Virtual Adaptation of Resident I-PASS Training Session During COVID-19.

Introduction: Effective communication during the patient handoff process is critical for ensuring patient safety. At our academic medical center, first-year interns complete hand-off training before starting clinical rotations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a virtual handoff training for residents as an alternative to in-person sessions due to limitations imposed by COVID-19. Methods: Fifty residents were administered pre/post surveys to gauge the helpfulness of the training for clinical practice, familiarity and confidence in providing a hand-off, and whether they would recommend the virtual format for incoming interns. Additionally, faculty rated the virtual form of the hand-off activity, made comparisons to in-person sessions, and assessed the helpfulness of the session for residents in clinical practice. Results: Forty-four residents (88%) and 11 faculty (85%) completed surveys. After the training session, residents who received instruction and feedback reported significant improvements in familiarity with the hand-off tool and confidence in their hand-off abilities (both p < 0.001). Both residents and faculty were satisfied with the virtual format of hand-off training. Most faculty felt the virtual platform was comparable to in-person sessions and would recommend ongoing use of the virtual platform when in-person sessions were not possible. Conclusions: Teaching hospitals mandate resident training to include strategies for a uniform hand-off method to avoid medical errors. Adaptation to a virtual platform can be a successful instruction strategy, allowing for didactic and interactive sessions with direct faculty observation and feedback.

Severe cholestatic jaundice associated with Graves' disease.

We describe a rare case of Graves' disease presenting with atrial fibrillation and severe cholestasis. An extensive evaluation for hepatobiliary causes of cholestasis, including hepatic biopsy, was entirely negative. He was successfully treated with methimazole and eventual thyroidectomy. With caution, thionamides can be utilized successfully for such patients.

Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Presenting as Paraspinal Muscle Metastatic Mass.

A 39-year-old male presented with a painful paraspinal mass, which had been present for several weeks. The mass had previously been treated with oral sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim DS, as the patient reported a history of "boils," with no improvement in his pain or size of the mass. No further diagnostic workup was pursued until he was admitted with intractable pain. Eventual biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma, likely of pulmonary origin. This report, as well as other incoming cases, highlights this rare phenomenon of muscular metastases as the sole presentation of a distant primary malignancy.