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1.
Am J Manag Care ; 28(8): e296-e300, 2022 08 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35981130

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of preappointment surveys and reminder phone calls on show rate and time spent in new patient appointments at a multidisciplinary pediatric chronic pain clinic. STUDY DESIGN: We examined show rates and appointment length during the 1-year period before and 1-year period after a preappointment survey and phone reminders were implemented. Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables and Student's t test with equal variances was used for continuous variables. METHODS: The setting was a multidisciplinary pediatric chronic pain management clinic in Florida. Participants were 362 patients scheduled for an initial pain clinic evaluation 1 year prior to and after the implementation of a preappointment survey on August 19, 2019. Our main outcome measures were show rate and appointment length. RESULTS: Patients who completed a preappointment survey were significantly more likely to attend their clinic appointment than noncompleters (97.2% vs 36.2%) and spent significantly less time in their appointment. CONCLUSIONS: With new patients, preappointment surveys can improve clinic show rate and decrease time spent in initial appointments. Clinics may consider policies targeting completion of preappointment surveys to assist with show rate, but they must consider their patients' barriers to completing surveys so access to care is not limited.


Subject(s)
Patient Compliance , Reminder Systems , Appointments and Schedules , Child , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Telephone
2.
JMIR Form Res ; 6(8): e37054, 2022 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35969442

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Machine learning uses algorithms that improve automatically through experience. This statistical learning approach is a natural extension of traditional statistical methods and can offer potential advantages for certain problems. The feasibility of using machine learning techniques in health care is predicated on access to a sufficient volume of data in a problem space. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of data collection from an adolescent population before and after a posterior spine fusion operation. METHODS: Both physical and psychosocial data were collected. Adolescents scheduled for a posterior spine fusion operation were approached when they were scheduled for the surgery. The study collected repeated measures of patient data, including at least 2 weeks prior to the operation and 6 months after the patients were discharged from the hospital. Patients were provided with a Fitbit Charge 4 (consumer-grade health tracker) and instructed to wear it as often as possible. A third-party web-based portal was used to collect and store the Fitbit data, and patients were trained on how to download and sync their personal device data on step counts, sleep time, and heart rate onto the web-based portal. Demographic and physiologic data recorded in the electronic medical record were retrieved from the hospital data warehouse. We evaluated changes in the patients' psychological profile over time using several validated questionnaires (ie, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory). Questionnaires were administered to patients using Qualtrics software. Patients received the questionnaire prior to and during the hospitalization and again at 3 and 6 months postsurgery. We administered paper-based questionnaires for the self-report of daily pain scores and the use of analgesic medications. RESULTS: There were several challenges to data collection from the study population. Only 38% (32/84) of the patients we approached met eligibility criteria, and 50% (16/32) of the enrolled patients dropped out during the follow-up period-on average 17.6 weeks into the study. Of those who completed the study, 69% (9/13) reliably wore the Fitbit and downloaded data into the web-based portal. These patients also had a high response rate to the psychosocial surveys. However, none of the patients who finished the study completed the paper-based pain diary. There were no difficulties accessing the demographic and clinical data stored in the hospital data warehouse. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies several challenges to long-term medical follow-up in adolescents, including willingness to participate in these types of studies and compliance with the various data collection approaches. Several of these challenges-insufficient incentives and personal contact between researchers and patients-should be addressed in future studies.

3.
Paediatr Neonatal Pain ; 4(2): 87-91, 2022 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35719217

ABSTRACT

The aim of this review was to assess diagnostic and treatment challenges of adolescents with SI joint pain. We diagnosed 13 of the patients who were referred to our chronic pain clinic because of low back pain (30%) with SI joint pain based on provocative tests response. We performed SI joint steroid infiltration. Six patients (46%) felt better immediately after the procedure and 1 (8%) patient had a one-side only pain relief after a bilateral block. Four of these patients (31%) did not experience any further episode of pain during the follow-up and three patients reported recurring pain on average 2 months after the initial procedure. The 2nd procedure was successful in two patients and the third one experienced pain again 12 months later, requiring a third successful infiltration. Six patients (46%) experienced pain again within a few hours or days after the infiltration and their pain score were unchanged compared with what they had reported prior to the procedure. We were unable to place the needle within the joint under fluoroscopy in 1 patient; however, we were successful repeating the procedure under CT guidance. One patient experienced a motor and sensory block in the distribution of the sciatic nerve immediately after the procedure, which resolved within 24 and 48 hours, respectively. SI joint pain is a distinctive pathology that can be present in children and adolescents and is often overlooked by practitioners. Its diagnosis and management are challenging in this population as it is in adults. SI joint steroids injections may play a role in the management of these patients.

4.
Am J Trop Med Hyg ; 102(5): 1033-1036, 2020 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32100683

ABSTRACT

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Uganda. The role of spatial repellent devices in preventing malaria is controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the populations' acceptability of a newly designed insecticide diffuser. We distributed to three families living in southern Uganda a device commercially available, the VAPE® portable set. This spatial repellent device offers several advantages compared with other traditional products. It is powered by lithium batteries that guarantee 20 days of uninterrupted delivery of insecticide; it contains two insecticides: empenthrin and transfluthrin; and it is simple to use, one switch to turn it "on" and/or "off." It is odorless, and it can be placed anywhere in the living/sleeping area. People can also carry it outside the house. We planned to evaluate people's compliance with its usage, its reliability, and its overall costs. We conducted a 5-month survey. We distributed the devices to three households, one device per bedroom. Ten males and 11 females, with a mean age of 26 ± 16 (range 10-51) years, lived in these houses. The compliance with the use of the device and its acceptability were high. No side effects were reported. No individual contracted malaria during the 5-month period. The major obstacle we found was the timely delivery of the devices to the evaluation area and initial compliance with the instructions on how to use the device. Larger randomized studies are needed to clarify whether there is a role for this type of spatial repellent devices in the global efforts to prevent malaria.


Subject(s)
Insect Repellents/administration & dosage , Malaria/prevention & control , Mosquito Control/methods , Adult , Developing Countries , Housing , Humans , Male , Young Adult
5.
Clin Ther ; 41(9): 1690-1700, 2019 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31409555

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and variation of opioid use across hospitals in infants undergoing pyloromyotomy and to determine the impact of opioid use on postoperative outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study (2005-2015) was conducted by using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database, including infants (aged <6 months) with pyloric stenosis who underwent pyloromyotomy. Infants with significant comorbidities were excluded. Opioid use was classified as a patient receiving at least 1 opioid medication during his or her hospital stay and categorized as preoperative, day of surgery, or postoperative (≥1 day after surgery). Outcomes included prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS; ≥3 days) and readmission within 30 days. FINDINGS: Overall, 25,724 infants who underwent pyloromyotomy were analyzed. Opioids were administered to 6865 (26.7%) infants, with 1385 (5.4%) receiving opioids postoperatively. In 2015, there was significant variation in frequency of opioid use by hospital, with 0%-81% of infants within an individual hospital receiving opioids (P < 0.001). Infants only receiving opioids on the day of surgery exhibited decreased odds of prolonged hospital LOS (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78-0.92). Infants who received an opioid on both the day of surgery and postoperatively exhibited increased odds of a prolonged hospital LOS (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.33-2.20). Thirty-day readmission was not associated with opioid use (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93-1.14). IMPLICATIONS: There is national variability in opioid use for infants undergoing pyloromyotomy, and postoperative opioid use is associated with prolonged hospital stay. Nonopioid analgesic protocols may warrant future investigation.


Subject(s)
Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic/drug therapy , Pyloric Stenosis, Hypertrophic/surgery , Pyloromyotomy , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Length of Stay , Male , Odds Ratio , Patient Readmission , Postoperative Period , Retrospective Studies
6.
J Child Neurol ; 34(11): 674-678, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31167597

ABSTRACT

Pediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts commonly present with headaches. We report 7 children with ventriculoperitoneal shunts and occipital headaches who received occipital nerve blocks. Eighty-six percent of patients had a history of at least 1 ventriculoperitoneal shunt revision. Headaches improved in every patient after the block. Two patients (29%) were symptom free 11 and 12 months after the block. Four patients (57%) required repeat occipital nerve blocks. Two underwent pulsed radiofrequency ablation. No complications were noted. When patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts present with headaches, a detailed physical examination is necessary. Persistent occipital headaches with tenderness and radiation in the path of the occipital nerves can be indicative of occipital neuralgia resulting from the shunt having crossed over the path of the greater or lesser occipital nerve. Occipital nerve blocks can help as both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in these patients.


Subject(s)
Headache/drug therapy , Nerve Block/methods , Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt/adverse effects , Adolescent , Arnold-Chiari Malformation/surgery , Female , Headache/etiology , Humans , Male , Meningomyelocele/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome
7.
Anesth Analg ; 128(2): 315-327, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30346358

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are few comparative data on the analgesic options used to manage patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE). The Society for Pediatric Anesthesia Improvement Network was established to investigate outcomes for procedures where there is significant management variability. For our first study, we established a multicenter observational database to characterize the analgesic strategies used to manage pediatric patients undergoing MIRPE. Outcome data from the participating centers were used to assess the association between analgesic strategy and pain outcomes. METHODS: Fourteen institutions enrolled patients from June 2014 through August 2015. Network members agreed to an observational methodology where each institution managed patients based on their institutional standards and protocols. There was no requirement to standardize care. Patients were categorized based on analgesic strategy: epidural catheter (EC), paravertebral catheter (PVC), wound catheter (WC), no regional (NR) analgesia, and intrathecal morphine techniques. Primary outcomes, pain score and opioid consumption by postoperative day (POD), for each technique were compared while adjusting for confounders using multivariable modeling that included 5 covariates: age, sex, number of bars, Haller index, and use of preoperative pain medication. Pain scores were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Opioid consumption was analyzed using a multivariable quantile regression. RESULTS: Data were collected on 348 patients and categorized based on primary analgesic strategy: EC (122), PVC (57), WC (41), NR (120), and intrathecal morphine (8). Compared to EC, daily median pain scores were higher in patients managed with PVC (POD 0), WC (POD 0, 1, 2, 3), and NR (POD 0, 1, 2), respectively (P < .001-.024 depending on group). Daily opioid requirements were higher in patients managed with PVC (POD 0, 1), WC (POD 0, 1, 2), and NR (POD 0, 1, 2) when compared to patients managed with EC (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate variation in pain management strategies for patients undergoing MIRPE within our network. The results indicate that most patients have mild-to-moderate pain postoperatively regardless of analgesic management. Patients managed with EC had lower pain scores and opioid consumption in the early recovery period compared to other treatment strategies.


Subject(s)
Funnel Chest/surgery , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/standards , Pediatrics/standards , Perioperative Care/standards , Registries/standards , Societies, Medical/standards , Adolescent , Anesthesia/standards , Anesthesia/trends , Child , Disease Management , Female , Funnel Chest/diagnosis , Hospitalization/trends , Humans , Male , Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/trends , Pediatrics/trends , Perioperative Care/trends , Prospective Studies , Research Report/standards , Societies, Medical/trends , Treatment Outcome
8.
Clin J Pain ; 34(11): 983-990, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29794496

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Neuromodulation, particularly intrathecal drug delivery systems and spinal cord stimulators (SCSs), can be a valuable tool when treating chronic pain in adults. However, there is a paucity of literature with regard to its use in pediatrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present a series of 14 children and adolescents with intractable pain who received a SCS or a pump for the intrathecal delivery of medications between 2010 and 2016 at our institution. RESULTS: During the study period, we placed 10 intrathecal pumps and 4 SCSs with an average age of 17 years old. Pain scores significantly improved after the implant (P<0.007) and function improved in 79% of patients. Opioid use was also significantly reduced. Three patients eventually had their device removed due to psychiatric comorbidities. Four patients had complications that were treated without further sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Neuromodulation can offer important options in treating some pediatric chronic pain patients. In-depth knowledge of primary disease and strict patient selection in the context of the patient's social situation is vital to successful treatment.


Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation Therapy , Pain, Intractable/therapy , Adolescent , Analgesics/administration & dosage , Child , Comorbidity , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infusion Pumps , Injections, Spinal , Male , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Pain Measurement , Pain, Intractable/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications , Treatment Outcome , Young Adult
9.
Anesth Analg ; 126(5): 1794-1795, 2018 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29505453

Subject(s)
Spinal Fusion , Child , Humans
10.
A A Case Rep ; 9(4): 112-115, 2017 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28604466

ABSTRACT

Spinal cord stimulation can be a valuable treatment option in the management of neuropathic pain in select pediatric patients. We present a unique case of a 16-year-old girl with Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and scoliosis who required the placement of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) for severe sciatic nerve neuropathic pain after a right above-knee amputation. Several attempts at lead placement were required before successful pain coverage was achieved because of late recognition of significant vertebral body rotation. This case highlights important considerations in pediatric SCS placement including a careful review of the spinal cord anatomy before the placement of an SCS.


Subject(s)
Neuroma/complications , Pain Management/methods , Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms/complications , Sciatic Neuropathy/complications , Spinal Cord Stimulation/methods , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome/complications , Neuroma/therapy , Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms/therapy , Sciatic Neuropathy/therapy
11.
Anesth Analg ; 125(3): 812-819, 2017 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28632535

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The concept of Perioperative Surgical Home has been gaining significant attention in surgical centers. This model is delivering and improving coordinated care in a cost-effective manner to patients undergoing surgical procedures. It starts with the decision for surgical intervention, continues to the intraoperative and postoperative periods, and follows into long-term recovery. Constant re-evaluation of outcomes and modifications of delivery provides a feedback loop for improvement. Children's Hospital Los Angeles initiated a new protocol in June 2014 to manage children undergoing Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) with the goal to improve patient experience and lower the hospital length of stay and cost. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified patients who underwent a PSF for idiopathic scoliosis before and after initiation of a new treatment protocol designed by a team of anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and physical therapists. The new protocol included preoperative teaching of parents and patients, intraoperative anesthetic and surgical management, and immediate to long-term postoperative medical management. In addition to demographics, we examined length of stay, cost of hospitalization, pain scores on discharge, length of patient-controlled analgesia use, time to first solid food intake, and time to ambulation. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were identified preinitiation and postinitiation of the protocol (total n = 72). There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, use of intrathecal morphine, or estimated blood loss. Patients enrolled in the new protocol had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (P = .003), significantly lower duration of patient-controlled analgesia use, time to first solid food intake, and time to ambulation (P= .001). The pain scores were higher at the time of discharge, although the difference was not statistically significant. Length of stay was significantly shorter in the new protocol group (P = .001), accounting for $292,560 in cost savings for the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the cooperation of different teams in designing new management guidelines for patients requiring a PSF can significantly decrease the total length of stay and cost of hospitalization without altering quality of care.


Subject(s)
Pain Management/methods , Pain, Postoperative/therapy , Patient Care Team , Patient-Centered Care/methods , Perioperative Care/methods , Spinal Fusion/adverse effects , Adolescent , Analgesia, Patient-Controlled/methods , Analgesia, Patient-Controlled/trends , Child , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Interrupted Time Series Analysis/methods , Male , Pain Management/trends , Pain, Postoperative/epidemiology , Patient Care Team/trends , Patient-Centered Care/trends , Perioperative Care/trends , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Retrospective Studies , Scoliosis/epidemiology , Scoliosis/surgery , Spinal Fusion/trends
12.
Br J Pain ; 11(2): 87-96, 2017 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28491301

ABSTRACT

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether an inpatient approach and the use of regional anaesthesia techniques can accelerate the recovery to normal functions in children with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This study looked at the data of patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit with a diagnosis of CRPS from January 2010 to April 2015. Variables such as hospital stay, medications administered, regional anaesthesia procedures, changes in functional status prior to treatment and at the time of discharge, psychological evaluation and diagnosis were evaluated. A total of 31 patients (21 females and 10 males) were admitted with a diagnosis of CRPS 1 and 2. In all, 97% of the patients received a peripheral or central nerve catheter for an average of 4 days with pain scores of Verbal Numeric Scale (VNS) score = 1.0 ± 0.7 and an average length of hospital stay of 8.2 ± 2.6 days. The modified Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) scores and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists tests significantly improved at the time of hospital discharge, as well as their pain scores, which decreased from 8.2 ± 2 to 1.6 ± 3. In conclusion, these data suggest that the use of regional anaesthesia techniques and an intensive inpatient rehabilitation programme could accelerate the recovery of children with CRPS.

13.
Int J Pediatr ; 2017: 8769402, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28421117

ABSTRACT

We reviewed the referral pattern of children with chronic pain to a specialized pediatric pain clinic. Data were obtained from referring physicians and medical records and during an interview with patients and their parents by physicians and a psychologist. We analyzed the following: referral diagnosis, demographics, duration of symptoms, number of physicians previously consulted, school attendance, sports activities, presence of psychological disorders, final team diagnosis, and outcomes. Children had been experiencing pain for 34 ± 55 months. Patients had consulted on average 3 physicians in addition to their pediatrician. 32% of the patients had missed at least 10 days of school in a calendar year, and 47% had stopped playing sports. 15% had an operation because of pain that had been unsuccessful. The most common missed diagnosis was anxiety (25%) and depression (13%). 69% of the patients were back to school and/or playing sports within 4 months from our initial consultation. 32% of the patients did not make any progress during the follow-up period. The most common reasons for failure to improve were no compliance with the recommended treatments and poorly controlled major mood disorder. The time to refer children with chronic pain for specialized care could be extremely long causing significant social and psychological consequence.

14.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976) ; 42(2): 92-97, 2017 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28072636

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of consecutive patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine implementing an accelerated protocol could decrease our average hospital stay and what impact this had on postoperative pain management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To our knowledge, no prior studies have reviewed the effect of an accelerated discharge protocol on postoperative pain control for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) following posterior spinal fusion. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all consecutive patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for AIS before (June 1, 2008-May 31, 2013 = traditional protocol) and after (June 1, 2013-October 22, 2014 = accelerated protocol) protocol implementation. Subjective response to the FACES Pain Intensity scale was collected for each postoperative day while in the hospital by the nursing staff. RESULTS: There were 194 patients in the traditional pathway and 90 patients in the accelerated pathway. No significant differences in age at surgery, sex, or number of levels fused were present between the groups. Patients managed under the accelerated discharge had an average hospital stay of 3.7 days compared with 5.0 days for the traditional discharge (P < 0.001). There was no increased incidence of wound complications between the two groups [3.6% (7/194) vs. 3.3% (3/90), P = 0.91] or readmission [1.5% (3/194) vs. 4.4% (4/90), P = 0.213]. Hospital charges for postoperative care were significantly less in the accelerated discharge group than in the traditional group ($18,360 vs. $23,640, P < 0.0001). This corresponded to a 22% ($5280/$23,640) decrease in postoperative hospital charges. Patients had a small (<1 point change on FACES pain scale) but statistically significant increase in pain on postoperative days 2, 3, and 4 (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0079, P = 0.0076). CONCLUSION: Accelerated discharge following PSF for AIS was associated with a 22% decrease in hospital charges in the postoperative period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.


Subject(s)
Hospital Charges/statistics & numerical data , Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data , Patient Discharge/statistics & numerical data , Postoperative Care , Scoliosis/surgery , Spinal Fusion , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Pain Measurement , Postoperative Care/economics , Postoperative Complications , Postoperative Period , Retrospective Studies , Spinal Fusion/methods
15.
A A Case Rep ; 5(9): 151-3, 2015 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26528699

ABSTRACT

A 15-year-old girl diagnosed with erythromelalgia was admitted to the hospital with severe pain in her feet associated with burning, pruritus, erythema, and swelling. She had not responded to conventional management and received some relief only from cold bath immersions, which resulted in chronic blistering and multiple episodes of superinfection. After a successful trial of spinal cord stimulation, she had a permanent implantation procedure. The spinal cord stimulator relieved her pain and improved function but not the sensation of burning pain. However, this pain resolved after she started daily mexiletine. This case demonstrates that erythromelalgia sometimes can be managed successfully with a combination of pharmacologic and interventional procedures.


Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation Therapy , Erythromelalgia/drug therapy , Mexiletine/therapeutic use , Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Blockers/therapeutic use , Adolescent , Combined Modality Therapy , Female , Humans , Pain Management
16.
Clin J Pain ; 29(12): e42-5, 2013 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23823251

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Late diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can have severe consequences. We report the case of a young adolescent who failed several months of medical and physical therapy for CRPS, which was initially limited to one extremity but then spread to the remaining extremities. METHODS: At the time of admission to our hospital, she had been unable to independently perform activities of daily living for several months. We placed an epidural catheter and 2 infraclavicular catheters under general anesthesia and ran continuous infusions of local anesthetic and morphine in the epidural catheter (ropivacaine 0.1% and preservative-free morphine [20 µg/mL] at 8 mL/h) and ropivacaine 0.1% 6 mL/h in each infraclavicular catheter. RESULTS: Patients were started intense physical, occupational, and psychotherapeutic treatments the following day. Color and temperature of extremities normalized within 10 minutes from the time of the bolus of local anesthetic through the catheters. The patient was able to walk and use her hands 48 hours after the placement of the catheters. She was weaned off opioids during her hospital stay and was discharged home 9 days after her initial admission, and was able to walk and attend to her daily living activities. DISCUSSION: The extensive use of regional anesthesia techniques can greatly benefit patients with CRPS during the acute phase of the rehabilitation process, which includes appropriate physical, and occupational therapy and psychological interventions. It is critical to continue physical therapy and psychological support after discharge from the hospital.


Subject(s)
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled , Complex Regional Pain Syndromes/therapy , Occupational Therapy , Physical Therapy Modalities , Adolescent , Analgesics, Opioid/administration & dosage , Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use , Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage , Anesthetics, Local/therapeutic use , Catheters, Indwelling , Complex Regional Pain Syndromes/drug therapy , Complex Regional Pain Syndromes/rehabilitation , Female , Humans , Morphine/administration & dosage , Morphine/therapeutic use , Treatment Outcome
17.
J Palliat Med ; 16(4): 342-8, 2013 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23249403

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We report the process of creating a new palliative care service at a large, urban children's hospital. Our aim was to provide a detailed guide to developing an inpatient consultation service, along with reporting on the challenges, lessons, and evaluation. METHODS: We examined the hiring process of personnel and marketing strategies, a clinical database facilitated ongoing quality review and identified trends, and a survey project assessed provider satisfaction and how referring physicians used the palliative care service. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The pilot phase of service delivery laid the groundwork for a more effective service by creating documentation templates and identifying relevant data to track growth and outcomes. It also allowed time to establish a clear delineation of team members and distinction of roles. The survey of referring physicians proved a useful evaluation starting point, but conclusions could not be generalized because of the low response rate. It may be necessary to reconsider the survey technique and to expand the sample to include patients and families. Future research is needed to measure the financial benefits of a well-staffed inpatient pediatric palliative care service.


Subject(s)
Palliative Care/organization & administration , Data Collection , Databases, Factual , Hospitals, Pediatric , Hospitals, Urban , Humans , Marketing , Marketing of Health Services , Needs Assessment , Nurse Practitioners , Personnel Selection , Program Development
19.
Anesthesiology ; 109(5): 890-4, 2008 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18946302

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the efficacy of adding fentanyl to epidural bupivacaine in infants up to 6 months of age after a thoracotomy in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. The primary outcome was the total amount of rescue doses of intravenous nalbuphine in the first 24 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included (1) time to first rescue dose of nalbuphine, (2) pain scores, and (3) behavior scores. METHODS: Thirty-two infants were randomly assigned to receive an epidural infusion containing 0.1% bupivacaine (group B; n = 16) or 0.1% bupivacaine and 2 microg/ml fentanyl (group BF; n = 16). Patients were evaluated up to 24 h after surgery for pain; amount of analgesic rescues and time to first rescue; pain scores; behavior scores (five-item behavior score); and complications, including respiratory depression, oxygen requirement, vomiting, and urinary retention. RESULTS: The two groups had similar demographics. Nalbuphine consumption (P = 0.001) and pain scores (P < 0.001) in the first 24 h were significantly decreased in group BF compared with group B. The time to first analgesic rescue was significantly longer in group BF (P = 0.005). The five-item behavior score was significantly better in group BF than in group B (P = 0.01). The incidence of side effects, the time to first successful feeding, and the time to discharge were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of 2 microg/ml epidural fentanyl to 0.1% bupivacaine results in improved postthoracotomy analgesia without any increase in side effects, compared with 0.1% bupivacaine, in infants up to 6 months of age.


Subject(s)
Analgesia, Epidural/methods , Bupivacaine/administration & dosage , Fentanyl/administration & dosage , Lung/surgery , Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy , Thoracotomy , Double-Blind Method , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Lung/drug effects , Lung/pathology , Male , Pain Measurement/drug effects , Pain Measurement/methods , Pain, Postoperative/etiology , Prospective Studies , Thoracotomy/adverse effects
20.
Anesthesiology ; 109(3): 512-9, 2008 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18719450

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The use of nicotinic agonists for analgesia is limited by their unacceptable side effects. Sazetidine-A is a new partial agonist nicotinic ligand that has very high selectivity for beta2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It potently and selectively desensitizes alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors without measurable effects on alpha3beta4 receptors. The authors investigated the analgesic effects of Sazetidine-A using the formalin model of chronic inflammatory pain. METHODS: The formalin test was conducted after rats received intraperitoneal saline, Sazetidine-A (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg), or subcutaneous epibatidine (2.5-5-10 mug/kg). In other experiments, Sazetidine-A was preceded by naloxone (0.5 mg/kg) or mecamylamine (10 mg). Effects of Sazetidine-A and epibatidine on locomotor were tested in an open field, and seizure activity was measured using the Racine scale. Locus coeruleus neuron extracellular single-unit spontaneous discharge was recorded in anesthetized animals after Sazetidine-A and epibatidine. RESULTS: Higher doses of Sazetidine-A (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg) induced analgesia, with pain scores significantly lower than those seen after saline, lower doses of Sazetidine-A, and epibatidine (P < 0.001). Naloxone did not antagonize the effects of Sazetidine-A, and mecamylamine had partial, dose-dependent antagonistic effects. Epibatidine excited locus coeruleus neurons, whereas Sazetidine-A had no effect on these neurons. Epibatidine and Sazetidine-A affected animals' locomotor activity for the initial 20 min. While analgesic doses of epibatidine caused seizures, no seizure activity or other neurologic complications were seen in animals that received as much as four times the minimum analgesic dose of Sazetidine-A. CONCLUSIONS: Sazetidine-A seems to be a potent analgesic without causing neurologic side effects.


Subject(s)
Analgesics/pharmacology , Azetidines/pharmacology , Cholinergic Agents/pharmacology , Pain/drug therapy , Pyridines/pharmacology , Receptors, Nicotinic/drug effects , Analgesics/adverse effects , Animals , Azetidines/adverse effects , Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage , Cholinergic Agents/adverse effects , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Male , Mecamylamine/administration & dosage , Motor Activity/drug effects , Naloxone/administration & dosage , Narcotic Antagonists/administration & dosage , Nicotinic Agonists/administration & dosage , Nicotinic Antagonists/administration & dosage , Pain Measurement/drug effects , Pain Measurement/methods , Pyridines/administration & dosage , Pyridines/adverse effects , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Receptors, Nicotinic/metabolism , Sodium Chloride/administration & dosage
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