Rhode Island Hospital Research Articles

ARID1A alteration in aggressive urothelial carcinoma and variants of urothelial carcinoma

ARID1A mutation leads to loss of the products of this tumor-suppressor gene. Studies demonstrated ARID1A mutation in 20% of stage IV urothelial carcinomas (UCs) with worse prognosis. The expression of ARID1A in aggressive variants of UC is not studied properly. From 2000 to 2015, 81 variants of UC (29 micropapillary, 33 sarcomatoid, 31 small cell, 2 nested, and 3 plasmacytoid variants) were identified in the archives of Rhode Island Hospital. Immunohistochemistry for anti-ARID1A antibody (Sigma-Aldrich, St Louis, MO) was performed. The staining pattern was semiquantitatively scored, and results were analyzed by Fisher exact test (2 tailed) on contingency tables, survival curve, and log-rank test. Patients were predominantly male (78%) with mean age of 67.9 years. The plasmacytoid variant group occurred in younger ages (mean: 54 years). Half of the specimens contained concurrent conventional UCs. Normal urothelium invariably exhibited strong ARID1A nuclear staining. There was no difference in expression between upper and lower tracts. ARID1A expression was lower in the variants compared with conventional UCs (P<.0001). In micropapillary UCs, an inverse correlation between stage and ARID1A expression was noted, with significant correlation between ARID1A expression and overall survival (P=.0221). Sarcomatoid UCs and small cell CCs showed lower ARID1A expression compared with UCs that was not statistically significant, and neither showed any significant correlation with stage or overall survival. ARID1A expression is significantly decreased in higher stages of UC and its aggressive variants; therefore, ARID1A mutation appears to play an important role in the prognosis of UC and its aggressive variants. This finding may have therapeutic implications.

Review of the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial for Hypertension Management: How Low to Go for Patients With Stroke?

One of the great successes of modern medicine is the development of effective pharmacological treatments to lower blood pressure (BP). Of the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, elevated BP or hypertension has the highest population attributable risk,1 and a near continuous relationship with rates of stroke and coronary heart disease from levels of 115 mm Hg systolic and 75 mm Hg diastolic BP.2 Overviews of randomized trials are consistent in showing that lowering systolic BP by 5 to 10 mm Hg reduces the risk of stroke by one third, irrespective of disease history, initial BP level, or type of agent used.3–5 Moreover, more intensive long-term BP lowering can result in additional benefits proportional to the size of fall in BP.4–6 Despite this body of evidence, there has been longstanding controversy (and consternation) over the levels to which BP should be brought down by treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Because there has been limited randomized evidence, guideline committees have been challenged in defining BP targets below 130 to 140 mm Hg to manage individual patients.7 Concerns over diminishing net benefit being overtaking by excessive harm with increasing reductions in BP is supported by a physiological argument over critical thresholds for organ perfusion and secondary analysis of randomized trials suggesting a J-shaped relationship with cardiovascular events.8 Moreover, recent trials of more intensive BP lowering, including the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk on Type 2 Diabetes (ACCORD)9 and Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3),10 failed to show significant reductions in rates of ischemic stroke with systolic BP reductions below 120 and 130 mm Hg, respectively. The main result of the Systolic …

Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodules In Patients

This study evaluates the clinical characteristics, workup, treatment, and outcomes of pediatric patients diagnosed with an autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN) in a large cohort of patients presenting for evaluation of a thyroid nodule. There are few prior studies on AFTN in pediatrics, with limited data on treatment and outcomes. Rates of malignancy in AFTN are perceived as low, but prior studies have varying reports. This is a retrospective chart review of patients less than 21 years of age at Rhode Island Hospital over an 11-year period (2003-2013). We reviewed 354 charts, which yielded 242 patients with a diagnosis of thyroid nodule and 17 patients with AFTN. The prevalence of AFTN in patients presenting with thyroid nodules was 7%. Mean age of patients was 15.8 years at diagnosis, and mean nodule size was 3.3 cm. There was female predominance. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were suppressed at diagnosis in 87% of patients. Six patients were treated with surgery, 5 patients with radioactive iodine therapy (RAI), 2 patients with medication, and 1 patient was observed without treatment. Three patients treated with RAI required subsequent treatment for hypothyroidism or continued hyperthyroidism. One patient had papillary thyroid carcinoma based on final surgical pathology. Our study found a higher prevalence of AFTN compared to the reported prevalence in adults. We concur with the new guidelines on management of thyroid nodules in recommending surgery for treatment of AFTN, based on the variability of outcomes after treatment with RAI.

Addressing psychiatric needs in an adult comprehensive cancer center.

218 Background: The Rhode Island Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center (RIH-CCC) sought to develop collaboration between psychiatry and social work to ensure comprehensive mental health care for the Centers’ adult patients. New patients are screened for distress using the NCCN Screening Tool for Measuring Distress. The NCCN Distress Thermometer measures patient’s distress using a 0-10 scale and documents the contributing psychosocial factors. The Cancer Center, in collaboration with psychiatry, developed standards for follow-up care. Those patients who indicate their distress as 4-7 are contacted by social work within 3 business days. The patients who identify their distress as 8-10 have social work follow up within 1 business day. Methods: The RIH-CCC mental health team consists of 4 full time clinical social workers and 2 psychiatrists. The social workers receive the patient’s distress scale after which they complete a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and develop a plan of care based on the urgency and complexity of the required interventions. The patients who require psychiatric evaluation are scheduled by the social work team to meet with the RIH-CCC psychiatrist for further assessment and evaluation. Results: Data was analyzed for the quarter of November 2014 to January 2015. The Center evaluated 1033 new patients. Of those, 119 completed a distress thermometer indicating a level of distress greater than 4 (average score of 6.6). Of the 119 patients seen by social work, 88 (74%) were in need of follow up care which often included further assessment by the on-site psychiatrists. Conclusions: Depression is estimated to occur in approximately 25-30% of adult cancer patients. Untreated and undiagnosed distress can have an adverse effect on cancer treatment. Our Centers’ results indicate that a significant number of those patients who identified as distressed were in need of further psychiatric evaluation and treatment. The strong collaborative relationship between on-site psychiatry and clinical social work promote early access and intervention to this challenged population.

Association of Medical Comorbidities, Surgical Outcomes, and Failure to Rescue: An Analysis of the Rhode Island Hospital NSQIP Database

Failure to rescue (FTR) is a key metric of perioperative morbidity and mortality. We review perioperative medical comorbidities (MCMs) to determine what factors are associated with complications and rates of FTR. A retrospective review of a NSQIP database including general, vascular, and surgical subspecialty patients from a tertiary referral center between March 2008 and March 2013 was performed. Demographics, MCMs, complications, 30-day mortality, and risk of FTR associated with specific complications and MCM were evaluated. A total of 7,763 patients were included; 52.6% had MCMs and 14% (n = 1,099) experienced a complication. Patients with complications were older (64.9 vs 55 years; p < 0.001), more likely male (54% vs 44%; p < 0.001), and had more MCMs per patient (1.6 vs 1.4; p < 0.001). Complications were also associated with renal failure (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-2.0), steroid use (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5), CHF (OR = 2.5; 95% CI, 1.2-5.1), and ascites (OR = 9.1; 95% CI, 3.7-21.7), but not diabetes, hypertension, or COPD. There were 117 (11%) deaths among patients with complications. Adjusting for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and number of comorbidities, FTR was associated with postoperative respiratory failure, sepsis, and renal failure, as well as comorbid CHF, renal failure, ascites, and disseminated cancer. Specific comorbidities are associated with higher rates of complications and FTR. Preoperative CHF, renal failure, and ascites, which were associated with FTR, can reflect a physiologic inability to tolerate complication-induced fluid shifts. Postoperative mortality was associated with signs of end organ damage, including sepsis, respiratory failure, and renal failure. Earlier recognition of these complications in at-risk patients should improve rates of FTR.

Mary Ambler, MD 1932-2015.

Dr. Mary Ambler was a native of Massachusetts; she graduated from Franklin High School in Franklin, MA. After high school, she attended Boston University School of Nursing. With the goal of improving relations between nurses and physicians, she decided to pursue an MD degree at Boston University School of Medicine, where she graduated magna cum laude. After her internship year at Boston City Hospital, she completed a year of internal medicine residency at the Boston VA Medical Center. She then pursued residency training in neurology and neuropathology at the New England Medical Center, Boston City Hospital, and Rhode Island Hospital. After completing her residency in 1965, she was …

Risk assessment models in genetics clinic for array comparative genomic hybridization: Clinical information can be used to predict the likelihood of an abnormal result in patients.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) testing can diagnose chromosomal microdeletions and duplications too small to be detected by conventional cytogenetic techniques. We need to consider which patients are more likely to receive a diagnosis from aCGH testing versus patients that have lower likelihood and may benefit from broader genome wide scanning. We retrospectively reviewed charts of a population of 200 patients, 117 boys and 83 girls, who underwent aCGH testing in Genetics Clinic at Rhode Island hospital between 1 January/2008 and 31 December 2010. Data collected included sex, age at initial clinical presentation, aCGH result, history of seizures, autism, dysmorphic features, global developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia and failure to thrive. aCGH analysis revealed abnormal results in 34 (17%) and variants of unknown significance in 24 (12%). Patients with three or more clinical diagnoses had a 25.0% incidence of abnormal aCGH findings, while patients with two or fewer clinical diagnoses had a 12.5% incidence of abnormal aCGH findings. Currently, we provide families with a range of 10-30% of a diagnosis with aCGH testing. With increased clinical complexity, patients have an increased probability of having an abnormal aCGH result. With this, we can provide individualized risk estimates for each patient.

Disruption of cholinergic neurotransmission exacerbates Aβ-related cognitive impairment in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

Disruption in cholinergic neurotransmission is one of the earliest neuropathological changes in preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be associated with abnormal beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation. Therefore, disruption of cholinergic neurotransmission with scopolamine may unmask otherwise undetectable cognitive deficits in preclinical AD. To compare the effects of low-dose (0.20 mg s.c.) scopolamine on cognition between Aβ+ and Aβ− cognitively normal (CN) older adults using the Groton Maze Learning Test (GMLT). CN older adults completed the GMLT predose and then received scopolamine (0.20 mg) subcutaneously. Participants were reassessed 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, and 8-hours post dose. All participants underwent positron emission tomography neuroimaging for Aβ using 18F-florbetapir within 6 weeks of their baseline visit. Rhode Island Hospital Clinical Research Center, Providence, USA. CN older adults (n = 63), with a family history of AD and subjective memory complaints were enrolled (15 were classified as Aβ+ and 48 were classified as Aβ−). Cognition was assessed using the computerized GMLT at all predose and post-dose time points. At 5-hours post dose, the Aβ+ group performed significantly worse than the Aβ− group on all measures of learning efficiency and working memory and/or executive function (Cohen's d = 1.13–1.56). When participants were classified as having an abnormal response to scopolamine (based on change score at 5-hours post dose >0), 100% were correctly classified as Aβ+ and 67% as Aβ−. The results of this study suggest that diminished cholinergic tone likely occurs in preclinical AD, and as such, the use of a cholinergic stress test to perturb an already compromised neurotransmitter system may be an effective way of identifying CN older adults who are in this preclinical stage of AD.

Comparison of common data elements from the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network integrated database and a well-characterized sample with nonepileptic seizures

IntroductionEpilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are both chronic illnesses characterized by similar and overlapping clinical features. A limited number of studies comparing people with epilepsy (PWE) and patients with PNES that address determinants of health outcomes exist. We conducted an analysis using a well-characterized sample of people with PNES and the Managing Epilepsy Well (MEW) Network integrated data, comparing descriptive data on samples with epilepsy and with documented PNES. Based on the pooled data, we hypothesized that people with PNES would have worse QOL and higher depression severity than PWE. Material and methodsWe used data from the MEW Network integrated database involving select epilepsy self-management studies comprising 182 PWE and 305 individuals with documented PNES from the Rhode Island Hospital Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology Clinic. We conducted a matched, case–control study assessing descriptive comparisons on 16 common data elements that included gender, age, ethnicity, race, education, employment, income, household composition, relationship status, age at seizure onset, frequency of seizures, seizure type, health status, healthy days, quality of life, and depression. Standardized rating scales for depression and quality of life were used. ResultsMedian seizure frequency in the last 30days for PWE was 1, compared to 15 for patients with PNES (p<0.05). People with epilepsy had a QOLIE-10 mean score of 3.00 (SD: 0.91) compared to 3.54 (0.88) (p<0.01) for patients with PNES. Depression severity was moderate to severe in 7.7% of PWE compared to 34.1% (p<0.05) of patients with PNES. DiscussionPeople with epilepsy in selected MEW Network programs are fairly well educated, mostly women, with few minorities and low monthly seizure rates. Those with PNES, however, have higher levels of not working/on disability and had more frequent seizures, higher depression severity, and worse QOL. These differences were present despite demographics that are largely similar in both groups, illustrating that other determinants of illness may influence PNES.

Abstract: Genome-Wide Complex Trait Analysis of Shared Genetic Effects Between Brain Electrophysiology Measures and Alcohol Dependence

Genome-Wide Complex Trait Analysis of Shared Genetic Effects Between Brain Electrophysiology Measures and Alcohol Dependence Leslie Ann D. Brick, Valerie S. Knopik, Wayne F. Velicer & Rohan Palmer a Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital; and Cancer Prevention Research Center, University of Rhode Island b Division of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital; and Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University c Cancer Prevention Research Center, University of Rhode Island Published online: 17 Feb 2015. To cite this article: Leslie Ann D. Brick, Valerie S. Knopik, Wayne F. Velicer & Rohan Palmer (2015) Abstract: GenomeWide Complex Trait Analysis of Shared Genetic Effects Between Brain Electrophysiology Measures and Alcohol Dependence, Multivariate Behavioral Research, 50:1, 129-130, DOI: 10.1080/00273171.2014.988989 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00273171.2014.988989 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions Multivariate Behavioral Research, 50:129–130, 2015 Copyright C © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC ISSN: 0027-3171 print / 1532-7906 online DOI: 10.1080/00273171.2014.988989 Abstract: Genome-Wide Complex Trait Analysis of Shared Genetic Effects Between Brain Electrophysiology Measures and Alcohol Dependence Genome-Wide Complex Trait Analysis of Shared Genetic Effects Between Brain Electrophysiology Measures and Alcohol Dependence

Parenteral nutrition in intestinal failure

Parenteral nutrition in intestinal failure Arlet G Kurkchubasche,1 Thomas J Herron,2 Marion F Winkler31Department of Surgery and Pediatrics, 2Department of Surgery, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 3Department of Surgery/Nutritional Support Service, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USAAbstract: Intestinal failure is a consequence of extensive surgical resection resulting in anatomic loss and/or functional impairment in motility or absorptive capacity. The condition is clinically characterized by the inability to maintain fluid, energy, protein, electrolyte, or micronutrient balance when on a conventionally accepted, normal diet. Parenteral nutrition (PN) is the cornerstone of management until intestinal adaptation returns the patient to a PN-independent state. Intestinal length, residual anatomic segments and motility determine the need for and duration of parenteral support. The goals of therapy are to provide sufficient nutrients to enable normal growth and development in children, and support a healthy functional status in adults. This review addresses indications for PN, the formulation of the PN solution, patient monitoring, and considerations for prevention of PN-associated complications. With the ultimate goal of achieving enteral autonomy, the important role of diet, pharmacologic interventions, and surgery is discussed.Keywords: intestinal failure, short-bowel syndrome, parenteral nutrition, home nutrition support, intestinal rehabilitation

Preventing transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease: state of the art

Preventing transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease: state of the art Loren D Fast Division of Hematology/Oncology, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Abstract: The transfer of pathogens and the induction of immune responses are deleterious consequences that can result from the transfusion of blood products. Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD), the most severe immune consequence, occurs when recipient immune responses are incapable of effectively eliminating donor leukocytes, permitting unabated responses of the donor T lymphocytes. Currently, prevention of TA-GVHD is routinely accomplished by exposing blood products to &gamma;-irradiation in order to prevent donor T cell proliferation. Alternative protocols are being developed to meet the challenges associated with the use of &gamma;-irradiation. Use of pathogen reduction protocols, which interfere with nucleic acid replication by modifying nucleic acids, are increasing. Comparison of pathogen reduction protocols with &gamma;-irradiation have found that both protocols are equally effective in preventing T lymphocyte proliferation and GVHD responses when testing in both in vitro and in vivo models. The potential use of pathogen reduction protocols to treat whole blood prior to separation into its components could provide a cost-effective method for preventing TA-GVHD in the future. Keywords: blood transfusion, GVHD, pathogen reduction, irradiation

Low-dose ketamine improves pain relief in patients receiving intravenous opioids for acute pain in the emergency department: results of a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

Low-dose ketamine has been used perioperatively for pain control and may be a useful adjunct to intravenous (IV) opioids in the control of acute pain in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine as an adjunct to morphine versus standard care with morphine alone for the treatment of acute moderate to severe pain among ED patients. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with three study groups was conducted at a large, urban academic ED over a 10-month period. Eligible patients were 18 to 65 years old with acute moderate to severe pain (score of at least 5 out of 10 on the numerical pain rating scale [NRS] and pain duration < 7 days) who were deemed by their treating physician to require IV opioids. The three study groups were: 1) morphine and normal saline placebo (standard care group), 2) morphine and 0.15 mg/kg ketamine (group 1), or 3) morphine and 0.3 mg/kg ketamine (group 2). Participants were assessed at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after study medication administration and received rescue analgesia as needed to target a 50% reduction in pain. The primary outcome measure of pain relief, or pain intensity reduction, was derived using the NRS and calculated as the summed pain-intensity (SPID) difference over 2 hours. The amount and timing of rescue opioid analgesia was evaluated as a secondary outcome. The occurrence of adverse events was also measured. Sixty patients were enrolled (n = 20 in each group). There were no differences between study groups with respect to age, sex, race/ethnicity, preenrollment analgesia, or baseline NRS. Over the 2-hour poststudy medication administration period, the SPIDs were higher (greater pain relief) for the ketamine study groups than the control group (standard care 4.0, interquartile range [IQR] = 1.8 to 6.5; group 1 7.0, IQR = 4.3 to 10.8; and group 2 7.8, IQR = 4.8 to 12.8; p < 0.02). The SPIDs for the ketamine groups were similar (p < 0.46). When compared to standard care, group 2 sustained the reduction in pain intensity up to 2 hours, whereas group 1 was similar to standard care by 2 hours. Similar numbers of patients received rescue analgesia: standard care group, seven of 20, 35%; group 1, four of 20, 20%; and group 2, four of 20, 20% (p = 0.48). Among those receiving rescue analgesia, those in the standard care group received analgesia sooner than either low-dose ketamine group, on average. More participants in the low-dose ketamine groups reported dysphoria and dizziness. Low-dose ketamine is a viable analgesic adjunct to morphine for the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain. Dosing of 0.3 mg/kg is possibly more effective than 0.15 mg/kg, but may be associated with minor adverse events. Future studies should evaluate additional outcomes, optimum dosing, and use in specific populations.

Comments on Reuber et al. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: Review and update. Epilepsy & Behavior 2003;4:205-216

a Department of Neurology and Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Rhode Island Hospital (RIH), Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA b Department of Psychiatry, RIH, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, USA c Division of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Neurology, Rhode Island Hospital, USA d Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA e Department of Psychiatry, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano, Italy

WNT/β-catenin signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma

WNT/β-catenin signaling and hepatocellular carcinoma

A Multi-institutional Benchmark of Burn Outcomes as a Spur to Further Improvements in Burn Care

From the Department of Surgery-Division of Trauma/Burns, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. Reprints: William G. Cioffi, MD, Department of Surgery-Division of Trauma/Burns, Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St, APC/120, Providence, RI 02903. E-mail: [email protected]. Disclosure: The author declares no conflicts of interest.

Association of dementia with early rehospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries

Preventable hospital readmissions have been recognized as indicators of hospital quality, a source of increased healthcare expenditures, and a burden for patients, families, and caregivers. Despite growth of initiatives targeting risk factors associated with potentially avoidable hospital readmissions, the impact of dementia on the likelihood of rehospitalization is poorly characterized. Therefore, the primary objective of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate whether dementia was an independent predictor of 30-day readmissions. Administrative claims data for all admissions to Rhode Island hospitals in 2009 was utilized to identify hospitalizations of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias. Demographics, measures of comorbid disease burden, and other potential confounders were extracted from the data and the odds of 30-day readmission to any United States hospital was calculated from conditional logistic regression models. From a sample of 25,839 hospitalizations, there were 3908 index admissions of Medicare beneficiaries who fulfilled the study criteria for a dementia diagnosis. Nearly 20% of admissions (n=5133) were followed by a readmission within thirty days. Hospitalizations of beneficiaries with a dementia diagnosis were more likely to be followed by a readmission within thirty days (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08, 1.29), compared to hospitalizations of those of without dementia. Controlling for discharge site of care did not attenuate the association (AOR 1.21; 95% CI, 1.10, 1.33).

Is implementation of the care transitions intervention associated with cost avoidance after hospital discharge?

Poorly-executed transitions out of the hospital contribute significant costs to the healthcare system. Several evidence-based interventions can reduce post-discharge utilization. To evaluate the cost avoidance associated with implementation of the Care Transitions Intervention (CTI). A quasi-experimental cohort study using consecutive convenience sampling. Fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized from 1 January 2009 to 31 May 2011 in six Rhode Island hospitals. The CTI is a patient-centered coaching intervention to empower individuals to better manage their health. It begins in-hospital and continues for 30 days, including one home visit and one to two phone calls. We examined post-discharge total utilization and costs for patients who received coaching (intervention group), who declined or were lost to follow-up (internal control group), and who were eligible, but not approached (external control group), using propensity score matching to control for baseline differences. Compared to matched internal controls (N = 321), the intervention group had significantly lower utilization in the 6 months after discharge and lower mean total health care costs ($14,729 vs. $18,779, P = 0.03). The cost avoided per patient receiving the intervention was $3,752, compared to internal controls. Results for the external control group were similar. Shifting of costs to other utilization types was not observed. This analysis demonstrates that the CTI generates meaningful cost avoidance for at least 6 months post-hospitalization, and also provides useful metrics to evaluate the impact and cost avoidance of hospital readmission reduction programs.

Isotype-specific inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway in hematologic malignancies

In the last decade, the advent of biological targeted therapies has revolutionized the management of several types of cancer, especially in the realm of hematologic malignancies. One of these pathways, and the center of this review, is the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. The PI3K pathway seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis and survival advantage in hematologic malignancies, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The objectives of the present review, hence, are to describe the current knowledge on the PI3K pathway and its isoforms, and to summarize preclinical and clinical studies using PI3K inhibitors, focusing on the advances made in hematologic malignancies.

Breast cancer genetic risk evaluation and referral for assessment.

75 Background: ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) provides tools for oncology practices to assess quality and adherence to clinical guidelines. Following each data submission a QOPI measures summary report is published providing practices the opportunity to compare themselves to QOPI Aggregates. In 2011, QOPI initiated a more stringent evaluation of family history documentation, which would improve rates of referral to genetic counseling for breast and colon cancer. Methods: A review of QOPI measure summary reports is performed by Rhode Island Hospital’s (RIH) Comprehensive Cancer Center Quality Improvement Team after each round of chart abstraction. Following review of QOPI practice results for genetic evaluation in 2011, our interventions included development and implementation of a 3 generation maternal and paternal family history intake form, genetics referral form with criteria to refer patients for genetic evaluation and initiation of a Genetics Clinic on site at the Cancer Center. Results: Presented is a summary of QOPI results for the Breast Cancer measures of complete family history documented and Genetic testing addressed appropriately. Conclusions: Our interventions included a patient intake form, genetics referral form with criteria to refer patients and a Genetics Clinic on site at the Cancer Center. The institution of a patient intake form resulted in a 19-fold improvement in complete family history documentation. The genetics referral form and establishment of an on-site Genetics clinic resulted in a 10% increase in referrals for genetic risk assessment. In spite of these interventions review of our Genetic Risk Evaluation data is notable for a 39% no show rate for the genetic risk assessment appointments. [Table: see text]