Mental health disorders in newly diagnosed non-functional pitutary adenoma under initial observation: an observational cohort study using the nationwide MarketScan database.

PURPOSE: Nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas account for 15-30% of pituitary tumors. Studies exploring the role of an intracranial tumor diagnosis, specifically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, on mental health disorders (MHDs) in patients have been limited. We characterize the incidence and factors affecting the development of MHDs in untreated pituitary adenomas. METHODS: Utilizing a large-scale private payor database, MarketScan, we performed a retrospective study of patients with an untreated pituitary adenomas and corresponding MHD. RESULTS: We found that in patients diagnosed with an untreated pituitary adenomas, approximately 15% were newly diagnosed with a MHD within 1 year of the pituitary adenoma diagnosis. Independent risk factors included female gender and substance abuse. Headaches, visual symptoms, and higher Charlson Co-morbidity indexes were also independently associated with a subsequent diagnosis of MHD. On multivariable analysis, patients in the pituitary tumor cohort were more likely to be diagnosed with a MHD than those in the matched cohort (aOR: 1.31, CI: 1.19-1.44). CONCLUSION: By identifying risk factors, advanced screening can focus on non-operative pituitary adenoma patients at high-risk for the development of MHD.

Phenolic Metabolites of Dalea ornata Affect Both Survival and Motility of the Human Pathogenic Hookworm Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

Hookworms are ubiquitous human parasites, infecting nearly one billion people worldwide, and are the leading cause of anemia and malnutrition in resource-limited countries. Current drug treatments rely on the benzimidazole derivatives albendazole and mebendazole, but there is emerging resistance to these drugs. As part of a larger screening effort, using a hamster-based ex vivo assay, anthelmintic activity toward Ancylostoma ceylanicum was observed in the crude extract of aerial parts of Dalea ornata. These studies have led to the isolation and characterization of phenolic metabolites 1-10. The structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and the absolute configuration of 1 was assigned using electronic circular dichroism data. The new compound, (2S)-8-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-6,7,4'-trihydroxyflavanone (1), was weakly active at 7.3 µM, with 17% reduction in survival of the hookworms after 5 days. The rotenoids deguelin (9) and tephrosin (10), predictably perhaps, were the most active, with complete worm mortality observed by day 4 (or earlier) at 6.3 and 6.0 µM, respectively. The effects of 1-10 on hookworm motility and on toxicity to hamster splenocytes were also explored as important measures of treatment potential.

Training Program Factors Most Important to Women When Selecting an Otolaryngology Residency.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine factors that female resident physicians find most influential when choosing an otolaryngology residency program. METHODS: A three-part survey was sent to current female otolaryngology residents via email evaluating the importance of 19 characteristics impacting program choice. The 19 factors were scored from 1 (least important) to 5 (most important). The participants also ranked their personal top five most influential factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty of 339 contacted residents participated. Most were aged 30-39 (63%), white (70%), and married (43%). Eighty-five percent had no children, and 52% did not plan to have children during residency. The highest scoring factors derived from Likert scale ratings included resident camaraderie (4.5 ± 0.8), resident happiness (4.4 ± 0.8), and case variety/number (4.4 ± 0.8). The lowest scoring factors were number of fellows (2.9 ± 1.1), attitudes toward maternity leave (2.7 ± 1.3), and maternity leave policies (2.4 ± 1.2). The top five most influential factors and the percentage selecting this were resident camaraderie (57%), resident happiness (57%), academic reputation (51%), case variety/number (47%), and early surgical/clinical experience (44%). Gender-specific factors were infrequently selected. However, 51 (34%) ranked at least one gender-specific factor within their top five list. CONCLUSION: Non-gender-related factors, like resident camaraderie and surgical experiences, were most valued by women. Conversely, gender-specific factors were less critical and infrequently ranked. Ninety-nine residents (64%) rated exclusively gender-neutral characteristics in their top five list of most influential factors. Our data offer insight into program characteristics most important to female otolaryngology residents, which may assist residency programs hoping to match female applicants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 134:600-606, 2024.

Urology Match: Important Factors Women Consider When Choosing a Residency Training Program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors that women urology resident physicians rate as most influential when selecting residency programs. METHODS: Surveys were emailed to female urology residents during the 2021-2022 academic year. Residents scored 19 factors influencing residency program choice from 1 "least" to 5 "most" important and ranked their top 5 most influential factors. Data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and quantile regression. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six (37%) of 367 female urology residents who received the survey participated. Eighty-two percent had no children and 57% did not plan to have children during residency. The three highest scoring factors derived from Likert scale ratings were resident camaraderie (4.6 ±â€¯0.5 [mean ±â€¯SD]), resident happiness (4.6 ±â€¯0.6), and case variety/number (4.4 ±â€¯0.8). As a whole, the lowest scoring characteristics were attitudes toward maternity leave (2.6 ±â€¯1.2) and maternity leave policies (2.5 ±â€¯1.2). Married residents were more likely than those who were single and engaged/in a committed relationship to rank attitudes and policies toward maternity leave as more important (3 vs 2 vs 2, P <.0001). Residents with children were more likely than those without children to rank maternity leave policies as more important (3 vs 2, P <.0001). CONCLUSION: As a whole, women urology residents prioritized non-gender-related factors. However, gender-specific factors were rated highly by married residents and those with children or planning to have children. Urology training programs may use these results to highlight desirable characteristics to aid recruitment of female residents.

Risk Factors For Prolonged Opioid Use After Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of prolonged post-operative opioid pain medication usage following spine surgery, as well as identify the risk of various post-operative complications that may be associated with pre-operative opioid usage. METHODS: The MarketScan commercial claims and encounters database includes approximately 39 million patients per year. Patients undergoing cervical and lumbar spine surgery between the years 2005-2014 were identified using CPT codes. Pre-operative comorbidities including DSM-V mental health disorders, chronic pain, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), obesity, tobacco use, medications, and diabetes were queried and documented. Patients who utilized opioids from 1-3 months prior to surgery were identified. This timeframe was chosen to exclude patients who had been prescribed pre- and post-operative narcotic medications up to 1 month prior to surgery. We utilized odds ratios (OR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI), and regression analysis to determine factors that are associated with prolonged post-operative opioid use at 3 time intervals. RESULTS: 553,509 patients who underwent spine surgery during the 10-year period were identified. 34.9% of patients utilized opioids 1-3 months pre-operatively. 25% patients were still utilizing opioids at 6 weeks, 17.3% at 3 months, 12.7% at 6 months, and 9.0% at 1 year after surgery. Pre-operative opioid exposure was associated with increased likelihood of post-operative use at 6-12 weeks (OR 5.45, 95% CI 5.37-5.53), 3-6 months (OR 6.48, 95% CI 6.37-6.59), 6-12 months (OR 6.97, 95% CI 6.84-7.11), and >12 months (OR 7.12, 95% CI 6.96-7.29). Mental health diagnosis, tobacco usage, diagnosis of chronic pain or CRPS, and non-narcotic neuromodulatory medications yielded increased likelihood of prolonged post-op opioid usage. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative narcotic use and several patient comorbidities diagnoses are associated with prolonged post-operative opioid usage following spine surgery. Chronic opioid use, diagnosis of chronic pain, or use of non-narcotic neuromodulatory medications have the highest risk of prolonged post-operative opioid consumption. Patients using opiates pre-operatively did have an increased 30 and 90-day readmission risk, in addition to a number of serious post-operative complications. This data provides spine surgeons a number of variables to consider when determining post-operative analgesia strategies, and provides health systems, providers, and payers with information on complications associated with pre-operative opioid utilization.

Charting the course from abstract to published article.

OBJECTIVE: Abstracts act as short, efficient sources of new information. This intentional brevity potentially diminishes scientific reliability of described findings. The authors' objective was to 1) determine the proportion of abstracts submitted to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) annual meeting that subsequently are published in peer-reviewed journals, 2) assess AANS abstract publications for publication bias, and 3) assess AANS abstract publications for differing results. METHODS: The authors screened all abstracts from the annual 2012 AANS meeting and identified their corresponding full-text publication, if applicable, by searching PubMed/MEDLINE. The abstract and subsequent publication were analyzed for result type (positive or negative) and differences in results. RESULTS: Overall, 49.3% of abstracts were published as papers. Many (18.1%) of these published papers differed in message from their original abstract. Publication bias exists, with positive abstracts being 40% more likely to be published than negative abstracts. The top journals in which the full-text articles were published were Journal of Neurosurgery (13.1%), Neurosurgery (7.3%), and World Neurosurgery (5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Here, the authors demonstrate that alone, abstracts are not reliable sources of information. Many abstracts ultimately remain unpublished; therefore, they do not attain a level of scientific scrutiny that merits alteration of clinical care. Furthermore, many that are published have differing results or conclusions. In addition, positive publication bias exists, as positive abstracts are more likely to be published than negative abstracts.

Brain Cancer Progression: A Retrospective Multicenter Comparison of Awake Craniotomy Versus General Anesthesia in High-grade Glioma Resection.

BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas impose substantial morbidity and mortality due to rapid cancer progression and recurrence. Factors such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain the cornerstones for treatment of brain cancer and brain cancer research. The role of anesthetics on glioma progression is largely unknown. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study compared patients who underwent high-grade glioma resection with minimal sedation (awake craniotomy) and those who underwent craniotomy with general anesthesia (GA). Various perioperative factors, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and adjuvant treatment regimens were recorded. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS), postoperative pain score, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: A total of 891 patients were included; 79% received GA, and 21% underwent awake craniotomy. There was no difference in median PFS between awake craniotomy (0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.65 y) and GA (0.53, 95% CI: 0.48-0.60 y) groups (hazard ratio 1.05; P <0.553). Median OS was significantly longer in the awake craniotomy (1.70, 95% CI: 1.30-2.32 y) compared with that in the GA (1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.37 y) group (hazard ratio 0.76; P <0.009) but this effect did not persist after controlling for other variables of interest. Median length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the awake craniotomy group (2 [range: 0 to 76], interquartile range 3 d vs. 5 [0 to 98], interquartile range 5 for awake craniotomy and GA groups, respectively; P <0.001). Pain scores were comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in PFS and OS between patients who underwent surgical resection of high-grade glioma with minimal sedation (awake craniotomy) or GA. Further large prospective randomized controlled studies are needed to explore the role of anesthetics on glioma progression and patient survival.

Does Publication History Predict Future Publication Output in Orthopaedics?

Background The number of publications is widely used as a measure of academic productivity in the field of orthopaedics. How "productive" a physician is has a great influence on consideration for employment, compensation, and promotions. Predictors of potential high-output researchers would be of value to the orthopaedic department and university leadership for new faculty evaluation. Methods The study population included orthopaedic faculty from the top 10 orthopaedic institutions in the United States. Their names and the number of publications at each point in their training (medical school, residency, and fellowship) and early career (first five and 10 years following fellowship) along with a total number of publications to date were collected by using PubMed. Results Strong correlations were seen between publications during total training and publications output in the first five years following fellowship (rs =0.717, P<0.0001). However, no significant correlations were found comparing publications during each stage of training and the first 10 years following fellowship. A moderate positive correlation was found when comparing publications during medical school and residency output (rs =0.401, P<0.0001). Conclusions The data presented here may be utilized by department chairs during the evaluation of faculty and candidates to not interpret the number of publications during training and early career as a gauge of research interest and potential for future publications. Program directors may also use the only moderate correlation between publications in medical school and residency when evaluating applications as support of a more holistic review of applicants to determine research interest.

Malignant spindle cell tumors of the posterior fossa in children: case series and review of management.

OBJECTIVE: The WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System (2016) classifies nonmeningothelial malignant spindle cell tumors involving the extraaxial tissues of the posterior fossa as melanocytic tumors and malignant mesenchymal tumors (sarcomas). The objective of this study was to conduct a review of the literature pertaining to the management strategies of posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors in the pediatric population. METHODS: The authors performed an institutional search of their pathology database for patients younger than 18 years of age who presented with posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors. A literature review was also performed using the PubMed database, with "posterior fossa" or "spindle cell tumors" or "Ewing sarcoma" or "high-grade" or "spindle cell sarcoma" or "leptomeningeal melanocytoma" as keywords. The database search was restricted to pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years). Parameters reported from the literature review included patient age, tumor location, presenting symptoms, treatment modalities (resection, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy), leptomeningeal spread at or after the time of treatment, and follow-up length and resulting outcome. RESULTS: The authors report 3 rare cases of posterior fossa malignant spindle cell tumors, including Ewing sarcoma in a 13-year-old male; high-grade spindle cell sarcoma, not otherwise specified in a 10-year-old male; and primary leptomeningeal melanocytoma in a 16-year-old female. All 3 patients underwent resection and radiotherapy and either chemotherapy or targeted immunotherapy. At the last follow-up, all patients were alive with either resolution or stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: A review of these 3 cases and the existing literature support managing patients with intracranial malignant spindle cell tumors with multimodal therapy that can include a combination of resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy to prolong progression-free and overall survival.

Aneurysmal and arteriovenous malformation hemorrhage during pregnancy: An update on the epidemiology, risk factors and prognosis.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating condition with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture are two common etiologies leading to ICH. Here we provide an update on ICH during pregnancy with a focus on those caused by aneurysm or AVM rupture. METHODS: Here we systematically review 25 studies reported in the literature to provide an update on ICH during pregnancy focusing on aneurysm or AVM rupture. We also reviewed the prognosis of ICH during puerperium. RESULTS: Discrepancies exist between studies supporting or refuting the hypothesis of a higher rate of ICH during pregnancy, obscuring the overall rate of aneurysm and AVM rupture in pregnant ICH patients. However, risk factors such as maternal age and hypertension have shown to increase the frequency of ICH in pregnant patients. We also show increased morbidity and mortality in patients suffering from preeclampsia/eclampsia. DISCUSSION: ICH is rare, but the various studies demonstrating its increased frequency, morbidity, and mortality during pregnancy should raise our awareness of this condition. The management and treatment decisions for a pregnant ICH patient should follow the same principles as nonpregnant patients, but with the knowledge that not all medications are appropriate for use in the pregnant patient. Although there seems to be a higher frequency of AVM rupture, further research must be conducted in order to fully determine the effects of pregnancy on aneurysm and AVM ruptures.

Congenital Spinal Cysts: An Update and Review of the Literature.

Congenital spinal cysts are rare and encompass a wide variety of diseases including arachnoid, enterogenous, teratomatous, neurenteric, foregut, bronchogenic, epithelial, ependymal, dermoid, and epidermoid cysts. Here, we elucidate the epidemiology, pathology, pathogenesis, and diagnostic findings of the most common congenital spinal cysts, followed by a discussion of their presentation and treatment options. Differentiating the cause of each lesion is crucial for targeted clinical and surgical management for the patient. Our review describes how arachnoid cysts can be observed, fenestrated, percutaneously drained, or shunted; however, the primary goal for neurenteric, dermoid, and epidermoid cysts is removal. Further, we discuss how patient presentation is dependent on the rate of growth and location of compression on the spinal cord and nerve roots. However, although many of these lesions are discovered incidentally on imaging, the spectrum of possible symptoms include pain, weakness, ataxia, bladder incontinence, and progressive or acute neurologic deficits. We present and review the histology and imaging of a variety of cysts and discuss how although the goal of treatment is resection, the risks of surgery must be considered against the benefits of complete resection in each case.

Evaluating the Evidence: Is Neurolysis or Neurectomy a Better Treatment for Occipital Neuralgia?

Occipital neuralgia, a neuropathy of the occipital nerves, can cause significant pain and distress, resulting in a decrease in the patient's quality of life. Options for surgical treatment involve transection or decompression of the greater and lesser occipital nerves. Current evidence provides no clear consensus regarding one technique over the other. Here, we present a systematic review of the literature to potentially answer this question. Eligible studies compared neurolysis versus neurectomy for the treatment of occipital neuralgia after failure of conservative therapy. Our outcome of interest was resolution of symptoms. We performed a search of MEDLINE/PubMed and Ovid from inception to 2019. Eligible studies included the words "occipital neuralgia" and "surgery." All studies comparing neurolysis to neurectomy were included in the analysis. None of the studies identified were randomized control trials. Each study was evaluated by two independent researchers who assigned a level of evidence according to the American Association of Neurology (AAN) algorithm. Data extracted included mechanism of surgery (neurolysis or neurectomy), resolution of pain symptoms, and length of follow-up. Each study was level IV evidence. After reviewing the data, there was insufficient evidence to recommend one method of treatment over the other. This inconclusive result highlights the importance of a national registry to compare outcomes between the two treatment modalities.

Authorship and study characteristic trends in spine publications from years 2004 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to analyze the trends in authorship and study characteristics in Spine using two overlapping ten-year time periods: 2004-2014 and 2007-2017. To our knowledge, no other literature reports study characteristics and authorship in the same time period for spine that would allow for the assessment of confounding factors of trends. METHODS: Authorship and study characteristic data was collected from all scientific manuscripts published in Spine during the years of 2004, 2007, 2014, and 2017. Basic statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: We found a significant increase in total number of authors (P<0.0001) without discrepancy of unequivocal increases in author degree type: MD/Equivalent (P≤0.0001), PhD/Doctorate (P=0.0017), Masters (P=0.0015), and Bachelors (P≤0.0001). We observed an increase in industry authorship (P≤0.0001), but without a significant increase in industry funding during the same time span. Increases in administration database studies (P≤0.0001) and economic/value studies (P≤0.0001) were also noted. A significant change in percentage of articles with trauma pathology (decrease, P<0.0001) and deformity (increase, P=0.0002) occurred. The number of multi-institutional studies increased (P≤0.0001), while no change in the number of multi-disciplinary studies. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in author number for spine articles over time are a result of a general increase in authors in all degree types, not just non-doctorate degrees. This may be potentially influenced by the increase in multi-institutional studies. From 2004-2017, higher percentages of articles focus on economics. An increase in industry authorship without a corresponding increase in funding suggests industry's more 'hands-on' approach to publication results from their funded studies.

Post-Laminectomy Kyphosis in Achondroplasia Patients: To Concurrently Fuse or Not.

The purpose of this review is to look at the incidence of post-laminectomy kyphosis in achondroplasia patients and to determine whether skeletal maturity and the number and location of laminectomies predict kyphosis in this patient population. Our review of the literature included all articles from MEDLINE/PubMed and Ovid from inception to 2019. After removing duplicates and checking for relevancy, the final number of articles yielded was eight. The results of this review summarize the incidence of post-laminectomy kyphosis in achondroplasia patients. In conclusion, we suggest fusion be considered in conjunction with multilevel laminectomies due to a high incidence of kyphosis with a need for stabilization in the pediatric achondroplastic patient population.

Factors in Orthopaedic Residency Decision-making for Female Applicants: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Orthopaedics continues to remain the medical specialty with the lowest sex diversity in the United States. Orthopaedic residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for orthopaedic residency selection. METHODS: A two-part survey was sent to female orthopaedic residents by e-mails available in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery directory, residency program coordinators, Doximity, and institutional websites. The survey included 17 characteristics of residency programs that participants were asked to score for importance and then asked to rank their top five most influential factors when selecting an orthopaedic surgery residency. RESULTS: The most important factors included camaraderie among residents, happiness of current residents, variety/number of cases, fellowship placement, and early surgical/clinical experience, respectively. The least important factors included sex diversity of faculty and residents, number of female residents, concurrent fellows, number of female faculty geographic location near spouse, and finally, attitudes toward maternity leave. DISCUSSION: These data support the notion that efforts by orthopaedic residency programs to improve desirability for female applicants should focus on highlighting some of the more universal, nonsex-related factors such as the happiness and camaraderie among residents and the anticipated clinical experiences. This is opposed to showcasing features, such as maternity leave and number of current female faculty or residents, which would seemingly appeal to female applicants.

Factors in Residency Decision Making for Female Neurosurgery Applicants.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgery remains a specialty with one of the largest gender gaps in the United States. Neurosurgery residency programs are highly motivated to attract the best female candidates in an effort to improve their program diversity, but no studies currently exist that examine the factors of highest importance to female applicants for neurosurgery residency selection. The purpose of this study was to determine factors that female neurosurgery residents used when selecting their residency. METHODS: A 2-part survey was sent to female neurosurgical residents by e-mails collected from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons directory and residency program websites. The survey asked participants to score 17 characteristics of residency programs in terms of importance and then asked them to rank their top 5 most influential factors when selecting a neurosurgery residency. RESULTS: The most important factors included variety/number of cases, camaraderie and happiness of current residents, early surgical/clinical experience, and academic reputation. The least important factors included gender diversity of faculty and residents, number of female residents, number of female faculty, and attitudes toward maternity leave. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to increase female applicants in neurosurgery residency programs should focus on highlighting some more universal, non-gender-related factors, such as happiness and camaraderie among residents and anticipated clinical experiences, as opposed to showcasing features that would seemingly appeal to female applicants, such as maternity leave and number of current female faculty or residents.

Dilated Epidural Venous Plexus Causing Radiculopathy: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: A dilated epidural venous plexus (DEVP) is a rare cause of radiculopathy, back pain, cauda equina syndrome, and other neurological symptoms. This vascular mass can be secondary to inferior vena cava obstruction, portal hypertension, vascular agenesis, and hypercoagulable states. Although rare, DEVP should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients who present with lumbar radiculopathy. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present 2 cases involving patients with lumbar DEVP as well as a literature review of the role of hypercoagulability, vascular anatomy, and inferior vena cava thrombosis in the development of DEVP. The first patient had a history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and antiphospholipid syndrome. The diagnosis of DEVP was determined after intraoperative biopsy. The patient reported symptom resolution at her 6-month postoperative appointment. The second patient developed DEVP associated with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. She presented with back pain and leg weakness, and DEVP was diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging. A neurosurgeon is currently following the patient. We believe this is the first case of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome associated with DEVP. CONCLUSIONS: If a patient presents with an enhancing epidural lesion on magnetic resonance imaging and neurological symptoms, DEVP should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Additionally, a search for inferior vena cava thrombosis should be performed as well as risk factors for venous hypertension and hypercoagulable states.

An innovative approach to training hospital-based clinicians for bioterrorist attacks.

The recent attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent dissemination event of anthrax in the United States demonstrated the necessity for hospitals to initiate bioterrorism education for clinicians. Events such as the release of sarin gas into the Tokyo subway by the Aum Shinrikyo cult provided some insight into how quickly emergency medical personnel may be overwhelmed by causalities of unconventional weapons. Educational interventions to prepare hospital-based practitioners for such disasters must fit among the demands of patient care, administrative duties, and continuing education within specialties. In addition, the priority placed on the topic, confusion about reputable resources to consult, and concerns of funding for preparedness training mandate the need for an authoritative, comprehensive, and easily accessible approach. A pilot project supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was developed to facilitate streamlining of preparedness efforts through the implementation of interactive screen savers as an alternative to traditional educational modalities. This report presents the successful application of this model, which was quantified with pretests and posttests given to users of the system.