Parental Leave Policies in the Top 20 US Hospitals: A Call for Inclusivity and Improvement.

Objective: To evaluate and compare parental leave policies from the top United States (US) hospitals with a focus on inclusivity of all types of parents. Methods: In September and October of 2021, the parental leave policies of the top 20 US hospitals, ranked by the 2021 US News & World report, were evaluated. Parental leave policies were obtained and reviewed through the hospitals' public websites. Hospitals' Human Relations (HR) departments were contacted to confirm the policies. Hospital policies were scored against a rubric created by the authors. Results: Among the top US hospitals (21 total hospitals), 17 (81%) had publicly available policies, and one policy was obtained by contacting HR. Fourteen of the 18 hospitals (77.8%) had a parental leave policy distinctive from short-term disability and offered paid paternity or partner leave. Thirteen hospitals (72.2%) offered parental leave for parents whose children were carried through surrogacy. Fourteen hospitals (77.8%) included adoptive parents; however, only five hospitals (27.8%) specifically included foster parents. The average paid leave for birthing mothers was 7.9 weeks compared to 6.6 weeks for nonbirthing parents. Only three hospitals offered the same leave for birthing and nonbirthing parents. Conclusion: While a few of the top 20 hospitals have paid parental leave policies that are inclusive and equivalent to all parents, many do not and represent an area for improvement. As healthcare industry leaders, these hospitals should strive for inclusive parental leave policies that care for their employees with the same high standards they set for caring for patients.

Administration of Sugammadex Intraoperatively in a Patient With a Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Case Report.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a group of genetic neuromuscular disorders caused by mutations that impair synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction. Developing an anesthetic plan for patients with this diagnosis is difficult, as they are at risk for prolonged neuromuscular blockade. Sugammadex is an alternative to neostigmine for neuromuscular blockade reversal that does not produce muscarinic side effects, yet there is a little literature assessing sugammadex in congenital myasthenic syndromes. We present the case of a 6-year-old boy with a congenital myasthenic syndrome who received sugammadex without complication. This case provides support for clinicians to consider sugammadex in these patients.

Moving anesthesiology educational resources to the point of care: experience with a pediatric anesthesia mobile app.

BACKGROUND: Educators in all disciplines recognize the need to update tools for the modern learner. Mobile applications (apps) may be useful, but real-time data is needed to demonstrate the patterns of utilization and engagement amongst learners. METHODS: We examined the use of an anesthesia app by two groups of learners (residents and anesthesiologist assistant students [AAs]) during a pediatric anesthesiology rotation. The app calculates age and weight-based information for clinical decision support and contains didactic materials for self-directed learning. The app transmitted detailed usage information to our research team. RESULTS: Over a 12-month period, 39 participants consented; 30 completed primary study procedures (18 residents, 12 AAs). AAs used the app more frequently than residents (P = 0.025) but spent less time in the app (P < 0.001). The median duration of app usage was 2.3 minutes. During the course of the rotation, usage of the app decreased over time. 'Succinylcholine' was the most accessed drug, while 'orientation' was the most accessed teaching module. Ten (33%) believed that the use of apps was perceived to be distracting by operating room staff and surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time in-app analytics helped elucidate the actual usage of this educational resource and will guide future decisions regarding development and educational content. Further research is required to determine learners' preferred choice of device, user experience, and content in the full range of clinical and nonclinical purposes.