Paclitaxel-induced myocarditis presenting as new-onset heart failure.

Myocarditis with systolic dysfunction is not typically associated with paclitaxel use. Here, we present a case of paclitaxel-induced myocarditis with systolic dysfunction developing after two cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel in a woman with uterine papillary serous carcinoma and no cardiac risk factors. Myocarditis was diagnosed by cardiac MRI. The management of paclitaxel-induced myocarditis includes intravenous diuresis and initiation of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction guideline-directed medical therapy. Cessation of paclitaxel is also recommended in these patients.

Improving Resident Hospital Discharge Communication by Changing Electronic Health Record Templates to Enhance Primary Care Provider Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite use of standardized electronic health record templates, the structure of discharge summaries may hinder communication from inpatient settings to primary care providers (PCPs). We developed an enhanced electronic discharge summary template to improve PCP satisfaction with written discharge summaries targeting diagnoses, medication reconciliation, laboratory test results, specialist follow-up, and recommendations. METHODS: Resident template usage was measured using statistical process control charts. PCP reviewers' discharge summary satisfaction was surveyed using 5-point Likert scales analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Residents were surveyed for satisfaction. RESULTS: Resident template usage increased from 61% initially to 72% of discharge summaries at 6 months. The PCP reviewers reported increased satisfaction for summaries using the template compared with those without (4.3 vs 3.9, P = .003). Surveyed residents desired template inclusion in the default electronic discharge summary (93%). CONCLUSIONS: This system-level resident-initiated quality improvement initiative created a novel discharge summary template that achieved widespread usage among residents and significantly increased outpatient PCP satisfaction.

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Cancer Screening and Reduce Depression Among Low-Income Women.

Low-income women of color receive fewer cancer screenings and have higher rates of depression, which can interfere with cancer screening participation. This study assessed the comparative effectiveness of two interventions for improving colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening participation and reducing depression among underserved women in Bronx, NY, with depression. This comparative effectiveness randomized controlled trial (RCT) with assessments at study entry, 6, and 12 months utilized an intent-to-treat statistical approach. Eligible women were aged 50 to 64, screened positive for depression, and were overdue for ≥ 1 cancer screening (colorectal, breast, and/or cervical). Participants were randomized to a collaborative depression care plus cancer screening intervention (CCI + PCM) or cancer screening intervention alone (PCM). Interventions were telephone-based, available in English or Spanish, delivered over 12 months, and facilitated by a skilled care manager. Cancer screening data were extracted from electronic health records. Depression was measured with a validated self-report instrument (PHQ-9). Seven hundred fifty seven women consented and were randomized (CCI + PCM, n = 378; PCM, n = 379). Analyses revealed statistically significant increases in up-to-date status for all three cancer screenings; depression improved in both intervention groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the interventions in improving cancer screening rates or reducing depression. CCI and PCM both improved breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening and depression in clinical settings in underserved communities; however, neither intervention showed an advantage in outcomes. Decisions about which approach to implement may depend on the nature of the practice and alignment of the interventions with other ongoing priorities and resources.

Guideline adherence and reasons for recommending dose reduction in a primary care-based opioid management clinic.

BACKGROUND: To provide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guideline-recommended practices for patients on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) including individualized decisions about opioid dose reduction, we developed the Power Over Pain (POP) Clinic. OBJECTIVE: To describe frequency and reasons for opioid dose reduction and pre-post adherence to CDC guideline-recommended practices. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review with qualitative and pre-post analysis. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Patients at an urban internal medicine teaching practice-prescribed LTOT were seen at POP Clinic at least once. METHODS: Opioid dose reduction was defined by reduction in morphine-equivalent daily dose (MEDD) at 6 and 12 months after the first POP Clinic visit compared to baseline using paired t-tests. Among patients with a dose reduction, reasons documented in POP Clinic notes were qualitatively examined. Dichotomous measures of receiving four CDC guideline-recommended practices (controlled substance agreement [CSA], urine drug testing [UDT], prescription monitoring program review, and naloxone dispensing) at baseline versus 6 and 12 months were compared using McNemar's tests. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients, most were female (66 percent) and Hispanic (54 percent). Forty-three patients (61 percent) had an opioid dose reduction in 12 months after the first POP Clinic visit. The most frequent reason was low or unclear benefit of continuing the current dose (49 percent). Mean MEDD was reduced from 69 mg to 57 mg at 6 months (p < 0.01) and to 56 mg at 12 months (p < 0.01). Completing a CSA, UDT, and naloxone distribution increased at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Individualized risk assessment in a primary care-based opioid management clinic is feasible and can result in opioid dose reduction and guideline adherence.

Integrating Cancer Screening and Mental Health Services in Primary Care: Protocol and Baseline Results of a Patient-Centered Outcomes Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND: Low-income and minority women are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with preventable, late-stage cancers and suffer from depression than the general population. Intervention studies aiming to reduce depression to increase cancer screening among underserved minority women are sparse. METHODS: This patient-centered outcomes trial compared Collaborative Care Intervention plus Cancer Prevention Care Management (CCI+PCM) versus PCM alone. Participants from six Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) were interviewed at baseline, 6-and 12-month follow-up to monitor adherence to screening guidelines, depressive symptoms, quality of life, barriers to screening, and other psychosocial and health-related variables. RESULTS: Participants included 757 English-or Spanish-speaking women (ages 50-64) who screened positive for depression on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 and were not up-to-date for breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer screening. CONCLUSIONS: Study methodology and baseline participant characteristics are reported to contribute to the literature on evidence-based interventions for cancer screening among underserved, depressed women.