Delivery of Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments by Automated Mobile Phone Text Messaging.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments allow patients to interpret their health and are integral in evaluating orthopedic treatments and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to define: (1) correlation between PROs collected by automated delivery of text messages on mobile phones compared with paper delivery; and (2) patient use characteristics of a technology platform utilizing automated delivery of text messages on mobile phones. METHODS: Paper versions of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and the short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) were completed by patients in orthopedic hand and upper extremity clinics. Over the next 48 hours, the same patients also completed the mobile phone portion of the study outside of the clinic which included text message delivery of the SF-12 and QuickDASH, assigned in a random order. Correlations between paper and text message delivery of the 2 PROs were assessed. RESULTS: Among 72 patients, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the written and mobile phone delivery of QuickDASH was 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.95). The ICC between the paper and mobile phone delivery of the SF-12 physical health composite score was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.79-0.93) and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75-0.92) for the SF-12 mental health composite score. CONCLUSIONS: We find that text message delivery using mobile phones permits valid assessment of SF-12 and QuickDASH scores. The findings suggest that software-driven automated delivery of text communication to patients via mobile phones may be a valid method to obtain other PRO scores in orthopedic patients.

Lessons and Advice From Our Patients: A Focus Group of Sarcoma Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas are a rare, encompassing a heterogeneous group of malignancies. Success treatment often requires a combination of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. These life-altering interventions can have lasting impact on function and quality-of-life. There is little known about treatment outcomes from the perspective of sarcoma patients. PURPOSE: The initial goal of this investigation was to determine the sources and categories of information patients sought at various time points in their care. In addition, we investigated how participants coped with physical and psychological issues that accompany treatment. Finally, we elicited advice on what the care team did well, and could have been done differently, during their diagnosis and recovery. METHODS: A qualitative, focus group research method was utilized. A purposive sample of participants with a diagnosis of a sarcoma was identified. Three focus groups (20 total participants) were formed and audio/video recorded. The transcripts were analyzed to identify common themes and a scissor-and-sort technique was used to attribute participant comments to the identified themes. RESULTS: Themes were identified and categorized into four major areas: 1) Information at diagnosis, 2) Relationship with care team, 3) Social support, and 4) Restoration to "normal." CONCLUSION: We identified several areas that can be addressed to enhance patient counseling, emotional understanding, and expectations of treatment. These can serve as a guide for future research endeavors and program development.

Evidence-based Practice in Action: Ensuring Quality of Pediatric Assessment Frequency.

Optimal frequency of head-to-toe assessment in hospitalized pediatric patients is unknown. An alteration in head-to-toe assessment frequency was proposed at a Midwestern regional hospital. The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate patient safety and staff satisfaction following a change in head-to-toe assessment frequency. METHOD: Chart audits were performed on all patients upon discharge and after any change in level of care to assess the risk to patient safety following the change in head-to-toe assessment frequency. Nurses were surveyed to determine satisfaction with the change. RESULTS: A total of 421 patients were included in the study. After the change, there was no increase in the number of unplanned transfers to the intensive care unit from the previous year. Registered nurses (N=15) perceived no decrease in patient safety following the change. Registered nurses were satisfied with the change in assessment frequency noting they perceived more time to provide direct patient care. CONCLUSIONS: The change in head-to-toe assessment frequency did not impact patient safety, but had a positive impact on nurse satisfaction. Following the study period, the unit policy was changed to reflect the new evidence based head-to-toe assessment interval. Further research is needed with a larger, more diverse sample of pediatric patients and pediatric nurses.

Obesity Increases Complexity of Distal Radius Fracture in Fall From Standing Height.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between obesity and distal radius fracture severity after low-energy trauma and to identify patient-specific risk factors predictive of increasing fracture severity. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level 1 Trauma Center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred twenty-three adult subjects with a history of fracture of the distal radius resulting from a fall from standing height. INTERVENTION: Demographic data and injury characteristics were obtained. Preoperative wrist radiographs were reviewed and classified by the OTA classification system. Distal radius fractures were categorized as simple [closed and extra-articular (OTA 23-A)] and complex [intra-articular (OTA 23-B or 23-C) or open fracture or concomitant ipsilateral upper extremity fracture]. Multivariate logistic regression was completed to model the probability of incurring a complex fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Simple versus complex fracture pattern. RESULTS: Average age at the time of injury was 53.8 years (range, 18.9-98.4). Seventy-nine percent of subjects were female. The average body-mass index was 28.1 (range, 13.6-59.5). Two hundred forty-four patients (58%) suffered complex distal radius fractures per study criteria. Obese patients (body-mass index > 30) demonstrated increased fracture severity as per the OTA classification (P = 0.039) and were more likely to suffer a complex injury (P = 0.032). Multivariate regression identified male gender, obesity, and age ≥50 as independent risk factors for sustaining a complex fracture pattern. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with more complex fractures of the distal radius after low-energy trauma, particularly in elderly patients. This relationship may have important epidemiologic implications predictive of future societal fracture burden and severity in an obese, aging population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Video games: good, bad, or other?

Video games are a pervasive pastime among children and adolescents. The growing popularity of video games has instigated a debate among parents, researchers, video game producers, and policymakers concerning potential harmful and helpful effects of video games on children. This article provides an overview of research findings on the positive and negative effects of video games, thus providing an empirical answer to the question, are video games good or bad? The article also provides some guidelines to help pediatricians, parents, and other caregivers protect children from negative effects and to maximize positive effects of video games.