Leprosy in Northwest Louisiana: A case series.

Hansen's disease, commonly known as leprosy, is a chronic mycobacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Although generally uncommon in the United States, it is endemic in the Southern United States. We diagnosed and managed five leprosy patients from Northwest Louisiana, each presenting a distinct set of challenges. A retrospective study was performed to collect demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from our cases. The information was analyzed with a specific focus on associated factors, diagnosis, and management. The mean age at diagnosis was 67.6 years (range 56-83 years), and the average delay in diagnosis was 8.4 months (range 1-20 months). All five patients presented with nonhealing rashes, and three initially sought help from primary care providers. Only two patients developed subjective numbness. Leprosy was not suspected before skin biopsy in three cases, while noninfectious diagnoses were considered, including mycosis fungoides, erythema multiforme, vasculitis, and amyloidosis. In the other two cases, leprosy was in the initial differential diagnosis. Ultimately, the diagnosis of leprosy was established in all five individuals based on clinical presentation, routine histopathology, and tissue acid-fast staining. This case series highlights the importance of leprosy, especially in the Southern United States where its incidence is increasing.

Clinical Inquiry. How best to diagnose asthma in infants and toddlers?

No reliable way exists to diagnose asthma in infants and toddlers. Recurrent wheezing, especially apart from colds, combined with physician-diagnosed eczema or atopic dermatitis, eosinophilia, and a parental history of asthma, increase the probability of a subsequent asthma diagnosis in the absence of other causes (strength of recommendation: B, 2 good-quality cohort studies).

Using quality experts from manufacturing to transform primary care.

INTRODUCTION: Improving Performance in Practice (IPIP) is an initiative convened by the American Board of Medical Specialties. It investigates the efficacy of coaches in helping primary-care practices improve the care of patients with diabetes and asthma. Most IPIP states use coaches who have a health care background, and are trained in quality and process improvement. Michigan uses quality experts from the manufacturing industry who are educated regarding the health care environment, which enables them to perform as quality-improvement coaches (QICs) in primary-care practices. METHODS: In this case study, ninety-six quality experts were trained to coach primary-care practices, with 53 currently assigned to offices, and others assisting as needed. Practice teams and QICs identify gaps in care and office practices with the use of assorted quality-improvement tools. Reports are made monthly to describe clinical and process measures and methods used. RESULTS: Michigan has 33 practices engaged, involving 205 physicians and 40 midlevel providers. The teaming of quality experts from the manufacturing industry with primary-care office providers and staff resulted in office efficiency, improved care provided, and progress toward attainment of a patient-centered medical home (PCMH). DISCUSSION: Quality experts from manufacturing volunteered to coach for improvements in primary care. The efforts of QICs have been successful. Because the QICs are volunteers, sustainability of the Michigan Improving Performance in Practice program is a challenge.