Identifying Facilitators, Barriers, and Potential Solutions of Adopting Exoskeletons and Exosuits in Construction Workplaces.

Exoskeletons and exosuits (collectively termed EXOs) have the potential to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) by protecting workers from exertion and muscle fatigue due to physically demanding, repetitive, and prolonged work in construction workplaces. However, the use of EXOs in construction is in its infancy, and much of the knowledge required to drive the acceptance, adoption, and application of this technology is still lacking. The objective of this research is to identify the facilitators, barriers, and corresponding solutions to foster the adoption of EXOs in construction workplaces through a sequential, multistage Delphi approach. Eighteen experts from academia, industry, and government gathered in a workshop to provide insights and exchange opinions regarding facilitators, barriers, and potential solutions from a holistic perspective with respect to business, technology, organization, policy/regulation, ergonomics/safety, and end users (construction-trade professionals). Consensus was reached regarding all these perspectives, including top barriers and potential solution strategies. The outcomes of this study will help the community gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential for EXO use in the construction industry, which may enable the development of a viable roadmap for the evolution of EXO technology and the future of EXO-enabled workers and work in construction workplaces.

Understanding the surgical care needs and use of outpatient surgical care services among homeless patients at the Ottawa Hospital

Background: The use of outpatient health care services by homeless people is low compared to their high level of need; however, it is unclear whether this applies to surgical care. We sought to describe surgical care access among homeless patients in a Canadian tertiary care setting. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of adult (age > 18 yr) patients with no fixed address or a shelter address who presented to The Ottawa Hospital Emergency Department from Jan. 1, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2014, and required surgical referral. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics. Results: A surgical referral was initiated in 129 emergency department visits for 97 patients (77 men [79%], mean age 46.7 yr). Most patients lived in shelters (77 [79%]) and had provincial health insurance (82 [84%]), but only 35 (36%) had a primary care physician. The mean number visits for any reason was 7.9 (standard deviation 13.7) (range 1­106). The majority of surgical referrals (83 [64.3%]) were for traumatic injuries, and the most frequently consulted service (52 [40.3%]) was orthopedic surgery. Just under half (48 [49%]) of referred patients attended at least 1 outpatient appointment, and only a third (33 [34%]) completed full follow-up. Conclusion: Homeless patients presenting to an emergency department and requiring surgical care were predominantly men living in shelters, most frequently seeking care for traumatic injuries. Current outpatient services may not meet the surgical care needs of these patients, as many do not access them. Alternative approaches to outpatient care must be considered, particularly among high-need services such as orthopedics, to support surgical care access among this population.

Contexte: L'utilisation des services de santé ambulatoires par les sans-abri est faible si on la compare à leurs besoins qui sont élevés; on ignore par contre s'il en va de même pour les soins chirurgicaux. Nous avons voulu décrire l'accès aux soins chirurgicaux chez les patients sans domicile fixe dans un hôpital de soins tertiaires au Canada. Méthodes: Nous avons passé en revue les dossiers médicaux de patients adultes (âge > 18 ans) sans domicile fixe ayant consulté aux urgences de l'Hôpital d'Ottawa entre le 1er janvier 2013 et le 31 décembre 2014, et pour qui une consultation en chirurgie avait été demandée. Nous avons analysé les données au moyen de statistiques descriptives. Résultats: Une consultation en chirurgie a été demandée lors de 129 visites aux urgences, pour 97 patients (77 hommes [79 %], âge moyen 46,7 ans). La plupart de ces patients vivaient dans des refuges (77 [79 %]) et bénéficiaient d'un régime d'assurance maladie provincial (82 [84 %]), mais seulement 35 (36 %) avaient un médecin de famille. Le nombre moyen de visites, toutes raisons confondues, a été de 7,9 (écart-type 13,7) (entre 1 et 106). La majorité des demandes de consultations en chirurgie (83 [64,3 %]) concernaient des lésions traumatiques et le service le plus souvent appelé en consultation (52 [40,3 %]) était la chirurgie orthopédique. Un peu moins de la moitié (48 [49 %]) des patients envoyés en consultation se sont présentés à au moins un rendez-vous en clinique externe, et seulement le tiers d'entre eux (33 [34 %]) se sont soumis au suivi complet. Conclusion: Les patients sans domicile fixe qui consultent aux urgences et ont besoin de soins chirurgicaux étaient principalement des hommes hébergés dans des refuges ayant le plus souvent consulté pour des blessures traumatiques. Les services ambulatoires actuels ne répondent peut-être pas aux besoins chirurgicaux de ces patients, car plusieurs n'y accèdent pas. Il faudrait envisager d'autres approches, particulièrement en ce qui concerne les services très en demande, comme l'orthopédie, pour faciliter l'accès aux soins chez cette population.

Complete pathological response following neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer - a case report and review.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is among the top 5 most common cancers worldwide, but is particularly devastating due to its insidious nature. Complete surgical resection remains the only potential curative treatment, although only 20 % of patients present with a resectable tumor. Patients may alternatively present with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer or locally advanced pancreatic cancer and can be offered treatment with neoadjuvant intent. The effectiveness of these treatments is unclear and there is a paucity of data to suggest one optimal treatment approach. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 61-year-old female who presented with a two-week history of obstructive jaundice in the context of vague abdominal pain that had been ongoing for years prior to her visit. CT scan of the abdomen confirmed a hypovascular mass in the uncinate process consistent with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic adenocarcinoma was confirmed with endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology. Following multidisciplinary discussion, it was recommended that she undergo treatment with FOLFIRINOX. After a total of 13 cycles, follow up CT revealed that the lesion had decreased in size and she was offered resection as a potentially curative treatment. She underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Final pathology report revealed no evidence of residual adenocarcinoma (ypT0 ypN0 (0/23)). The patient remains disease-free 15 months following surgery. CONCLUSION: To date, there have been very few reports of a complete pathological response following neoadjuvant therapy in borderline resectable or locally advanced pancreatic cancer. This report describes a unique case of a complete pathological remission in a patient with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer following FOLFIRINOX therapy alone and adds to the growing base of evidence meriting the initiation of clinical trials to assess the efficacy of FOLFIRINOX in these subsets of pancreatic cancer.

Conservative versus operative management in stable patients with penetrating abdominal trauma: the experience of a Canadian level 1 trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: The goal of conservative management (CM) of penetrating abdominal trauma is to avoid nontherapeutic laparotomies while identifying injuries early. Factors that may predict CM failure are not well established, and the experience of CM has not been well described in the Canadian context. METHODS: We searched a Canadian level 1 trauma centre database for all penetrating abdominal traumas treated between 2004 and 2014. Hemodynamically stable patients without peritonitis and without clear indications for immediate surgery were considered potential candidates for CM, and were included in the study. We compared those who were managed with CM with those who underwent immediate operative management (OM). Outcomes included mortality and length of stay (LOS). Further analysis was performed to identify predictors of CM failure. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients with penetrating abdominal trauma were classified as potential candidates for CM. Ten patients were managed with OM, and 62 with CM, with 9 (14.5%) ultimately failing CM and requiring laparotomy. The OM and CM groups were similar in terms of age, sex, injury severity, mechanism and number of injuries. There were no deaths in either group. The LOS in the intensive care (ICU)/trauma unit was 4.8 ± 3.2 days in the OM group and 2.9 ± 2.6 days in the CM group (p = 0.039). The only predictor for CM failure was intra-abdominal fluid on computed tomography (CT) scan (odds ratio 5.3, 95% confidence interval 1.01-28.19). CONCLUSION: In select patients with penetrating abdominal trauma, CM is safe and results in a reduced LOS in the ICU/trauma unit of 1.9 days. Fluid on CT scan is a predictor for failure.

CONTEXTE: L'objectif du traitement conservateur des traumatismes abdominaux pénétrants est d'éviter les laparotomies non thérapeutiques tout en ciblant rapidement les blessures. On n'a pas réussi à établir clairement des facteurs permettant de prédire la probabilité d'échec de ce type de traitement, ni bien décrit les paramètres d'utilisation de ce dernier dans le contexte canadien. MÉTHODES: Nous avons recensé dans la base de données d'un centre de traumatologie canadien de niveau 1 tous les cas de traumatismes abdominaux pénétrants traités entre 2004 et 2014. Les patients dont l'état hémodynamique était stable, qui ne souffraient pas de péritonite et qui ne nécessitaient pas manifestement une chirurgie immédiate ont été inclus dans l'étude en tant que candidats potentiels pour le traitement conservateur. Nous avons comparé les patients ayant reçu le traitement conservateur avec ceux ayant tout de suite été opérés. Nous avons entre autres évalué la mortalité et la durée de séjour. D'autres analyses ont été effectuées pour mettre en évidence des indicateurs de l'échec du traitement conservateur. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 72 patients affichant des traumatismes abdominaux pénétrants ont été classés comme des candidats potentiels pour le traitement conservateur. De ce nombre, 10 ont été opérés, et 62 ont reçu le traitement conservateur. Ce dernier a échoué chez 9 patients (14,5 %), qui ont dû subir une laparotomie. Les 2 groupes étaient semblables sur le plan de l'âge, du sexe, de la gravité des blessures et du mécanisme et du nombre de blessures. Aucun décès n'a été observé parmi les 2 groupes. La durée du séjour à l'unité de soins intensifs ou de traumatologie était de 4,8 ± 3,2 jours pour les patients ayant été opérés et de 2,9 ± 2,6 jours pour les patients ayant reçu le traitement conservateur (p = 0,039). Un seul indicateur de l'échec du traitement conservateur a été analysé, soit la présence de fluide intra-abdominal sur le tomodensitogramme (rapport de cotes 5,3; intervalle de confiance à 95 % 1,01-28,19). CONCLUSION: Chez un sous-groupe de patients souffrant de traumatismes abdominaux pénétrants, le traitement conservateur est sécuritaire et se traduit par une durée de séjour inférieure de 1,9 jour. La présence de fluide détectée par tomodensitographie est un indicateur de l'échec du traitement.

Changes in Healthcare During the Past 30 Years: Can the National Health Service in the United Kingdom Survive?

At the turn of the century, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK) was considered one of the top public healthcare systems in the world. Not only was it comprehensive and inclusive, but it was also free at the point of delivery for the entire UK population. It was also largely available to visitors and the families of residents that lived outside the UK. During the past 30 years, the NHS has received more and more funding both in cash terms and as a percentage of the gross national product. Despite this, the general consensus is that the NHS is delivering a poor service. The current government is facing unprecedented strike action from all areas of the workforce including doctors and nurses. This editorial asks the following questions: Where has the money gone? What has caused the current crisis? Can the current NHS model survive in today's highly technological healthcare environment?

Update on CVD 103-HgR single-dose, live oral cholera vaccine.

Cholera remains endemic in >50 countries, putting millions at risk, especially young children for whom killed vaccines offer limited protection. An oral, live attenuated vaccine - CVD 103-HgR (Vaxchora vaccine) - was licensed by the US FDA in 2016 for adults aged 18-64 years traveling to endemic regions, based on clinical trials in human volunteers showing the vaccine was well tolerated and conferred 90% efficacy within 10 days. The evidence base for Vaxchora vaccine has expanded with additional clinical trial data, in older adults (aged 46-64 years) and children (aged 2-17 years), demonstrating that the vaccine produces a strong vibriocidal antibody response. Over 68,000 doses have been administered in the United States, with no new safety signals. The dose volume has been reduced in children to improve acceptability, and cold chain requirements are less st ringent, at +2°C─+8°C. The vaccine has recently been licensed in the Untied States for children aged 2-17 years, in Europe for individuals aged ≥2 years, and for home administration in Europe. Next steps include a Phase 4 study in infants (6-23 months). Additional information is needed regarding duration of immunity, the need for and timing of revaccination, and efficacy data from lower-middle-income countries.