Decreasing failed extubations with the implementation of an extubation checklist.

BACKGROUND: Failed extubation has been shown to increase ICU stay, transfers to rehabilitation facilities, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in rates of failed extubation before and after implementation of an extubation checklist. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study from January 2013-April 2017 on adult trauma patients (age 18-89) who were admitted to the ICU and required mechanical ventilation. Patients were grouped before and after implementation of an extubation checklist and compared. RESULTS: A total of 993 patients were included in this study. After checklist implementation, significantly fewer patients required reintubation compared to those prior to checklist (7% vs 3%, p = 0.005). There was no difference in mortality (20% vs 21%, p = 0.54) or hospital length of stay between the two groups (16 days vs 15 days, p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that implementing an extubation checklist is associated with fewer failed extubations.

A dual-stage approach to contaminated, high-risk ventral hernia repairs.

BACKGROUND: The Modified Hernia Grading System (MHGS) was developed to risk stratify complex ventral hernia repairs (VHRs). MHGS grade 3 patients have mesh infections, dirty or contaminated fields, and/or violation of the alimentary tract. Reported surgical site infection (SSI) rates are over 40% after single-stage VHR in contaminated fields. In an attempt to decrease the SSI rate in MHGS grade 3 patients, we developed a dual-stage VHR (DSVHR) approach. METHODS: We reviewed adult general surgery patients undergoing DSVHR between January 2010 and June 2014. All patients were MHGS grade 3. Primary end point was 30-d superficial and deep SSI. Secondary end points included other surgical site occurrences, 6-mo recurrence, and mesh excision rates. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent DSVHR. Mean age was 56 y, and median body mass index was 38.3 kg/m(2). Operative indication included enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF; n = 6), ECF with infected mesh (n = 2), infected mesh (n = 2), and VHR requiring bowel resection (n = 5). Thirty-one operative procedures were performed with median of 2.5 d between procedures. Fascial closure was re-established in 12 patients; five patients had underlay biologic mesh placement; seven underwent component separation with retrorectus mesh placement (synthetic [n = 2], biologic [n = 5]). The remaining patients underwent bridging repair with biologic mesh. One patient developed a recurrence after 6 mo, whereas a single patient had a recurrence of their ECF. Four (27%) patients developed a SSI, with an additional four (27%) experiencing a surgical site occurrence. There were no postoperative mesh infections. CONCLUSIONS: DSVHR in MHGS grade 3 patients is associated with a lower SSI rate than previously reported for those undergoing single-stage repairs.

Building a global teledermatology collaboration.

Skin disease is common in low-resource countries and is associated with significant morbidity. The disease burden is often heightened by lack of access to adequate diagnosis and treatment. Teledermatology is a growing healthcare delivery modality that allows access to subspecialty care at a distance. This article describes how a low-cost teledermatology program was launched through collaboration between the Medical College of Wisconsin and Hillside Healthcare International. Several factors are required for a teledermatology program to be successful, beginning with a partnership between two entities that targets a locally identified need and is mutually beneficial to invested partners. The program should utilize the expertise of each partner, be based on an agreed upon process with clearly defined objectives, and protect patient privacy. After a program is implemented, adaptation to address challenges and best meet the needs of all parties involved will allow for continued success and sustainability. This process can serve as a model for other programs desiring to establish similar teledermatology partnerships in an academic setting.