Food Insecurity in the Rural South in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Food insecurity in rural communities in the Southern US continues to grow, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the characteristics of food-insecure individuals and families in this region is critical for developing creative strategies for eliminating this health disparity issue. A food insecurity survey was given to attendees at food-security events held in several counties in one Southern US state. A descriptive analysis of food insecurity in this region is presented, and recommendations for addressing food insecurity among underserved and disadvantaged populations are suggested.

Reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) measures various aspects of postural control, but little data exist in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to determine the psychometrics of the BESTest in MS. DESIGN: Observational study. METHODS: 21 ambulatory subjects with MS participated. In the first session, demographic data was collected; each subject completed a questionnaire of self-perceived disability level and the BESTest. The BESTest was re-administered 1 week later. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability (ICC 3,1) for the total BESTest was 0.94, ranging 0.66 to 0.93 for the subsections. Internal consistency (Chronbach's alpha) for the total BESTest was 0.97; subsections scores ranged 0.79 to 0.96. Minimal detectable change (MDC) scores ranged from 2.25 to 4.58 for subsections with 9.47 points for total BESTest. Weak to moderate correlations were found between individual subsection scores (0.12 to 0.78), and BESTest total and subsection scores to fall (-0.08 to -0.62) frequency and self-perceived disability level (-0.24 to -0.64). Strongest correlations were found between BESTest total and individual subsection scores. No floor effects were found; five BESTest subsections had ceiling effects. CONCLUSIONS: The BESTest is reliable and valid in individuals with MS. Total BESTest scores demonstrated higher reliability and a lack of a ceiling effect as compared to subsection scores, suggesting that clinicians use the BESTest in its entirety. The correlations among subsection scores indicate that each assesses a unique aspect of balance, supporting its construct validity. The MDC scores will assist clinicians in assessing patient change.

Systemic-to-pulmonary artery pressure ratio as a predictor of patient outcome following liver transplantation.

AIM: To assess the value of the mean systemic-to-pulmonary artery pressure (MAP/mPAP) ratio for predicting outcomes following orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). METHODS: A retrospective data analysis was performed and data (mean arterial blood pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure and Cardiac Index) were collected at several points during OLT. Outcomes evaluated were duration of postoperative endotracheal intubation [ET; minutes after intensive care unit (ICU) arrival], length of ICU stay, total hospitalization and frequency of immediate postoperative complications. A total of 91 patients were included in the data analysis. Based on the intraoperative course of the MAP/mPAP ratio, 2 hemodynamic responses were identified: Group 1 (MAP/mPAP ratio increase during anhepatic period with postreperfusion recovery, n = 66); and Group 2 (MAP/mPAP ratio with no change during anhepatic period or decreased without recovery, n = 25). RESULTS: The main finding was that the lack of increased MAP/mPAP ratio in the anhepatic period was associated with: (1) longer intubation times; and (2) prolonged ICU stays and total hospitalization time, when compared to patients with an increase in MAP/mPAP ratio during the anhepatic period. CONCLUSION: The data from this retrospective study should raise awareness to the mean systemic to pulmonary artery pressure ratio as a potential indicator for poor outcome after OLT. Further prospective studies are needed for validation.

Cognitive aid use improves transition of care by graduating medical students during a simulated crisis.

BACKGROUND: Residents are expected to have transition of care (ToC) skills upon entering graduate medical education. It is unclear whether experience and training during medical school is adequate. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the project was to assess: 1) graduating medical students' ability to perform ToC in a crisis situation, and 2) whether using a cognitive aid improves the ToC quality. METHODS: The authors developed simulation scenarios for rapid response teams and a cognitive aid to assist in the ToC during crisis situations. Graduating medical students were enrolled and randomly divided into teams of three students, randomly assigned into one of two groups: teams using a cognitive aid for ToC (CA), or not using a cognitive aid (nCA). In the scenario, teams respond to a deteriorating patient and then transfer care to the next provider after stabilization. Three faculty reviewed the recording to assess completeness of the ToC and the overall quality. A completeness score was expressed as a fraction of the maximum score. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A total of 112 senior medical students participated: CA n=19, nCA n=17. The completeness score of the ToC and overall quality improved when using the cognitive aid (completeness score: CA 0.80±0.06 vs. nCA 0.52±0.07, p<0.01; ToC quality: CA 3.16±0.65 vs. nCA 1.92±0.56, p<0.01). Participants' rating of knowledge and comfort with the ToC process increased after the simulation. CONCLUSION: The completeness of information transfer during the ToC process by graduating medical students improved by using a cognitive aid in a simulated patient crisis.