The neglected ones: Time at home during COVID-19 and child maltreatment.

The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic led to extreme social isolation, precarious employment and job loss, working from home while tending to children, and limited access to public services. The confluence of these factors likely affects child health and well-being. We combine early release child maltreatment reports in Indiana with unique and newly available mobile phone movement data to better understand the relationship between staying at home intensively during the COVID-19 pandemic and child maltreatment. Our findings indicate that the prolonged stays at home promoted by the early public health response to COVID-19 resulted in reductions in child maltreatment reports overall and substantiated reports of maltreatment. However, relative to areas that stayed home less, children in areas that stayed home more were more likely to be both reported for and a confirmed victim of maltreatment, particularly neglect. These areas have historically been socioeconomically advantaged and experienced lower rates of maltreatment. We only observe increases in confirmed child maltreatment in metropolitan counties, suggesting that the effects of staying home on child maltreatment may reflect both the differential risk of leaving home and access to services in metropolitan-rather than non-metropolitan-counties. Staying at home has been challenging for many families. Families likely need assistance as the pandemic persists, evolves, and when it ends.

Management of Latent Tuberculosis Infection Among Healthcare Workers: 10-Year Experience at a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: The risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis among healthcare workers (HCWs) is estimated to be higher than the general population. However, HCW acceptance and compliance with available latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment regimens has been problematic. Recently, regimens have become available that might improve HCW acceptance and compliance with LTBI treatment. METHODS: A retrospective single-center review of Employee Health and Wellness Services records of all HCWs diagnosed with LTBI was conducted. HCWs diagnosed with LTBI were offered 9-month isoniazid (INH), 4-month rifampin (RIF), weekly rifapentine/isoniazid (RPT/INH) for 12 weeks, or no treatment. Acceptance, completion rates, and side effects were reported for each regimen. Comparisons of regimens were assessed using Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2014, 363 of 927 (39%) HCWs diagnosed with LTBI accepted treatment. Of 363, 202 chose INH, 106 RIF, and 55 RPT/INH. Completion rates for each regimen were 58%, 80%, and 87%, respectively. HCWs were significantly more likely to have completed treatment with RIF (P < .0001) or RPT/INH (P < .0001) than INH. Rates of discontinuation owing to side effects were 35% for INH, 21% for RIF, and 10% for RPT/INH. Discontinuation of therapy due to side effects was significantly more frequent in the INH than the RPT/INH group (P = .0042). CONCLUSIONS: Completion of RIF and RPT/INH for LTBI in an HCW population is more likely than INH. Rates of discontinuation due to side effects were lower among those taking RPT/INH. Shorter LTBI treatment regimens should be more widely considered for HCWs in the United States.

A comparative study to evaluate a simple method for the management of postoperative bleeding following palatoplasty.

Bleeding, is one of the most common postoperative complications after palatoplasty in patients with cleft palate. The purpose of this article is to present our experience using a Foley catheter balloon for perioperative palatoplasty bleeding management. A retrospective data analysis was performed for all cases of palatoplasty performed by the author from 1999 to 2012 that experienced postoperative hemorrhage. These patients were managed by utilizing posterior nasal compression with a Foley catheter balloon for the period 2006 to 2012. We have compared two methods (we use before 2006 the reoperative method) with regards to the later development of palatal fistulae and cases with reoperative hemostasis. The study found no statistically significant differences between the conventional and proposed method in relation to the development of palatal fistulae (P=0.7). These findings suggest that nasal packing using a Foley balloon is a safe and effective method for postoperative bleeding control after palatoplasty in patients with cleft palate.

Volunteers in plastic surgery guidelines for providing surgical care for children in the less developed world: part II. Ethical considerations.

BACKGROUND: Many international volunteer groups provide free reconstructive plastic surgery for the poor and underserved in developing countries. An essential issue in providing this care is that it meets consistent guidelines for both quality and safety-a topic that has been addressed previously. An equally important consideration is how to provide that care in an ethical manner. No literature presently addresses the various issues involved in making those decisions. METHODS: With these ethical considerations in mind, the Volunteers in Plastic Surgery Committee of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Foundation undertook a project to create a comprehensive set of guidelines for volunteer groups planning to provide this type of reconstructive plastic surgery in developing countries. The committee worked in conjunction with the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia on this project. RESULTS: The Board of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Foundation has approved the ethical guidelines created for the delivery of care in developing countries. The guidelines address the variety of ethical decisions that may be faced by a team working in an underdeveloped country. These guidelines make it possible for a humanitarian effort to anticipate the types of ethical decisions that are often encountered and be prepared to deal with them appropriately. CONCLUSIONS: Any group seeking to undertake an international mission trip in plastic surgery should be able to go to one source to find a detailed discussion of the perceived needs in providing ethical humanitarian care. This document was created to satisfy that need and is a companion to our original guidelines addressing safety and quality.

Volunteers in plastic surgery guidelines for providing surgical care for children in the less developed world.

BACKGROUND: A significant need is met by volunteer groups who provide free reconstructive plastic surgery for underserved children in developing countries. However, at present there are no consistent guidelines for volunteer groups in plastic surgery seeking to provide high-quality and safe care. METHODS: With these quality and safety standards in mind, in 2006, the Volunteers in Plastic Surgery Committee of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation undertook a project to develop a detailed set of guidelines for volunteer groups from developed countries seeking to provide plastic surgery services to children in developing countries. To make the guidelines include both surgical and anesthetic needs, they were developed in conjunction with the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia. RESULTS: Guidelines for the delivery of plastic surgery care by volunteer groups to developing countries have been reviewed and approved by the boards of both organizations (the American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation and the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia). These include guidelines for the initial site visit, site and patient selection, staff and equipment that should be available, and procedures that can be safely performed based on the site and available facilities. Guidelines for assessment of outcomes, dealing with adverse outcomes, and quality improvement are also provided. CONCLUSIONS: Any plastic surgery group undertaking an international mission trip should be able to go to one source to find a detailed discussion of the perceived needs in providing high-quality, safe care for children. The present document was created to satisfy this need.