How I Do It: PureWick female external catheter: a non-invasive urine management system for incontinent women.

Catheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are common hospital-acquired infections and remain a significant medical and financial challenge to the healthcare system. Despite this risk, incontinent women may require prolonged catheterization to accurately monitor urine output and prevent skin breakdown. The PureWick Female External Urinary Catheter is a promising non-invasive urine collection system for use in incontinent women that may help reduce CAUTI rates, maintain skin integrity, accurately quantify urine output, and avoid extra healthcare costs.

An overview of biomarkers in the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer is a common malignancy with highly variable clinical presentation and outcomes. Diagnosis and management remain a challenge and at times become highly controversial. Novel biomarker assays have shown promise as an adjunctive tool to aid in patient shared decision-making, risk stratification, and disease management. This presentation at the 2020 Jefferson Urology Symposium provided a review of current commonly used biomarkers for prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the current literature on the use of biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment decisions in localized prostate cancer. RESULTS: Biomarker assays were reviewed and presented according to clinical application of each test. In the consideration of initial prostate biopsy the blood tests for PHI, and 4K Score, and urine tests PCA3, Select MDx and ExoDx are available. In the consideration of treatment versus active surveillance in the biopsy positive setting OncotypeDx, Prolaris and Decipher are available. In patients with an initial negative biopsy, 4K score, PCA3, ExoDx and the tissue biopsy based Confirm MDx assay can help guide the decision to perform repeat biopsy. In the consideration for adjuvant radiation following radical prostatectomy the most extensive literature available supports the use of Prolaris or Decipher tissue assays. CONCLUSIONS: With the significant burden of men being diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is desirable to appropriately risk stratify patients to avoid unnecessary biopsies and over-treatment in low risk patients and guide appropriate treatment strategies in high risk patients. Selected biomarkers presented are useful adjunctive precision medicine tools to aid in shared decision making and to direct treatment decisions.

Male urinary incontinence after prostate disease treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Incontinence after prostate treatment (IPT) is an important and common problem for men and can lead to decreased quality of life. The proper evaluation and management of IPT requires both knowledge of the mechanisms for its development and of multiple evolving therapy types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An update is provided on the evaluation and management for IPT. The underlying pathophysiology of the contributing conditions is explored along with the appropriate assessment prior to therapy. Surgical techniques including the artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) and male urethral sling are detailed specifically and compared. RESULTS: IPT can result from radical prostatectomy (RP), prostate radiation, and surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. All of these may increase the risk for stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), or mixed incontinence. SUI after RP remains the largest component of IPT. Perioperative pelvic floor muscle therapy and advances in surgical technique have helped to prevent and treat post-RP SUI. The AUS and male urethral sling are both excellent surgical options for SUI with the AUS being currently indicated for a broader set of patients. Predominant UUI should be treated in a stepwise manner based upon guidelines for overactive bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of men with IPT should include determining components of SUI and UUI as these will direct medical and surgical therapy. While advances in surgical technique and technology have reduced prevalence of SUI after RP, many men still require treatment. Surgical treatments with AUS and male urethral sling provide excellent outcomes in well selected patients.

How I Do It: Anticoagulation management for common urologic procedures.

Appropriate perioperative management of antithrombotic medications is critical; for every patient, the risk of bleeding must be balanced against individual risk of thrombosis. There has been a rapid influx of new antithrombotic therapies in the past 5 years, yet there is a lack of clear and concise guidelines on the management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy during urologic surgery. Here we describe our approach to perioperative antithrombotic counseling, including the timing of stopping and restarting these medications. These practice guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Vascular Medicine service at our institution as well as after a review of current literature, and apply to common urologic procedures. Many cases are complex and require medical consultation or a multidisciplinary approach to management. We believe that by presenting our systematic method of antithrombotic management, including when to involve other discplines, we can increase knowledge and comfort amongst urologists in managing these medications in the perioperative period.

Simple frameshifts in minimally invasive surgery postoperative pain management significantly reduce opiate prescriptions.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the impact of an 'opt-in' non-narcotic postoperative pain regimen on narcotic utilization and patient-reported pain scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, non-blinded pre- and post-interventional trial was conducted, including a lead-in period for baseline evaluation. The intervention group received a new pain protocol prioritizing non-narcotic medications, an 'opt-in' requirement for opiates, and standardized patient education. Study outcomes included opiate prescription and utilization (measured in Morphine Equivalent Doses) and reported pain scores on postoperative day (POD) 1, discharge and follow up. RESULTS: At discharge, 70% fewer patients were prescribed any opioids (ARR: -0.7; p < 0.001); the amount prescribed was reduced by 95% (pre-intervention 69.3 mg versus post-intervention 3.5 mg, p < 0.001). Mean opioids used following discharge decreased by 76% (14.7 mg versus 3.5 mg, p = 0.011). In a subgroup analysis of robotic prostatectomies, there was a 95% reduction in mean opioids prescribed at discharge (64.6 mg versus 3.2 mg, p < 0.001) and 82% reduction in utilization over entire postoperative course (87.6 mg versus 15.7 mg, p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in pain scores between intervention groups at POD 1, discharge and follow up for patients (entire cohort and post-prostatectomy). CONCLUSION: A standardized pain protocol with 'opt-in' requirements for opiate prescription, emphasis on non-narcotic medications, and patient education, resulted in significant reductions in opioid use. Simple frameshifts in pain management can yield significant gains in the opioid epidemic.

Understanding the Public's Intentions to Purchase and to Persuade Others to Purchase Antibiotic-Free Meat.

Extending the effectiveness of media-based campaigns into interpersonal networks has been a long concern for studies on persuasive messages, yet there is much to understand about why people attempt to persuade others to engage in health-related behaviors. This study investigated two alternative predictors of interpersonal persuasion: psychosocial determinants of behavior and homophily. We used the integrated model of behavior (IMB) to predict consumers' intentions to purchase antibiotic-free meat, and extended the model to predict consumers' intentions to encourage important others to do so. IMB variables predicted 44% of future purchasing intentions and 40% of future persuasion intentions. The findings support a homophily explanation for persuasion: people intend to persuade important others to do what they do. In addition, a person-centered analysis identified three audience segments based on antibiotic-resistance-related behaviors, cognitions, and experiences: Purchasers, Resisters, and New Adopters. The covariate analysis revealed that people who had more topic awareness of antibiotic use in animal husbandry, knowledge of someone with an antibiotic-resistant infection, and health mavenism were more likely to be Purchasers than Resisters or New Adopters. Anxiety, however, was highest among New Adopters and lowest among Resisters. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

Preparing for Antibiotic Resistance Campaigns: A Person-Centered Approach to Audience Segmentation.

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health that calls for urgent attention. However, creating campaigns to slow the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens is challenging because the goal-antibiotic stewardship-encompasses multiple behaviors. This study provided a novel approach to audience segmentation for a multifaceted goal, by using a person-centered approach to identify profiles of U.S. adults based on shared stewardship intentions. The latent class analysis identified three groups: stewards, stockers, and demanders. The findings suggest campaigns with goals aimed at encouraging stewards to follow through on their intentions, encouraging stockers to dispose of their leftover antibiotics, and convincing demanders to accept providers' evidence-based judgment when a prescription for antibiotics is not indicated. Covariate analysis showed that people who held more inaccurate beliefs about what antibiotics can treat had higher odds of being demanders and stockers instead of stewards. People with stronger health mavenism also had higher odds of being stockers instead of stewards. The covariate analysis provided theoretical insight into the strategies to pursue in campaigns targeting these 3 groups.

Setting the Standards: Examining Research Productivity Among Academic Urologists in the USA and Canada in 2019.

BACKGROUND: Research productivity among academic urologists is strongly encouraged, but little data are available on productivity metrics within the field. OBJECTIVE: To provide the first comprehensive survey of research productivity among academic urologists in the USA and Canada. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Using the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the Canadian Resident Matching Service, and individual program websites, all active accredited urology faculties were identified. For each individual, we collected data on American Urological Association section, title, gender, fellowship training, Scopus H-index, and citations. Comprehensive searches were completed during March-May 2019. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics for demographic comparisons were performed using analysis of variance for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the predictors of H-index greater than the median. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: A total of 2214 academic urology faculties (2015 in USA and 199 in Canada) were identified. The median and mean H-indices for the entire cohort of physicians were 11 and 16.1, respectively. On multivariable analysis, physicians in the North Central and Western Sections (vs mid-Atlantic), who were fellowship trained (vs no fellowship training), and of higher academic rank (professor and associate professor vs clinical instructor) were more likely to have H-index values greater than the median. Additionally, female physicians (vs male) were more likely to have H-index values less than the median. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first comprehensive assessment of research productivity metrics among academic urologists. These represent key benchmarks for trainees considering careers in academics and for practicing physicians gauging their own productivity in relation to their peers. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this study, we provide the first comprehensive assessment of research productivity among academic urologists in the USA and Canada. Our results help provide key benchmarks for trainees considering careers in academics and for practicing physicians gauging their own productivity in relation to peers.

Preventing Prostate Biopsy Complications: to Augment or to Swab?

OBJECTIVE: To use data from a large, prospectively- acquired regional collaborative database to compare the risk of infectious complications associated with three American Urologic Association- recommended antibiotic prophylaxis pathways, including culture-directed or augmented antibiotics, following prostate biopsy. METHODS: Data on prostate biopsies and outcomes were collected from the Pennsylvania Urologic Regional Collaborative, a regional quality collaborative working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Patients were categorized as receiving one of three prophylaxis pathways: culture-directed, augmented, or provider-discretion. Infectious complications included fever, urinary tract infections or sepsis within one month of biopsy. Odds ratios of infectious complication by pathway were determined, and univariate and multivariate analyses of patient and biopsy characteristics were performed. RESULTS: 11,940 biopsies were included, 120 of which resulted in infectious outcomes. Of the total biopsies, 3246 used "culture-directed", 1446 used "augmented" and 7207 used "provider-discretion" prophylaxis. Compared to provider-discretion, the culture-directed pathway had 84% less chance of any infectious outcome (OR= 0.159, 95% CI = [0.074, 0.344], P < 0.001). There was no difference in infectious complications between augmented and provider-discretion pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The culture-directed pathway for transrectal prostate biopsy resulted in significantly fewer infectious complications compared to other prophylaxis strategies. Tailoring antibiotics addresses antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduces future risk of resistance. These findings make a strong case for incorporating culture-directed antibiotic prophylaxis into clinical practice guidelines to reduce infection following prostate biopsies.