An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study Investigating the Function of Hoarding.

This study examined the function of hoarding behaviors and the relations between hoarding and a series of cognitive and affective processes in the moment using ecological momentary assessment. A matched-groups design was used to compare college students with higher hoarding symptoms (n = 31) and matched controls (n = 29). The two groups did not differ in what function they reported acquiring served, and positive automatic reinforcement was the most commonly reported function in both groups. Engaging in hoarding-relevant behaviors did not predict change in positive or negative affect when controlling for previous affect. Emotional reactivity and experiential avoidance in the moment were both elevated in the higher hoarding group compared to controls, while momentary mindfulness and negative affect differentiation were lower. Overall, these findings support the importance of emotion regulation processes in hoarding. They also suggest individuals may not be successfully regulating affect in the moment with hoarding behaviors, despite efforts to do so. It may be useful to evaluate processes such as striving for positive affect in hoarding disorder in the future.

Paediatric hearing aid management: a demonstration project for using virtual visits to enhance parent support.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of virtual visits to monitor hearing aid use with data logging measurements and provide parent support for hearing aid management. DESIGN: A 6-month longitudinal case study design was used. STUDY SAMPLE: Four families and two providers participated. RESULTS: Average hours of daily hearing aid use increased 3.5 h from the beginning to the end of the study period. Prior to receiving virtual visits, the parents and the clinicians generally indicated they were hopeful about the benefits of virtual visits including the frequency and convenience of the appointments but had some concerns about technical difficulties. These concerns diminished at the conclusion of the study. CONCLUSION: Virtual visits provided benefits to families including flexibility and timely access to support. The ability to collect data logging information more frequently was important for effective problem-solving to increase hearing aid use. Both parents and clinicians were accepting of tele-support. Parents and professionals would benefit from technology that allows them to access data logging information more easily and frequently.

Cost Savings Associated with the Adoption of a Cloud Computing Data Transfer System for Trauma Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Among transferred trauma patients, challenges with the transfer of radiographic studies include problems loading or viewing the studies at the receiving hospitals, and problems manipulating, reconstructing, or evalu- ating the transferred images. Cloud-based image transfer systems may address some ofthese problems. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of patients trans- ferred during one year surrounding the adoption of a cloud computing data transfer system. We compared the rates of repeat imaging before (precloud) and af- ter (postcloud) the adoption of the cloud-based data transfer system. RESULTS: During the precloud period, 28 out of 100 patients required 90 repeat studies. With the cloud computing transfer system in place, three out of 134 patients required seven repeat films. CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of patients requiring repeat films (28% to 2.2%, P < .0001). Based on an annualized volume of 200 trauma patient transfers, the cost savings estimated using three methods of cost analysis, is between $30,272 and $192,453.

The credibility of exposure therapy: Does the theoretical rationale matter?

OBJECTIVE: Little is understood about how the public perceives exposure-based therapy (ET) for treating anxiety and trauma-related disorders or how ET rationales affect treatment credibility. Distinct approaches to framing ET are practiced, including those emphasized in traditional cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and the more recent inhibitory learning model. However, their relative effect on ET's credibility remains unknown. METHOD: A final sample of 964 U.S. adults provided baseline views of ET. Participants rated ET treatment credibility following a simple ET definition (pre-rationale) and following randomization to rationale modules addressing ET goals, fear, and cognitive strategies from distinct theoretical perspectives (post-rationale). Baseline ET views, symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics were examined as putative moderators and predictors. RESULTS: At baseline, the majority had never heard of ET. From pre- to post-rationale, ET treatment credibility significantly increased but the rationales' theoretical perspective had little impact. More negative baseline ET views, specific ethnic/racial minority group status, and lower education moderated or predicted greater increases in treatment credibility following the rationale. CONCLUSIONS: ET remains relatively unknown as a treatment for anxiety or trauma, supporting the need for direct-to-consumer marketing. Diverse theory-driven rationales similarly increased ET credibility, particularly among those less likely to use ET.

Retrospective review of the use and costs of routine chest x rays in a trauma setting.

INTRODUCTION: Chest x-rays (CXR) are routinely obtained on blunt trauma patients. Many patients also receive additional imaging with thoracic computed tomography scans for other indications. We hypothesized that in hemodynamically normal, awake and alert blunt trauma patients, CXR can be deferred in those who will also receive a TCT with significant cost savings. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of trauma patients from 1/1/2010 to 12/31/2010 who received both a CXR and TCT in the trauma room. Billing and cost data were collected from various hospital sources. RESULTS: 239 patients who met inclusion and exclusion criteria and received CXR and TCT between 1/1/2010 and 12/31/2010. The sensitivity of CXR was 19% (95% CI: 10.8% to 31%) and the specificity was 91.7% (95% CI: 86.7% to 95%). The false positive rate for CXR was 35.8% (95% CI: 21.7% to 52.8%) and the false negative rate was 24.5% (95% CI: 18.8% to 31.2%). The precision of CXR was 42.3% (95% CI: 25.5% to 61.1%) and the overall accuracy was 74.1% (95% CI: 68.1% to 79.2%). If routine chest xray were eliminated in these patients, the estimated cost savings ranged from $14,641 to $142,185, using three different methods of cost analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients who are hemodynamically normal and who will be receiving a TCT, deferring a CXR would result in an estimated cost savings up to $142,185. Additionally, TCT is more sensitive and specific than CXR in identifying injuries in patients who have sustained blunt trauma to the thorax.

Retrospective review of the costs of routine pelvic X-rays in a trauma setting.

Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) technology plays an important role in the evaluation of injured patients. At our institution pelvic X-ray (PXR) is obtained routinely on trauma patients. Many also receive MDCT of the abdomen and pelvis for other indications. We hypothesized that there would be a substantial cost savings in adopting a policy of deferring PXR in a hemodynamically normal patient who will also proceed to MDCT for other indications. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of trauma patients from February 1, 2008 to February 1, 2009. We reviewed whether a PXR was done, the result, whether an MDCT was also done, and the presence or absence of pelvic fractures. We collected billing and cost data from various hospital sources. We identified 1,330 patients with PXR between February 1, 2008 and February 1, 2009. Of those patients, 810 (61%) had MDCT after PXR. Sixty-six patients (8.0%) had pelvic fractures; 39 were correctly identified on PXR (59% of fractures). Twenty-seven were detected only by MDCT (41% of fractures); all pelvic fractures were identified on MDCT. Seven hundred and forty-four patients (92% of patients with both PXR and MDCT) had negative PXR and negative MDCT. Using three methods of cost analysis, the estimated cost savings range is from $77,011 to $331,080. MDCT of the pelvis is more sensitive and more specific than PXR. In patients who are hemodynamically normal and asymptomatic, forgoing routine PXR could result in an estimated savings from $77,011 to $331,080, depending on the method used to calculate costs.