Evaluation of mobile applications for patients with fecal incontinence using a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Mobile applications (apps) are becoming an increasingly popular means of obtaining medical information. The aim of our study was to identify and evaluate patient-centered fecal incontinence (FI) mobile apps using a modified APPLICATIONS scoring system. METHODS: We conducted searches in the Apple App and Google Play stores to identify FI-related mobile apps using search terms reflecting both commonly accepted medical terms as well as colloquial terms used by our patients with FI. Apps that were in English, relevant to FI, patient-centered, and medically accurate were included. Each eligible app was then independently evaluated by the three authors using a modified 17-point APPLICATIONS scoring system. RESULTS: We identified 2785 apps upon initial search using FI search terms. Fourteen apps met eligibility criteria for scoring. Most apps were bowel movement trackers (13/14, 93%), of which only three allowed for tracking of FI episodes. Only one (7%) app contained educational information specific to FI. Ten (71%) apps were fully functional at no cost. Thirteen (93%) apps cited literature. Median APPLICATIONS score was 10 (IQR 9-11). "BristolStoolChart," "FreeToBe," and "PoopLog" each received the highest total score of 13. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-centered mobile apps that provide FI-specific educational information or allow for FI symptom tracking are scarce. While we did discover some accurate sources of information and means of tracking bowel habits, patients are likely to encounter inaccurate or irrelevant information even when searching for FI-related apps using appropriate terminology. Future app development should include FI-specific symptom tracking and educational information from reputable sources.

Patient Satisfaction and Refill Rates After Decreasing Opioids Prescribed for Urogynecologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The opioid epidemic has been influenced in part by physician overprescribing. Several studies have evaluated opioid use after urogynecologic surgery, with limited data on postoperative guidelines. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of implementing a multimodal, opioid-sparing analgesia regimen on opioid use, patient satisfaction, and refill rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of female patients undergoing urogynecologic surgery at an academic center from 2017 to 2019, before and after introduction of an opioid-sparing multimodal regimen protocol advocating for standing ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Demographic information, opioid prescription details (oral morphine equivalent [OME]), and refill rate data were collected from the chart. Postoperative opioid use and satisfaction score (for the after group using Likert scale) was obtained by telephone survey. t Test was used to compare continuous variables, and χ2/Fischer exact test was used to compare categorical variables. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-two patients were eligible and contacted. One hundred one patients responded before protocol implementation and 102 responded after protocol implementation. The median number of tablets prescribed was 14.5 (108.5 OME; IQR, 10) and 10 (75 OME; IQR, 5; P < 0.01) preprotocol and postprotocol, whereas the mean number of tablets used was 10 (75 OME; IQR, 13) and 3 (22.5 OME; IQR, 10; P = 0.0009) preprotocol and postprotocol, respectively. Refill rate did not differ significantly (11% preprotocol vs 7% postprotocol P = 0.32) Mean satisfaction score was 4.3 (SD, 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: A multimodal analgesia regimen limiting postoperative opioids decreased postoperative opioid prescribing and consumption while maintaining similar patient satisfaction and refill rates.

From the trenches: inpatient management of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has become a pandemic. It has quickly swept across the globe, leaving many clinicians to care for infected patients with limited information about the disease and best practices for care. Our goal is to share our experiences of caring for pregnant and postpartum women with novel coronavirus disease 2019 in New York, which is the coronavirus disease 2019 epicenter in the United States, and review current guidelines. We offer a guide, focusing on inpatient management, including testing policies, admission criteria, medical management, care for the decompensating patient, and practical tips for inpatient antepartum service management.