Major Academic Medical Center Research Articles

The Effect of Improving Basic Preventive Measures in the Perioperative Arena on Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infections increase patient morbidity and health care costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize improved basic preventive measures to reduce bacterial transmission and infections among patients undergoing surgery. To assess whether improved basic preventive measures can reduce perioperative Staphylococcus aureus transmission and surgical site infections. This randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 20, 2018, to September 20, 2019, among 19 surgeons and their 236 associated patients at a major academic medical center with a 60-day follow-up period. Participants were a random sample of adult patients undergoing orthopedic total joint, orthopedic spine, oncologic gynecological, thoracic, general, colorectal, open vascular, plastic, or open urological surgery requiring general or regional anesthesia. Surgeons and their associated patients were randomized 1:1 via a random number generator to treatment group or to usual care. Observers were masked to patient groupings during assessment of outcome measures. Sustained improvements in perioperative hand hygiene, vascular care, environmental cleaning, and patient decolonization efforts. Perioperative S aureus transmission assessed by the number of isolates transmitted and the incidence of transmission among patient care units (primary) and the incidence of surgical site infections (secondary). Of 236 patients (156 [66.1%] women; mean [SD] age, 57 [15] years), 106 (44.9%) and 130 (55.1%) were allocated to the treatment and control groups, respectively, received the intended treatment, and were analyzed for the primary outcome. Compared with the control group, the treatment group had a reduced mean (SD) number of transmitted perioperative S aureus isolates (1.25 [2.11] vs 0.47 [1.13]; P = .002). Treatment reduced the incidence of S aureus transmission (incidence risk ratio; 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.86; P = .008; with robust variance clustering by surgeon: 95% CI, 0.42-0.76; P < .001). Overall, 11 patients (4.7%) experienced surgical site infections, 10 (7.7%) in the control group and 1 (0.9%) in the treatment group. Transmission was associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection (8 of 73 patients [11.0%] with transmission vs 3 of 163 [1.8%] without; risk ratio, 5.95; 95% CI, 1.62-21.86; P = .007). Treatment reduced the risk of surgical site infection (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.92; P = .04; with clustering by surgeon: 95% CI, 0.03-0.51; P = .004). Improved basic preventive measures in the perioperative arena can reduce S aureus transmission and surgical site infections. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03638947.

What is the frequency of pressure injury in vascular patients undergoing major amputations?

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease who have undergone below or above knee amputations have limited mobility and may sit for long periods of time in a wheelchair, increasing their risk for pressure injury. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional research study was to retrospectively review the charts of those patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing lower limb amputations from 2016 to 2017 at a major academic medical center to determine the frequency of pressure injury. Hospital data were used to identify patients discharged from 2016 to 2017 with primary International Classification of Diseases (10th Revision) codes for below knee amputations/above knee amputations and pressure injury (ulcer). From 2016 to 2017, 46 patients were admitted to the inpatient vascular surgery service for a below or above knee amputation. Seventeen of those patients had documented pressure injuries at hospital discharge for a frequency of 37%. There were 11 males and 6 females with age range of 44 to 82 years with a mean age of 66 years. There was a total of 19 pressure injuries (2 patients had 2 pressure injuries). Ten of those 19 pressure injuries were present on admission to the hospital and 9 pressure injuries were hospital-acquired pressure injuries. Thirteen of the 19 pressure injuries (68%) were on the sacrum. Three of the pressure injuries (16%) were on the heel. Two (11%) were ischial pressure injuries with one knee (5%) pressure injury. Risk assessment is an essential part of vascular nursing practice that aims to identify individuals at risk for pressure injury with appropriate interventions to prevent their occurrence. Vascular nurses should be encouraged to educate patients/family members on the increased risk of pressure injuries in those undergoing amputation during hospitalization and after discharge to prevent them from occurring.

Evaluation of Radiology Reports by the Emergency Department Clinical Providers: A Message to Radiologists [Formula: see text

This study is an evaluation of the emergency department (ED) satisfaction with the current radiologic reporting system used at a major Northeastern academic medical center. The radiology reports are the main form of communication and usually the final product of any radiological investigation delivered to clinicians. The aim of this study was to improve current radiology reporting practices and to better tailor reports to match the needs and expectations of ED clinicians. A 9-question online survey was sent to ED residents, fellows, faculty, and nurse practitioners/advanced practice providers at a major Northeastern academic medical center in the United States. For the open-ended section, coding and emergent theme categorization was conducted for quantification of responses. The survey was designed to evaluate the attitudes toward the structure, style, form, and wording used in reports. The response rate was 48.6% (68/140). The ED respondents were generally satisfied with radiology reports, their language, vocabulary, and clarity. They preferred the impression section to be before the findings in simple examinations and to stratify the reports according to emergency status for complex examinations. They did not like extended differential, hedge terms, and delayed reporting. Additionally, ED respondents recommended focused, fast reporting with considerable changes toward a more standardized report. This evaluation delivered a list of actionable recommendations. The top recommendation is to standardize reporting structure, style, and lexicon, in addition to being focused, timely, and brief.

Abstract NS5: Use of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Successfully Improve Inpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education and Diabetes Medication Reconciliation at Discharge for Persons With Diabetes and Stroke at a Major Academic Medical Center

Background: Persons with diabetes are 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke. Research shows that there is a correlation between increasing diabetes and stroke. Education for stroke patients, however, continues to focus on medication management and blood pressure reduction. American Diabetes Association indicates, “There should be a structured discharge plan tailored to the individual patient with diabetes.” Transitioning from the acute care is risky for diabetics, recommendations now include individualized education for diabetics with stroke. 40% of the stroke population at our institution showed risk factors for diabetes, yet 11% received diabetes education, and only 59% had diabetes medication pre-prescribed at discharge. The stroke team initiated an inpatient diabetes education to increase patient awareness and medication adherence. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify and address barriers related to the provision of individualized inpatient diabetes education and outpatient diabetes medication reconciliation for persons with diabetes and stroke. Method: The Endocrinology team was consulted for patients with diabetes and stroke with an A1c level of 7%. These team worked collaboratively to establish a consult process. Endocrinology APPs provided diabetic education and advised the Neurology team on the appropriate discharge medication regimen and follow-up. The stroke coordinator provided reminders during rounds to assure that consults were ordered for patients with diabetes having A1c 7% or greater. Results: Inpatient diabetes education improved from 11% in 2017 to 96% in 2019. Diabetes medication reconciliation, with listing of diabetes medications on the after visit summary at discharge increased from 59% in 2017 to 93% in 2019. Conclusions: Both metrics reflect improvement over a 2-year period, showing that collaboration between the Endocrinology and Neurology teams is key to effective discharge planning, diabetes medication reconciliation and outpatient follow-up.

Is the Neck Disability Index an Appropriate Measure for Changes in Physical Function After Surgery for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy?

The Neck Disability Index (NDI) is a 10-item questionnaire about symptoms relevant to cervical spine pathology, originally validated in the physical therapy literature. It is unclear if all of the items apply to spine surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine if improvements in the composite NDI score or specific NDI domains are appropriate measures for tracking changes in physical function after surgical intervention for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). A retrospective cohort review of patients treated at a major academic medical center was undertaken. Baseline and postoperative standardized outcome measurement scores, including composite NDI, NDI subdomain, and SF-12 physical component score (PCS), were collected. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine whether patients exhibited improvement in each of the outcome measures included. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine whether change in NDI composite or subdomain scores predicted change in physical function after surgery for CSM-compared with the well-validated PCS score-controlling for factors such as age, sex, etc. Baseline data were collected on 118 patients. All outcome measures exhibited significant improvement after surgery based on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. On linear regression, work (β = -2.419 [-3.831, -1.006]; P = .001) and recreation (β = -1.354 [-2.640, -0.068]; P = .039), as well as the NDI composite score (β = -0.223 [-0.319, -0.127]; P < .001), were significant predictors of change in physical function over time. Although the NDI composite score did predict change in PCS over time, only 2 of the 10 NDI subdomains were found to be associated with change in physical function over time. Based on these results, the item bank and composite scoring of the NDI are inappropriate for evaluating quality of life in studies of surgically treated cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients. NDI may not be a valid tool in the determination of physical function changes after surgery for CSM. III.

Fantastic Four: Age, Spinal Cord Stimulator Waveform, Pain Localization and History of Spine Surgery Influence the Odds of Successful Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial

There is a dearth in our understanding of the factors that are predictive of successful spinal cord stimulator (SCS) trials and eventual conversion to permanent implants. Knowledge of these factors is important for appropriate patient selection and treatment optimization. Although previous studies have explored factors predictive of trial success, few have examined the role of waveform in trial outcomes. This study sought to establish the relationship of neuraxial waveform and related measures to trial outcomes. This study used a retrospective chart review design. Data were retrospectively collected on 174 patients undergoing SCS trials upon institutional review board approval of the study protocol. Indications for SCS were: complex regional pain syndrome, failed back surgery syndrome with radicular symptoms, peripheral neuropathy, and axial low back pain. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of demographic and clinical variables with SCS trial outcomes. The study population comprised 56% women, had a median age of 55 (interquartile range [IQR], 44-64), and 32 of 174 (18%) patients failed SCS trials. Individuals with successful trials (>= 50% pain relief) were significantly younger and had a median age of 54 years (IQR, 42-60) compared to those who failed SCS trials (median age 66 years; IQR, 50-76; P = .005). Adjusting for age, gender, number of leads, pain category, and diagnoses: surgical history (odds ratio [OR] = 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-15.8) and paresthesia-based tonic-stimulation (OR = 10.3; 95% CI, 1.7-62.0), but not burst or high frequency, were significantly associated with successful trials. Of note, the number of leads (whether dual or single), pain duration, characteristics, and category (nociceptive vs neuropathic) were not significant factors. An interaction between surgical spine history and lower extremity pain was significantly associated with a positive trial (P = .005). This study was limited by its retrospective nature and focus on a patient population at a single major academic medical center. Paresthesia-based tonic stimulation, age, and surgical history have significant effects on SCS trials. Prospective and randomized controlled studies may provide deeper insights regarding impact on costs and overall outcomes.IRB Approval #: 2018P002216. Pain duration, pain location, spinal cord stimulator trial, stimulator waveform, surgical history.

Time trends and predictors of hypovitaminosis D across the life course: 2009–2016

PurposeWe investigated prevalence, determinants, seasonal changes, and time trends in hypovitaminosis D. We derived a desirable serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) level in adults/elderly by evaluating the 25OHD-parathyroid hormone (PTH) exponential relationship. MethodsWe analyzed serum 25OHD data from a large laboratory database (N = 151,705), from a major academic medical center in Lebanon, from 2009 to 2016. We used cross calibration formulas to convert measured 25OHD levels to LC-MS/MS equivalents based on our external quality assurance protocols. Results6% of the population were children (mean age 11 ± 5 years, 56% girls), 68% were adults (44 ± 13 years, 71% women), and 25% were elderly (74 ± 6 years, 59% women). The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, in the entire population, was 39%, 29% and 23% at 25OHD cutoffs of 20 ng/ml, 15 ng/ml, and 12 ng/ml, respectively, across all years. Using multivariate analysis, predictors of 25OHD levels below 12, 15 and 20 ng/ml were younger age, male sex, winter months, and inpatient status both in adults and elderly. In children, older age, female sex, winter months, and inpatient status, predicted levels below 15 ng/ml and 20 ng/ml, but only older age, female sex, and winter months predicted levels below 12 ng/ml. There was a significant steady annual increase in 25OHD levels between 2009 and 2016 of 0.9 ng/ml/year (95% CI: 0.7, 1.0) in children, 1.2 ng/ml/year (1.2, 1.3) in adults and 2.6 ng/ml/year (2.6, 2.8) in the elderly. Using best fit non-linear regression models, on a subset of adults and elderly in whom concomitant 25OHD and PTH data was available (N = 4025), PTH levels plateaued at a serum 25OHD level of 26.1 ng/ml. ConclusionSecular increase in serum 25OHD levels is observed in Lebanon, but hypovitaminosis D is still prevalent. Our data provides basis for a desirable 25OHD level above 26 ng/ml in adult and elderly Lebanese individuals.

A Focused Gap Year Program in Orthopaedic Research: An 18-Year Experience.

Students seek gap years to enhance knowledge and improve chances of professional success. Although many institutions offer research opportunities, no studies have examined outcomes after these experiences. This study evaluates a dedicated year of orthopaedic research on a cohort's ultimate orthopaedic surgery match rate. From 2001 to 2018, 129 learners spent a year with our Department of Orthopedic Surgery at a major academic medical center. The students were either completing a gap year after college, during or after medical school, or after an unsuccessful match. Participants were asked to respond to a survey, which included demographics, educational information, and metrics related to the program. For the subcohort of students who ranked orthopaedic surgery, the match rate was compared with the mean for the US orthopaedic surgery match rates from 2006 to 2018 using a chi-square analysis. In addition, a Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the number of publications before and after the year. One hundred three students (80%) returned completed questionnaires. Of all learners who applied to and ranked orthopaedic surgery, 91% matched into an orthopaedic surgery residency program. These results compared favorably with the US orthopaedic match from 2006 to 2018 (67.9%; P < 0.001), despite a 4-point lower United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 score for the research cohort. Finally, the research cohort had a greater percentage of women (23%) and minorities (40%) than the proportion of woman and minority practicing orthopaedic surgeons. Students who completed a gap year in research matched into orthopaedics at a higher rate than the national average, despite a lower Step score. Mentors may also target traditionally underrepresented groups to help increase the pool of diverse applicants.

Utilization of computed tomography imaging in the pediatric emergency department.

In recent years, there has been a movement toward more judicious use of computed tomography (CT) imaging in an attempt to limit exposure of pediatric patients to ionizing radiation. The Image Gently Alliance and like-minded movements began advocating for safe and high-quality pediatric imaging worldwide in the late 2000s. In the context of these efforts, we evaluate CT utilization rates in the pediatric emergency department at a major academic medical center. We tracked utilization in several categories of CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) between July 2008 and June 2017 and compared them with utilization rates from 2000 to 2006. A total of 4,955 pediatric patients underwent a total of 5,973 CT scans, 2,775 US studies and 293 MRI scans while in the pediatric emergency department during the 2008-2017 study period. We observed decreases in CT scans across all categories, ranging from a 19% decrease in abdominal CT to a 66% decrease in chest CT. Relatively greater decreases in CT scans were observed in patients younger than 3years of age as compared to older children and adolescents. Abdominal and pelvic US increased. Brain MRI also increased over the final two years of the study. CT utilization decreased throughout the 2008-2017 study period.

Improving and Maintaining On-Time Start Times for Nonelective Cases in a Major Academic Medical Center

As health care expenditures continue to increase, thoughtful use of perioperative resources is important. Efforts to improve operating room (OR) efficiency often focus on increasing on-time first case starts to improve OR utilization, reduce subsequent delays, and reduce adverse events. One institution, with severely limited inpatient hospital capacity and an extensive daily add-on list of surgical cases, focused efforts to improve OR efficiency by improving on-time first case starts for unscheduled, nonemergent surgeries. A multidisciplinary team was assembled to work together for this quality improvement (QI) initiative. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of cases starting on time. The team identified six key steps thought to contribute to on-time start performance. Data were collected for each of these process measures, and feedback was shared with stakeholders. By measuring adherence to and giving feedback about critical steps in the preoperative process, on-time starts improved from a baseline of 65% to 85% (p = 0.041). Sustained improvement was seen even after daily measurement ceased and the QI project was completed. Establishing a multidisciplinary team to improve timely care of unscheduled, nonelective surgical patients; identifying key elements necessary for on-time surgical case starts; and providing feedback to clinicians were associated with a sustained improvement in OR efficiency for a traditionally difficult-to-schedule patient population.

Orthopedic Oncology Experience During Residency.

The objective of this study was to determine the characteristics and logistics of orthopedic oncology rotations at various residency programs across the USA and determine the effect of orthopedic oncology rotations on Orthopedic In-Training Examination (OITE) scores. An eight-question survey was sent to 162 orthopedic surgery residency programs obtained from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education public database. Pre-oncology rotation and post-oncology rotation OITE scores for 24 residents at a major academic medical center were collected and analyzed. The response rate was 43.8%. Survey results were as follows: 90.1% responded positively to having a dedicated orthopedic oncology rotation in their curriculum; 49.3% carried out their oncology rotation at a hospital outside of their home institution; 70.4% of programs had only one dedicated orthopedic oncology rotation throughout residency; 42.3% indicated that residents experience 6-10weeks of dedicated orthopedic oncology training during the 5-year residency program; 42.2% indicated that residents experience oncology rotations during post-graduate year 4; and 80.3% of programs had orthopedic oncology trained surgeons on their faculty. The mean increase in OITE oncology scores after the rotation was 12.1% (p = 0.005). There are variations in orthopedic oncology curricula across residency programs, most notably in the number of weeks residents participate in a dedicated oncology rotation, the post-graduate year that residents rotate on an oncology service, and the location where residents obtain their orthopedic oncology training. Participating in a dedicated orthopedic oncology rotation resulted in significant improvement in scores on the oncology domain of the OITE.

2899 Validation of Simulated Diagnostic Hysteroscopy Curriculum

Study Objective This purpose of this study is to test the face and construct validity of a low-fidelity simulation model for hysteroscopy training Design This is a prospective observational study. Setting This study took place within an obstetrics and Gynecology residency program at major academic medical center Patients or Participants Incoming first year residents of obstetrics and gynecology Interventions We have created a mock uterus using a clear plastic bottle and placed targets within the bottle to serve as goals for navigation. The curriculum, which includes instructional videos, pre-test and post-test surveys as well as the simulation task. In 2017 and 2018 expert faculty administered an objective structured assembly of technical skills (OSATS) and recorded times required to assemble the hysteroscope and perform the simulation. Residents were then given 6 weeks for independent practice with the model after which the OSATS and performance times were collected again. Measurements and Main Results 36 first year residents (33 female and 3 male) and 4 faculty experts completed the simulation. 69% of residents had no hands-on training in hysteroscopy prior to the study. Following independent practice, resident OSAT scores improved by 11 points (SD ± 8, out of 39 potential total points) on assembly of hysteroscope and 9 points (SD ± 3.5, out of 15 potential points) on simulation tasks. Resident OSATS scores improved significantly (p Conclusion Our study supports the use of our reusable, low-fidelity hysteroscopic training model as a way to improve resident performance in a simulation environment.

159. A financial analysis of outpatient spine clinic: an analysis of 36,312 patient appointments and subsequent surgeries at a single major academic institution

BACKGROUND CONTEXT The economic pressures that are widely discussed in health care also have an impact in orthopedic and neurosurgical spine practices. Being outside of the operative domain, spine clinics have been largely neglected in the spine surgery literature to date. The transition from outpatient visit to spinal surgery offers a unique opportunity for improvements in operational efficiency, improved patient stratification, resource allocation and overall patient outcomes. This current study is the first to look specifically at how the patient mix and conversion rate to spinal surgery impact the costs and revenues associated with outpatient spine clinics at a major academic medical center. METHODS All clinic visits to spine providers were identified at a single academic institution spanning the dates 6/1/2014-6/1/2018. Appropriate clinical and appointment related data were further collected. All subsequent related spinal procedures resulting from such visits were further identified through use of CPT billing codes. All payment information was calculated using Medicare reimbursement values for CPT codes with the most recent (2018) conversion factor. Relevant clinical, surgical and cost structure data were collected for each patient. RESULTS There are 21.9 average appointments over the course of 7.6 hours per clinic day. The average ratio of new to follow-up patients was 39.3% with an average new patient to surgery conversion rate of 15.0%. The adjusted average total procedural revenue per new patient, controlled for scheduled appointment length and actual appointment length, was $686.02. The adjusted average procedural revenue per surgery was $3,444.64 and average procedural revenue per hour in spine clinic was $552.40. With a 1% and 5% increase in new patient visits, total procedural revenue increases 2.7% and 13.5%, respectively. With a 1% and 5% increase in conversion rate, total procedural revenue increases 6.7% and 33.3%, respectively. With a decrease in new patient appointment length from 30 minutes to 25 minutes, the opportunity for 1.7 new patient appointments per day was created resulting in a net increase in procedural revenue per clinic day of $837.57. CONCLUSIONS Incremental increases in new to follow-up patient ratio and surgery conversion rate can significantly affect procedural revenue. Significant heterogeneity exists among spine providers in new to follow-up patient ratio, surgery conversion rate and procedural revenue per new patient. These findings provide useful insights and a benchmark into practice characteristics in the setting of evolving practice and reimbursement standards. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.

Gender Differences in Longitudinal Associations Between Intimate Care, Resiliency, and Depression Among Informal Caregivers of Patients Surviving the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

Informal caregivers (e.g., family and friends) are at risk for developing depression, which can be detrimental to both caregiver and patient functioning. Initial evidence suggests that resiliency may reduce the risk of depression. However, gender differences in associations between multiple psychosocial resiliency factors and depression have not been examined among neuroscience intensive care unit (neuro-ICU) caregivers. We explored interactions between caregiver gender and baseline resiliency factors on depression symptom severity at baseline through 3 and 6months post-discharge. Caregivers (N = 96) of neuro-ICU patients able to provide informed consent to participate in research were enrolled as part of a prospective, longitudinal study in the neuro-ICU of a major academic medical center. Caregiver sociodemographics and resiliency factors (coping, mindfulness, self-efficacy, intimate care, and preparedness for caregiving) were assessed during the patient's hospitalization (i.e., baseline). Levels of depressive symptoms were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 3months, and 6months post-discharge. Baseline depressive symptoms predicted depressive symptoms at both 3- and 6-month follow-ups, with no difference at any time point in rates of depression by gender. At baseline, greater levels of coping, mindfulness, and preparedness for caregiving were individually associated with lower levels of concurrent depression regardless of gender (ps < 0.006). The main effect of baseline coping remained significant at 3-month follow-up (p = 0.045). We observed a trend-level interaction between gender and baseline intimate care, such that among male caregivers only, high baseline intimate care was associated with lower depression at 3-month follow-up (p = 0.055). At 6-month follow-up, we observed a significant interaction between caregiver gender and baseline intimate care, such that male caregivers reporting high intimate care reported lower symptoms of depression than females reporting high intimate care (p = 0.037). Results support implementation of psychosocial resiliencyinterventions for caregivers of patients admitted to the neuro-ICU early in the recovery process. Male caregivers may particularly benefit from strategies focused on increasing intimate care (e.g., physical and emotional affection with their loved one)and quality of the patient-caregiver dyadic relationship.

Increasing Completion Rate and Benefits of Checklists: Prospective Evaluation of Surgical Safety Checklists With Smart Glasses.

BackgroundStudies have demonstrated that surgical safety checklists (SSCs) can significantly reduce surgical complications and mortality rates. Such lists rely on traditional posters or paper, and their contents are generic regarding the type of surgery being performed. SSC completion rates and uniformity of content have been reported as modest and widely variable.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the feasibility and potential of using smart glasses in the operating room to increase the benefits of SSCs by improving usability through contextualized content and, ideally, resulting in improved completion rates.MethodsWe prospectively evaluated and compared 80 preoperative time-out events with SSCs at a major academic medical center between June 2016 and February 2017. Participants were assigned to either a conventional checklist approach (poster, memory, or both) or a smart glasses app running on Google Glass.ResultsFour different surgeons conducted 41 checklists using conventional methods (ie, memory or poster) and 39 using the smart glasses app. The average checklist completion rate using conventional methods was 76%. Smart glasses allowed a completion rate of up to 100% with a decrease in average checklist duration of 18%.ConclusionsCompared with alternatives such as posters, paper, and memory, smart glasses checklists are easier to use and follow. The glasses allowed surgeons to use contextualized time-out checklists, which increased the completion rate to 100% and reduced the checklist execution time and time required to prepare the equipment during surgical cases.

What Role Does Positive Psychology Play in Understanding Pain Intensity and Disability Among Patients with Hand and Upper Extremity Conditions?

A large body of research shows that psychologic distress and ineffective coping strategies substantially contribute to more severe pain and increased physical limitations among patients with orthopaedic disorders. However, little is known about the relationship between positive psychology (constructs that enable individuals to thrive and adapt to challenges) and pain and physical limitations in this population. (1) Which positive-psychology factors (satisfaction with life, gratitude, coping through humor, resilience, mindfulness, and optimism) are independently associated with fewer upper-extremity physical limitations after controlling for the other clinical and demographic variables? (2) Which positive-psychology factors are independently associated with pain intensity after controlling for relevant clinical and demographic variables? In a cross-sectional study, we recruited patients presenting for a scheduled appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon at a hand and upper-extremity clinic of a major urban academic medical center. Of 125 approached patients, 119 (44% men; mean age, 50 ± 17 years) met screening criteria and agreed to participate. Patients completed a clinical and demographic questionnaire, the Numerical Rating Scale to assess pain intensity, the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Upper Extremity Physical Function computerized adaptive test to assess physical limitations, and six measures assessing positive-psychology constructs: The Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Gratitude Questionnaire, the Coping Humor Scale, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised, and the Life Orientation Test-Revised. We first examined bivariate associations among physical limitations, pain intensity, and all positive-psychology factors as well as demographic and clinical variables. All variables that demonstrated associations with physical limitations or pain intensity at p < 0.05 were included in two-stage multivariable hierarchical regression models. After controlling for the potentially confounding effects of prior surgical treatment and duration since pain onset (step1; R total = 0.306; F[7,103] = 6.50), the positive-psychology variables together explained an additional 15% (R change = 0.145, F change [5, 103] = 4.297, p = 0.001) of the variance in physical limitations. Among the positive-psychology variables tested, mindfulness was the only one associated with fewer physical limitations (β = 0.228, t = 2.293, p = 0.024, 4% variance explained). No confounding demographic or clinical variables were found for pain intensity in bivariate analyses. All positive-psychology variables together explained 23% of the variance in pain intensity (R = 0.23; F[5,106] = 6.38, p < 0.001). Among the positive-psychology variables, satisfaction with life was the sole factor independently associated with higher intensity (β = -0.237, t = -2.16, p = 0.033, 3% variance explained). Positive-psychology variables explained 15% of the variance in physical limitations and for 23% of the variance in pain intensity among patients with heterogenous upper extremity disorders within a hand and upper extremity practice. Of all positive-psychology factors, mindfulness and satisfaction with life were most important for physical limitations and pain intensity, respectively. As positive-psychology factors are more easily modifiable through skills-based interventions than pain and physical limitations, results suggest implementation of such interventions to potentially improve outcomes in this population. Skills-based interventions targeting mindfulness and satisfaction with life may be of particular benefit. Level II, prognostic study.

History of Depression and Increased Risk of Sternal Wound Infection After Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Novel and Potentially Modifiable Risk Factor.

BackgroundSternal wound infection (SWI) is a leading cause of postoperative disease and death; the risk factors for SWI remain incompletely understood. The goal of the current study was to investigate the relationship between a preoperative history of depression and the risk of SWI after cardiothoracic surgery.MethodsAmong patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery in a major academic medical center between 2007 and 2012, those in whom SWI developed (n = 129) were matched, by date of surgery, with those in whom it did not (n = 258). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the strength of relationships between risk factors and development of infection. History of depression was defined as a composite variable to increase the sensitivity of detection.ResultsHistory of depression as defined by our composite variable was associated with increased risk of SWI (adjusted odds ratio, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.2–4.7; P = .01). Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism isolated.ConclusionsHistory of depression was associated with increased risk of SWI. Future prospective studies are warranted to further investigate this relationship. Depression is highly treatable, and increased efforts to identify and treat depression preoperatively may be a critical step toward preventing infection-related disease and death.

Functional regression-based monitoring of quality of service in hospital emergency departments

This article focuses on building a statistical monitoring scheme for service systems that experience time-varying arrivals of customers and have time-varying service rates. There is lack of research in the systematic statistical monitoring of large-scale service systems, which is critical for maintaining a high quality of service. Motivated by the emergency department at a major academic medical center, this article intends to fill this research gap and provide a practical statistical monitoring scheme capable of detecting changes in service using readily available time stamp data. The proposed method is focused on building a functional regression model based on customer arrival and departure time instances from an in-control system. The model finds the expected departure intensity function for an observed arrival intensity on any given day of operation. The mean squared difference between the expected departure intensity function and the observed departure intensity functions is used to generate an alarm indicating a significant change in service. This methodology is validated using simulation and real data case studies. The proposed method can identify patterns of inefficiency or delay in service that are hard to detect using traditional statistical monitoring algorithms. The method offers a practical approach for monitoring service systems and determining when staffing levels need to be re-optimized.

Utilization of a Standardized Post-Occupancy Evaluation to Assess the Guiding Principles of a Major Academic Medical Center.

Facility planning for healthcare organizations has become increasingly important in recent years, due primarily to the complicated needs of patient rooms and the escalating pressure to provide high-quality care to satisfy patients. Concurrently, there has been a considerable development in the field of evidence-based design (EBD) on the impact the healthcare environment has on patients and the operations of clinical staff. Although tools are being developed to assist in measuring EBD principles, they have not been universally adopted by organizations regarding how they either develop or assess healthcare facilities. This case study focuses on our attempt to implement an internal facilities evaluation process and a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) on a major Academic Medical Center's (AMC) new bed tower. An assembled auditing team comprised of diverse professional healthcare backgrounds performed an audit on three patient rooms using a Center for Health Design POE Questionnaire. The results of this evaluation were then compared to the guiding principles developed for the hospital during its design. Results indicated that the project narrowly missed the threshold score agreed upon by the AMC's facilities leadership. This project demonstrated the difficulty in implementing a POE without prior experience, while highlighting the value of a standardized evaluation tool to assess past and future facilities projects.

Bone microarchitecture and volumetric bone density impairment in young male adults with childhood-onset growth hormone deficiency.

ContextAdult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is characterized by low bone density and increased risk of fracture. Bone microarchitecture is insufficiently evaluated in patients with childhood-onset AGHD (CO AGHD).ObjectiveTo assess volumetric bone density (vBMD) and bone microarchitecture in CO AGHD in early adulthood after cessation of recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) treatment.Design and subjectsCase–control study in a major academic medical center in Beijing, including 20 young male adults with CO AGHD and 30 age- and weight-matched non-athletic healthy men. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computerized tomography (HR-pQCT) of distal radius and tibia was performed.OutcomesThe main outcomes were vBMD and morphometry parameters from HR-pQCT.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, CO AGHD group had significantly decreased insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) level and IGF-1 SDS (P < 0.001). β-CTX and alkaline phosphatase levels in CO AGHD group were significantly increased (P < 0.001). CO AGHD group had significantly decreased total vBMD, cortical vBMD, trabecular vBMD, cortical area, cortical thickness as well as trabecular thickness and trabecular bone volume fraction of both tibia and radius (P < 0.001). CO AGHD patients had an 8.4 kg decrease in grip strength and a significant decrease in creatinine levels (P = 0.001). At both tibia and radius, by finite element analysis, bone stiffness and failure load of the CO AGHD patients were significantly decreased (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, BMI and serum levels of testosterone and free thyroxin, serum IGF-1 level was a positive predictor for total vBMD, cortical vBMD, cortical area, trabecular vBMD, bone stiffness and failure load of both tibia and distal radius in all subjects.ConclusionsYoung adult male patients with childhood-onset adult growth hormone deficiency who are no longer receiving growth hormone replacement have prominently impaired volumetric bone density and bone microarchitecture and lower estimated bone strength.