Adapting a Telehealth Network for Emergency COVID-19 Pandemic Response, 2020-2021.

In March 2020, a Tribal telehealth program-the Indian Country Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO)-added emergency COVID-19 to its programming to support the pandemic response. A long-standing relationship with a network of Indian Health Service, Tribal, and urban Indian clinicians supported a rapid launch of the COVID-19 telehealth program. This nationwide service offered primary care clinicians and staff serving American Indian/Alaska Native people access to virtual learning opportunities, expert clinical recommendations, technical assistance, and capacity building. From March 12, 2020, through April 30, 2021, the program provided 85 clinical sessions in 12 months, with an average participation of 120 attendees per clinic (N = 11 710). Attendees could complete a voluntary evaluation form for each session via an online link. A total of 2595 forms were completed. Attendees came from 33 states and 206 unique locations, primarily from the Pacific Northwest (n = 931, 35.9%). Most pharmacists (78.1%), providers (ie, medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, or clinical nurse midwife; 70.8%), and nurses (59.6%) gave the sessions the highest rating of "very satisfied." The highest proportion of attendees indicating that they planned a change in practice were pharmacists (68.0%), nurses, (64.1%), and providers (61.3%). Most attendees (93.1%) said that the COVID-19 sessions gave them a sense of social support. Lessons learned were that (1) a telehealth platform can be quickly retasked for emergency response with no further delays, (2) a telehealth network can be scaled up quickly with participation from preexisting relationships, and (3) the platform is flexible and adaptable to the needs of participants. An existing telehealth program can be a key part of timely, relevant, large-scale emergency readiness and response efforts.

Satisfaction with cancer care among American Indian and Alaska Natives in Oregon and Washington State: a qualitative study of survivor and caregiver perspectives.

PURPOSE: To better understand satisfaction with care among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) persons with cancer, we explored dimensions of the provider relationship that contributed to satisfaction among caregivers and survivors who received cancer treatment in Oregon and Washington State. METHODS: Between November 2011 and April 2013, the project team interviewed 11 caregivers and 71 AI/AN cancer survivors residing in Oregon and Washington State. Interview questions aimed to elicit participant experiences with care providers and factors associated with cancer care satisfaction. Interviews were analyzed using an inductive content analysis approach in which concepts were identified and themes derived from interview data. RESULTS: Three overarching themes, each with two sub-themes, emerged from the data: (1) universal factors: bolstering understanding, involvement, and empathy in care; (2) minority-specific factors: incorporating culture and community into care; and (3) AI/AN-unique factors: interacting with Indian health clinics and Indian Health Service (IHS). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that satisfaction with care among survivors and their caregivers must be examined within the context of culture and community, particularly among minority patients. Our study demonstrates providers' critical role in ensuring AI/AN patients emerge satisfied with cancer treatment by honoring their AI/AN-specific needs, such as respect for integration of traditional healing modalities and navigation of specialty care coordination.

Regional differences and tribal use of American Indian/Alaska Native cancer data in the Pacific Northwest.

In the Pacific Northwest, cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Misclassification of AI/AN race in state cancer registries causes cancer burden to be underestimated. Furthermore, local-level data are rarely available to individual tribes for use in health assessment and program planning. We corrected race coding in the cancer registries of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington using probabilistic record linkage to a file derived from patient registration records from Indian Health Service and a large urban clinic. We calculated cancer incidence and mortality measures by state, comparing AI/AN to non-Hispanic White (NHW) race. Record linkages identified a high prevalence of misclassified race. Differences in AI/AN cancer patterns were identified across the three state region. Compared to NHW, AI/AN experienced disproportionate late stage rates of some screen-detectable cancers. The correct classification of race is a crucial factor in cancer surveillance and can reveal regional differences even within a relatively small area. The availability of local-level cancer data can help inform tribes in appropriate intervention efforts.

Evaluation of Cancer 101: an educational program for native settings.

This community-based intervention study examines the impact of Cancer 101, a cancer education resource developed in collaboration with American Indians/Alaska Natives to improve cancer knowledge, action regarding cancer control in tribal settings, and survival rates for members of their communities. Pre/post-surveys used to assess knowledge, attitudes, perceived benefits and future activities at baseline, immediately post-training, and at 4-6 months. Participants demonstrated significant change in knowledge, attitude, and cancer control activities. Cancer 101 provides a critical pathway to increase knowledge and promote action to reduce the burden and improve survival of cancer within tribal communities.

Managing bioterrorism mass casualties in an emergency department: lessons learned from a rural community hospital disaster drill.

Bioterrorism represents a threat for which most emergency departments (EDs) are ill prepared. In order to develop an evidence-based plan for ED and hospital management of contaminated patients, a review was conducted of the most effective strategies developed during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, as well as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and military guidelines on biowarfare. Six basic steps were identified: 1) lock down the hospital and control access to the ED; 2) protect emergency care personnel with appropriate personal protective equipment; 3) decontaminate and triage patients; 4) isolate patients; 5) treat patients with appropriate medications or measures, including decontamination of wounds; and 6) use restrictive admission and transfer guidelines. By emphasizing these six basic concepts, a rural ED passed an annual state-run bioterrorism mass-casualty drill. The drill provided health care personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare for future bioterrorism casualties. These same concepts could also be used to manage highly virulent viral or bacterial outbreaks.

Improvised chest tube drain for decompression of an acute tension pneumothorax.

A case of a woman presenting with an acute tension pneumothorax during a Navy humanitarian mission in East Timor is presented. The patient was treated at a local rural clinic run by our medical team. Prompt insertion of a chest tube saved the woman's life; however, there were no chest tube drains available. A field chest tube drain constructed out of an IV bag, a sterile water bottle, and tubing provided an adequate underwater seal and drain. Because of the remote location and limited resources, standard prehospital chest tube management had to be modified. A brief review of simple and tension pneumothoraces and management along with a description of the field chest tube drain is presented.