Space Ultrasound: A Proposal for Competency-based Ultrasound Training for In-flight Space Medicine.

Space travel has transformed in the past several years. Given the burgeoning market for space tourism, in-flight medical emergencies are likely to be expected. Ultrasound is one of the few diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available for astronauts in space. However, while point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is available, there is no current standard of training for astronaut preparation. We suggest an organized and structured methodology by which astronauts should best prepare for space with the medical equipment available on board. As technology continues to evolve, the assistance of other artificial intelligence and augmented reality systems are likely to facilitate training and dynamic real-time needs during space emergencies. Summary: As space tourism continues to evolve, an organized methodology for POCUS use is advised to best prepare astronauts for space.

Multi-center analysis of point-of-care ultrasound for small bowel obstruction: A systematic review and individual patient-level meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in identifying small bowel obstruction (SBO) and to investigate the impact of clinician experience level and body mass index (BMI) on POCUS performance for diagnosing SBO in the Emergency Department. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed and Cochrane databases from January 2011-2022. We performed a meta-analysis using individual patient-level data from prospective diagnostic accuracy studies from which we obtained data from the corresponding authors. Overall test characteristics and subgroup analysis across clinician experience levels and a range of BMI were calculated. The primary outcome was SBO as the final diagnosis during hospitalization. RESULTS: We included Individual patient data from 433 patients from 5 prospective studies. Overall, 33% of patients had a final diagnosis of SBO. POCUS had 83.0% (95%CI 71.7%-90.4%) sensitivity and 93.0% (95%CI 55.3%-99.3%) specificity; LR+ was 11.9 (95%CI 1.2-114.9) and LR- was 0.2 (95%CI 0.1-0.3). Residents had exhibited a sensitivity of 73.0% (95%CI 56.6%-84.9%) and specificity of 88.2% (95%CI 58.8%-97.5%), whereas attendings had demonstrated a sensitivity of 87.7% (95%CI 71.1%-95.4%) and specificity of 91.4% (95%CI 57.4%-98.8%). Among those patients with BMI<30 kg/m2, POCUS showed a sensitivity of 88.6% (95%CI 79.5%-94.7%) and a specificity of 84.0% (95%CI 75.3%-90.6%), while patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 exhibited a sensitivity of 72.0% (95%CI 50.6%-87.9%) and specificity of 89.5% (95%CI 75.2%-97.1%). CONCLUSIONS: POCUS correctly identified those patients with SBO with high sensitivity and specificity. Diagnostic accuracy was slightly reduced when performed by resident physicians and among patients with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022303598.

Accuracy of "TICS" ultrasound protocol in detecting simple and complicated diverticulitis: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care ultrasound (US) has been suggested as the primary imaging in evaluating patients with suspected diverticulitis. Discrimination between simple and complicated diverticulitis may help to expedite emergent surgical consults and determine the risk of complications. This study aimed to: (1) determine the accuracy of an US protocol (TICS) for diagnosing diverticulitis in the emergency department (ED) setting and (2) assess the ability of TICS to distinguish between simple and complicated diverticulitis. METHODS: Patients with clinically suspected diverticulitis who underwent a diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan were identified prospectively in the ED. Emergency US faculty and fellows blinded to the CT results performed and interpreted US scans. The presence of simple or complicated diverticulitis was recorded after each US evaluation. The diagnostic ability of the US was compared to CT as the criterion standard. Modified Hinchey classification was used to distinguish between simple and complicated diverticulitis. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients (55% female, mean ± SD age 58 ± 16 years) were enrolled and included in the final analyses. Diverticulitis was the final diagnosis in 75 of 149 patients (50.3%), of whom 53 had simple diverticulitis and 22 had perforated diverticulitis (29.4%). TICS protocol's test characteristics for simple diverticulitis include a sensitivity of 95% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87%-99%), specificity of 76% (95% CI 65%-86%), positive predictive value of 80% (95% CI 71%-88%), and negative predictive value of 93% (95% CI 84%-98%). TICS protocol correctly identified 12 of 22 patients with complicated diverticulitis (sensitivity 55% [95% CI 32%-76%]) and specificity was 96% (95% CI 91%-99%). Eight of 10 missed diagnoses of complicated diverticulitis were identified as simple diverticulitis, and two were recorded as negative. CONCLUSIONS: In ED patients with suspected diverticulitis, US demonstrated high accuracy in ruling out or diagnosing diverticulitis, but its reliability in differentiating complicated from simple diverticulitis is unsatisfactory.

Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antibody Kinetics, Seroreversion, and Implications for Seroepidemiologic Studies.

Given widespread use of spike antibody in generating coronavirus disease vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antibodies are increasingly used to indicate previous infection in serologic surveys. However, longitudinal kinetics and seroreversion are poorly defined. We found substantial seroreversion of nucleocapsid total immunoglobulin, underscoring the need to account for seroreversion in seroepidemiologic studies.

SARS-CoV-2 antibodies protect against reinfection for at least 6 months in a multicentre seroepidemiological workplace cohort.

Identifying the potential for SARS-CoV-2 reinfection is crucial for understanding possible long-term epidemic dynamics. We analysed longitudinal PCR and serological testing data from a prospective cohort of 4,411 United States employees in 4 states between April 2020 and February 2021. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression investigating the association between baseline serological status and subsequent PCR test result in order to calculate an odds ratio for reinfection. We estimated an odds ratio for reinfection ranging from 0.14 (95% CI: 0.019 to 0.63) to 0.28 (95% CI: 0.05 to 1.1), implying that the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at baseline is associated with around 72% to 86% reduced odds of a subsequent PCR positive test based on our point estimates. This suggests that primary infection with SARS-CoV-2 provides protection against reinfection in the majority of individuals, at least over a 6-month time period. We also highlight 2 major sources of bias and uncertainty to be considered when estimating the relative risk of reinfection, confounders and the choice of baseline time point, and show how to account for both in reinfection analysis.

A Scoping Review of Emergency Department Discharge Risk Stratification.

INTRODUCTION: Although emergency department (ED) discharge presents patient-safety challenges and opportunities, the ways in which EDs address discharge risk in the general ED population remains disparate and largely uncharacterized. In this study our goal was to conduct a review of how EDs identify and target patients at increased risk at time of discharge. METHODS: We conducted a literature search to explore how EDs assess patient risk upon discharge, including a review of PubMed and gray literature. After independently screening articles for inclusion, we recorded study characteristics including outcome measures, patient risk factors, and tool descriptions. Based on this review and discussion among collaborators, major themes were identified. RESULTS: PubMed search yielded 384 potentially eligible articles. After title and abstract review, we screened 235 for potential inclusion. After full text and reference review, supplemented by Google Scholar and gray literature reviews, we included 30 articles for full review. Three major themes were elucidated: 1) Multiple studies include retrospective risk assessment, whereas the use of point-of-care risk assessment tools appears limited; 2) of the point-of-care tools that exist, inputs and outcome measures varied, and few were applicable to the general ED population; and 3) while many studies describe initiatives to improve the discharge process, few describe assessment of post-discharge resource needs. CONCLUSION: Numerous studies describe factors associated with an increased risk of readmission and adverse events after ED discharge, but few describe point-of-care tools used by physicians for the general ED population. Future work is needed to investigate standardized tools that assess ED discharge risk and patients' needs upon ED discharge.

Epidemiological and Immunological Features of Obesity and SARS-CoV-2.

Obesity is a key correlate of severe SARS-CoV-2 outcomes while the role of obesity on risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptom phenotype, and immune response remain poorly defined. We examined data from a prospective SARS-CoV-2 cohort study to address these questions. Serostatus, body mass index, demographics, comorbidities, and prior COVID-19 compatible symptoms were assessed at baseline and serostatus and symptoms monthly thereafter. SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays included an IgG ELISA targeting the spike RBD, multiarray Luminex targeting 20 viral antigens, pseudovirus neutralization, and T cell ELISPOT assays. Our results from a large prospective SARS-CoV-2 cohort study indicate symptom phenotype is strongly influenced by obesity among younger but not older age groups; we did not identify evidence to suggest obese individuals are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; and remarkably homogenous immune activity across BMI categories suggests immune protection across these groups may be similar.

Lung ultrasound in predicting COVID-19 clinical outcomes: A prospective observational study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the ability of lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to predict mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of a convenience sample of patients with confirmed COVID-19 presenting to 2 tertiary hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Iran between March and April 2020. An emergency physician attending sonographer performed a 12-zone bilateral lung ultrasound in all patients. Research associates followed the patients on their clinical course. We determined the frequency of positive POCUS findings, the geographic distribution of lung involvement, and lung severity scores. We used multivariable logistic regression to associate lung POCUS findings with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients with COVID-like symptoms were included, including 109 with confirmed COVID-19. Among the included patients, 33 (30.3%) patients were intubated, and in-hospital mortality was reported in 19 (17.4%). Lung POCUS findings included pleural thickening 95.4%, B-lines 90.8%, subpleural consolidation 86.2%, consolidation 46.8%, effusions 19.3%, and atelectasis 18.3%. Multivariable logistic regression incorporating binary and scored POCUS findings were able to identify those at highest risk for need of mechanical ventilation (area under the curve 0.80) and in-hospital mortality (area under the curve 0.87). In the binary model ultrasound (US) findings in the anterior lung fields were significantly associated with a need for intubation and mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR] 3.67; 0.62-21.6). There was an inverse relationship between mortality and posterior lung field involvement (OR 0.05; 0.01-0.23; and scored OR of 0.57; 0.40-0.82). Anterior lung field involvement was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COVID-19, the anatomic distribution of findings on lung ultrasound is associated with outcomes. Lung POCUS-based models may help clinicians to identify those patients with COVID-19 at risk for clinical deterioration.Key Words: COVID-19; Lung Ultrasound; Mechanical ventilation; Prediction; ICU admission; Mortality; Clinical outcome; Risk stratification; Diagnostic accuracy.

Sedation - Effects of disorders of abuse on therapeutic efficacy (SEDATE): A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of alcohol or opioid use disorders on medication dosing for procedural sedation in the emergency department (ED) is unclear, as most of the literature is from gastrointestinal endoscopy. Exploring how these patient factors affect sedative and analgesic medications may inform more nuanced sedation strategies in the emergency department. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart-review cohort study across five EDs from 2015 to 2020. Included were adult patients who underwent procedural sedation in the ED, categorized into three a priori groups: alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and individuals with neither (non-SUD). Wilcoxon test was used to compare the time-averaged dose of agents between groups. Logistic regression was used to model multi-agent sedations. The propofol time-averaged dose was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included other agents, sedation duration, and switching to other agents. RESULTS: 2725 sedations were included in the analysis. 59 patients had a history of AUD, and 40 had a history of OUD. Time-averaged doses of medications did not differ significantly between AUD and non-SUD patients. Likewise, patients with OUD did not receive different doses of medications compared to non-SUD. The propofol doses for non-SUD, AUD, and OUD were 0.033 IQR 0.04; 0.042 IQR 0.05; and 0.058 IQR 0.04 mg/kg*min, respectively. Sedation duration was not different across groups. Having AUD or OUD is not associated with increased odds of requiring multiple sedative agents. CONCLUSION: Although sedation in patients with AUD or OUD may be associated with significant case bias, these patient factors did not significantly alter outcomes compared to the general population. This study suggests there is no evidence to proactively adjust medication strategy in ED patients with AUD or OUD.

Prospective validation of the bedside sonographic acute cholecystitis score in emergency department patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis can be difficult to diagnose in the emergency department (ED); no single finding can rule in or rule out the disease. A prediction score for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis for use at the bedside would be of great value to expedite the management of patients presenting with possible acute cholecystitis. The 2013 Tokyo Guidelines is a validated method for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis but its prognostic capability is limited. The purpose of this study was to prospectively validate the Bedside Sonographic Acute Cholecystitis (SAC) Score utilizing a combination of only historical symptoms, physical exam signs, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings for the prediction of the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in ED patients. METHOD: This was a prospective observational validation study of the Bedside SAC Score. The study was conducted at two tertiary referral academic centers in Boston, Massachusetts. From April 2016 to March 2019, adult patients (≥18 years old) with suspected acute cholecystitis were enrolled via convenience sampling and underwent a physical exam and a focused biliary POCUS in the ED. Three symptoms and signs (post-prandial symptoms, RUQ tenderness, and Murphy's sign) and two sonographic findings (gallbladder wall thickening and the presence of gallstones) were combined to calculate the Bedside Sonographic Acute Cholecystitis (SAC) Score. The final diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was determined from chart review or patient follow-up up to 30 days after the initial assessment. In patients who underwent operative intervention, surgical pathology was used to confirm the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the Bedside SAC Score were calculated for various cut off points. RESULTS: 153 patients were included in the analysis. Using a previously defined cutoff of ≥ 4, the Bedside SAC Score had a sensitivity of 88.9% (95% CI 73.9%-96.9%), and a specificity of 67.5% (95% CI 58.2%-75.9%). A Bedside SAC Score of < 2 had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI 90.3%-100%) and specificity of 35% (95% CI 26.5%-44.4%). A Bedside SAC Score of ≥ 7 had a sensitivity of 44.4% (95% CI 27.9%-61.9%) and specificity of 95.7% (95% CI 90.3%-98.6%). CONCLUSION: A bedside prediction score for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis would have great utility in the ED. The Bedside SAC Score would be most helpful as a rule out for patients with a low Bedside SAC Score < 2 (sensitivity of 100%) or as a rule in for patients with a high Bedside SAC Score ≥ 7 (specificity of 95.7%). Prospective validation with a larger study is required.

Ultrasound for Intubation Confirmation: A Randomized Controlled Study among Emergency Medicine Residents.

Confirmation of endotracheal tube (ETT) placement during intubation is a critical skill for emergency medicine (EM) residents; airway ultrasonography has been suggested as an accessible and accurate method of ETT confirmation. Here, we investigated the accuracy with which EM residents could identify ETT location in cadavers using different ultrasound modes. EM attendings intubated either the trachea or the esophagus of a cadaver, and blinded residents identified ETT position using either B-mode or B-mode plus color Doppler. Residents correctly identified ETT location in 1075 of 1203 trials (89.4%); performance improved with post-graduate year (residents in post-graduate year 3 had 97.8% accurate identifications). There were 556 (91.7%) correct identifications made with B-mode and 519 (86.9%) with B-mode plus color Doppler (p value = 0.007); thus, accuracy did not improve with addition of color Doppler to B-mode. Further research is needed on the efficacy of different ultrasound modes in confirming ETT placement in live intubations.

Sonographic Assessment of the Effects of Mechanical Ventilation on Carotid Flow Time and Volume.

Background Corrected carotid flow time (CFTc) and carotid blood flow (CBF) are sonographic measurements used to assess fluid responsiveness in hypotension. We investigated the impacts of mechanical ventilation on CFTc and CBF. Materials and methods Normotensive patients undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled. Carotid ultrasound (US) was performed pre and post-intubation. Post-intubation measurements took place after the initiation of mechanical ventilation. To measure CFTc and CBF, a sagittal carotid view was obtained with pulse wave-Doppler (maximum angle 60°). CFTc was calculated with the Bazett formula (CFTc = systolic time/√cycle time). CBF was calculated using CBF (mL/min) = area (cm 2 ) x time average mean velocity (TAMEAN) (cm/sec) x 60 (sec/min). The maximum carotid diameter was measured at the level of the thyroid. Results Twenty patients were enrolled. Mean CFTc pre-intubation was 328 ms (SD 43.9 ms) compared to CFTc post-intubation 336 ms (SD 36 ms). There was no significant difference between pre and post-intubation CFTc (mean differences=-0.008; t(19)=-0.71, p=.49). Mean CBF pre-intubation was 487 mL/min (SD 176 mL/min) compared to CBF post-intubation 447 mL/min (SD 187 mL/min). There was no significant difference between pre and post-intubation CBF (mean differences= 40; t(19)=1.24, p=.23). Conclusions In this study of normotensive patients, there were no detected differences in CFTc or CBF pre and post-intubation with mechanical ventilation.

A pilot study examining the use of ultrasound to measure sarcopenia, frailty and fall in older patients.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of this study is to devise an efficient tool for assessing frailty in the ED. The goals of this study are 1) to correlate ultrasonographic (US) measurements of muscle thickness in older ED patients with frailty and 2) to correlate US-measured sarcopenia with falls, subsequent hospitalizations and ED revisits. METHODS: Participants were conveniently sampled from a single ED in this prospective cohort pilot study of patients aged 65 or older. Participants completed a Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness and Loss of Weight (FRAIL) scale assessment and US measurements of their upper arm muscles, quadricep muscles, and abdominal wall muscles thickness. We conducted one-month follow-up phone calls to assess for falls, ED revisits, and subsequent hospital visits. RESULTS: We enrolled 43 patients (mean age of 78.5). Ultrasound measurements of the three muscle groups were not significantly different between frail and non-frail groups. Frail participants had greater bicep asymmetry (a difference of 0.47 cm vs 0.24 cm, p < .01). A predictive logistic regression model using average quadriceps thickness and biceps asymmetry was found to identify frail patients (AUC of 0.816). Participants with subsequent falls had smaller quadriceps (1.18 cm smaller, p < .01). Subsequently hospitalized patients were found to have smaller quadriceps muscles (0.54 cm smaller, p = .03) and abdominal wall muscles (0.25 cm smaller, p = .01). CONCLUSION: US measurements of sarcopenia in older patients had mild to moderate associations with frailty, falls and subsequent hospitalizations. Further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.

Epidemiological and immunological features of obesity and SARS-CoV-2.

Obesity is a key correlate of severe SARS-CoV-2 outcomes while the role of obesity on risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptom phenotype, and immune response are poorly defined. We examined data from a prospective SARS-CoV-2 cohort study to address these questions. Serostatus, body mass index, demographics, comorbidities, and prior COVID-19 compatible symptoms were assessed at baseline and serostatus and symptoms monthly thereafter. SARS-CoV-2 immunoassays included an IgG ELISA targeting the spike RBD, multiarray Luminex targeting 20 viral antigens, pseudovirus neutralization, and T cell ELISPOT assays. Our results from a large prospective SARS-CoV-2 cohort study indicate symptom phenotype is strongly influenced by obesity among younger but not older age groups; we did not identify evidence to suggest obese individuals are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection; and, remarkably homogenous immune activity across BMI categories suggests natural- and vaccine-induced protection may be similar across these groups.

Point-of-care Ultrasound in Morbidity and Mortality Cases in Emergency Medicine: Who Benefits the Most?

INTRODUCTION: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is an essential tool in the timely evaluation of an undifferentiated patient in the emergency department (ED). Our primary objective in this study was to determine the perceived impact of POCUS in high-risk cases presented at emergency medicine (EM) morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences. Additionally, we sought to identify in which types of patients POCUS might be most useful, and which POCUS applications were considered to be highest yield. METHODS: This was a retrospective survey of cases submitted to M&M at an EM residency program that spans two academic EDs, over one academic year. Postgraduate year 4 (PGY) residents who presented M&M cases at departmental sessions were surveyed on perceived impacts of POCUS on individual patient outcomes. We evaluated POCUS use and indications while the POCUS was used. RESULTS: Over the 12-month period, we reviewed 667 cases from 18 M&M sessions by 15 PGY-4 residents and a supervising EM attending physician who chairs the M&M committee. Of these cases, 75 were selected by the M&M committee for review and presentation. POCUS was used in 27% (20/75) of the cases and not used in 73% (55/75). In cases where POCUS was not used, retrospective review determined that if POCUS had been used it would have "likely prevented the M&M" in 45% (25/55). Of these 25 cases, the majority of POCUS applications that could have helped were cardiac (32%, 8/25) and lung (32%, 8/25) ultrasound. POCUS was felt to have greatest potential in identifying missed diagnoses (92%, 23/25), and decreasing the time to diagnosis (92%, 23/25). Patients with cardiopulmonary chief complaints and abnormal vital signs were most likely to benefit. There were seven cases (35%, 7/20, 95% CI 15-59%) in which POCUS was performed and thought to have possibly adversely affected the outcome of the M&M. CONCLUSION: POCUS was felt to have the potential to reduce or prevent M&M in 45% of cases in which it was not used. Cardiac and lung POCUS were among the most useful applications, especially in patients with cardiopulmonary complaints and in those with abnormal vital signs.

Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter Measured by Point-of-Care Ultrasound and MRI.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and optic nerve diameter (OND) is a method frequently used to screen for an increased intracranial pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of US measurements of ONSD and OND, when compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements as the criterion standard. METHODS: In this prospective, single-institution study, orbital US was performed for those patients requiring an emergent brain MRI. ONSD and OND of both eyes were measured in the axial and coronal planes in straight gaze by US. ONSD and OND from brain and orbital MRI were measured by two neuroradiologists. Correlation and agreement between readings were assessed using Pearson's correlations. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients met inclusion criteria. The mean axial and coronal ONSD in the MRI examinations was 5.6 and 5.7 mm at 3-5.9 mm behind the globe, respectively. The mean ONSD from the US measurements was 6.22 and 5.52 mm in the axial and coronal planes, respectively. The mean OND in US examinations was 4.31 mm (axial) and 3.68 mm (coronal). Axial versus coronal measurements of ONSD had a modest correlation in US assessment with an r2 of .385 (P < .001) but there were no correlations between any of the US and MRI measurements. CONCLUSIONS: In measuring ONSD and OND, US measurements showed a modest correlation between axial and coronal measurements, but no concordance was found between US and MRI in our setting.

Difficult intravenous access as an independent predictor of delayed care and prolonged length of stay in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: Difficult intravenous access (DIVA) is common in the emergency department (ED). We investigated the extent to which DIVA is associated with care delay outcomes including time to first laboratory draw, therapies, imaging, and ED disposition. METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort analysis of patients with DIVA treated between 2018 and 2020 at 2 urban academic EDs was performed. DIVA was defined as patients requiring ultrasound-guided intravenous access placed by physicians or advanced practice providers (APPs) as opposed to landmark-based intravenous placement by nurses. ED throughput variables and disposition time were compared. We correlated DIVA with time to administration of intravenous pain medications, fluids, imaging contrast, laboratory results, and ED disposition. RESULTS: A total of 108,256 subjects with 161,122 total encounters were included. DIVA occurred in 4961 (3.1%) of ED visits. Patients with DIVA were more likely to be female (3.5% vs 2.6% for males, odds ratio [OR] 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27-1.42), self-identify as black (OR 1.78, 95% CI: 1.66-1.91), and have higher acuity of illness (P < 0.001). Among pediatric patients, DIVA occurred most often in the first year of life at a rate of 3.25%. In adults, DIVA occurred in 2 age peaks; at 35 years (4.02%), and at 63 years (3.44%). In all workflow metrics, the presence of DIVA was associated with significant delays in median time to completion: 50 minutes for pain medication administration, 36 minutes for intravenous fluid administration, 29 minutes for laboratory results, 57 minutes for intravenous contrast administration, and 87 minutes for discharge orders. CONCLUSION: DIVA was associated with increased time to therapies, diagnostic studies, imaging completion, and ED disposition. A more expeditious approach to achieving intravenous access in patients with predicted DIVA could improve ED throughput and patient care overall.

Development of a nomogram to predict small bowel obstruction using point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Early diagnostic prediction in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO) can improve time to definitive management and disposition in the emergency department. We sought to develop a nomogram to leverage point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and maximize accuracy of prediction of SBO diagnosis. METHODS: Using data from a prospective cohort of 125 patients with suspected SBO who were evaluated with POCUS in the ED, we developed a nomogram integrating age, gender, comorbidities, prior abdominal surgery, physician's pre-test probability, and POCUS findings to determine post-test risk of SBO. The primary outcome was to develop a nomogram to allow calculating output probabilities for predictive models using POCUS findings. The discriminative ability of the nomogram was tested using a C-statistics, calibration plots, and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 125 patients with a median age of 54 years who underwent POCUS for a suspected SBO. One-fourth of the patients (25.6% [32/125]) had SBO. Using a retrospective stepwise selection of clinically important variables with the POCUS results, the final nomogram incorporated four relevant factors for the prediction of SBO: small bowel diameter (odds ratio [OR] per 1 mm increase, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.17; P = 0.001), positive free intraperitoneal fluid between bowel loops (OR, 8.19; 95% CI, 2.62-25.62; P < 0.001), clinician's moderate (OR, 5.94; 95% CI, 0.83-42.57; P = 0.08) or high pretest probability (OR, 11.26; 95% CI, 1.44-88.25; P = 0.02), and patient age (OR per 1 year increase, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00 to1.07; P = 0.08).The discriminative ability and calibration of the nomogram revealed good predictive ability as indicated by the C-statistic of 0.89 for the SBO diagnosis. CONCLUSION: A unique nomogram incorporating patient age, physician pretest probability of SBO, and POCUS measurements of small bowel diameter and the presence of free intraperitoneal fluid between bowel loops was developed to accurately predict the diagnosis of SBO in the emergency department. The nomogram should be externally validated in a novel cohort of patients at risk for SBO to better assess predictability and generalizability.

Strain- and Species-Level Variation in the Microbiome of Diabetic Wounds Is Associated with Clinical Outcomes and Therapeutic Efficacy.

Chronic wounds are a major complication of diabetes associated with high morbidity and health care expenditures. To investigate the role of colonizing microbiota in diabetic wound healing, clinical outcomes, and response to interventions, we conducted a longitudinal, prospective study of patients with neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Metagenomic shotgun sequencing revealed that strain-level variation of Staphylococcus aureus and genetic signatures of biofilm formation were associated with poor outcomes. Cultured wound isolates of S. aureus elicited differential phenotypes in mouse models that corresponded with patient outcomes, while wound "bystanders" such as Corynebacterium striatum and Alcaligenes faecalis, typically considered commensals or contaminants, also significantly impacted wound severity and healing. Antibiotic resistance genes were widespread, and debridement, rather than antibiotic treatment, significantly shifted the DFU microbiota in patients with more favorable outcomes. These findings suggest that the DFU microbiota may be a marker for clinical outcomes and response to therapeutic interventions.