Direct Quantification of Gadolinium Retention in Young Patients by ICP-MS Analysis of Extracted Teeth.

In this 10-patient prospective pilot study, we show the feasibility of pragmatic direct ex vivo measurement of gadolinium retention from group II gadolinium-based contrasts agents (GBCAs) in young patients after routine tooth extraction. This noninvasive method may support future research attempting to understand the link between GBCA exposure and clinical outcomes.

Mask use among health care workers and feelings of safety at work pre- and post- COVID-19 vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Correct mask use can prevent the spread of COVID-19 and hospitals require correct mask use. Despite this, there is variation in mask use among health care workers (HCW). Incorrect mask use may lead to increased infections and decreased feelings of safety. The purpose of this study was to determine variation in mask use among HCW as well as feelings of safety from exposure to COVID-19 when around colleagues before and after COVID-19 vaccine roll out. METHODS: This study used direct observation to assess mask use in patient-facing areas before and after COVID-19 vaccine. A staff survey was used to assess feelings of safety. RESULTS: Over 1,600 mask observations showed increased compliance from 94.6% to 97.5% (P = .001). Three hundred survey responses showed significantly increased feelings of safety (P < .001) after vaccine roll out, and 203 free-text responses with respondant reasoning were categorized into 6 themes. DISCUSSION: Understanding mask use behaviors and safety attitudes of HCW can help improve policies, workplace culture, and reduce HCW to HCW infections. CONCLUSIONS: Correct mask use was a highly adopted habit in patient-facing areas. The COVID-19 vaccine led to significantly increased feelings of safety among HCW, though the diverging narratives seen in the survey may be helpful to consider when crafting safety interventions.

Characteristics of gadolinium-based contrast media cancellation at the point of care: a 15-month assessment of FDA-inspired medication guides on gadolinium retention.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-inspired patient handouts, regarding gadolinium retention, on the frequency of patient-initiated cancellations of gadolinium-based contrast media (GBCM) at the point of care. METHODS: This is a single center retrospective cohort review of MRI examinations protocolled to receive GBCM but performed without GBCM from October 2017 to January 2019. The study period spans an FDA-inspired safety intervention (December 2017 to May 2018) to provide patients with a handout on gadolinium retention. Examinations were coded according to rationale for GBCM cancellation. Process control charts were created to statistically evaluate trends in GBCM cancellations over time. RESULTS: From October 2017 to January 2019, GBCM was canceled at the point of care for 0.22% (131/58,837; 95% CI 0.19-0.26) of examinations in which GBCM was indicated. This did not significantly vary during the study period. No cancellations (0/131) were due to stated concern for gadolinium retention. However, 38% (50/131; 95% CI 30-47) were canceled due to kidney impairment and 21% (28/131; 95% CI 13-30) were canceled for an unknown reason. CONCLUSION: FDA-inspired handouts informing patients about gadolinium retention did not significantly change the frequency of GBCM cancellation. GBCM cancellations at the point of care remain uncommon.

Impact of San Francisco's toy ordinance on restaurants and children's food purchases, 2011-2012.

INTRODUCTION: In 2011, San Francisco passed the first citywide ordinance to improve the nutritional standards of children's meals sold at restaurants by preventing the giving away of free toys or other incentives with meals unless nutritional criteria were met. This study examined the impact of the Healthy Food Incentives Ordinance at ordinance-affected restaurants on restaurant response (eg, toy-distribution practices, change in children's menus), and the energy and nutrient content of all orders and children's-meal-only orders purchased for children aged 0 through 12 years. METHODS: Restaurant responses were examined from January 2010 through March 2012. Parent-caregiver/child dyads (n = 762) who were restaurant customers were surveyed at 2 points before and 1 seasonally matched point after ordinance enactment at Chain A and B restaurants (n = 30) in 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: Both restaurant chains responded to the ordinance by selling toys separately from children's meals, but neither changed their menus to meet ordinance-specified nutrition criteria. Among children for whom children's meals were purchased, significant decreases in kilocalories, sodium, and fat per order were likely due to changes in children's side dishes and beverages at Chain A. CONCLUSION: Although the changes at Chain A did not appear to be directly in response to the ordinance, the transition to a more healthful beverage and default side dish was consistent with the intent of the ordinance. Study results underscore the importance of policy wording, support the concept that more healthful defaults may be a powerful approach for improving dietary intake, and suggest that public policies may contribute to positive restaurant changes.