Hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of severe subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema after Renuvion/J-Plasma therapy®.

Subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema are known complications of liposuction and body sculpting procedures. Treatment options are limited, and recovery is often prolonged. We discuss a case of severe subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema after a skin-tightening procedure involving helium gas. The patient received one treatment of hyperbaric oxygen and was followed until symptom resolution. We review the known literature on hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a treatment for subcutaneous emphysema.

Natural language processing of head CT reports to identify intracranial mass effect: CTIME algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The Mortality Probability Model (MPM) is used in research and quality improvement to adjust for severity of illness and can also inform triage decisions. However, a limitation for its automated use or application is that it includes the variable "intracranial mass effect" (IME), which requires human engagement with the electronic health record (EHR). We developed and tested a natural language processing (NLP) algorithm to identify IME from CT head reports. METHODS: We obtained initial CT head reports from adult patients who were admitted to the ICU from our ED between 10/2013 and 9/2016. Each head CT head report was labeled yes/no IME by at least two of five independent labelers. The reports were then randomly divided 80/20 into training and test sets. All reports were preprocessed to remove linguistic and style variability, and a dictionary was created to map similar common terms. We tested three vectorization strategies: Term Frequency-Inverse Document frequency (TF-IDF), Word2Vec, and Universal Sentence Encoder to convert the report text to a numerical vector. This vector served as the input to a classification-tree-based ensemble machine learning algorithm (XGBoost). After training, model performance was assessed in the test set using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). We also divided the continuous range of scores into positive/inconclusive/negative categories for IME. RESULTS: Of the 1202 CT reports in the training set, 308 (25.6%) reports were manually labeled as "yes" for IME. Of the 355 reports in the test set, 108 (30.4%) were labeled as "yes" for IME. The TF-IDF vectorization strategy as an input for the XGBoost model had the best AUROC:-- 0.9625 (95% CI 0.9443-0.9807). TF-IDF score categories were defined and had the following likelihood ratios: "positive" (TF-IDF score > 0.5) LR = 24.59; "inconclusive" (TF-IDF 0.05-0.5) LR = 0.99; and "negative" (TF-IDF < 0.05) LR = 0.05. 82% of reports were classified as either "positive" or "negative". In the test set, only 4 of 199 (2.0%) reports with a "negative" classification were false negatives and only 8 of 93 (8.6%) reports classified as "positive" were false positives. CONCLUSION: NLP can accurately identify IME from free-text reports of head CTs in approximately 80% of records, adequate to allow automatic calculation of MPM based on EHR data for many applications.

Time-varying Spectral Index of Electrodermal Activity to Predict Central Nervous System Oxygen Toxicity Symptoms in Divers: Preliminary results.

The most effective method to mitigate decompression sickness in divers is hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) pre-breathing. However, divers breathing HBO2 are at risk for developing central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT), which can manifest as symptoms that might impair a diver's performance, or cause more serious symptoms like seizures. In this study, we have collected electrodermal activity (EDA) signals in fifteen subjects at elevated oxygen partial pressures (2.06 ATA, 35 FSW) in the "foxtrot" chamber pool at the Duke University Hyperbaric Center, while performing a cognitive stress test for up to 120 minutes. Specifically, we have computed the time-varying spectral analysis of EDA (TVSymp) as a tool for sympathetic tone assessment and evaluated its feasibility for the prediction of symptoms of CNS-OT in divers. The preliminary results show large increase in the amplitude TVSymp values derived from EDA recordings ~2 minutes prior to expert human adjudication of symptoms related to oxygen toxicity. An early detection based on TVSymp might allow the diver to take countermeasures against the dire consequences of CNS-OT which can lead to drowning.Clinical Relevance-This study provides a sensitive analysis method which indicates a significant increase in the electrodermal activity prior to human expert adjudication of symptoms related to CNS-OT.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Affordable Care Act from the Perspective of People Living with HIV: The Interplay between Knowledge, Stigma, Trust, and Attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Many AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) purchased Affordable Care Act (ACA) Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) for low-income people living with HIV (PLWH). To date, little has been published about PLWH's perspective on the ACA. We explored ACA knowledge, HIV stigma, trust in the healthcare system, and ACA attitudes among PLWH with ADAP-funded QHPs in Virginia. METHODS: Participants were surveyed about demographic characteristics, ACA knowledge, HIV stigma, trust in various healthcare and government entities, and attitudes toward the ACA. Descriptive statistics were used. We assessed for associations (1) between baseline characteristics and correct ACA knowledge, HIV-related stigma, trust, and ACA attitudes and (2) between correct ACA knowledge and the following data: sources of ACA knowledge, HIV stigma, and trust. RESULTS: Participants (n = 53) were a vulnerable population based on the assessment of social determinants of health, and 30% had correct ACA knowledge. Almost three-fourths of participants used HIV clinic case managers for ACA information. Participants who used websites for ACA information had correct ACA knowledge more often compared to those that did not (71% vs. 15%; p = 0.001). Those with correct ACA knowledge had lower stigma scores compared to those without correct ACA knowledge (93.8; SD: 15.4 vs. 108; SD: 20.3; p = 0.01). Participants trusted HIV clinicians more than general clinicians and insurance companies. No association was found between having correct ACA knowledge and endorsing having enough information about the ACA to understand how it will impact their HIV care. CONCLUSIONS: Websites imparted accurate ACA information. HIV clinic case managers were the most used source, and HIV clinicians were a trusted source of information. HIV clinicians and case managers should consider disseminating information about the ACA and its impact on HIV care delivery via internet videos. Lack of internet and stigma are a threat to PLWH gaining actionable healthcare information.

360 virtual reality pediatric mass casualty incident: A cross sectional observational study of triage and out-of-hospital intervention accuracy at a national conference.

OBJECTIVE: With adolescent mass casualty incidents (MCI) on the rise, out-of-hospital readiness is critical to optimize disaster response. We sought to test the feasibility and acceptability of a 360 Virtual Reality (360 VR) platform for disaster event decisionmaking. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational assessment of a subject's ability to triage and perform out-of-hospital interventions using a 360 VR MCI module. A convenience sample of attendees was recruited over 1.5 days from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) national conference in San Diego, CA. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven (207) subjects were enrolled. Ninety-six (46%) subjects identified as attendings, 66 (32%) as residents, 13 (6%) as medical students, 4 (2%) as emergency medical technicians and 28 (14%) as other. When comparing mean scores between groups, physicians who were <40 years old had mean scores higher than physicians who were >40 years old (8.7 vs 6.5, P < 0.001). Residents achieved higher scores than attendings (8.6 vs 7.5, P = 0.005). Based on a 5-point Likert scale, participants felt the 360 VR experience was engaging (median = 5) and enjoyable (median = 5). Most felt that 360 VR was more immersive than mannequin-based simulation training (median = 5). CONCLUSION: We conclude that 360 VR is a feasible platform for assessing triage and intervention decisionmaking for adolescent MCIs. It is well received by subjects and may have a role as a training and education tool for disaster readiness. In this era of distanced learning, 360 VR is an attractive option for future immersive educational experiences.

Mastery Learning Ensures Correct Personal Protective Equipment Use in Simulated Clinical Encounters of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) limits transmission of serious communicable diseases to healthcare workers, which is critically important in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, prior studies illustrated that healthcare workers frequently err during application and removal of PPE. The goal of this study was to determine whether a simulation-based, mastery learning intervention with deliberate practice improves correct use of PPE by physicians during a simulated clinical encounter with a COVID-19 patient. METHODS: This was a pretest-posttest study performed in the emergency department at a large, academic tertiary care hospital between March 31-April 8, 2020. A total of 117 subjects participated, including 56 faculty members and 61 resident physicians. Prior to the intervention, all participants received institution-mandated education on PPE use via an online video and supplemental materials. Participants completed a pretest skills assessment using a 21-item checklist of steps to correctly don and doff PPE. Participants were expected to meet a minimum passing score (MPS) of 100%, determined by an expert panel using the Mastery Angoff and Patient Safety standard-setting techniques. Participants that met the MPS on pretest were exempt from the educational intervention. Testing occurred before and after an in-person demonstration of proper donning and doffing techniques and 20 minutes of deliberate practice. The primary outcome was a change in assessment scores of correct PPE use following our educational intervention. Secondary outcomes included differences in performance scores between faculty members and resident physicians, and differences in performance during donning vs doffing sequences. RESULTS: All participants had a mean pretest score of 73.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.9-75.3%). Faculty member and resident pretest scores were similar (75.1% vs 71.3%, p = 0.082). Mean pretest doffing scores were lower than donning scores across all participants (65.8% vs 82.8%, p<0.001). Participant scores increased 26.9% (95% CI of the difference 24.7-29.1%, p<0.001) following our educational intervention resulting in all participants meeting the MPS of 100%. CONCLUSION: A mastery learning intervention with deliberate practice ensured the correct use of PPE by physician subjects in a simulated clinical encounter of a COVID-19 patient. Further study of translational outcomes is needed.

The Climate-Smart Emergency Department: A Primer.

Climate change and environmental pollution from health care present urgent, complex challenges. The US health care sector produces 10% of total US greenhouse gas emissions, which have negative influences on human and environmental health. The emergency department (ED) is an important place in the hospital to become more environmentally responsible and "climate smart," a term referring to the combination of low-carbon and resilient health care strategies. Our intent is to educate and motivate emergency providers to action by providing a guide to sustainable health care and an approach to creating a climate-smart ED.

Day of Ascent Dosing of Acetazolamide for Prevention of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Background: Acetazolamide is the most common medication used for prevention of acute mountain sickness (AMS), usually administered the day or night before ascent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of day of ascent dosing of acetazolamide for AMS prevention. Methods: Double-blind, randomized, controlled noninferiority trial of acetazolamide 125 mg twice daily beginning either the night before or the morning of ascent. Healthy low altitude adults ascended from 1240 m (4100 ft) to 3810 m (12,570 ft) during summer 2018 on White Mountain, California. Primary outcome was incidence of AMS with the two different dosing patterns, assessed by the 1993 Lake Louise Questionnaire (LLQ) of ≥3 with headache and a minimum of 1 for other symptom. Results: One hundred four participants completed the study, with 54 (52%) randomized to night before acetazolamide and 50 (48%) to day of ascent dosing, without differences in baseline characteristics. There was 9% greater incidence of AMS in the day of ascent acetazolamide group (48.0% vs. 39%, 95% confidence interval [CI] -11.8 to 30, p = 0.46, number needed to treat [NNT] = 5.6 vs. 3.7), with the CI just surpassing the predetermined 26% noninferiority margin. There was a lower incidence of severe AMS (1993 LLQ >5) in the day of ascent group (n = 5, 10%, NNT = 2.3) compared with night before dosing (n = 12, 22%, NNT = 3.1) (95% CI -28 to 3.6), and lower average symptom severity in the day of ascent group (3 vs. 3.5, 95% CI -0.5 to 1.4). Conclusions: Day of ascent acetazolamide demonstrated higher rates of AMS compared with traditional dosing by a small margin. With similar rates of severe AMS and overall symptom severity, the potential for improved convenience and compliance may support day of ascent use.

Facilitators and Barriers: Clients' Perspective on the Virginia AIDS Drug Assistance Program's Affordable Care Act Implementation.

Many AIDS drug assistance programs (ADAPs) purchased Affordable Care Act (ACA) qualified health plans (QHPs) for low-income people living with HIV. To date, little has been written about this from the client perspective. The study's objective was to gain information about the experience of Virginia ADAP-funded QHP enrollment and the impact of this change. English-speaking clients who were eligible for ADAP-funded QHPs were recruited at three HIV clinics in Virginia. The goal was to enroll ≥5% of those who were eligible for ADAP-funded QHPs in two Virginia Department of Health planning districts. Participants were surveyed about demographic characteristics, and semi-structured interviews were performed. Descriptive analyses were performed for cohort characteristics. Using an open coding strategy, codebooks were generated for the interviews and themes were identified. The cohort (n = 53) met our recruitment goal. Two-thirds gained their ACA knowledge at HIV clinics from case managers and social workers. Many barriers to enrollment were identified, including internet access/literacy. Almost 9 out of 10 participants had concerns about privacy, which centered on QHP's mandated use of mail-order pharmacies. Except for medication concerns, most participants had positive perceptions of the impact of QHP enrollment on their health care. HIV clinic case managers and social workers are often the primary source of knowledge for patients about insurance options and their assistance is crucial for QHP enrollment. Our findings indicate that reducing identified barriers and addressing privacy concerns by allowing people to opt out of mail order pharmacies may encourage QHP enrollment.

Pre-earthquake non-epidemic Vibrio cholerae in Haiti.

INTRODUCTION: To our knowledge, there was no record of Vibrio cholerae in Haiti until the 2010 post earthquake outbreak. METHODOLOGY: This study describes the analysis of 301 stool samples from 117 infants in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who participated in a pediatric nutrition study between July 2008 and October 2009. RESULTS: Nine samples were identified positive with both SYBR Green and Taqman-MGB probe based molecular assays targeting V. cholerae hlyA and toxR, respectively (Ct = 33-40), but none were O1 or O139. CONCLUSIONS: Our results from multiple molecular assays demonstrate the presence of non-O1/O139 V. cholerae DNA in stools collected from nine asymptomatic Haitian infants two years prior to the 2010 earthquake.

A pilot study of delivering peer health messages in an HIV clinic via mobile media.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study tested the feasibility and impact of using mobile media devices to present peer health messages to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 30 adult patients from an outpatient HIV clinic serving a mostly rural catchment area in central Virginia volunteered for the study. Participants viewed short videos of people discussing HIV health topics on an Apple (Cupertino, CA) iPod® touch® mobile device. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed attitudes related to engagement in care and disease disclosure. RESULTS: Participants found delivery of health information by the mobile device acceptable in a clinic setting. They used the technology without difficulty. Participants reported satisfaction with and future interest in viewing such videos after using the mobile devices. The majority of participants used the device to access more videos than requested, and many reported the videos "hit home." There were no significant changes in participant perceptions about engagement in care or HIV disclosure after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of using mobile media technology to deliver peer health messages. Future research should explore how to best use mobile media to improve engagement in care and reduce perceptions of stigma.

Intimate partner violence: a predictor of worse HIV outcomes and engagement in care.

For HIV-infected patients, experiencing multiple traumas is associated with AIDS-related and all-cause mortality, increased opportunistic infections, progression to AIDS, and decreased adherence to therapy. The impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on adherence and HIV outcomes is unknown. HIV-infected patients recruited from a public HIV clinic participated in this observational cohort study (n=251). Participants completed interviews evaluating IPV and covariates. CD4 count <200 (CD4<200), detectable HIV viral load (VL), and engagement in care ("no show rate" [NSR]) were the outcomes of interest. Medication adherence was not measured. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed with covariates included if p<0.3 in the univariate phase. Seventy-four percent of the participants were male, 55% Caucasian, and 52.2% self-identified as "men who have sex with men." IPV prevalence was 33.1% with no difference by gender or sexual orientation. In univariate analysis, IPV exposure predicted having a CD4<200 (p=0.005) and a detectable VL (p=0.04) but trended toward significance with a high NSR (p=0.077). Being threatened by a partner was associated with a CD4<200 (p=0.005), a detectable VL (p=0.011), and high NSR (p=0.019) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, IPV predicted having a CD4<200 (p=0.005) and detectable VL (p=0.035). Being threatened by a partner predicted having a CD4<200 (p=0.020), a detectable VL (p=0.007), and a high NSR (p=0.020). Our results suggest IPV impacts biologic outcomes and engagement in care for HIV-infected patients. IPV alone predicts worse biologic outcomes, whereas the specific experience of being threatened by a partner was associated with all three outcomes in univariate and multivariate analyses.