1 seconds; difference is significant (p = 0.0001). The mean FAB score was 13.19 before HD and 14.83 after HD; the difference is significant (p < 0.0001). Significant differences were observed on similarities (p = 0.003), lexical fluency (p = 0.02), and go–no go (p = 0.003) subtests of FAB. Mean TMT-B scores before and after HD differed significantly from that of a reference study (reference TMT-B 150.69 seconds), p = 0.0002 and 0.04, respectively. Conclusion We conclude that patients with CKD on MHD, in general, have worse executive cognitive functioning compared with healthy populations. A session of HD results in significant improvement in these functions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Peteuil ◽  
Corinne Rat ◽  
Sahar Moussa-Badran ◽  
Maud Carpentier ◽  
Jean-François Pelletier ◽  
...  

Objective. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a therapeutic educational program in oral health (TEPOH) for persons with schizophrenia (PWS). Design. In a qualitative study, we explored the representation of oral health before and after a TEPOH. Clinical Setting: PWS are at greater risk of decayed and missing teeth and periodontal diseases. In a previous publication, we described the different steps in building a TEPOH by taking into account the experiences of PWS concerning oral health quality of life. This TEPOH aimed at promoting a global health approach. Participants: Voluntary PWS and their caregivers were recruited during face-to-face interviews at “Les Boisseaux” (a psychiatric outpatient centre) in Auxerre (France) and were included in the study between November and December 2016. Intervention: We explored the experiences of participants and their perceptions of oral health before and after the TEPOH with focus group meetings. Results. Four females and three males participated in the study, and the mean age was 29.4 ± 5. Before the TEPOH, the PWS produced 28 ideas about oral health perception and 37 after the TEPOH. After the TEPOH, elements relating to the determinants of oral health (smoking and poor diet) emerged. Conclusions. These results show an evolution in oral health representation, and after some adjustments to the TEPOH, the second step will be to test this program in a large sample to generate a high level of evidence of the impact of TEPOH in the long term.


CJEM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (S1) ◽  
pp. S114-S115
Author(s):  
A. Albina ◽  
F. Kegel ◽  
F. Dankoff ◽  
G. Clark

Background: Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is associated with a broad spectrum of poor medical outcomes, including medical errors, mortality, higher rates of leaving without being seen, and reduced patient and physician satisfaction. The largest contributor to overcrowding is access block – the inability of admitted patients to access in-patient beds from the ED. One component to addressing access block involves streamlining the decision process to rapidly determine which hospital service will admit the patient. Aim Statement: As of Sep 2011, admission algorithms at our institution were supported and formalised. The pancreatitis algorithm clarified whether general surgery or internal medicine would admit ED patients with pancreatitis. We hypothesize that this prior uncertainty delayed the admission decision and prolonged ED length of stay (LOS) for patients with pancreatitis. Our project evaluates whether implementing a pancreatitis admission algorithm at our institution reduced ED time to disposition (TTD) and LOS. Measures & Design: A retrospective review was conducted in a tertiary care academic hospital in Montreal for all adult ED patients diagnosed with pancreatitis from Apr 2010 to Mar 2014. The data was used to plot separate run charts for ED TTD and LOS. Serial measurements of each outcome were used to monitor change and evaluate for special cause variation. The mean ED LOS and TTD before and after algorithm implementation were also compared using the Student's t test. Evaluation/Results: Over four years, a total of 365 ED patients were diagnosed with pancreatitis and 287 (79%) were admitted. The mean ED LOS for patients with pancreatitis decreased following the implementation of an admission algorithm (1616 vs. 1418 mins, p = 0.05). The mean ED TTD was also reduced (1171 vs. 899 mins, p = 0.0006). A non-random signal of change was suggested by a shift above the median prior to algorithm implementation and one below the median following. Discussion/Impact: This project demonstrates that in a busy tertiary care academic hospital, an admission algorithm helped reduce ED TTD and LOS for patients with pancreatitis. This proves especially valuable when considering the potential applicability of such algorithms to other disease processes, such as gastrointestinal bleeding and congestive heart failure, among others. Future studies demonstrating this external applicability, and the impact of such decision algorithms on physician decision fatigue and within non-academic institutions, proves warranted.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 1800458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Guth ◽  
Christoph B. Wiedenroth ◽  
Andreas Rieth ◽  
Manuel J. Richter ◽  
Ekkehard Gruenig ◽  
...  

Symptomatic patients with chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) without pulmonary hypertension often show an excessive increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) during exercise.We report on the impact of pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) on pulmonary haemodynamics in a prospective series of 32 consecutive CTED patients who underwent PEA. All patients had a comprehensive diagnostic work-up including right heart catheterisation at baseline and 12 months after PEA. Furthermore, in 12 patients exercise right heart catheterisation was performed before and after PEA.After PEA, MPAP was lower at rest (20±3 versus 17±3 mmHg; p=0.008) and during maximal exercise (39±8 versus 31±6 mmHg; p=0.016). The mean total pulmonary resistance (TPR) decreased from 3.6±0.8 Wood Units (WU) pre-operatively to 2.7±0.7 WU 1 year after PEA (p=0.004) and the mean slope of the MPAP/cardiac output (CO) relationship decreased from 3.6±1.0 to 2.3±0.8 WU (p=0.002). Peak oxygen uptake increased from 1.2±0.4 to 1.5±0.3 L·min−1 (p=0.014) and ventilatory equivalents of carbon dioxide decreased from 39±2 to 30±2 (p=0.002). There was a significant improvement in quality of life assessed by the Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review questionnaire.In CTED patients, PEA resulted in haemodynamic and clinical improvements. The means of TPR and MPAP/CO slopes decreased to <3.0 WU.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Marwan Alkassis ◽  
Fady Gh Haddad ◽  
Joseph Gharios ◽  
Roger Noun ◽  
Ghassan Chakhtoura

Introduction. Obesity is increasing worldwide and in Lebanon with a negative impact on the quality of life. The primary objective of this study is to measure the quality of life in obese subjects before and after bariatric surgery, depending on age, sex, and degree of weight loss. A secondary objective is to determine the impact of bariatric surgery on comorbidities associated with obesity. Materials and methods. Patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 between August 2016 and April 2017 were included. Participants completed the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire II (MA II) prior to operation and one year after. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS statistics version 20.0. Results. 75 patients participated in the study. The majority were women (75%), and the mean age was 36.3 years. The mean weight loss was 36.57 kg (16–76). Initially, the total MA II score was −0.33 ± 0.93. Postoperatively, it increased to 1.68 ± 0.62 (p≤0.001). All MA II parameters improved after surgery (p≤0.001), but this improvement was independent of age and sex. Improvement in self-esteem, physical activity, work performance, and sexual pleasure was influenced by the degree of weight loss (p≤0.001). All comorbidities associated with obesity regressed significantly after sleeve gastrectomy (p<0.05) with the exception of gastroesophageal reflux and varicose veins of the lower limbs. Conclusion. Sleeve gastrectomy improves quality of life and allows reduction of comorbidities.


RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e001161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma ◽  
Rianne van Bentum ◽  
Frank D Verbraak ◽  
Thomas Rath ◽  
James T Rosenbaum ◽  
...  

BackgroundAcute anterior uveitis (AAU) is the most common extra-articular manifestation in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). C-VIEW investigates the impact of the Fc-free TNF inhibitor certolizumab pegol (CZP) on AAU flares in patients with active axSpA at high risk of recurrent AAU.MethodsC-VIEW (NCT03020992) is a 96-week ongoing, multicentre, open-label, phase 4 study. Included patients had an axSpA diagnosis, a history of recurrent AAU (≥2 AAU flares, ≥1 flare in the year prior to study entry), HLA-B27 positivity, active disease, and failure of ≥2 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients received CZP 400 mg at Weeks 0/2/4, then 200 mg every 2 weeks up to 96 weeks. This 48-week pre-planned interim analysis compares AAU flare incidence in the 48 weeks before and after initiation of CZP treatment, using Poisson regression to account for possible within-patient correlations.ResultsIn total, 89 patients were included (male: 63%; radiographic/non-radiographic axSpA: 85%/15%; mean axSpA disease duration: 8.6 years). During 48 weeks’ CZP treatment, 13 (15%) patients experienced 15 AAU flares, representing an 87% reduction in AAU incidence rate (146.6 per 100 patient-years (PY) in the 48 weeks pre-baseline to 18.7 per 100 PY during CZP treatment). Poisson regression analysis showed that the incidence rate of AAU per patient reduced from 1.5 to 0.2 (p<0.001). No new safety signals were identified.ConclusionsThere was a significant reduction in the AAU flare rate during 48 weeks of CZP treatment, indicating that CZP is a suitable treatment option for patients with active axSpA and a history of recurrent AAU.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document