Parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders induced by drugs in the adult population: a review about iatrogenic medication effects.

Parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders (SRMD) are major causes of sleep disorders and may be drug induced. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature to examine the association between drug use and the occurrence of parasomnias and SRMD. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for reporting systematic reviews, we searched PubMed databases between January 2020 and June 2023. The searches retrieved 937 records, of which 174 publications were selected for full-text screening and 73 drugs were identified. The most common drug-induced parasomnias were nightmares and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorders and sleepwalking. In terms of drug-induced SRMD, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorders (PLMD), and sleep-related bruxism were most frequent. Medications that inhibit noradrenergic, serotonergic, or orexin transmission could induce REM sleep (e.g., nightmares). Regarding sleepwalking, dysregulation of serotoninergic neurone activity is implicated. Antipsychotics are mentioned, as well as medications involved in the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathway. A mechanism of desensitisation-autoregulation of GABA receptors on serotoninergic neurones is a hypothesis. SRMD and PLMD could involve medications disrupting the dopamine pathway (e.g., antipsychotics or opioids). Opioids would act on mu receptors and increase dopamine release. The role of adenosine and iron is also hypothesised. Regarding bruxism, the hypotheses raised involve dysregulation of mesocortical pathway or a downregulation of nigrostriatal pathway, related to medications involving dopamine or serotonin. Parasomnias are rarely identified in drug product labels, likely due to the recent classification of their diagnoses. An analysis of pharmacovigilance data could be valuable to supplement existing literature data.

A novel imaging scoring method for identifying facial canal dehiscence: an ultra-high-resolution CT study.

OBJECTIVES: Facial canal dehiscence (FCD), typically found in the tympanic segment, is a risk factor for facial nerve injury. An imaging scoring method was proposed to identify FCD based on ultra-high-resolution CT. METHODS: Forty patients (21 females and 19 males, mean age 44.3 ± 17.4 years), whose tympanic facial canal (FC) was examined during otological surgery, were divided into the FCD group (n = 29) and the control group (n = 11) based on surgical findings. Imaging appearance of tympanic FC was scored 0-3: 0 = no evident bony covering, 1 = discontinuous bony covering with linear deficiency, 2 = discontinuous bony covering with dotted deficiency, and 3 = continuous bony covering. Both lateral and inferior walls were assigned a score as LFCD and IFCD, respectively. An FCD score was calculated as LFCD + IFCD. The diagnostic value of the FCD score was tested using the ROC curve. RESULTS: The inter-observer agreement was moderate for the lateral wall (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.416, 95% CI 0.193-0.639), and good for the inferior wall (Cohen's κ coefficient 0.702, 95% CI 0.516-0.888). In the FCD group, the most common appearance for both walls was discontinuous bony covering with linear deficiency (LFCD = 1, 22/29, 75.9%; IFCD = 1, 15/29, 51.7%). An FCD score of less than 4 was associated with high sensitivity (0.82) and specificity (0.93) for identifying FCD, with an AUC of 0.928. CONCLUSIONS: Using the proposed scoring method, FCD score < 4 could identify FCD of the tympanic segment with high concordance with surgical findings. KEY POINTS: • Imaging appearance of the tympanic facial canal (FC) is divided into four types based on ultra-high-resolution CT images. • The most common appearance of FC with facial canal dehiscence (FCD) is discontinuous bony covering with linear deficiency. • An FCD score, consisting of scores of the lateral and inferior walls, less than 4 is highly indicative of FCD.

The Effect of the Drug-Related Problems Prevention Bundle on Early Readmissions in Patients From the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Drug-related problems (DRPs) are prevalent and avoidable disease that patients experience due to drug use or nonuse. However, secondary prevention policies have not yet been systematized. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical impact of a secondary prevention bundle for DRPs in patients who visited the emergency department (ED) for medicine-related problems. METHODS: A single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted from August 28, 2019, to January 28, 2021, with 1-month follow-up. We included 769 adult patients who visited ED with a DRP associated with cardiovascular, alimentary tract, and metabolic system medications. For the intervention group, a DRP prevention bundle, consisting of a combined strategy initiated in the ED was applied. Patients in the control group received standard pharmaceutical care. Intervention was evaluated in terms of 30-day hospital readmission due to any cause. RESULTS: Final analysis included 769 patients, of which 68 (8.8%) were readmitted within 30 days (control group, 40 of 386 [cumulative incidence: 10.4%]; intervention group, 28 of 383 [cumulative incidence, 7.3%]). After adjustment of the model for chronic heart failure, there was a lower incidence of hospital readmission among patients in the intervention group compared with those in the control group, odds ratio: 0.59 [95% confidence interval: 0.37-0.97]; number needed to treat (NNT) = 32. No significant differences in other outcomes were observed. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: In this clinical trial, DRP prevention bundle in adjusted analysis decreased the rate of 30-day hospital readmission for any cause in patients who visited ED for a DRP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03607097).

Early hyperbaric oxygen therapy is associated with favorable outcome in patients with iatrogenic cerebral arterial gas embolism: systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) caused by invasive medical procedures may be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Previous studies suggested that initiation of HBOT within 6-8 h is associated with higher probability of favorable outcome, when compared to time-to-HBOT beyond 8 h. We performed a group level and individual patient level meta-analysis of observational studies, to evaluate the relationship between time-to-HBOT and outcome after iatrogenic CAGE. METHODS: We systematically searched for studies reporting on time-to-HBOT and outcome in patients with iatrogenic CAGE. On group level, we meta-analyzed the differences between median time-to-HBOT in patients with favorable versus unfavorable outcome. On individual patient level, we analyzed the relationship between time-to-HBOT and probability of favorable outcome in a generalized linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: Group level meta-analysis (ten studies, 263 patients) shows that patients with favorable outcome were treated with HBOT 2.4 h (95% CI 0.6-9.7) earlier than patients with unfavorable outcome. The generalized linear mixed effects model (eight studies, 126 patients) shows a significant relationship between time-to-HBOT and probability of favorable outcome (p = 0.013) that remains significant after correcting for severity of manifestations (p = 0.041). Probability of favorable outcome decreases from approximately 65% when HBOT is started immediately, to 30% when HBOT is delayed for 15 h. CONCLUSIONS: Increased time-to-HBOT is associated with decreased probability of favorable outcome in iatrogenic CAGE. This suggests that early initiation of HBOT in iatrogenic CAGE is of vital importance.

Development of a cross-artificial intelligence system for identifying intraoperative anatomical landmarks and surgical phases during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Attention to anatomical landmarks in the appropriate surgical phase is important to prevent bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Therefore, we created a cross-AI system that works with two different AI algorithms simultaneously, landmark detection and phase recognition. We assessed whether landmark detection was activated in the appropriate phase by phase recognition during LC and the potential contribution of the cross-AI system in preventing BDI through a clinical feasibility study (J-SUMMIT-C-02). METHODS: A prototype was designed to display landmarks during the preparation phase and Calot's triangle dissection. A prospective clinical feasibility study using the cross-AI system was performed in 20 LC cases. The primary endpoint of this study was the appropriateness of the detection timing of landmarks, which was assessed by an external evaluation committee (EEC). The secondary endpoint was the correctness of landmark detection and the contribution of cross-AI in preventing BDI, which were assessed based on the annotation and 4-point rubric questionnaire. RESULTS: Cross-AI-detected landmarks in 92% of the phases where the EEC considered landmarks necessary. In the questionnaire, each landmark detected by AI had high accuracy, especially the landmarks of the common bile duct and cystic duct, which were assessed at 3.78 and 3.67, respectively. In addition, the contribution to preventing BDI was relatively high at 3.65. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-AI system provided landmark detection at appropriate situations. The surgeons who previewed the model suggested that the landmark information provided by the cross-AI system may be effective in preventing BDI. Therefore, it is suggested that our system could help prevent BDI in practice. Trial registration University Hospital Medical Information Network Research Center Clinical Trial Registration System (UMIN000045731).

Development of an artificial intelligence system for real-time intraoperative assessment of the Critical View of Safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The Critical View of Safety (CVS) was proposed in 1995 to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The achievement of CVS was evaluated subjectively. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system to evaluate CVS scores in LC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AI software was developed to evaluate the achievement of CVS using an algorithm for image classification based on a deep convolutional neural network. Short clips of hepatocystic triangle dissection were converted from 72 LC videos, and 23,793 images were labeled for training data. The learning models were examined using metrics commonly used in machine learning. RESULTS: The mean values of precision, recall, F-measure, specificity, and overall accuracy for all the criteria of the best model were 0.971, 0.737, 0.832, 0.966, and 0.834, respectively. It took approximately 6 fps to obtain scores for a single image. CONCLUSIONS: Using the AI system, we successfully evaluated the achievement of the CVS criteria using still images and videos of hepatocystic triangle dissection in LC. This encourages surgeons to be aware of CVS and is expected to improve surgical safety.

Spinal intradural arachnoid cyst as a complication of insertion of an interspinous device.

Spinal intradural arachnoid cysts (SACs) account for approximately 10% of total arachnoid cysts, and iatrogenic attribution is rare. A 50-year-old male presented with low back pain and severe radiating pain in his right leg along the S1 dermatome. He had an interspinous device (ISD) inserted 10 years earlier. Plain radiographs showed breakage and angular movement of the ISD at L4/5. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine disclosed multiple intradural cystic tumors in the entire lumbar region. He underwent removal of the ISD, laminectomy, and resection of the intradural cyst. The pathologic finding of the cystic tumor was compatible with arachnoid cyst. Antibodies to parasites, including cysticercosis, were negative in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The ventral surface of the implant was clearly broken.

Iatrogenic nerve injury in primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic nerve injury in orthopedic surgery can impair functional outcomes. During the last years, a steady increase in the number of performed reverse total shoulder arthroplasties has been reported and complications associated with this procedure are continuously described. Neurological complications, however, remain underreported. The aims of this study were to calculate the incidence of iatrogenic nerve injury after primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in a large patient cohort, as well as identify associated patient-and surgery-related risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of our institution's internal Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (RTSA) database from September 2005 to December 2019 was undertaken and 34 patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries were identified, resulting in a neurological complication rate of 2.6%. Group comparisons between patients with nerve injuries (n = 34) and the remaining cohort without nerve injuries (n = 1275) were performed to identify patient- and surgery-related risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 34 cases with iatrogenic nerve injury, damage to terminal nerve branches occurred in 21 patients, whereas a brachial plexus lesion was diagnosed in the other 13. Nerve revision surgery was necessary in four patients. At final follow-up 13 patients (45%) had residual motor deficits and 17 (59%) had residual sensory deficits. Higher numbers of previous surgeries of the affected shoulder correlated with subsequent nerve injury (p = 0.035). Operative time was significantly longer in patients, who developed a neurologic deficit, showing a correlation between duration of surgery and occurrence of nerve injury (p = 0.013). Patients with neurologic complications were significantly younger than patients without nerve damage (median 68 vs. 72 years, p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: In specialists' hands reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is a rather safe procedure regarding the risk of neurologic injury. However, multiple previous surgeries of the affected shoulder increase the risk of neurological complications. Cases with post-operative neurologic compromise are rare and usually recover well, with few patients suffering long-term functional deficits from iatrogenic nerve injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

The Implication of Stem Cells in Direct Pulp Capping: Where Do We Stand?

Direct pulp capping has been established as a more conservative alternative to root canal therapy, especially in case of an iatrogenic or traumatic exposure of the dental pulp. However, recent literature focuses on regeneration therapies to develop a physiological dentin barrier. The process of tissue regeneration through stem cell therapy involves a complex interaction between stem cells, growth factors and scaffolds known as the 'tissue engineering triad'. Recent advancements in stem cell therapy focus on the re programming of stem cells, development of scaffolds and enhancement of the regenerative potential of these stem cells, using appropriate growth factors and transfer media. This article provides a summary of the current evidence regarding the use of stem cell therapy in direct pulp capping. The sources of stem cells, types of scaffolds and growth factors have been described in detail along with the limitations and future prospects.

Facial paralysis and vaccinations: a vaccine adverse event reporting system review.

BACKGROUND: Vaccinations are a cornerstone of preventative medicine in the USA. However, growing concerns regarding facial nerve palsy following vaccination exist. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the occurrence of facial palsy as reported by the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the VAERS database was performed for cases of 'Facial Palsy', 'Bell's Palsy', 'Facial Paralysis' and 'Ramsay Hunt Syndrome' between 2009 and 2018. Subgroup analysis was performed to determine gender, age, history of facial palsy, type of vaccine used, number of days until onset of symptoms and overall facial palsy rate. RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty-four entries met our inclusion criteria with 961 vaccine administrations resulting in facial paralysis. Facial palsy following vaccinations was evenly distributed across all age cohorts with two peaks between 60 and 74 years old and between 0 and 14 years old. Most patients were female (N = 526, 55.7%) without a reported history of facial palsy (N = 923, 97.8%). In 2009, reported incidence rate was 0.53%, as compared with 0.23% in 2018. The influenza vaccine had the greatest number of cases (N = 166, 17.3%), followed by the varicella (N = 87, 9.1%) and human papillomavirus vaccines (N = 47, 4.9%). CONCLUSIONS: With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and recent approvals of the vaccinations, there is growing concern of facial palsy following vaccination. Although it is a known adverse event following vaccination, the likelihood of facial palsy following vaccination is low, with only 0.26% of overall reported cases over a 10-year span.

Acute Mesenteric Ischemia in COVID-19 While Receiving Prophylactic Enoxaparin.

COVID-19 infection is known to cause thromboembolic complications. This is why patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are put on prophylactic anticoagulation. We present the case of a Caucasian woman, aged 71 years, with risk factors of class 1 obesity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, initially admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia, and later developed acute mesenteric ischemia followed by pulmonary embolism. These incidents occurred while the patient was receiving high-dose prophylactic enoxaparin (40 mg twice daily). COVID-19 associated acute mesenteric ischemia is a complication with high mortality. Therefore, high suspicion, early recognition, and surgical management is necessary. Apart from that, this case emphasizes the question of whether there is a need for proactively administering therapeutic anticoagulation for high thrombotic risk COVID-19 patients to prevent deadly complications.

Outcomes of Vasoconstrictor-Induced Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia of Colon: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is due to mesenteric arterial hypoperfusion from several causes, such as hypovolemia, heart failure, shock, vasoconstrictors, and severe liver or renal disease. Vasoconstrictor-induced NOMI is usually iatrogenic or associated with cocaine use. OBJECTIVES: Anecdotal reports suggest that cocaine-induced NOMI has the highest mortality among vasoconstrictors. This review aims to compare the outcomes of colonic NOMI secondary to cocaine versus other vasoconstrictors. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE from inception through October 2016 to find articles on colonic NOMI. The study's primary outcomes were mortality and hospital length of stay (LOS), while secondary outcomes included the need for surgery. We reported descriptive statistics as percentages or median and interquartile range (IQR). We compared continuous data with the Mann-Whitney test and categorical data with Fisher's exact test; P < 0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Of the 59 studies, 20 case reports and 3 case series (n= 27 patients) met the inclusion criteria. There was no difference in mortality between cocaine-induced NOMI and non-cocaine NOMI (P=1.0). There were statistically significant differences between cocaine and non-cocaine vasoconstrictor-induced colonic NOMI regarding surgery (60% vs. 5.8%, P=0.03) and median LOS (7 days vs. 4 days, P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Cocaine-induced NOMI and non-cocaine NOMI both appear to have a relatively high but similar mortality rate, but the former is associated with increased requirement for surgery and LOS; prompt recognition of this clinical entity is required to improve outcomes.

Iatrogenic Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Lesions: What Is Their Impact and How Can It Be Measured?

Infarct volume in acute ischemic stroke is closely linked with clinical outcome, with larger infarct volumes being associated with a worse prognosis. Small iatrogenic infarcts, which can occur as a result of surgical or endovascular procedures, are often only seen on diffusion-weighted MR imaging. They often do not lead to any overtly appreciable clinical deficits, hence the term covert or silent infarcts. There is relative paucity of data on the clinical impact of periprocedural hyperintense diffusion-weighted MR imaging lesions, partly because they commonly remain undiagnosed. Clearly, a better understanding of iatrogenic periprocedural diffusion-weighted MR imaging lesions and their clinical significance is needed. In this article, we describe the current limitations of our understanding of the significance of iatrogenic diffusion-weighted MR imaging lesions using exemplary data from the ENACT trial (Safety and Efficacy of NA-1 in Patients With Iatrogenic Stroke After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair) and outline a framework for how to investigate their clinical impact.

Foreign body reaction toward hydrophilic polymer at the site of endovascular procedure: A report of two cases.

Hydrophilic polymer-coated devices have been increasingly utilized for various endovascular procedures, however not been without adverse effects. We report two cases of subacute cutaneous lesions on the neck encountered in our dermatology clinic. Histopathologic findings were significant for a nodular aggregate of epithelioid histiocytes and lymphocytes with numerous foreign body giant cells in the dermis. The granulomatous infiltrate was associated with an amorphous basophilic non-polarizable material. Further chart review reveals both patients receiving a central venous procedure in the past, thus attributing the hydrophilic polymers as the likely source of the foreign material found at the insertion site. Our cases contrast to the more commonly reported distal embolization by these hydrophilic polymer layers. We suspect the incidence of retained hydrophilic polymer at the site of prior endovascular procedures may be underreported in the literature with the more inconspicuous presentations. Therefore, retained foreign material should be considered by both treating physicians and dermatopathologists in presenting cases of lesions that occur at common sites of endovascular procedures.

Iatrogenic medication errors reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic medication errors are a cause of medical morbidity and mortality. They result in significant cost to the Australian healthcare system each year. There is limited Australian evidence describing the iatrogenic errors occurring within the hospital system. AIMS: To examine and describe iatrogenic medication errors occurring in Victorian healthcare settings through the analysis of referrals to a state Poisons Information Centre (PIC). METHODS: A retrospective review of iatrogenic medication errors reported to the Victorian PIC (VPIC) from community and hospital healthcare settings from January 2015 to December 2019. RESULTS: Over a 5-year period, 357 iatrogenic errors were identified, 63% (n = 224) of which occurred in a hospital setting. The remaining errors occurred in a community healthcare setting. One in five patients were symptomatic from the medication error at the time of the call to the VPIC, and a change in management was required in 45% (n = 165) of all cases. Five percent (n = 17) of patients developed moderate to severe clinical toxicity as determined by the recorded poisoning severity score, and 88% (n = 18) of these required critical care management. Incorrect medication dosing accounted for 62% (n = 221) of errors. Common medication dosing errors included: double dose (51%, n = 114), incorrect medication administered (14%, n = 49), incorrect route (9%, n = 31), incorrect patient (6%, n = 22) and adult dose given to a child (4%, n = 15). CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic errors are occurring in the Victorian health care system. These errors can result in serious morbidity. Identification of causative factors and investment in preventative strategies will likely reduce associated morbidity and healthcare costs.

Association of Resident Shift Length with Procedural Complications.

BACKGROUND: Training programs for resident physicians struggle to balance the need for clinical experience with the impact of fatigue on patient safety. The length of shifts worked by emergency medicine (EM) residents is likely an important determinant of resident fatigue. OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact of a longer clinical shift on procedural competency. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of arterial line placements, central venous catheterizations, tube thoracostomies, endotracheal intubations, and lumbar punctures performed by EM residents working 12-h shifts in the emergency department of an academic medical center over an academic year. We compared complication rates between procedures performed in the first 8 vs. the last 4 h of a 12-h shift. Procedures without complication were defined as successful on first-pass attempt and without a downstream mechanical or medical complication. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to simultaneously control for possible confounders affecting procedure success. RESULTS: We identified 548 eligible procedures: 307 performed in the first 8 h of a 12-h shift and 241 in the last 4 h. The complication rate across all procedures was higher in the last 4 h of the shift (pooled risk ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.67). This effect persisted when adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted risk ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 1.19-1.69). CONCLUSION: Overall, complication rates of included procedures performed by EM residents were higher during the last 4 vs. first 8 h of a 12-h shift. Training programs should consider the impact of resident fatigue on patient safety when making work schedules.

[Fluorescence lymphangiography in the diagnosis and navigated microsurgical treatment of iatrogenic lymph vessel lesion]. / Fluoreszenzlymphangiographie in Diagnostik und navigierter mikrochirurgischer Therapie iatrogener Lymphgefäßläsionen.

Injuries of lymph vessels can occur due to trauma or surgery and may result in significant difficulties for patients. Wound healing is often severely impaired and patients may need extensive surgical treatment. A case of iatrogenic lymph vessel injury after excision of a skin tumor in the axillary region is reported, as is the reconstructive procedure by lymphaticovenous anastomosis.

[Iatrogenic risk in medical practice. About a clinical case report of urinary lithiasis.] / Le cas clinique du mois. Le risque iatrogène dans la pratique médicale. Le point sur le sujet à propos d'un cas de lithiase urinaire.

A case of simple urinary lithiasis resulting in several severe complications is reported to illustrate the problem of iatrogeny in medical practice. It demonstrates the iatrogenic risk related to any medical treatment, including simple procedures. It is critical to identify the kind of iatrogenic events and their severity to reduce their medical, economical or medico-legal impact for the patient, the physicians and the health care system.

Un cas clinique de lithiase urinaire pourtant banal évoluant vers des complications en cascade est décrit pour illustrer l'importance du risque iatrogène dans la pratique médicale courante. Cet exemple, parmi tant d'autres, démontre le risque inhérent à la prise en charge des pathologies et aux actes médicaux, même lorsque ceux-ci semblent anodins. Il est essentiel d'identifier la nature et la sévérité des événements iatrogènes de façon à réduire l'impact clinique, financier ou médico-légal pour le patient, le clinicien et le système de santé publique.

A 2-year point-prevalence surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and antimicrobial use in Ferrara University Hospital, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) represent one of the leading issues to patient safety as well as a significant economic burden. Similarly, Antimicrobial Use (AMU) and Resistance (AMR) represent a growing threat to global public health and the sustainability of healthcare services. METHODS: A Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) following the 2016 ECDC protocol for HAI prevalence and AMU was conducted at Ferrara University Hospital (FUH). Data were collected by a team of trained independent surveyors in 2016 and 2018. Risk factors independently associated with HAI were assessed by a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 1102 patients surveyed, 115 (10.4%) had an active HAI and 487 (44.2%) were on at least 1 systemic antimicrobial agent. Factors independently associated with increased HAI risk were a "Rapidly Fatal" McCabe score (expected fatal outcome within 1 year), presence of medical devices (PVC, CVC, indwelling urinary catheter or mechanically assisted ventilation) and a length of hospital stay of at least 1 week. The most frequent types of HAI were pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections. Antimicrobial resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was observed in about 60% of Enterobacteriaceae. CONCLUSIONS: The survey reports a high prevalence of HAI and AMU in FUH. Repeated PPSs are useful to control HAIs and AMU in large acute-care hospitals, highlighting the main problematic factors and allowing planning for improvement actions.

Pelvic examination: an iatrogenic cause of microscopic hematuria in women?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Microscopic hematuria (MH) in women is a common incidental finding that can trigger morbid and costly investigation. Identifying non-pathologic etiologies of MH may help limit unnecessary investigation. Our study aimed to determine whether pelvic examination (PE) increases the prevalence of MH in women. METHODS: Between May 2018 and October 2018, 157 women > 18 years of age and presenting to the Obstetrics and Gynecology private clinics at a tertiary care center were approached and asked to provide two urine samples: one before PE and one after. Samples were then analyzed to asses for the presence of MH. The McNemar test was used to evaluate whether the conversion from no MH to MH could be attributed to PE rather than to chance. An associated p < 0.05 was determined to be significant. Chi-square test was used to determine whether this conversion is influenced by age and menopausal status. RESULTS: Thirteen women (8.3%) had MH before PE. Of 144 participants with no initial MH, 22 (15.3%) had MH after PE. PE was significantly correlated with the conversion from no MH to MH (p = 0.002). The conversion from no MH to MH following PE was not correlated with age (p = 0.451) or menopausal status (p = 0.411). CONCLUSIONS: PE performed within an hour before urinalysis was found to be a risk factor for MH in women.