Topic Application of the Probiotic Streptococcus dentisani Improves Clinical and Microbiological Parameters Associated With Oral Health.

Streptococcus dentisani 7746, isolated from dental plaque of caries-free individuals, has been shown to have several beneficial effects in vitro which could contribute to promote oral health, including an antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens by the production of bacteriocins and a pH buffering capacity through ammonia production. Previous work has shown that S. dentisani was able to colonize the oral cavity for 2-4 weeks after application. The aim of the present work was to evaluate its clinical efficacy by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Fifty nine volunteers were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to a treatment or placebo group. The treatment consisted of a bucco-adhesive gel application (2.5 109 cfu/dose) with a dental splint for 5 min every 48 h, for a period of 1 month (i.e., 14 doses). Dental plaque and saliva samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days after first application, and 15 days after the end of treatment. At baseline, there was a significant correlation between S. dentisani levels and frequency of toothbrushing. Salivary flow, a major factor influencing oral health, was significantly higher in the probiotic group at day 15 compared with the placebo (4.4 and 3.4 ml/5 min, respectively). In the probiotic group, there was a decrease in the amount of dental plaque and in gingival inflammation, but no differences were observed in the placebo group. The probiotic group showed a significant increase in the levels of salivary ammonia and calcium. Finally, Illumina sequencing of plaque samples showed a beneficial shift in bacterial composition at day 30 relative to baseline, with a reduction of several cariogenic organisms and the key players in plaque formation, probably as a result of bacteriocins production. Only 58% of the participants in the probiotic group showed increased plaque levels of S. dentisani at day 30 and 71% by day 45, indicating that the benefits of S. dentisani application could be augmented by improving colonization efficiency. In conclusion, the application of S. dentisani 7746 improved several clinical and microbiological parameters associated with oral health, supporting its use as a probiotic to prevent tooth decay.

Outcome of Root Canal Treatments Provided by Endodontic Postgraduate Students. A Retrospective Study.

The aim of this study was to assess the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors that influenced complete periapical healing in teeth that underwent primary root canal treatment (RCT), in patients treated by postgraduate students in endodontics. Factors were retrieved and compared with the periapical status during the follow-up visit. Healing was considered as the absence of clinical and radiological symptoms. Variables significantly associated by the chi-squared test were included in a logistic regression model (LRM). Preoperative factors associated with healing were: American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) status (p = 0.01); the absence of preoperative pain (p = 0.04); positive response to pulp tests; when the RCT cause was caries, pain, abscess, or sinus tract; probing depth <4 mm; the absence of mobility; absence or <4 mm periapical lesion (p < 0.01). In the LRM, the factors included were: absence or <4 mm periapical lesion; probing depths <4 mm; RCT caused by caries, pain, abscess, or sinus tract; the tooth was not a bridge abutment. Postoperative factors were: teeth with direct restoration; teeth that did not act as a support for a fixed prosthetic restoration; the favorable condition of the coronal restoration (p < 0.01). In the LRM, only the status of the coronal restoration was included. Preoperative conditions and the adequate fit of the coronal restoration influenced the outcome of RCT.

A pilot study to assess oral colonization and pH buffering by the probiotic Streptococcus dentisani under different dosing regimes.

Bacterial colonization in the oral cavity is critical for efficient action of probiotics. However, limited colonization rates have been reported in many clinical trials. The aim of this pilot clinical study was to evaluate the colonization efficiency of Streptococcus dentisani under different dosing schedules and pre-treatment conditions. Eleven adult volunteers enrolled in the study. A professional ultrasound cleaning was performed in quadrants 1 and 4. The probiotic was applied in all four quadrants at a total dose of 1010 CFUs, administered in a buccoadhesive gel for 5 min, either in a single dose (n = 5) or daily for a week (n = 6). Dental plaque and saliva samples were collected at baseline and after 14 and 28 days of first application. Amounts of S. dentisani and the cariogenic organism Streptococcus mutans were measured by qPCR and salivary pH was measured by reflectometry. There was a significant increase in S. dentisani cells at day 14 but not at day 28 under both dosing schedules. A non-significant higher colonization was found in the half-mouth with previous professional cleaning as compared to the intact half. There was a significant increase in salivary pH at day 14 (p = 0.024) and day 28 (p = 0.014), which was stronger in multi-dose patients, and a significant decrease in S. mutans at day 28 (p < 0.01). The results indicate that S. dentisani is transiently able to colonize the oral cavity and that it buffers oral pH, especially after multiple dosing. Future randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials should evaluate its use to prevent tooth decay.

Quality trends in healthcare and their impact on anesthesiology.

The new approach of a patient-centred, appropriate and timely care that was at the heart of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) initiative is changing the face of the healthcare industry in general and, in particular, of anesthesiology as a speciality. The drivers of this change are better quality and decreased healthcare costs, since despite a large expenditure for healthcare, the quality of care has not changed tremendously. Metrics have been identified, derived from the cybernetic model first described by the quality "parent". Donabedian and each of those metrics have both advantages as well as disadvantages. Ultimately the outcome measures are the ones that CMS will hold hospitals accountable for financially as well as from a safety standpoint. The culture of safety and quality as well as methodologies to improve that culture will shape the future of quality of care and improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Perioperative Surgical Home. Meeting tomorrow's challenges.

New healthcare models pose a variety of changes for anesthesiologists, ranging from the need to improve quality and to cost containment: as such, the concept of Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) has been developed. Modelled after the UK's Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), PSH takes a step further by coordinating care starting from the time a surgical decision is made for the patient to as many as 30 days postoperatively, taking a logical evidenced-based approach to judicious preoperative testing. Perioperative surgical home also relies heavily on engineering imported strategies such as the use of Lean Six Sigma methodologies, and involves active participation of all stakeholders. By comparison, ERAS is a series of well-defined clinical protocols that do not extend beyond the episode of surgical care. As an added aspect of its benefits, PSH also helps to control costs by decreasing unnecessary testing and cancellations, and allowing for more OR access by inpatients.

Patient perceptions of the care received from their anesthesiologist: a survey study.

CONTEXT: Observed disconnect between patient knowledge and choice of anesthesiologist. OBJECTIVES: Assess opportunities to improve perceptions about anesthesiology as a profession, and for patient education on the scope of anesthesia practice. DESIGN: Prospective Study. SETTING: Academic institution and tertiary care hospital in Oklahoma, USA. PARTICIPANTS: 238 patients with a scheduled procedure involving general anesthesia were approached and consented before surgery. Minors, in-patients, pregnant women, prisoners, and non-native English speakers were excluded. Post-procedure, 156 of the consented patients were administered a verbal, eight-question survey in the post-operative are of the hospital. The other 82 patients who had originally consented to the study were excluded for various reasons detailed in the case report. INTERVENTIONS: Study was conducted through surveys over a seven-week period on random patients who consented to answer the survey questions. Main outcome measures: Study confirmed the hypothesis, but also brought out secondary findings. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients surveyed, 19 (12%) knew their anesthesiologist's name, and only 15 (9.6%) said that they knew anything about the anesthesiologist's practice or qualifications. T-test analysis comparing satisfaction with the whole hospital environment to other satisfaction questions showed satisfaction with surgeon, nursing staff, and anesthesiologist were all significantly higher than satisfaction with whole hospital environment (p < 0.05). All T-tests performed were two-tailed tests. CONCLUSIONS: Study indicates that patients know little about their anesthesiologists, and are unlikely to select their own anesthesiologist. Improving patients' knowledge about the anesthesiologists' roles and competencies might be accomplished by providing a list of names and specific practice competencies, or by having an online site of practice information easily accessible.

Improving operating room efficiency via an interprofessional approach.

BACKGROUND: Third-party payer reimbursements will likely continue to decrease. Therefore, it is imperative for operating rooms (ORs), often a hospital's largest revenue source, to improve efficiency. We report the outcome after 3 years of a lean, Six Sigma program to improve OR utilization. METHODS: In January 2011, our hospital system instituted a facility-wide approach to address the problem of OR efficiency. Interprofessional teams were formed to examine all aspects of OR use. An OR Governance Committee consisting of Department Chairs, nursing and senior administration oversaw the project. RESULTS: Outpatients' readiness on time for surgery increased from 59% to 95%, while first case on-time starts improved from 32% to 73%. Block utilization went from 68% to 74% and actual room utilization improved from 56% to 68%. The number of cases increased by 9%. Overtime went from 7% of total to 4%, so personnel costs decreased 14% despite 26% more employees. There was a reduction in annual voluntary OR staff turnover from 28% to 11%. Revenues increased more than 10% annually. CONCLUSION: A concerted effort to optimize OR performance resulted in marked improvements in access, overall case efficiency, staff satisfaction, and financial performance.