The Relationship between Internet Patient Satisfaction Ratings and COVID-19 Outcomes.

Our prior research showed that patient experience-as reported by Google, Yelp, and the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey-is associated with health outcomes. Upon learning that COVID-19 mortality rates differed among U.S. geographic areas, we sought to determine if COVID-19 outcomes were associated with patient experience. We reviewed daily, U.S.-county-level-accrued COVID-19 infections and deaths during the first year of the pandemic using each locality's mean online patient review rating, correcting for county-level demographic factors. We found doctor star ratings were significantly associated with COVID-19 outcomes. We estimated the absolute risk reduction (ARR) and relative risk reduction (RRR) for each outcome by comparing the real-world-observed outcomes, observed with the mean star rating, to the outcomes predicted by our model with a 0.3 unit higher average star rating. Geographic areas with higher patient satisfaction online review ratings in our models had substantially better COVID-19 outcomes. Our models predict that, had medical practices nationwide maintained a 4-star average online review rating-a 0.3-star increase above the current national average-the U.S may have experienced a nearly 11% lower COVID-19 infection rate and a nearly 17% lower death rate among those infected.

COVID-19 Recurrence Without Seroconversion in a Patient With Mannose-Binding Lectin Deficiency.

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected more than 63,000,000 people worldwide after emerging from Wuhan, China in December 2019. This outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency in January 2020, and a pandemic in March. While rare, reinfection with the virus has been reported on multiple occasions. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case report of an individual with mannose binding lectin deficiency who tested positive on two separate occasions, months apart, and did not develop IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. This patient Is a 30- year-old female healthcare worker with a past medical history of ITP, pancreatitis, GERD, anxiety and recurrent pneumonia. She presented in March 2020 with fever, nasal congestion, and dry cough. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 in March 2020, via PCR through employee health. She was treated with a course azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine. Symptoms resolved, however in June 2020, SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were negative. Seven months later in October, she once again developed symptoms which were milder. She was found to have a decreased level of mannose binding lectin, normal immunoglobulin levels, and normal streptococcus pneumonia IgG antibodies. On immune work-up after recovery, she was found to have a decreased level of mannose binding lectin (<50 ng/mL), normal immunoglobulin levels, and protective Streptococcus pneumoniae IgG antibodies with appropriate vaccine response. Her SARS-CoV-2 IgG returned back as positive 8 weeks after her second infection. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates that patients with mannose binding lectin deficiency may be at greater risk of re-infection than the general population.

Hard Internet Truths: 34,748 Online Reviews Reveal What Patients Really Want from Doctors.

For all of us living in the Internet age, it's hard to underestimate the power of online reviews. Before booking a reservation at a new hotel or restaurant, who doesn't consult websites such as TripAdvisor and Open Table? Who would gamble $100 on a dinner out or $200 on a hotel stay before first seeing what other diners and patrons had to say about their experiences? Patients who are looking for a healthcare provider are no different than those customers looking for a restaurant or a hotel; they want opinions from others who have previously availed themselves of that restaurant or hotel. This article addresses the importance of online reputation management and offers ideas and suggestions for healthcare providers to control and protect their online reputations.

Candida dubliniensis endophthalmitis: first case in North America.

To report an unusual case of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis due to Candida dubliniensis. Interventional case report of a 27-year-old immunocompetent male with loss of vision, dense vitritis, and chorioretinal infiltrates, who underwent a diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy. Microbiology cultures obtained by a diagnostic vitrectomy were positive for the growth of C. dubliniensis. This infectious process was then appropriately treated with intravitreal amphotericin B and systemic fluconazole with resolution of the endophthalmitis. Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis is a condition that can masquerade other more common causes of endophthalmitis. Atypical cases of endophthalmitis may benefit from diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

The MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study revisited: two views ten years after its initial publication.

This article presents two views of the results of the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study, which was conducted between 1992 and 1995 in order to ascertain the prevalence of community violence in a sample of people discharged from acute psychiatric facilities. The initial findings, which were published in 1998 in the Archives of General Psychiatry, have been cited by some advocates as proof that discharged psychiatric patients are not more dangerous than other persons in the general population. For the article presented here, Dr. Torrey and Mr. Stanley examined additional articles, book chapters, and a book about the MacArthur Study that have appeared since 1998 in order to ascertain whether the study's original conclusion should be modified and whether additional conclusions can be drawn from the subsequently published data. They present six points on which they disagree with the findings or fault the design of the MacArthur Study. After each point, Dr. Monahan, Dr. Steadman, and other authors of the MacArthur Study Group respond.