Spanish-Speaking Status: A Protective Factor in Colorectal Cancer Presentation at a Safety-Net Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Lower screening rates and poorer outcomes for colorectal cancer have been associated with Hispanic ethnicity and Spanish-speaking status, respectively. METHODS: We reviewed sequential colorectal cancer patients evaluated by the surgical service at a safety-net hospital (SNH) (2016-2019). Insurance type, stage, cancer type, surgery class (elective/urgent), initial surgeon contact setting (outpatient clinic/inpatient consult), operation (resection/diversion), and follow-up were compared by patient-reported primary spoken language. RESULTS: Of 157 patients, 85 (54.1%) were men, 91 (58.0%) had colon cancer, 67 (42.7%) primarily spoke Spanish, and late stage (III or IV) presentations occurred in 83 (52.9%) patients. The median age was 58 y, cancer resection was completed in 48 (30.6%) patients, and 51 (32.5%) patients were initially seen as inpatient consults. On univariate analysis, Spanish-speaking status was significantly associated with female sex, Medicaid insurance, being seen as an outpatient consult, and undergoing elective and resection surgery. On multivariable logistic regression, Spanish-speaking patients had higher odds of having Medicaid insurance (AOR 2.28, P = 0.019), receiving a resection (AOR 3.96, P = 0.006), and undergoing an elective surgery (AOR 3.24, P = 0.025). Spanish-speaking patients also had lower odds of undergoing an initial inpatient consult (AOR 0.34, P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Spanish-speaking status was associated with a lower likelihood of emergent presentation and need for palliative surgery among SNH colorectal cancer patients. Further research is needed to determine if culturally competent infrastructure in the SNH setting translates into Spanish-speaking status as a potentially protective factor.

Diverting Ostomy: For Whom, When, What, Where, and Why.

Fecal diversion is an important tool in the surgical armamentarium. There is much controversy regarding which clinical scenarios warrant diversion. Throughout this article, we have analyzed the most recent literature and discussed the most common applications for the use of a diverting stoma. These include construction of diverting ileostomy or colostomy, ostomy for low colorectal/coloanal anastomosis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticular disease, and obstructing colorectal cancer. We conclude the following: diverting loop ileostomy is preferred to loop colostomy, an ostomy should be used for a pelvic anastomosis < 5 to 6 cm including coloanal anastomosis and ileo-anal-pouch anastomosis, severe perianal Crohn's disease frequently requires diversion, a primary anastomosis with diverting ileostomy in the setting of diverticular perforation is safe, and a diverting stoma can be used as a bridge to primary resection in the setting of an obstructing malignancy.

Compliance With Surgical Oncology Specialty Care at a Safety Net Facility.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health challenge in at-risk patients seen in safety net facilities. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective review of surgical oncology specialty clinic referrals at a safety net institution evaluating referral compliance and times to first appointment and initiation of definitive treatment. Main outcomes measured included completion of initial visit, initiation of definitive treatment, time from referral to first appointment, and time from first appointment to initiation of definitive treatment. RESULTS: Of 189 new referrals, English was not spoken by 52.4% and 69.4% were Hispanic. Patients presented without insurance in 39.2% of cases. Electronic patient portal was accessed by 31.6% of patients. Of all new referrals, 55.0% arrived for initial consultation and 53.4% initiated definitive treatment. Malignant diagnosis (P < .0001) and lack of insurance (P = .01) were associated with completing initial consultation. Initiation of definitive treatment was associated with not speaking English (P = .03), malignant diagnosis (P < .0001), and lack of insurance (P = .03). Times to first appointment and initiation of definitive treatment were not significantly affected by race/ethnicity, language, insurance, treatment recommended, or electronic patient portal access. CONCLUSION: Access to surgical oncology care for at-risk patients at a safety net facility is not adversely affected by lack of insurance, primary spoken language, or race/ethnicity. However, a significant proportion of all patients fail to complete the initial consultation and definitive treatment. Lessons learned from safety net facilities may help to inform disparities in health care found elsewhere.

Resultados de un nuevo protocolo para el tratamiento de la sepsis / Results of the implementation of a new protocol for the sepsis management

RESUMEN Introducción: la sepsis es una causa importante de hospitalización con una alta tasa de mortalidad. Se produce en el 1-2 % de todas las hospitalizaciones en los Estados Unidos, afecta al menos a 750 000 personas y con un costo de $ 17 mil millones por año. Objetivo: describir el resultado de la implementación del nuevo protocolo para el tratamiento de la sepsis en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y comparativo, de dos series de casos con todos los pacientes (110) en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Cubano en Dukhan, Qatar, con diagnóstico de sepsis o shock séptico desde noviembre 2015 a junio 2017. Se dividieron en el grupo A los pacientes con el protocolo habitual y en el B los que recibieron tratamiento según el nuevo protocolo. Resultados: en el grupo B 42 pacientes (70 %) no llegaron al 90 % de cumplimiento de las medidas (aunque estuvieron por encima del 80 %) y un 30 % cumplieron el 90 % o más (p= 0,032). La mayoría de los pacientes fueron egresados vivos (103 para un 93,6 %), independientemente de los protocolos aplicados, pero la mortalidad con el nuevo protocolo fue significativamente menor ya que hubo solo un fallecido en comparación con 6 en el grupo A, p = 0,027. Conclusiones: el cumplimiento del nuevo protocolo de sepsis en Qatar disminuyó significativamente la mortalidad, a pesar de las dificultades para cumplir las directrices en más del 90 %.

ABSTRACT Introduction: sepsis is a major cause of hospitalization with a high mortality rate. It occurs in 1 % to 2 % of all hospitalizations in the United States, affecting at least 750 000 persons with a cost of $17 billion per year. Objective: to describe the implementation results of Qatar Sepsis Guideline in the Intensive Care Unit. Method: an observational descriptive retrospective and comparison study of cases series in 110 patients admitted at the intensive care unit at the Cuban Hospital in Dukhan, Qatar with diagnosis of sepsis and septic shock was done (from November 2015 to June 2017). Results: All patient of the B group were assisted according with the new protocol, 42 patients (70 %) with less than 90 % of compliance of the bundles but they were more than 80 % and 30 % of cases with more than 90 % of compliance of guidelines (p = 0.032). On the other hand the majority of patients were discharged alive, independently of the protocols used (N = 103) to 93.6 %. Conclusion: this study demonstrated that the 90 % or more compliance of Qatar Sepsis Guidelines significantly reduces the mortality; although larger series of cases studies are required.

Hemorragia pulmonar y síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda como complicaciones inusuales de la fiebre tifoidea / Pulmonary haemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome as unusual complications of typhoid fever

La hemorragia pulmonar y el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda son complicaciones infrecuentes de la fiebre tifoidea, y la endotoxemia producto de la sepsis es un factor causal común. Se describe a un paciente de sexo masculino, indio, joven, inmunocompetente, con hemorragia pulmonar, síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda y choque séptico en el curso de la fiebre tifoidea, con hemocultivos negativos y cepa de Salmonella typhi, aislada en coprocultivo, resistente a la ciprofloxacina. El paciente tuvo una respuesta satisfactoria al tratamiento convencional para el daño pulmonar con ventilación mecánica, el antibiótico por sensibilidad del antibiograma y la administración de hemoderivados.