Bilateral rTMS Shows No Advantage in Depression nor in Comorbid Depression and Anxiety: A Naturalistic Study.

The objective was to determine if adding low-frequency right-sided rTMS treatment to the standard high-frequency left-sided treatment (LUL), referred to as sequential bilateral treatment (SBT), confers additional benefit for depression or anxiety outcomes. A retrospective chart review from January 2015 through December 2018 yielded 275 patients, all of whom were treated with a figure-8 coil for a major depressive episode. Their protocol was either LUL or SBL. Outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). There was no significant difference in GAD-7 change scores between patients who had LUL or SBL (4.2 vs 4.8). This was also true when the sample was restricted to only patients who started with high GAD-7 scores. There was likewise no significant difference in PHQ-9 change scores between patients who had LUL or SBL (6.8 vs 5.1). Patients switching from LUL to SBL mid-course had poorer overall outcomes as compared to patients who stayed with the same protocol throughout treatment. This large naturalistic study shows no advantage for SBL treatment any group or condition examined. The results of this study have clinical applicability and sound a cautionary note regarding the use of combination rTMS protocols.

A water-soluble alternative to simethicone for gastrointestinal endoscopy: Results of a clinical trial.

During endoscopy, simethicone defoaming agents are commonly used to improve visualization, but they leave residues and impact drying. This clinical trial involved patients undergoing colonoscopy procedures with substantial bubbles that impeded mucosal wall visibility. As an alternative to simethicone, investigators evaluated a water-soluble, ginger-based gastrointestinal supplement (GI-Ease) that did not contain sugars, thickeners, or binding agents. In 112/114 cases (98%), the bubbles were reduced sufficiently to allow visualization of the gastrointestinal tract, with no adverse events.

Creating a Comprehensive Pandemic Response to Decrease Hospitalist Burnout During COVID-19: Intervention vs Control Results in 2 Comparable Hospitals (HOSP-CPR).

BACKGROUND: Physician burnout increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a multimodal workplace intervention designed to reduce hospitalist burnout. DESIGN: Participants and setting: Our intervention group was composed of internal medicine hospitalists at Providence Portland Medical Center (64 providers including 58 physicians and 6 nurse practitioners). Our control was composed of internal medicine hospitalists at Providence St Vincent's Hospital (59 physicians and 6 nurse practitioners). MEASUREMENTS: Two surveys were given during, before, and after a 12-month intervention period (October 2020 and again in October 2021). Surveys included demographics, job satisfaction, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Pandemic Experiences Survey, and 2 questions about leaving the job. INTERVENTIONS: Three hospitalists designated as wellness warriors created weekly COVID group meetings, providing up-to-date information about COVID-19 infection rates, treatments, and work-flow changes. Discussions included coping and vaccine hesitancy, difficult case debriefs, and intensive care unit updates. Individual coaching was also offered. Meeting minutes were taken and sessions were recorded for asynchronous access. RESULTS: No site differences in burnout or job satisfaction were evident pre-intervention. Post-intervention, the intervention group reported 32% burnout while controls reported 56% (p = .024). Forty-eight percent of the intervention group reported high wellness support vs. 0% of the controls (< .001). Intervention participants attributed 44% of wellness support to Providence alone, vs. controls at 12% (< .001). Regressions controlling sex, work hours, experience, race, and children in the home showed the intervention's positive effects on burnout and job satisfaction remained significant (all p < .02). LIMITATIONS: For privacy reasons, all survey responses were anonymous, meaning that individual pre-post changes could not be tracked. CONCLUSION: We believe the intervention resulted in substantial burnout prevention and is feasible for adoption in most hospitals and clinics.

Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic right colectomy node retrieval in the obese population.

Data are scarce comparing robotic and laparoscopic colectomy node retrieval based on body mass index or age. With differences in anastomosis, mobilization, and ligation between these approaches, obese and/or elderly patients undergoing robotic surgery may have differences in node yield compared to laparoscopy. A retrospective review was conducted between four institutions from February 1, 2019 through August 1, 2021, during which 144 right colectomies were performed. Benign pathology, open colectomies, and conversions to open were excluded. All included surgeons had at least five patients to ensure experience. The population was categorized by a robotic or laparoscopic approach. Records were reviewed focusing on age, body mass index, surgical approach, anastomosis, pathology, and node count. The node count was then compared by body mass index and age between the robotic or laparoscopic approach to identify differences. After applied exclusions and outlier analysis, our final sample consisted of 80 patients. Both body mass index and age were significant, (p = 0.002 and p = 0.005, respectively). Body mass index ≤ 25.0 and age < 60 years old had higher average node counts. These variables interacted, (p = 0.003); those with both < 60 years old and body mass index ≤ 25 showed the greatest number of nodes (36.9). Laparoscopy yielded more nodes in ≥ 60 years old than robotics (27.4 verses 20.9), though this was not significant (p = 0.68). Node retrieval in overweight and obese patients did not differ between approaches (p = 0.48). Both body mass index and age influence the number of nodes that can be extracted in right hemicolectomies by experienced surgeons.

Impact of a multidisciplinary sepsis huddle in the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a leading cause of death in hospitals requiring prompt recognition and treatment. The sepsis bundle is the cornerstone of sepsis treatment. Studies have evaluated the impact of a sepsis huddle on sepsis bundle compliance but not in sepsis identification. OBJECTIVE: Measure the effect of a multidisciplinary sepsis bedside huddle in the Emergency Department (ED) on sepsis identification and sepsis bundle compliance. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center, cohort study. Pre-huddle patients were identified via Best Practice Advisory (BPA) alert on the electronic medical record from 11/01/2019-3/31/2020. The post-huddle group were patients for whom a sepsis huddle was activated from 11/01/2020-3/31/2021. RESULTS: 116 patients met inclusion criteria and 15 were determined to not have sepsis for a total of 21 pre-huddle and 80 post-huddle patients. Comparing pre-post results, sepsis huddle increased code sepsis activation (10% vs 91%, p < 0.001); sepsis bundle compliance (24% vs 80%, p < 0.001); antibiotics within one hour (33% vs 90%, p < 0.001); culture within one hour (67% vs 95%, p < 0.001), order entry <30 min. (29% vs 86%, p < 0.001); and median order entry time (48 vs. 3 min, p < 0.001). Post-huddle, 80% of order entries were ≤ 20 min. Logistic regression predicting sepsis code found huddle to be the first predictor, (p < 0.0000005). Hour-1 bundle compliance was predicted by physician/physician assistant order ≤30 min (R2 = 0.36, p < 0.0000005). CONCLUSION: Sepsis bedside huddle in the ED improves identification and sepsis bundle compliance. Results suggest increased order entry speed caused bundle improvement.

Who was at risk for COVID-19 late in the US pandemic? Insights from a population health machine learning model.

Notable discrepancies in vulnerability to COVID-19 infection have been identified between specific population groups and regions in the USA. The purpose of this study was to estimate the likelihood of COVID-19 infection using a machine-learning algorithm that can be updated continuously based on health care data. Patient records were extracted for all COVID-19 nasal swab PCR tests performed within the Providence St. Joseph Health system from February to October of 2020. A total of 316,599 participants were included in this study, and approximately 7.7% (n = 24,358) tested positive for COVID-19. A gradient boosting model, LightGBM (LGBM), predicted risk of initial infection with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.819. Factors that predicted infection were cough, fever, being a member of the Hispanic or Latino community, being Spanish speaking, having a history of diabetes or dementia, and living in a neighborhood with housing insecurity. A model trained on sociodemographic, environmental, and medical history data performed well in predicting risk of a positive COVID-19 test. This model could be used to tailor education, public health policy, and resources for communities that are at the greatest risk of infection.

PCM1-JAK2 Fusion Tyrosine Kinase Gene-Related Neoplasia: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Literature.

BACKGROUND: This review summarizes the case studies of PCM1-JAK2 fusion tyrosine kinase gene-related neoplasia. Recommended treatment includes JAK2 inhibitors and hematologic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), although the small number of patients has limited study of their efficacy. Herein, we present all available cases in the current searchable literature with their demographics, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes. METHODS: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Publons, the Cochrane Library, and Google were searched with the following terms: PCM1-JAK2, ruxolitinib and myeloid/lymphoid. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients (mean age = 50, 77% male) had an initial diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) in 40, acute leukemia in 21 and T-cell cutaneous lymphoma in 5. Thirty-five patients (53%) had completed 5-year follow-up. The 5-year survival for the MPN, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), acute lymphocytic leukemia, and lymphoma groups are 62.7, 14.9%, 40.0%, and 100%, respectively. Too few patients have been treated with ruxolitinib to draw conclusions regarding its effect on survival while the 5-year survival for MPN patients with or without HSCT was 80.2% (40.3%-94.8%) versus 51.5% (22.3%-74.6%), respectively. The T-cell cutaneous lymphoma patients have all survived at least 7 years. CONCLUSION: This rare condition may be increasingly detected with wider use of genomics. Ruxolitinib can yield hematologic and molecular remissions. However, HSCT is, at this time, the only potentially curative treatment. Useful prognostic markers are needed to determine appropriate timing for HSCT in patients with MPN. Patients presenting with acute leukemia have a poor prognosis.

Could bipolar depressed patients respond better to rTMS than unipolar depressed patients? A naturalistic, observational study.

Previous studies of rTMS for bipolar depressed (BD) patients have yielded mixed results. In this retrospective, naturalistic, observational study, we reviewed charts of 317 patients undergoing rTMS treatment between 1/2015-2/2018, yielding 283 unipolar depressed (UD) and 34 BD patients. All were treated with a figure-of-8 coil, with either high-frequency (HF) left-sided, sequential bilateral (HF left-sided and low-frequency right-sided), or mixed protocols (switched from unilateral to bilateral mid-course).  Outcomes were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Total number of treatments and initial PHQ-9 scores did not differ between groups. BD patients had greater PHQ-9 change by treatment conclusion than UD patients. GAD-7 changes showed no between-group differences overall. PHQ-9 changes differences between groups were only seen with unilateral treatment, not with bilateral or mixed protocols. Unilateral treatment resulted in 45% remission (9/20) for BD patients vs. 15% (24/160) for UD patients by treatment end. Response was seen in 80% (16/20) of the unilaterally-treated BD patients vs. 39% (62/160) in UD patients. Regression analyses within BD patients found that unilateral treatment, use of non-lithium mood stabilizers, male sex, and number of treatments predicted PHQ-9 improvement.

Multidisciplinary, In Situ Simulation Improves Experienced Caregiver Confidence With High-Risk Pediatric Emergencies.

OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) caregivers have reported feeling uncomfortable performing emergency pediatric procedures, likely because of either a lack of training or infrequent exposure to these events. To address these gaps, ongoing education for experienced ED caregivers must aim to improve caregiver confidence with high-risk, low-volume pediatric emergency care. This study used multidisciplinary, in situ simulations to facilitate improved caregiver confidence when treating pediatric emergencies in an ED setting. METHODS: Two-hour pediatric code blue simulations were held in 7 EDs throughout the Seattle, Washington, metropolitan area. Questionnaire data were collected from 353 simulation participants (60% nurses, 19.5% ED technicians, 14% ED physicians; median team size = 5) via pre simulation and post simulation surveys assessing confidence and understanding regarding interventions/treatments, standard protocols, culture of safety behavior, and team members' roles/responsibilities. Paired t tests were used to analyze changes in self-reported confidence. RESULTS: Confidence improved across all questions (37%-57% of participants reported good/complete confidence pre simulation, improving 94%-98% post simulation; P < 0.00001 for all). Participants cited learning equipment location/use (37%), hands-on practice (32%), and discussion (22%) as the most helpful aspects of the simulations. Identified changes to practice made post simulation included more effective communication (18%) and utilization of a pediatric emergency drug sheet (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary, in situ simulation improves experienced ED caregivers' confidence with pediatric emergencies in an ED setting. These findings suggest that investment in simulation-based education may improve clinical care and quality and safety improvement plans for the treatment of pediatric emergencies in general EDs.

Outcomes following early versus delayed cholecystectomy performed for acute cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Early cholecystectomy following an episode of gallstone pancreatitis is data supported, however, there is minimal literature regarding the optimal timing for cholecystectomy following an episode of acute cholangitis. Our study aims to determine the ideal timing for laparoscopic cholecystectomy following an episode of acute cholangitis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was done on cholecystectomies performed for cholangitis at our institution from 2008 to 2015. Patients were compared based on timing of cholecystectomy (i.e., index admission versus delayed) and Tokyo severity grade (I-III). RESULTS: We identified 151 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for cholangitis at our institution from 2008 to 2015. Cholecystectomy was performed during the index admission for 61.6% of patients and Tokyo grade (TG) did not affect the rate of cholecystectomy during index admission (TG1 65.2%, TG2 64.1%, TG3 52.8%; p = 0.46). There was no difference in average operative time (89.0 min vs. 96.6 min; p = 0.36) or conversion to open cholecystectomy (5.4% vs. 10.3%; p = 0.34) between early and late cholecystectomy groups. There was also no statistically significant difference in intra-operative complications (9.7% vs. 15.5%; p = 0.28) or overall complication rates (16.1% vs. 29.3%; p = 0.05) based on timing of cholecystectomy; however, post-operative complications were significantly higher for the delayed cholecystectomy group (20.7% vs. 6.5%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Early cholecystectomy after cholangitis is safe to perform and is not associated with higher operative times or rate of conversion to open, regardless of Tokyo grade. Due to the risk of developing recurrent cholangitis and a higher rate of post-operative complications seen with delayed cholecystectomy, our recommendation is to perform cholecystectomy during the index admission.

Eye-controlled, power wheelchair performs well for ALS patients.

BACKGROUND: Our pilot study tested the feasibility and performance of an eye-controlled power wheelchair for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: In this prospective pilot study, participants drove the wheelchair three times around an indoor course. We assessed the time to complete the course; starting and stopping on command; turning 90, 135, and 180 degrees; time to backup; and obstacle negotiation. Following their use of the wheelchair, subjects were given a questionnaire to assess user experience. RESULTS: Twelve patients participated, and all were able to complete three trials without difficulty. Eight participants completed all of the individual tasks (eg, turning, stopping, etc.) without any errors. Overall performance ratings were high across all participants (4.6/5-excellent). CONCLUSIONS: Our eye-controlled power wheelchair prototype is feasible and has a very favorable user experience. This system has the potential to improve the mobility and independence of ALS patients, and other groups with motor impairments.

Human cytomegalovirus seropositivity is associated with decreased survival in glioblastoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an oncomodulatory human herpesvirus that has been detected in glioblastoma (GBM) and is associated with worse prognosis in patients with the disease. The effects of HCMV systemic infection on survival in GBM patients, however, are largely unknown. We aimed to determine the association between HCMV serostatus at diagnosis and survival via a retrospective cohort study of GBM patients. METHODS: Plasma from 188 GBM patients treated at the Ben and Catherine Ivy Center (Seattle, WA) was tested for HCMV serostatus via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of anti-HCMV immunoglobulin (Ig)G. HCMV IgG serostatus was analyzed with respect to each patient's progression-free and overall survival (OS) via log-rank and multivariable Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-seven of 188 (52%) patients were anti-HCMV IgG seropositive. Median OS was decreased in the IgG+ cohort (404 days) compared to IgG- patients (530 days; P = .0271). Among O 6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) unmethylated patients (n = 96), median OS was significantly decreased in IgG+ patients (336 days) compared to IgG- patients (510 days; P = .0094). MGMT methylation was associated with improved OS in IgG+ patients versus those who were unmethylated (680 vs 336 days; P = .0096), whereas no such association was observed among IgG- patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, HCMV seropositivity was significantly associated with poorer OS in GBM patients. This finding suggests prior infection with HCMV may play an important role in GBM patient outcomes, and anti-HCMV antibodies may, therefore, prove a valuable prognostic tool in the management of GBM patients.

Designing a wrist-worn sensor to improve medication adherence: accommodating diverse user behaviors and technology preferences.

OBJECTIVES: High medication adherence is important for HIV suppression (antiretroviral therapy) and pre-exposure prophylaxis efficacy. We are developing sensor-based technologies to detect pill-taking gestures, trigger reminders, and generate adherence reports. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected interview, observation, and questionnaire data from individuals with and at-risk for HIV (N = 17). We assessed their medication-taking practices and physical actions, and feedback on our initial design. RESULTS: While participants displayed diverse medication taking practices and physical actions, most (67%) wanted to use the system to receive real-time and summative feedback, and most (69%) wanted to share data with their physicians. Participants preferred reminders via the wrist-worn device or mobile app, and summative feedback via mobile app or email. DISCUSSION: Adoption of these systems is promising if designs accommodate diverse behaviors and preferences. CONCLUSION: Our findings may help improve the accuracy and adoption of the system by accounting for user behaviors, physical actions, and preferences.

Predictors of Art and PrEP Adherence and Medication-Taking Practices and Preferences to Inform Development of a Wrist-Worn Adherence System.

We examined adherence, medication-taking practices, and preferences to inform development of a wrist-worn adherence system. Two convenience samples of persons taking antiretroviral therapy and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis completed a survey. Additional online questions asked about willingness to use a wrist-worn device and reminder and feedback preferences. Among 225 participants, 13% reported adherence < 90%; this was associated with younger age and clinic sample. Compared to pill bottle-using participants, mediset users less commonly reported adherence < 90% (aOR = 0.16, p = .02), and blister pack users (aOR = 6.3, p = .02) and pill roll users (aOR = 3.3, p = .04) more commonly reported adherence < 90%. Sixty-two percent of the online participants reporting adherence (< 100%) had some interest in receiving adherence reminders, including 42% with interest in receiving reminders by smartwatch notifications. Although confounders are likely, formative work identified potential users and interest in using a wrist-worn adherence system. Future work will determine its acceptability and efficacy.

Does Maternal Buprenorphine Dose Affect Severity or Incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome?

OBJECTIVES: To measure the incidence, onset, duration, and severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in infants born to mothers receiving buprenorphine and to assess the association between buprenorphine dose and NAS outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed charts of all mother-infant pairs maintained on buprenorphine who delivered in our hospital from January 1, 2000 to April 1, 2016. RESULTS: In 89 infants, NAS incidence requiring morphine was 43.8%. Means for morphine-treated infants included: 55.2 hours to morphine start, 15.9 days on morphine, and 20 days hospital stay. NAS requiring morphine treatment occurred in 48.5% and 41.4% of infants of mothers receiving ≤8 mg/d buprenorphine versus >8 mg/d, respectively (P = 0.39). We found no significant associations of maternal buprenorphine dose with peak NAS score, NAS severity requiring morphine, time to morphine start, peak morphine dose, or days on morphine. Among the other factors examined, only exclusive breastfeeding was significantly associated with neonatal outcomes, specifically lower odds of morphine treatment (odds ratio 0.24, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest higher buprenorphine doses can be prescribed to pregnant women receiving medication therapy for addiction without increasing NAS severity. Our finding of reduced risk of NAS requiring morphine treatment also suggests breastfeeding is both safe and beneficial for these infants and should be encouraged.

Does the implementation of a pediatric appendicitis pathway promoting ultrasound work outside of a children's hospital?

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of care pathways for pediatric appendicitis is well established in children's hospitals, but not in community Emergency Departments (EDs). METHODS: A diagnostic pathway combining the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) with selective ultrasound was implemented. The charts of 2201 pediatric patients seen at four general EDs before and after implementation were retrospectively reviewed, identifying 611 children seriously considered for appendicitis. RESULTS: There were no cases of missed appendicitis within the pathway cohort (0/72). Low-PAS children on pathway had fewer computed tomography (CT) scans (0% vs. 21%; p < 0.02). Moderate-PAS patients also had a reduced CT-first rate (2.4% vs. 23%; p < 0.01). However, pathway adoption in 2016 was only 24%. Correct pathway application would have avoided 58 ultrasounds and 17 CTs over three months (annual savings $281,276). CONCLUSION: A pediatric appendicitis pathway is safe, rules out low suspicion patients without imaging, and is cost effective in a general hospital setting.

Dynamics of postoperative serum cortisol after transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's disease: implications for immediate reoperation and remission.

OBJECTIVESuccessful transsphenoidal surgery for adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)-producing pituitary tumors is associated with subnormal postoperative serum cortisol levels, which may guide decisions regarding immediate reoperation. However, little is known about the detailed temporal course of changes in serum cortisol in the immediate postoperative period, and the relationship of postoperative cortisol dynamics to remission and late recurrence.METHODSA single-center retrospective cohort analysis was performed for all patients undergoing pituitary surgery from 2007 through 2015. Standardized diagnostic and treatment algorithms were applied to all patients with potential Cushing's disease (CD), including microsurgical transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA) by a single surgeon. All patients had serum cortisol levels drawn at 6-hour intervals for 72 hours after surgery, and were offered reoperation within 3 days for normal or supranormal postoperative cortisol levels. Primary outcomes were 6-month remission and late recurrence; secondary outcomes were persistent postoperative hypocortisolism and surgical morbidity. Discriminatory levels of postoperative serum cortisol for predicting remission were calculated at various intervals after surgery using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.RESULTSAmong 89 patients diagnosed with CD, 81 underwent initial TSA for a potentially curable lesion; 23 patients (25.8%) underwent an immediate second TSA. For the entire cohort, 6-month remission was achieved in 77.8% and late recurrences occurred in 9.5%, at a mean of 43.5 months. Compared with patients with a single surgery, those with an immediate second TSA had similar rates of remission (78.3% vs 77.6%) and late recurrence (5.6% vs 11.1%). The rate of hypocortisolism for patients with 2 surgeries (12/23, 52.2%) was significantly greater than that for patients with single surgeries (13/58, 22.4%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the incidence of CSF leaks between the first and second operations. Remission was achieved in 58 (92.1%) of 64 patients who completed the 2-surgery protocol. The temporal course of postoperative serum cortisol levels among patients varied considerably, with subnormal nadir levels < 2 µg/dl occurring between 12 hours and 66 hours. Patients achieving remission had significantly lower mean serum cortisol levels at every time point after surgery (p < 0.01). By ROC curve analysis, nadir cortisol levels < 2.1 µg/dl were predictive of 6-month remission for the entire cohort over 3 days (positive predictive value [PPV] = 94%); discriminating cortisol levels for predicting remission on postoperative day (POD) 2 were < 5.4 µg/dl (PPV = 97%), although patients with remission after postoperative cortisol levels of 2-5 µg/dl had a significantly higher rate of late recurrence.CONCLUSIONSThere is substantial variation in the temporal course of serum cortisol levels over the first 72 hours after TSA for CD, with nadir levels predictive for remission occurring as late as POD 3. Although a cortisol level of 2.1 µg/dl at any point was an accurate predictor of 6-month remission, levels less than 5.4 µg/dl on POD 2 were reasonably accurate. These data may enable decisions regarding the efficacy of an immediate second surgical procedure performed during the same hospitalization; immediate reoperation is associated with excellent remission rates and low recurrence rates in patients otherwise unlikely to achieve remission, but carries a higher risk of permanent hypocortisolism.