scholarly journals CATalyst for Change: How Members of WellSpan’s Central Alert Team (CAT) Are Revolutionizing Sepsis Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 74-79
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Allen

In the United States, almost 1 million patients with sepsis are admitted to hospitals annually, and the cost of managing sepsis admissions is higher than any other disease state.1 Early identification and treatment are critical for survival, though both are notoriously difficult as symptoms are often nonspecific. Four years ago, WellSpan Health asked, “What if there were a way to provide real-time, meaningful clinical decision support to bedside providers to identify sepsis sooner and start lifesaving treatment?” Meet Margaret D’Ercole, Patricia Everett, Dana Gaultney, Angela Mays, Brenna Simcoe, and Cynthia Yascavage, who share how their Central Alert Team decreased mortality rates, increased bundle compliance, and proved there is a better way.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Shrader ◽  
Stuart Myerburg ◽  
Eric Larson

Context: In the United States, immunization recommendations and their associated schedules are developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). To assist with the translation process and better harmonize the outcomes of existing clinical decision support tools, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created clinical decision support for immunization (CDSi) resources for each set of ACIP recommendations. These resources are continually updated and refined as new vaccine recommendations and clarifications become available and will be available to health information systems for a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine when one becomes available for use in the United States. Objectives: To assess awareness of CDSi resources, whether CDSi resources were being used by immunization-related health information systems, and perceived impact of CDSi resources on stakeholders’ work.Design: Online surveys conducted from 2015–2019 including qualitative and quantitative questions.Participants: The main and technical contact from each of the 64 CDC-funded immunization information system (IIS) awardees, IIS vendors, and electronic health record vendors. Results: Awareness of at least one resource increased from 75% of respondents in 2015 to 100% in 2019. Use of at least one CDSi resource also increased from 47% in 2015 to 78% in 2019. About 80% or more of users of CDSi are somewhat or very highly satisfied with the resources and report a somewhat or very positive impact from using them. Conclusion: As awareness and use of CDSi resources increases, the likelihood that patients receive recommended immunizations at the right time will also increase. Rapid and precise integration of vaccine recommendations into health information systems will be particularly important when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to help facilitate vaccine implementation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataly S. Beck ◽  
Melanie L. Lean ◽  
Kate V. Hardy ◽  
Jacob S. Ballon

Background: The typical age of onset for psychotic disorders is concurrent with the typical age of enrollment in higher education. College and graduate students often experience new academic and social demands that may leave them vulnerable to substance use and mental health problems, including the initial onset of a psychotic episode. Objective: To provide a current overview of the guidelines and literature for the diagnosis and treatment of first-onset psychosis with special consideration for the college and graduate student population in the United States. To highlight areas of need and provide recommendations for clinicians who work at educational institutions and their health services, along with general psychiatrists and psychologists who work with post-secondary education populations, to help close the treatment gap. Method: A review of interventions and best practice for the treatment of early psychosis in college students was conducted, informed by the authors’ current experience as clinicians with this population at a United States university. Results: Thorough psychiatric interviews and screening tools can help in the early identification of individuals at clinical high risk for and at first onset of psychosis. Coordinated specialty care services are the gold standard for early psychosis services, including psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioral therapy and individual resiliency training), as well as support for a student to return to school or work. Individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis in general respond better to lower doses of antipsychotics and may also experience more adverse effects. Conclusion: Return to a high level of functioning is possible in many cases of first onset of psychosis, and early identification and treatment is essential.


2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 100047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghai Liang ◽  
Liuhua Shi ◽  
Jingxuan Zhao ◽  
Pengfei Liu ◽  
Jeremy A. Sarnat ◽  
...  

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (15) ◽  
pp. 2625-2634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm A. Smith ◽  
Nita L. Seibel ◽  
Sean F. Altekruse ◽  
Lynn A.G. Ries ◽  
Danielle L. Melbert ◽  
...  

Purpose This report provides an overview of current childhood cancer statistics to facilitate analysis of the impact of past research discoveries on outcome and provide essential information for prioritizing future research directions. Methods Incidence and survival data for childhood cancers came from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 9 (SEER 9) registries, and mortality data were based on deaths in the United States that were reported by states to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by underlying cause. Results Childhood cancer incidence rates increased significantly from 1975 through 2006, with increasing rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia being most notable. Childhood cancer mortality rates declined by more than 50% between 1975 and 2006. For leukemias and lymphomas, significantly decreasing mortality rates were observed throughout the 32-year period, though the rate of decline slowed somewhat after 1998. For remaining childhood cancers, significantly decreasing mortality rates were observed from 1975 to 1996, with stable rates from 1996 through 2006. Increased survival rates were observed for all categories of childhood cancers studied, with the extent and temporal pace of the increases varying by diagnosis. Conclusion When 1975 age-specific death rates for children are used as a baseline, approximately 38,000 childhood malignant cancer deaths were averted in the United States from 1975 through 2006 as a result of more effective treatments identified and applied during this period. Continued success in reducing childhood cancer mortality will require new treatment paradigms building on an increased understanding of the molecular processes that promote growth and survival of specific childhood cancers.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii466-iii466
Author(s):  
Karina Black ◽  
Jackie Middleton ◽  
Sunita Ghosh ◽  
David Eisenstat ◽  
Samor Patel

Abstract BACKGROUND Proton therapy for benign and malignant tumors has dosimetric and clinical advantages over photon therapy. Patients in Alberta, Canada are referred to the United States for proton treatment. The Alberta Heath Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) pays for the proton treatment and the cost of flights to and from the United States (direct costs). This study aimed to determine the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by patients or their families (indirect costs). METHODS Invitation letters linked to an electronic survey were mailed to patients treated with protons between 2008 and 2018. Expenses for flights for other family members, accommodations, transportation, food, passports, insurance, and opportunity costs including lost wages and productivity were measured. RESULTS Fifty-nine invitation letters were mailed. Seventeen surveys were completed (28.8% response rate). One paper survey was mailed at participant request. Nine respondents were from parent/guardian, 8 from patients. All patients were accompanied to the US by a family member/friend. Considerable variability in costs and reimbursements were reported. Many of the accompanying family/friends had to miss work; only 3 patients themselves reported missed work. Time away from work varied, and varied as to whether it was paid or unpaid time off. CONCLUSIONS Respondents incurred indirect monetary and opportunity costs which were not covered by AHCIP when traveling out of country for proton therapy. Prospective studies could help provide current data minimizing recall bias. These data may be helpful for administrators in assessing the societal cost of out-of-country referral of patients for proton therapy.


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