Temporary Balloon Occlusion for Hepatic Arterial Flow Redistribution during Yttrium-90 Radioembolization.

This case series describes an approach for radiation segmentectomy-style treatment of hepatic tumors fed by arteries unsuitable for catheterization. The 15-patient cohort (17 cases from 2015 to 2018) included those diagnosed with liver tumors (14 hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 cholangiocarcinoma, 1 renal-cell carcinoma, and 1 metastatic colorectal carcinoma) and chosen for radioembolization via a multimodal approach. In each case, a balloon microcatheter was used to temporarily redistribute intrahepatic flow during infusion for enhanced radioembolic agent delivery to the tumor. A median of 199 Gy was delivered to a median of 3% of total liver volume. Based on modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors, 11 cases had complete responses and 6 had partial responses.

Application of a Telecolposcopy Program in Rural Settings.

BACKGROUND: Individuals in rural areas are often restricted by the amount of physicians' availability, thus limiting access to healthcare in those settings. INTRODUCTION: While Pap smear screening has increased across the United States, the rural South still reports high rates of cervical cancer and mortality. One solution to improve patient outcomes related to cervical cancer in rural settings is telecolposcopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with abnormal Pap results or an abnormal visual examination needing an evaluation by colposcopy were referred to a hospital-based telecolposcopy program. Descriptive data are provided that include patients' access to care based on travel time and transportation costs. RESULTS: Over a 15-month time period, 940 unique patients were seen using telecolposcopy. Telecolposcopy was done at eight spoke sites across Arkansas representing patients from 72 of the 75 counties. Data for risk factors that include smoking, first sexual experience, and number of sexual partners in past 12 months and in a lifetime are discussed. Pap results and impression are provided. In addition, avoided transportation costs and travel time have been calculated and included. DISCUSSION: Cervical cancer is important public health concern especially for women residing in rural areas. We were able to demonstrate that our telecolposcopy program has provided sustainability statewide since its inception and that patients are willing to participate. In addition to providing increased access to care, the program also reduced travel time and costs associated with a face-to-face visit. CONCLUSION: Telecolposcopy should be further explored and utilized in rural settings as a way to reduce patient costs and improve cervical cancer outcomes.

Changes in school environments with implementation of Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003.

Changes in school nutrition and physical activity policies and environments are important to combat childhood obesity. Arkansas Act 1220 of 2003 was among the first and most comprehensive statewide legislative initiatives to combat childhood obesity through school-based change. Annual surveys of principals and superintendents have been analyzed to document substantial and important changes in school environments, policies, and practices. For example, results indicate that schools are more likely to require that healthy options be provided for student parties (4.5% in 2004, 36.9% in 2008; P

Impact of a smoke-free hospital campus policy on employee and consumer behavior.

OBJECTIVE: Although smoke-free hospital campuses can provide a strong health message and protect patients, they are few in number due to employee retention and public relations concerns. We evaluated the effects of implementing a clean air policy on employee attitudes, recruitment, and retention; hospital utilization; and consumer satisfaction in 2003 through 2005. METHODS: We conducted research at a university hospital campus with supplemental data from an affiliated hospital campus. Our evaluation included (1) measurement of employee attitudes during the year before and year after policy implementation using a cross-sectional, anonymous survey; (2) focus group discussions held with supervisors and security personnel; and (3) key informant interviews conducted with administrators. Secondary analysis included review of employment records and exit interviews, and monitoring of hospital utilization and patient satisfaction data. RESULTS: Employee attitudes toward the policy were supportive (83.3%) at both institutions and increased significantly (89.8%) at post-test at the university hospital campus. Qualitatively, administrator and supervisor attitudes were similarly favorable. There was no evidence on either campus of an increase in employee separations or a decrease in new hiring after the policy was implemented. On neither campus was there a change in bed occupancy or mean daily census. Standard measures of consumer satisfaction were also unchanged at both sites. CONCLUSION: A campus-wide smoke-free policy had no detrimental effect on measures of employee or consumer attitudes or behaviors.

Surfactant administration acutely affects cerebral and systemic hemodynamics and gas exchange in very-low-birth-weight infants.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether surfactant administration affects cerebral and systemic hemodynamics and gas exchange in very low birth weight infants and to determine the predominant factor influencing changes in mean cerebral blood flow velocity (mCBFv) after surfactant instillation. STUDY DESIGN: Fourteen very low birth weight infants with respiratory distress syndrome had continuous monitoring of mCBFv, Paco(2), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and Pao(2) before, during, and after the second dose of surfactant. Peak values and relative changes of the 4 variables for 45 minutes after surfactant were calculated. Logistic regression was used to determine the predominant factor influencing changes in mCBFv after surfactant. RESULTS: Birth weight was 832 +/- 162 grams and gestational age was 25.7 +/- 1.5 weeks. The time from birth to monitoring was 6.9 +/- 1.0 hours. Mean CBFv increased 75.7% +/- 51.6% after surfactant and peaked at 14.4 +/- 5.9 minutes. Paco(2) was highly associated (OR=107.3, P <.0001) with mCBFv; as Paco(2) increased, mCBFv increased. In contrast, MABP (OR=6.7, P=.047) had less impact on mCBFv. Pao(2) was not associated with mCBFv. CONCLUSIONS: The increases in mCBFv after surfactant administration were predominantly due to increases in Paco(2) and not changes in MABP.