Comparative Effectiveness of Interventions in Initial Management of Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Systematic Review and a Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The best initial strategy for nontension symptomatic spontaneous pneumothorax is unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the most efficacious, safe, and efficient initial intervention in adults with nontension spontaneous pneumothorax. METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from January 1950 through December 2019 (print and electronic publications). Randomized controlled trials evaluating needle aspiration, narrow-bore chest tube (<14 F) with or without Heimlich valve insertion, and large-bore chest tube (≥14 F) insertion in spontaneous pneumothorax were included. Network meta-analyses were performed with a Bayesian random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included in this review (n=781 patients). Analyses of efficacy (n=12 trials) revealed no significant differences between the interventions studied: narrow- versus large-bore chest tubes, odds ratio (OR) 1.05 (95% credible interval [CrI] 0.38 to 2.87); large-bore chest tube versus needle aspiration, OR 1.25 (95% CrI 0.65 to 2.62); and narrow-bore chest tube versus needle aspiration, OR 1.32 (95% CrI 0.54 to 3.42). Analyses of safety (n=10 trials) revealed a significant difference between needle aspiration and large-bore chest tube interventions: OR 0.10 (95% CrI 0.03 to 0.40). No differences were observed in needle aspiration versus narrow-bore chest tube (OR 0.29 [95% CrI 0.05 to 1.82]), and narrow- versus large-bore chest tube comparisons (OR 0.35 [95% CrI 0.07 to 1.67]). Analyses of efficiency were not pursued because of variation in reporting the length of stay (n=12 trials). Narrow-bore chest tube (<14 F) had the highest likelihood of top ranking in terms of immediate success (surface under the cumulative ranking curve=64%). Needle aspiration had the highest likelihood of top ranking in terms of safety (surface under the cumulative ranking curve=95.8%). CONCLUSION: In the initial management of nontension spontaneous pneumothorax, the optimal strategy between the choices of a narrow-bore chest tube (<14 F, top ranked in efficacy) and needle aspiration (top ranked in safety) is unclear. Complications were more common in large-bore chest tube (≥14 F, including 14-F tube) insertions compared with needle aspiration.

Clinically significant variability of serum IgE concentrations in patients with severe asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude of immunoglobulin E (IgE) variability in a cohort of patients with severe asthma considered for omalizumab therapy. METHODS: Retrospective chart review identified 65 patients with two or more IgE determinations out of the 124 patients referred to the Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute for treatment with omalizumab from 2003 to 2011. Patients with conditions known to affect IgE concentrations were excluded. Demographic data, pulmonary function testing, medications, smoking status, and atopy were recorded. The range of variability and percent variability in relation to baseline serum IgE were calculated. RESULTS: The median difference of serum IgE between the minimal and maximal values was 94.9 IU/ml (IQR 26.3-324.1 IU/ml). Percent variability from minimum value had a median of 75.5% (IQR 23.3-152.6%). There was no correlation between age, body mass index, lung function, and IgE variability. Greater variability was associated with female gender (p = .06). There was no association with peripheral eosinophilia, systemic corticosteroid use, and leukotriene modifier use at presentation. The observed variability would have affected omalizumab dosing in 20 out of 42 patients. Six patients who may have qualified at different time points would not have been deemed candidates based on an IgE concentration <30 IU/ml or >700 IU/ml. CONCLUSION: Serum IgE concentration may have clinically significant variability over time, affecting candidacy and dosing of omalizumab. Our findings imply that repeating serum IgE determinations merits consideration for patients whose initial concentrations are <30 or >700 IU/ml. Prospective studies are warranted to delineate the factors that contribute to IgE variability.

Epidemiology of Adult Pleural Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive US epidemiologic data for adult pleural disease are not available. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the epidemiologic measures related to adult pleural disease in the United States? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using Healthcare Utilization Project databases (2007-2016). Adults (≥ 18 years of age) with malignant pleural mesothelioma, malignant pleural effusion, nonmalignant pleural effusion, empyema, primary and secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, iatrogenic pneumothorax, and pleural TB were studied. RESULTS: In 2016, ED treat-and-discharge (T&D) visits totaled 42,215, accounting for charges of $286.7 million. In 2016, a total of 361,270 hospitalizations occurred, resulting in national costs of $10.1 billion. A total of 64,174 readmissions contributed $1.16 billion in additional national costs. Nonmalignant pleural effusion constituted 85.5% of ED T&D visits, 63.5% of hospitalizations, and 66.3% of 30-day readmissions. Contemporary sex distribution (male to female ratio) in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (2.1:1) differs from older estimates (6.2:1). Decadal analyses of annual hospitalization rates/100,000 adult population (2007 vs 2016) showed a significant (P < .001) decrease for malignant pleural mesothelioma (1.3 vs 1.09, respectively), malignant pleural effusion (33.4 vs 31.9, respectively), iatrogenic pneumothorax (17.9 vs 13.9, respectively), and pleural TB (0.20 vs 0.09, respectively) and an increase for empyema (8.1 vs 11.1, respectively) and nonmalignant pleural effusion (78.1 vs 100.1, respectively). Empyema hospitalizations have high costs per case ($38,591) and length of stay (13.8 days). The mean proportion of readmissions attributed to a pleural cause varied widely: malignant pleural mesothelioma, 49%; malignant pleural effusion, 45%; nonmalignant pleural effusion, 31%; empyema, 27%; primary spontaneous pneumothorax, 27%; secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, 27%; and iatrogenic pneumothorax, 20%. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax had the shortest time to readmission in 2016 (10.3 days, 95% CI, 8.8-11.8 days). INTERPRETATION: Significant epidemiologic trends and changes in various pleural diseases were observed. The analysis identifies multiple opportunities for improvement in management of pleural diseases.

Effectiveness of provider price display in computerized physician order entry (CPOE) on healthcare quality: a systematic review.

Objective: To study the association between Electronic Health Record (EHR)/Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) provider price display, and domains of healthcare quality (efficiency, effective care, patient centered care, patient safety, equitable care, and timeliness of care). Methods: Randomized and non-randomized studies assessing the relationship between healthcare quality domains and EHR/CPOE provider price display published between 1/1/1980 to 2/1/2018 were included. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase were searched. Assessment of internal validity of the included studies was performed with a modified Downs-Black checklist. Results: Screening of 1118 abstracts was performed resulting in selection of 41 manuscripts for full length review. A total of 13 studies were included in the final analysis. Thirteen studies reported on efficiency domain, one on effectiveness and one on patient safety. Studies assessing relationship between provider price display and patient centered, equitable and timely care domains were not retrieved. Quality of the studies varied widely (Range 6-12 out of a maximum possible score of 13). Provider price display in electronic health record environment did not consistently influence domains of healthcare quality such as efficiency, effectiveness and patient safety. Conclusions: Published evidence suggests that price display tools aimed at ordering providers in EHR/CPOE do not influence the efficiency domain of healthcare quality. Scant published evidence suggests that they do not influence the effectiveness and patient safety domains of healthcare quality. Future studies are needed to assess the relationship between provider price display and unexplored domains of healthcare quality (patient centered, equitable, and timely care). Registration: PROSPERO registration: CRD42018082227.

Outcomes of a Clinical Pathway for Pleural Disease Management: "Pleural Pathway".

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical pathways are evidence based multidisciplinary team approaches to optimize patient care. Pleural diseases are common and accounted for 3.4 billion US $ in 2014 US inpatient aggregate charges (HCUPnet data). An institutional clinical pathway ("pleural pathway") was implemented in conjunction with a dedicated pleural service. Design, implementation, and outcomes of the pleural pathway (from August 1, 2014, to July 31, 2015) in comparison to a previous era (from August 1, 2013, to July 31, 2014) are described. METHODS: Tuality Healthcare is a 215-bed community healthcare system in Hillsboro, OR, USA. With the objective of standardizing pleural disease care, locally adapted British Thoracic Society guidelines and a centralized pleural service were implemented in the "pathway" era. System-wide consensus regarding institutional guidelines for care of pleural disease was achieved. Preimplementation activities included training, acquisition of ultrasound equipment, and system-wide education. An audit database was set up with the intent of prospective audits. An administrative database was used for harvesting outcomes data and comparing them with the "prior to pathway" era. RESULTS: 54 unique consults were performed. A total of 55 ultrasound examinations and 60 pleural procedures were performed. All-cause inpatient pleural admissions were lower in the "pathway" era (n = 9) compared to the "prior to pathway" era (n = 17). Gains in average case charges (21,737$ versus 18,818.2$/case) and average length of stay (3.65 versus 2.78 days/case) were seen in the "pathway" era. CONCLUSION: A "pleural pathway" and a centralized pleural service are associated with reduction in case charges, inpatient admissions, and length of stay for pleural conditions.

Respiratory Therapist-Managed Arterial Catheter Insertion and Maintenance Program: Experience in a Non-Teaching Community Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Usual practice in community health-care settings indicates that arterial catheters are inserted by physicians. In the context of a respiratory therapist (RT)-managed arterial catheter placement protocol being implemented in our community hospital, the current study describes the implementation and outcomes of this RT-managed arterial catheter insertion and maintenance program. METHODS: Tuality Healthcare is a 215-bed community health-care system (10-bed ICU) in Hillsboro, Oregon. With the goal of enhancing the quality of ICU care, an RT-managed multidisciplinary team was implemented to lead the delivery of protocolized ventilator liberation, arterial catheter insertion, and arterial blood gas utilization. Preparation for the program included didactic teaching, simulation-based training, and precepted procedural experience. A database was created for audit and quality improvement purposes. Outcomes and arterial blood gas utilization data were obtained from the audit database and from the hospital electronic health record. RESULTS: During the 4-y period (March 1, 2012, to April 31, 2016), 256 arterial catheter insertion attempts were made by a team of 12 qualified RTs. The success rate for the initial placement attempt by RT was high (94.5% [242 of 256]). Sixty-three percent of arterial lines were placed in patients to help manage severe sepsis/septic shock. No ischemic or infectious complications were reported during the study period. Nearly 40% (96 of 242) of the successful placements by RTs on initial attempts were performed during the night shift, when intensivists were not physically present in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS: This experience establishes the feasibility of an RT-managed arterial catheter placement program in a community ICU. The RT-managed program was characterized by a high degree of success and safety and allowed arterial catheter placement at times when intensivists were not available in the ICU. This experience extends the sparse reported experience of RT-managed arterial catheter placement programs and underscores the value of RTs as members of the ICU team.

Update on Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Clinical Practice.

Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (Feno) has emerged as a marker of T-helper cell type 2-mediated allergic airway inflammation. Recent studies suggest a role for Feno testing as a point-of-care tool in the management of patients with asthma. This Topics in Practice Management article reviews current coverage and reimbursement issues related to Feno testing and provides an overview of pertinent recent studies.