Community Referral Centers Research Articles

The ESCAPE Trial for Older People With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study of a Clinical Trial of Group-Based Exercise in Primary Health Care.

Low back pain is a highly disabling health condition that generates high costs for patients and healthcare systems. For this reason, it is considered a serious public health problem worldwide. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) by evaluating adherence to treatment, contamination between groups, satisfaction with treatment, and understanding of the exercise instructions provided by the physiotherapist. Additionally, we sought to identify and implement necessary modifications to the exercise protocol for better suitability in older people. We conducted a prospective, registered pilot RCT comparing an 8-week group-based exercise program with a waiting list in older people (≥60years old) with chronic low back pain. Sixty participants were recruited through social media, pamphlets, and invitations at community referral centers. The study demonstrated the feasibility of a full RCT. Participants reported high satisfaction with the treatment (i.e.,100% indicated willingness to return for future services) and a high understanding of the exercise instructions (i.e.,81.8% reported "very easy" comprehension). Adherence to the exercise program exceeded the average reported for group exercise interventions in older adults (i.e.,82.58%). Dropout was associated solely with preexisting physical activity levels. The exercise protocol was successfully adapted to better suit the needs of the older adult population. This pilot RCT demonstrates the feasibility of a full-scale RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of group exercise in improving pain intensity and disability in older adults with chronic low back pain. The implemented adjustments to the exercise protocol and overall study approach strengthen the methodological foundation and expected accuracy of the future RCT.

Validation of the Shock Index, Modified Shock Index, and Shock Index-Paediatric age-Adjusted (SIPA) for\xa0predicting length of stay and outcome in children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit

BackgroundMaintaining hemodynamic stability requires constant complex interaction between multiple vascular and extravascular factors. There are varieties of parameters that determine the same and few of them are used to predict the hemodynamic instability at earliest. Shock Index (SI), Modified Shock Index (MSI) and Shock Index-Pediatric age-Adjusted (SIPA) have been studied constantly in different clinical settings. They are best non-invasive measures for early prediction in resource poor setting or at community referral centers. We would like to compare the predictive value of each parameter in our tertiary care center.MethodsIt was a retrospective study carried out in PICU of a tertiary care centre and includes data collected from 15 August 2019 to 14 August 2021 over a period of 2 years. We recorded demographic data, age, gender, final diagnosis, outcome, and length of stay in PICU. We compared Outcome (Survived/Expired) and length of stay with SI ≥ 0.7 or < 0.7, MSI ≥ 1.3 or < 1.3 and SIPA > 1.22 or < 1.22 (age 4–6 years) > 1 or < 1 (7–12 years) and > 0.9 or < 0.9 (13–16 years).ResultsThis study includes 235 children who were admitted to PICU during study period. The median age was 8 years the median length of stay was 5 days and mortality rate being 11.48% (27). Median SI, MSI were 0.78, 1.6 respectively. 61.70% (145) of patients had SI > 0.7. Median value of SI for septic shock patients was 0.92 on admission. The mortality of the patients with SI > 0.7 was 13.10% (19) and those with MSI > 1.3 was 14.89% (21). Mortality in accordance with SIPA for ages 4–6 years, 7–12 years, and 13–16 years were 15.25% (9), 23% (9) and 19.23% (5) respectively. Basically, SIPA was designed to monitor post trauma cases but in our study we got significant correlation with outcome and length of stay in conditions other than trauma.ConclusionsThe SI, MSI, and SIPA are simple bedside parameters may be used for prioritizing the patients who require strict monitoring on admission to PICU and intervention whenever required. These parameters were best in predicting the severity of sepsis and septic shock in comparison to other diagnosis. SIPA can be generalised for monitoring any high-risk case.

Metastatic tumors to the pancreas: Balancing clinical impression with cytology findings.

Backgrounds/AimsMetastatic lesions of the pancreas (PMET) account for 1%–5% of all malignant solid pancreatic lesions (SPL). In this study we evaluated the utility of endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in diagnosing PMET.MethodsPatients who underwent EUS-FNA at a community referral center between 2011–2017 for SPL were identified. Clinical, radiologic, and EUS-FNA features of those with PMET were compared to those with primary solid tumors of the pancreas: pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and neuroendocrine tumors (PNET).ResultsA total of 191 patients were diagnosed with solid pancreatic malignancy using EUS-FNA: 156 PDAC, 27 PNET, and eight (4.2%) had PMET. Patients with PMET were less likely to have abdominal pain (25.0% vs. 76.3% vs. 48.2%; p < 0.01) or obstructive jaundice (37.5% vs. 58.3% vs. 0%; p < 0.01) compared to PDAC and PNET. Those with PMET were more likely to have mass lesions with/without biliary or pancreatic ductal dilatations (100% vs. 86.5% vs. 85.2%; p < 0.01) and lower CA19-9 (82.5 ± 43.21 U/mL vs. 4,639.30 ± 11,489.68 U/mL vs. 10.50 ± 10.89 U/mL; p < 0.01) compared to PDAC and PNET. Endosonographic features were similar among all groups. Seven (87.5%) patients with PMET had a personal history of malignancy prior to PMET diagnosis. The primary malignancy was renal cell carcinoma in five PMET.ConclusionsPMET are exceedingly rare, comprising less than 5% of SLP. Patients with PMET are less likely to present with symptoms and mostly identified by surveillance imaging for the primary malignancy.

The Scope and Impact of a Novel, Urban, Rapid Patient Interhospital Transfer System to Improve Neuroemergent Care: The Design and Development of the Neuroemergency Transfer Program

Background: Access to neuroemergent care in the United States represents a significant public health concern, with limited neurosurgery and/ or neurocritical care coverage in both rural and urban settings. Inadequate access to neuroemergent providers, even in urban settings, may result in prolonged patient transfer time, associated neurological decline and translate into increased morbidity and mortality. Methods: A single center retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of interhospital patient transfers to a neuroscience ICU between 2008-2018 was performed. Results: 9637 patients were included for analysis. A substantial increase in transfer requests were observed, 610 to 1221 from 2008 to 2018 respectively, with concurrent increase in the number and geographic distribution of referral centers. Ultimately, 7726 (80.2%) patients were discharged home or to outpatient or acute rehabilitation while 1820 (18.9%) were discharged to a long-term acute care facility (LTAC), hospice, or expired during the index admission. The leading diagnoses for transfer were: 1. intracerebral hemorrhage, 2. subarachnoid hemorrhage, 3. ischemic stroke, 4. subdural hematoma and 5. brain tumor. Transfer from an ED or ICU constituted 93.3% of requests. Mean total transfer time between 2012-2018 was &lt; 155 minutes annually (range 128-155 minutes). In 2018, 91.5% of patients had health insurance with 68.7% covered by some form of Medicaid or Medicare. Conclusions: The ongoing evolution and overall success of the NTP draws chiefly from the designation of an easily accessible central operator to orchestrate transfer, establishing a network of community referral centers and optimization of regional patient transportation - all with the solitary goal of improving patient outcomes.

Clinicopathologic and molecular profile of Philadelphia like ALL in Hispanic population of Central Valley California.

7524 Background: Philadelphia-like Acute B-ALL(PHL) are Ph negative B-ALL(PHN) with molecular signatures that mirrors Ph + B ALL. Studies have shown worse prognosis in this subtype of leukemias, but few have reported outcomes with incorporation of novel agents. Our study seeks to describe clinical and molecular profile of a single center experience. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients treated for PHL in community referral center in central valley of California from 1/2009 to 12/2019. Of the initial 71 patients, 34 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 16 of the 34 patients who had Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) by Foundation Medicine (14) or NeoGenomics (2). Data for 34 PHN and 8 with PHL patients were analyzed. Results: There are no differences in mean ages (36.7 x 36) and gender between the PHN and PHL subgroup. There is over representation of Hispanics in both groups (63% x 65%) with slightly male predominance in PHL group (62%). This ratio is slightly higher than reported by 2010 census of 46%. The BMI 38.4(27.5-48.4) vs. 29.1(26.6-39.1), mean WBC (71 vs. 58), bone marrow CD20+ by flow cytometry (90% vs. 63%) and abnormal cytogenetics (50% vs.15%) are all higher in PHL compared to PHN group. The prevalence rate of PHL signature in 16 tested patients is 8(50%). CRLF2 like subtype accounted for 6/8(75%), with 1 each of ABL-like and JAK-Stat subtype. All patients harbored multiple other mutational abnormalities in addition to those associated with Ph-like genetic signatures (Table). The median number of mutations was 4.55(3-7). The distribution of the 20 other mutation is as shown in table. 6 patients had morphological remission after induction chemotherapy of HyperCVAD (37%) and CALGB 10403 (25%) with measurable MRD in 5 of the patients. 7 patients were exposed to novel therapy; Blinatumomab; 2nd line (6 patients), Cart T cell; 3rd line (2 patients), Inotuzumab; 3rd line (3 patients) and ASCT; (3 Patients post second- or third-line remission). 2 patients died at the time of data cut off, 1 from infection and other from refractory leukemia. Conclusions: Our data shows high incidence of PHL signatures in the cohort. The mutational heterogeneity between and within patients, may represent sub-clonal population vs. passenger and hence poor clinical outcomes. [Table: see text]

Information for authors and editorial policies

Information for authors and editorial policies

Information for authors

Information for authors

Information for authors

Information for authors

Diagnostic yield of electromagnetic navigational bronchoscopy.

Peripheral lung nodules (PLNs) are a common and diagnostically challenging finding. Electronavigational bronchoscopy (ENB) is used to increase the diagnostic yield and is considered safe. Multiple factors have been correlated with a better diagnostic yield. We sought to assess the effect of nodule characteristics and prior workup on the diagnostic yield in ENB. This was a retrospective chart review of 98 ENB procedures in a community referral center. Two investigators reviewed patients' charts and images independently. Multiple logistic regression analyses was used to determine if factors such as bronchus sign, ground glass opacification (GGO), distance from pleura, prior use of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and positron emission tomography (PET) had an impact on the diagnostic yield. We evaluated 98 ENBs performed in 92 patients. Most of the lesions were in the upper lobes. The diagnostic yield was 60%. A PET scan was performed prior to ENB in 47% of cases. EBUS was performed in 24% of cases. Bronchus sign was present in 60% of cases and GGO in only 6% of nodules. The odds ratio for diagnostic yield with a bronchus sign was 1.89 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83-4.33] and with nodules showing GGO characteristics it was 4.51 (95% CI: 0.51-39.68). Pneumothorax occurred in 6% of cases. In our cohort, diagnostic yield was 60% with a 6% pneumothorax rate. A suggestive trend for the presence of bronchus sign on computed tomography scan, albeit statistically nonsignificant, as a predictor for improved diagnostic yield needs to be validated in a larger cohort.

Information for authors

Information for authors

Information for authors

Information for authors

Beyond Neonatal and Pediatric Specialized Patient Transport: Mobile Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Maternal-Fetal Transport, and Other Team-Based Roles

Neonatal and pediatric specialty transport teams provide an essential link between community referral centers and tertiary care children’s hospitals. These teams bring neonatal and pediatric critical care capabilities to the patient even before arrival at the destination hospital. Beyond the traditional expectations of interfacility transport teams such as intubation and vasoactive medications, many teams now perform advanced care transfers using mobile extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or have taken the leap to performing maternal-fetal transports. Finally, the skill sets and expertise of hospital-based transport team members may allow them to fulfill other roles within their organization, including participation on a rapid response team.

Information for authors

Information for authors

A protracted outbreak of Staphylococcus epidermidis infections among patients undergoing valve replacement.

To investigate a Staphylococcus epidermidis outbreak among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Retrospective cohort study. A 260-bed community referral center. Case-patients were patients with S. epidermidis mediastinitis, endocarditis, or both after valve implantation at Hospital de La Ribera from January to June 2002. The study population included patients undergoing valve surgery at Hospital de La Ribera from January 2000 to June 2002. From January to June 2002, 8 cases of mediastinitis, endocarditis, or both occurred among 53 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In the same months of 2000, there had been no cases among 22 patients, and in 2001, only 1 case among 47 patients (P = .095 and P = .034, respectively). In 2002, there were 4 cases of mediastinitis and endocarditis, 3 cases of mediastinitis, and 1 case of endocarditis, all following aortic valve replacement. The epidemic curve suggested a protracted outbreak. Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease were six-fold more likely to be case-patients (95% confidence interval, 1.6-23.8). The mean duration of surgery tended to be longer in non-case-patients (161.4 +/- 57.9 minutes) than in case-patients (123.7 +/- 23.7 minutes) (P = .06). The cause of this protracted outbreak was likely multifactorial. Reemphasis of existing policies was associated with resolution of the outbreak.

Thoracoscopy vs Conventional Autopsy of the Thorax

To analyze the sensitivity and specificity of thoracoscopic autopsy compared with that of conventional postmortem examination. Consecutive sampling, case-series study. A general community referral center and the local Institute of Forensic Medicine. A consecutive sample of 20 fresh cadavers (less than 24 hours old), victims of motor vehicle crashes, gunshot wounds, in-hospital deaths. Introduction of the thoracoscope through the fourth or fifth intercostal space, anterior or midaxillary line. The pleural cavity and mediastinum were examined. Formal postmortem examination was then performed, and the findings of both procedures were recorded, compared, and analyzed. Prior to the beginning of the study, it was hypothesized that thoracoscopic autopsy would reach an overall sensitivity and specificity of at least 85% and enable accurate inspection of the thoracic cavity and mediastinum in search of trauma-related abnormalities in trauma victims or cause of death in in-hospital patients. There was an 85% correlation of both procedures in all cases. The sensitivity of thoracoscopic autopsy was 87% and overall specificity reached 72%. Thoracoscopic autopsy is accurate and easy to perform. It is highly sensitive, especially in deaths due to trauma and following thoracic surgery. Thoracoscopic autopsy is an important tool that allows the diagnosis of major chest abnormalities as well as ruling out postoperative catastrophe, information that is invaluable for the surgeon, as well as all the medical staff and families. Thoracoscopic postmortem examination should be offered to mourning families as a cosmetic and reliable option when informed consent for conventional autopsy is lacking.