Follow Up of Incidental High-Risk Pulmonary Nodules on Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography at Care Transitions.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) detects incidental findings that require follow-up. In just over 50% of cases, those incidental findings are pulmonary nodules. Fleischner guidelines recommend that patients with nodules that have a high risk of malignancy should undergo CT follow-up within 3-12 months. OBJECTIVE: We examined the proportion of patients with pulmonary nodules requiring follow up who received repeat imaging within six weeks of the time frame recommended by the radiologist. DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included all patients who underwent CTPA in the emergency department and inpatient settings at three teaching hospitals in Toronto, Canada between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015. Natural language processing software was applied to a linked radiology information system to identify all CTPAs that contained pulmonary nodules. Using manual review and prespecified exclusion criteria, we generated a cohort with possible new lung malignancy eligible for follow-up imaging; then we reviewed available health records to determine whether follow-up had occurred. RESULTS: Of the 1,910 CTPAs performed over the study period, 674 (35.3%) contained pulmonary nodules. Of the 259 patients with new nodules eligible for follow-up imaging, 65 received an explicit suggestion for follow-up by radiology (25.1%). Of these 65 patients, 35 (53.8%) did not receive repeat imaging within the recommended time frame. Explicit mention that follow-up was required in the discharge summary (P = .03), attending an outpatient follow-up visit (P < .001), and younger age (P = .03) were associated with receiving timely follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Over 50% of patients with new high-risk pulmonary nodules detected incidentally on CTPA did not receive timely follow-up imaging.

Five things to know about diagnostic error.

Diagnostic error represents an important patient safety issue. Herein, we summarize five important things to know about this topic. 1) At least 1 in 20 adults are affected by diagnostic errors annually. 2) The root causes for diagnostic errors are typically multifactorial. 3) Cognitive errors are found in the majority of cases. 4) Most missed diagnoses involve common conditions. 5) Advancements in policy, education, and health information technologies hold promise for improving diagnostic safety.

Differential impact of smoking on mortality and kidney transplantation among adult Men and Women undergoing dialysis.

BACKGROUND: The extent to which smoking contributes to adverse outcomes among men and women of all ages undergoing dialysis is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the differential impact of smoking on risks of mortality and kidney transplantation by age and by sex at dialysis initiation. METHODS: We conducted a population-based cohort of incident U.S dialysis patients (n = 1, 220, 000) from 1995-2010. Age- and sex-specific mortality and kidney transplantation rates were determined for patients with and without a history of cardiovascular disease. Multivariable Cox regression evaluated relative hazard ratios (HR) for death and kidney transplantation at 2 years stratified by atherosclerotic condition, smoking status and age. Analyses were adjusted for demographic characteristics, non-cardiovascular conditions, laboratory variables, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: The average age was 62.8 (±15) years old, 54 % were male, and the majority was white. During 2-year follow-up, 40.5 % died and 5.7 % were transplanted. Age- and sex-specific mortality rates were significantly higher while transplantation rates were significantly lower for smokers with atherosclerotic conditions than non-smokers (P < 0.01). The adjusted mortality hazards were significantly higher for smokers with pre-existing coronary disease (HR 1.15, 95 % CI (1.11-1.18), stroke (HR 1.21, 1.16-1.27) and peripheral vascular disease (HR = 1.21, 1.17-1.25) compared to non-smokers without these conditions (HR 1.00, referent group). The magnitude of effect was greatest for younger patients than older patients. Contrastingly, the adjusted risks of kidney transplantation were significantly lower for smokers with coronary disease: (HR 0.60, 0.52-0.69), stroke; (HR 0.47, 0.37-0.60), and peripheral arterial disease (HR 0.55, 0.46-0.66) respectively compared to non-smokers without these conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We provide compelling evidence that smoking is associated with adverse clinical outcomes and reduced lifespans among dialysis patients of all ages and sexes. The adverse impact is greatest for younger men and women.

The first survey of attitudes of medical students in Ireland towards termination of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Since the UK Abortion Act (1967), women have travelled from Ireland to the UK for legal abortion. In 2011 >4000 women did so. Knowledge and attitudes of medical students towards abortion have been published, however, this is the first such report from Ireland. OBJECTIVE: To investigate medical students' attitudes towards abortion in Ireland. METHODS: All medical students at the University of Limerick, and physicians who graduated from the university within the previous 12 months, were invited via email to complete an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire comprised 17 questions. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. RESULTS: Response rate was 45% (n=169; 55% women; 88.2% <30 years of age; 66.7% Irish; 29.2% North American). Outcomes were: abortion should not be legally available (7.1%), abortion should be allowed in limited circumstances only (35.5%), abortion should be legally available upon request (55%). 72.8% of respondents were moderately/strongly prochoice (74% of women/71% of men/72% and 76% of Irish and North American respondents, respectively). Students aged >30 years were less likely to be prochoice (55%). While 95.2% believed that education on abortion should be offered within medical school curricula, 28.8% stated that they would decline to terminate pregnancies even if legally permitted. While 58.8% indicated that they might perform legal abortions once qualified, 25.7% would do so under limited circumstances only. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants wanted education regarding abortion. Despite being predominantly prochoice, considerably fewer students, irrespective of nationality, indicated that they would perform abortions.