Examining potential Long COVID effects through utilization of healthcare resources: a retrospective, population-based, matched cohort study comparing individuals with and without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of individuals reports persistent clinical manifestations following SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) acute infection. Nevertheless, knowledge of the burden of this condition-often referred to as 'Long COVID'-on the health care system remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate healthcare utilization potentially related to Long COVID. METHODS: Population-based, retrospective, multi-center cohort study that analyzed hospital admissions and utilization of outpatient visits and diagnostic tests between adults aged 40 years and older recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection occurred between February 2020 and December 2021 and matched unexposed individuals during a 6-month observation period. Healthcare utilization was analyzed by considering the setting of care for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection [non-hospitalized, hospitalized and intensive care unit (ICU)-admitted] as a proxy for the severity of acute infection and epidemic phases characterized by different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Data were retrieved from regional health administrative databases of three Italian Regions. RESULTS: The final cohort consisted of 307 994 previously SARS-CoV-2 infected matched with 307 994 uninfected individuals. Among exposed individuals, 92.2% were not hospitalized during the acute infection, 7.3% were hospitalized in a non-ICU ward and 0.5% were admitted to ICU. Individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 (vs. unexposed), especially those hospitalized or admitted to ICU, reported higher utilization of outpatient visits (range of pooled Incidence Rate Ratios across phases; non-hospitalized: 1.11-1.33, hospitalized: 1.93-2.19, ICU-admitted: 3.01-3.40), diagnostic tests (non-hospitalized: 1.35-1.84, hospitalized: 2.86-3.43, ICU-admitted: 4.72-7.03) and hospitalizations (non-hospitalized: 1.00-1.52, hospitalized: 1.87-2.36, ICU-admitted: 4.69-5.38). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with increased use of health care in the 6 months following infection, and association was mainly driven by acute infection severity.

Analysis of factors conditioning inappropriate visits in a paediatric emergency department.

Recent studies estimated that about 20-30% of visits in a paediatric emergency department (PED) are inappropriate. Nonurgent visits have been negatively associated with crowding and costs, causing longer waiting and dissatisfaction among both parents and health workers. We aimed to analyze possible factors conditioning inappropriate visits and misuse in a PED. We performed a cross-sectional study enrolling children accessing an Italian PED from June 2022 to September 2022 who received a nonurgent code. The appropriateness of visits, as measured by the "Mattoni SSN" Project, comprises combination of the assigned triage code, the adopted diagnostic resources, and outcomes. A validated questionnaire was also administered to parents/caregivers of included children to correlate their perceptions with the risk of inappropriate visit. Data were analyzed using independent-samples t-tests, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests, chi-square tests, and Fisher's exact tests. The factors that were found to be associated with inappropriate visits to the PED were further evaluated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Almost half (44.8%) of nonurgent visits resulted inappropriate. Main reasons for parents/caregivers to take their children to PED were (1) the perceived need to receive immediate care (31.5%), (2) the chance to immediately perform exams (26.7%), and (3) the reported difficulty in contacting family paediatrician (26.3%). Inappropriateness was directly related to child's age, male gender, acute illness occurred in the previous month, and skin rash or abdominal pain as complaining symptoms.     Conclusion: This study highlights the urgent need to finalize initiatives to reduce misuse in accessing PED. Empowering parents' awareness and education in the management of the most frequent health problems in paediatric age may help to achieve this goal. What is Known: • About 20-30% of pediatric urgent visits are estimated as inappropriate. • Several factors may be associated with this improper use of the emergency department, such as the misperception of parents who tend to overrate their children's health conditions or dissatisfaction with primary care services. What is New: • This study evaluated almost half of pediatric emergency department visits as inappropriate adopting objective criteria. • Inappropriateness was directly related to the child's age, male gender, acute illness that occurred in the previous month, and skin rash or abdominal pain as complaining symptoms. Educational interventions for parents aimed at improving healthcare resource utilization should be prioritized.

Pre-pectoral Breast Reconstruction: Surgical and Patient-Reported Outcomes of Two-Stages vs Single-Stage Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Two-stages pre-pectoral breast reconstruction may confer advantages over direct to implant (DTI) and subpectoral reconstruction in selected patients who have no indication for autologous reconstruction. The primary endpoint of the study was to evaluate and compare the incidence of capsular contracture in the pre-pectoral two-stages technique versus the direct to implant technique. Complications related to the two surgical techniques and patient satisfaction were also evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective review of 45 two stages and 45 Direct-to-implant, DTI patients was completed. Acellular dermal matrix was used in all patients. An evaluation of anthropometric and clinical parameters, surgical procedures and complications was conducted. Minimum follow-up was 12 months after placement of the definitive implant. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of capsular contracture in the two groups. Rippling occurred more in DTI reconstruction. In the two-stages reconstruction, lipofilling was applied more often and there was a higher incidence of seroma. Patient satisfaction extrapolated from the Breast Q questionnaire was better for patients submitted to two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. CONCLUSION: Dual-stage pre-pectoral reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix appears to be a good reconstructive solution in patients with relative contraindications for one-stage heterologous reconstruction with definitive prosthesis and no desire for autologous reconstruction.

Second Victim Symptoms and Desired Support Strategies Among Italian Health Care Workers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Cross-Sectional Survey and Latent Profile Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The second victim (SV) phenomenon concerns health care workers (HCWs) whose involvement in a medical error, as well as non-error patient safety events, has affected their well-being. Its prevalence ranges from 10% to 75% and can predispose HCWs to burnout, increasing the probability of committing errors. The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HCWs involved in an adverse patient safety event in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (Italy). The secondary aims were to use latent profile analysis to identify profiles of SVs and factors influencing profile membership, and to evaluate the relationship between the severity of symptoms and desired support options. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey through the Italian version of the Second Victim Experience and Support Tool tool was conducted in 5 local health authorities. Descriptive statistics were conducted for all variables. Associations and correlations were assessed with statistical tests, as appropriate. Latent profile analysis was based on the scores of dimensions measuring SVs' symptoms. Factors affecting profile membership were assessed through multinomial logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 733 HCWs participated. Of them, 305 (41.6%) experienced at least 1 adverse event. Among dimensions measuring SVs' symptoms, psychological distress had the highest percentage of agreement (30.2%). Three latent profiles were identified: mild (58.7%), moderate (24.3%), and severe (17.0%) symptoms. Severe symptoms profile was positively associated with the agreement for extraoccupational support and negatively associated with the agreement for organizational support. A respected colleague with whom to discuss the details of the incident (78.7%) and free counseling outside of work (71.2%) were the support options most desired by HCWs. The severity of symptoms was directly associated with the desire for support strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HCWs involved in adverse events is consistent with the literature. Three latent profiles have been identified according to SV symptoms, and the higher the severity of symptoms, the greater the reliance on extraoccupational support.

Prepectoral Direct-To-Implant One-Stage Reconstruction With ADMs: Safety and Outcome in "Thin Patients".

BACKGROUND: Prepectoral direct-to-implant reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) represents a safe, fast, and successful option in breast reconstruction in a selected cohort of patients. Nowadays, this procedure is considered challenging in thin. Meanwhile, his cohort has not been accurately analyzed yet. METHODS: A single institution retrospective cohort study was performed between January 2019 and March 2023 in all women who underwent mastectomy. Biometrical and clinical data were recorded. Also, surgical technique, operating room (OR) time, mastectomy weights, implant choice, and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) types were properly noted. Postoperative complications represented the main topic: these were classified into early and late ones based on onset time. At least 12-month follow-up was required. A comparison between thin and ideal body mass index (BMI) populations was performed. RESULTS: Early complications did not seem to differ between the 2 groups with 37.8% and 38.9% of women having at least 1 early complication in thin and ideal-weight women, respectively (P = .919). In univariable regression analysis, compared with women with a BMI of 22.1 to 25.0, women with a BMI ≤ 22.0 were associated with an increased risk of late complications of 2.84 (1.13-7.14). Specifically, thin women appeared to have a 3-fold increased risk (OR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.08-8.18) of ripples/wrinkles compared with women with ideal weight. CONCLUSIONS: Prepectoral reconstruction with ADM in thin patients may be considered as safe as in standard BMI patients. Rippling may be more frequent, but, whenever needed, easy to correct with a few sessions of lipo-grafts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.