scholarly journals The Utility of Recycled Eyeglasses: A Pilot Study at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie Huang ◽  
Mary Kim ◽  
Sukriti Mohan ◽  
Lauren Daskivich ◽  
Jesse Berry
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Study Participants

Background: The cost of eyeglasses is variably covered by medical insurance and thus is a significant barrier for patients in lower socioeconomic classes. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of Recycle Vision (RV) at LAC+USC Medical Center, a monthly clinic run by volunteer medical students that provides free donated eyeglasses. Methods: A convenience sample of 30 patients were surveyed from August 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Patients’ prescriptions were matched with available eyeglasses based on spherical equivalent and axis of astigmatism using Winglasses software algorithm; patients selected glasses from these options based on subjective improvement of vision. All participants consented to a phone follow-up survey 1 month after initial visit to gauge satisfaction with glasses and rate difficulty in completing daily activities pre- and post-RV visit on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the greatest), with a 100% response rate. Results: Of the 30 study participants, 90% received eyeglasses from RV, with reported improvement in ease of daily activities of 3.96. 67% of respondents stated that if RV clinic did not exist, they would not have obtained glasses elsewhere; cost was the most commonly (70%) cited barrier. Upon follow-up, average likelihood of patients referring friends/family to RV was 4.07 (SD 1.14). Conclusion: The majority of RV patients received free eyeglasses and had subsequent improvement in their quality of life. This pilot study demonstrates that programs offering free eyeglasses can effectively correct refractive error and can offer a practical public health solution to improve functionality for underserved populations.

Abstract 21: Telemedicine And The Barbershop Model Of Hypertension Care For Black Men

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciantel A Blyler ◽  
Mohamad Rashid ◽  
Norma B Moy ◽  
Kayslee A Kemp ◽  
Florian Rader
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Blood Pressure Study ◽  
Collaborative Practice Agreement ◽  
The Cost

Background: The Los Angeles Barbershop Blood Pressure Study (LABBPS) demonstrated both efficacy and sustainability of a new model of hypertension (HTN) care for non-Hispanic black men that links health promotion by barbers to medication management by specialty-trained pharmacists. Barriers to scaling the model include logistical inefficiencies that contribute to the cost of the intervention. Most notable was the amount of time pharmacists spent traveling between barbershops. To address this, we tested whether telemedicine (remote follow-up) could be substituted for in-person visits after blood pressure (BP) control was achieved. Methods: We enrolled 10 black male patrons with systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg in this proof-of-concept study in which barbers promoted follow-up with pharmacists who initially met each patron in the barbershop where they prescribed BP medication under a collaborative practice agreement with the patrons’ physician. Medications were titrated during bimonthly in-person visits to achieve a BP goal of ≤130/80 mmHg. Once BP goal was reached, monthly visits were done by videoconference while barbers assisted with BP checks. Final BP and safety outcomes were assessed at 12 months. Results: After exclusion of one participant who declined adherence, 9 patients completed the intervention. Baseline BP of 155 + 14 / 83 + 11 mmHg decreased by 29 + 13 / 8.9 + 15 mmHg (p<.0001), with eight participants (89%) achieving systolic control and seven (78%) diastolic control at 12 months. These new data are statistically indistinguishable from our previous LABBPS data (p=0.8 for both change in systolic BP and diastolic BP). Overall HTN control (≤ 130/80) was 67% (6 of 9), numerically greater than the 63% observed in LABBPS (p=N.S.). As intended, the mean number of in-person pharmacist visits per patron fell from 11 in LABBPS to 6.6 visits over 12 months. No treatment-related serious adverse events occurred. Cohort retention was 90%. Conclusions: Telemedicine represents a viable substitute for in-person visits, both improving pharmacist efficiency and reducing cost while preserving intervention potency. These findings are crucial for future broad-scale implementation efforts and development of cost-effective barbershop HTN management programs for black men.

Costs of Management of Occupational Exposures to Blood and Body Fluids

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 774-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. O'Malley ◽  
R. Douglas Scott ◽  
Julie Gayle ◽  
John Dekutoski ◽  
Michael Foltzer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Infection Status ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Mean Cost

Objective.To determine the cost of management of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids.Design.A convenience sample of 4 healthcare facilities provided information on the cost of management of occupational exposures that varied in type, severity, and exposure source infection status. Detailed information was collected on time spent reporting, managing, and following up the exposures; salaries (including benefits) for representative staff who sustained and who managed exposures; and costs (not charges) for laboratory testing of exposure sources and exposed healthcare personnel, as well as any postexposure prophylaxis taken by the exposed personnel. Resources used were stratified by the phase of exposure management: exposure reporting, initial management, and follow-up. Data for 31 exposure scenarios were analyzed. Costs were given in 2003 US dollars.Setting.The 4 facilities providing data were a 600-bed public hospital, a 244-bed Veterans Affairs medical center, a 437-bed rural tertiary care hospital, and a 3,500-bed healthcare system.Results.The overall range of costs to manage reported exposures was $71-$4,838. Mean total costs varied greatly by the infection status of the source patient. The overall mean cost for exposures to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected source patients (n = 19, including those coinfected with hepatitis B or C virus) was $2,456 (range, $907-$4,838), whereas the overall mean cost for exposures to source patients with unknown or negative infection status (n = 8) was $376 (range, $71-$860). Lastly, the overall mean cost of management of reported exposures for source patients infected with hepatitis C virus (n = 4) was $650 (range, $186-$856).Conclusions.Management of occupational exposures to blood and body fluids is costly, the best way to avoid these costs is by prevention of exposures.

scholarly journals Locating Longitudinal Respondents After a 50-Year Hiatus

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celeste Stone ◽  
Leslie Scott ◽  
Danielle Battle ◽  
Patricia Maher
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Original Sample ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Administrative Records ◽  
Interaction Detection ◽  
Geographically Dispersed ◽  
Follow Up Studies ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Many longitudinal and follow-up studies face a common challenge: locating study participants. This study examines the extent to which a geographically dispersed subsample of participants can be relocated after 37 to 51 years of noncontact. Relying mostly on commercially available databases and administrative records, the 2011-12 Project Talent Follow-up Pilot Study (PTPS12) located nearly 85 percent of the original sample members, many of whom had not participated in the study since 1960. This study uses data collected in the base year to examine which subpopulations were the hardest to find after this extended hiatus. The results indicate that females were located at significantly lower rates than males. As expected, sample members with lower cognitive abilities were among the hardest-to-reach subpopulations. We next evaluate the extent to which biases introduced during the tracking phase can be minimized by using the multivariate chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) technique to calculate tracking loss adjustments. Unlike a 1995 study that found that these adjustments reduced statistical biases among its sample of located females, our results suggest that statistical adjustments were not as effective in PTPS12, where many participants had not been contacted in nearly 50 years and the tracking rates varied so greatly across subgroups.

Biliary tract cancers and the associated risk of venous thromboembolism.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 304-304
Author(s):  
Jasleen Khanuja ◽  
Samira Bahrami Tabar ◽  
Denice Tsao-Wei ◽  
Caroline Irene Piatek ◽  
Afsaneh Barzi
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Biliary Tract ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Logrank Test ◽  
Biliary Tract Cancers ◽  
Vein Thrombosis

304 Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Because biliary tract cancers (BTC) cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder (GB) cancer are uncommon, the incidence of VTE in this population are not well-described. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with BTC identified by the cancer registry at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California (USC) Medical Center, USC Norris Cancer Center, and USC Keck Hospital between January 2011 to December 2016 to describe the incidence of VTE. 330 BTC patients’ medical records were reviewed for demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment history, and VTE events. 41 patients were excluded due to incomplete records/follow-up. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from date of diagnosis to date of death or last follow-up. Logrank test was used to evaluate the association of VTE with OS. Results: 289 patients with BTC were identified (177 cholangiocarcinoma, 112 GB) with a median follow-up period of 16.7 (0.3-89.0) months (mo). 169 (58%) were women. The median age at diagnosis of 66 years (range 22-89). 144 (59%) underwent cancer surgery and 274 (95%) received chemotherapy. 65 (22%) patients had VTE events: 22 pulmonary embolism [PE] with or without lower extremity (LE) deep vein thrombosis [DVT], 15 with LE DVT alone, three with upper extremity DVT, and 30 with visceral thrombosis (27 portal vein thrombosis [PVT] with or without inferior vena cava thrombosis [IVC], 2 IVC thrombosis, two hepatic vein thrombosis). Five patients had both DVT/PE and visceral thrombosis. The median time from cancer diagnosis to VTE event was not met. Patients with a PVT or any visceral thrombosis had an inferior OS compared to those without (PVT: median OS 16.2 mo [95% CI 12.2-25.8] versus 7.5 [3.4-14.2], p = 0.10, visceral thrombosis: 17.0 mo [95% CI 11.8-25.9] versus 8.4 [95% CI 3.7-14.3], p = 0.30). There was a non-significant trend towards inferior OS in patients with any VTE event type (median OS 17.0 mo [95% CI 11.8-39.0] versus 11.4 [95% CI 7.2-18.4], p = 0.10). There was no difference in OS for patients with PE/DVT compared to those without. Conclusions: VTE is commonly observed in patients with BTC. Visceral thrombosis is associated with inferior survival in patients with BTC.

scholarly journals Estimated SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in Children and Adolescents in Mississippi, May Through September 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte V. Hobbs ◽  
Jan Drobeniuc ◽  
Theresa Kittle ◽  
John Williams ◽  
Paul Byers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Hispanic White

AbstractCase-based tracking of COVID-19 in children and adolescents may underestimate infection, and compared with adults there is little pediatric SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data. To assess evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infections among children and adolescents in Mississippi, serologic testing for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 was conducted on a convenience sample of residual serum specimens collected for routine laboratory testing by an academic medical center laboratory during May 17 through September 19, 2020. Seroprevalence by calendar month was standardized to the state population by race/ethnicity; cumulative numbers of infections were estimated by extrapolating seroprevalence to all those aged <18 years in Mississippi. Serum specimens from 1,603 individuals were tested; 175 (10.9%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Among 1,579 (98.5%) individuals for whom race/ethnicity was known, the number testing positive was 16 (23.2%) of 69 Hispanic individuals, 117 (13.0%) of 901 non-Hispanic Black individuals and 30 (5.3%) of 565 non-Hispanic White individuals. Population-weighted seroprevalence estimates among those aged <18 years increased from 2.6% in May to 16.9% in September 2020. Cumulative numbers of infections extrapolated from seroprevalence data, however, were estimated at 117,805 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 68,771–168,708), suggesting that cases in children and adolescents are much higher than what was reported to the Mississippi State Department of Health (9,044 cases during this period). Further data to appreciate the burden of pediatric disease to inform public health policy is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Treatment of Advanced Oropharyngeal Cancers with Chemotherapy and Radiation

2003 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. LoTempio ◽  
Marilene B. Wang ◽  
Ahmad Sadeghi
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Concomitant Chemotherapy ◽  
Small Series ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Base Of The Tongue

We conducted a retrospective chart review of treatment outcomes in 17 adults who had been selected to undergo concomitant chemotherapy and radiation (chemo/XRT) for late-stage oropharyngeal cancers. All patients had been treated at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center between March 1, 1998, and Sept. 30, 2000. Nine patients had a primary tumor at the base of the tongue, five had a primary tumor in the tonsillar area, and three had a tumor that affected both sites. Of this group, 15 patients completed one to three cycles of chemo/XRT, and the remaining two died during therapy. At the most recent follow-up, 9 of the 17 patients (52.9%) were documented to still be alive; seven patients had earlier died as a result of their primary tumor or a distant metastasis, and one patient had been lost to follow-up after completing treatment. At study's end, the duration of post-treatment survival ranged from 2 to 36 months (mean: 12.5). Based on the results of our small series, we conclude that chemo/XRT is a valid alternative to surgery with postoperative radiation and to radiation alone. Chemo/XRT yields acceptable rates of local control and allows for organ preservation with tolerable side effects.

P-748 Diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uterus: a pilot study

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Bilgory ◽  
E Shalom - Paz ◽  
Y Atzmon ◽  
N Aslih ◽  
D Estrada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Diode Laser ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Uterine Cavity ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Excessive Bleeding ◽  
Nulliparous Women ◽  
Tertiary Center ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy

Abstract Study question Whether diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uterus is a safe and efficacious procedure and its effect on reproductive outcomes. Summary answer Diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty is a safe and effective procedure for infertile women with dysmorphic uterus with comparable results to those reported in the literature. What is known already A T-shaped uterine anomaly is categorized by the ESHRE/ESGE consensus as dysmorphic uterus class U1a, characterized by an abnormal hypoplastic uterine cavity. A Y-shaped uterus is a dysmorphic uterus with a fundal subseptum. Dysmorphic uteri are associated with infertility, recurrent implantation failure (RIF), recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and adverse pregnancy outcomes. According to several studies, it seems that hysteroscopic metroplasty may improve the chances of conception and live birth. Previous studies described the procedure using bipolar systems, monopolar needle or scissors. The purpose is to achieve a uterine cavity of normal shape and volume by cutting the thickened lateral walls. Study design, size, duration This was a retrospective pilot study with a prospective follow-up. We retrospectively evaluated all cases operated between February 2018 to February 2020, at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel. Reproductive outcomes for women who underwent the procedure were followed until September 2020. Pregnancies that were ongoing on September 2020 were followed until January 31st 2021. Participants/materials, setting, methods Nulliparous women with a diagnosis of infertility or RPL, who were diagnosed with dysmorphic uterus by three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) and underwent diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty were included. All the metroplasties were done in one tertiary center by the same specialist. Reproductive outcomes were evaluated retrospectively and prospectively for a total follow-up time of 32 months. Reproductive performances before and after metroplasty were compared where possible. Main results and the role of chance Twenty-five women underwent diode laser hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uterus in our institute. No perforations, excessive bleeding, or other complications were encountered during the procedures. Follow-up hysteroscopy and 3D-US were satisfactory in all cases 2 months after the metroplasty. A total of 15 nulliparous women returned to fertility treatments afterwards, among whom 9 conceived (60% pregnancy rate). Their infertility period before the procedure was 56.6 ± 36.1 months. The duration between the metroplasty to pregnancy was 5.2 ± 3.5 months. The rate of deliveries and ongoing pregnancies (pregnancies beyond 20 weeks of gestation) was 78% (7/9), with five successful liveborn deliveries and two ongoing pregnancies. All deliveries were between 36-37 weeks. The 10 women who were not treated by our infertility unit were contacted, among whom 6 discontinued their attempt to conceive. The other 4 conceived; three of them spontaneously. Among those 4 women,the rate of deliveries and ongoing pregnancies was 75%, with one term delivery and two ongoing pregnancies. Limitations, reasons for caution First, we included both T-shaped and Y-shaped uteri as both represent close versions of dysmorphic uteri, but in fact they differ. The subseptum might interfere with reproduction in a different mechanism. Second, the small and heterogeneous sample as well as the short duration of follow-up limit the conclusions. Wider implications of the findings We present the first application of diode laser in hysteroscopic metroplasty for dysmorphic uteri. This technique seems promising and our results are comparable with other series using different cutting devices. Only larger controlled trials with a longer follow-up can confirm the safety, efficacy, and impact on reproductive outcomes. Trial registration number Not Applicable

Endovascular Treatment of Basilar Tip Aneurysms Using Guglielmi Detachable Coils: Anatomic and Clinical Outcomes in 73 Patients from a Single Institution

Neurosurgery ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1332-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Tateshima ◽  
Yuichi Murayama ◽  
Y. Pierre Gobin ◽  
Gary R. Duckwiler ◽  
Guido Guglielmi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Clinical Status ◽  
Giant Aneurysm ◽  
Detachable Coil ◽  
Complete Occlusion ◽  
Unruptured Aneurysms ◽  
Guglielmi Detachable Coil

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE Seventy-three consecutive patients with 75 basilar tip aneurysms were treated with Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) technology. Their anatomic and clinical outcomes are discussed. METHODS Seventy-five basilar tip aneurysms were treated with the GDC system at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center from 1990 to 1999. The average age of the population was 48.3 years (range, 28–82 yr). Forty-two patients (57.5%) presented with acute subarachnoid hemorrhage, 8 patients (10.9%) had unruptured aneurysms with mass effect, and 23 patients (31.5%) had incidental aneurysms. Thirty-one aneurysms (41.3%) were small with a small neck, 18 (24%) were small with a wide neck, 16 (21.3%) were large, and 10 (13.3%) were giant aneurysms. RESULTS Immediate anatomic outcomes demonstrated complete or near-complete occlusion in 64 aneurysms (85.3%) and incomplete occlusion in 7 aneurysms (9.3%). Four aneurysms (5.3%) could not be embolized because of anatomic difficulties. Of the 69 patients treated with GDCs, 63 patients (91.3%) remained neurologically intact or unchanged from their initial clinical status. Procedure-related morbidity and mortality were 4.1% and 1.4%, respectively. Long-term follow-up angiograms were obtained in 41 patients with 42 aneurysms. Thirty aneurysms (71.4%) demonstrated complete or near-complete occlusion. One incompletely embolized giant aneurysm ruptured during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION In contrast to surgical clipping of basilar tip aneurysms, the main technical challenge of the Guglielmi detachable coiling procedure depends on the shape of the aneurysm, not its location. The results of this study indicate that endovascular GDC technology is an appropriate therapeutic alternative in ruptured or unruptured basilar tip aneurysms regardless of patient age, clinical presentation, clinical status, or timing of treatment.

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