Development and Implementation of an Acute Kidney Injury Remote Patient Monitoring Program: Research Letter.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) survivors have a dynamic posthospital course which warrants close monitoring. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) could be used to improve quality and efficiency of AKI survivor care. Objective: The objective of this report was to describe the development and preliminary feasibility of an AKI RPM program launched in October 2021. Setting: Academic medical center. Patients: Patients enrolled in the AKI RPM program were those who experienced AKI during a hospitalization and underwent nephrology consultation. Measurements/Methods: At enrollment, patients were provided with home monitoring technology and underwent weekly laboratory assessments. Nurses evaluated the data daily and adhered to prespecified protocols for management and escalation of care if needed. Results: Twenty patients were enrolled in AKI RPM in the first 5 months. Median duration of program participation was 36 (31, 40) days. Eight patients (40%) experienced an unplanned readmission, or an emergency department visit, half (N = 4) of which were attributed to AKI and related circumstances. Of the 9 postgraduation survey respondents, all were satisfied with the RPM program and 89% would recommend RPM to other patients with similar health conditions. Limitations: Acute kidney injury RPM was made possible by the existing infrastructure in our integrated health system and the robust resources available in the Mayo Clinic Center for Digital Health. Such infrastructure may not be universally available which could limit scale and generalizability of such a program. Conclusions: Remote patient monitoring can offer a unique opportunity to bridge the care transition from hospital to home and increase access to quality care for the AKI survivors.

Les survivants d'un épisode d'insuffisance rénale aiguë (IRA) ont un parcours post-hospitalier dynamique qui justifie une surveillance étroite. La télésurveillance des patients (TSP) pourrait être employée pour améliorer la qualité et l'efficacité des soins pour les survivants de l'IRA. Objectif: L'objectif de ce rapport était de décrire le développement et la faisabilité préliminaire d'un programme de TSP-IRA (télésurveillance des patients atteints d'IRA) en octobre 2021. Cadre: Centre médical universitaire. Sujets: Les patients inscrits au programme de TSP-IRA étaient des patients qui avaient vécu un épisode d'IRA lors d'une hospitalisation et obtenu une consultation en néphrologie. Mesures et méthodologie: Au moment de l'inclusion, les patients ont reçu un dispositif de surveillance à domicile et se sont soumis à des évaluations de laboratoire hebdomadaires. Les infirmières ont évalué les données quotidiennement et ont respecté des protocoles prédéfinis pour la gestion et l'escalade des soins si nécessaire. Résultats: Vingt patients ont été inclus dans le programme de TSP-IRA au cours des cinq premiers mois. La durée médiane de participation au programme était de 36 (31, 40) jours. Huit patients (40%) ont dû être réadmis de façon non planifiée ou ont dû faire une visite aux urgences; pour la moitié d'entre eux (N = 4) en raison de l'IRA et de circonstances connexes. Parmi les neuf répondants qui ont répondu au sondage à la complétion du programme, tous se sont dits satisfaits du programme de TSP et 89% le recommanderaient à d'autres patients ayant des problèmes de santé similaires. Limites: Le programme de TSP-IRA a été rendu possible grâce à l'infrastructure existante dans notre système de santé intégré et aux ressources robustes disponibles au Mayo Clinic Center for Digital Health. Une telle infrastructure n'est peut-être pas universellement disponible, ce qui pourrait limiter l'ampleur et la généralisabilité d'un tel programme. Conclusion: La TSP peut offrir une occasion unique de faciliter la transition des soins entre l'hôpital et le domicile et d'accroître l'accès à des soins de qualité pour les survivants d'un épisode d'IRA.

Implementation and evaluation of sepsis surveillance and decision support in medical ICU and emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the timely diagnosis and treatment of sepsis many institutions implemented automated sepsis alerts. Poor specificity, time delays, and a lack of actionable information lead to limited adoption by bedside clinicians and no change in practice or clinical outcomes. We aimed to compare sepsis care compliance before and after a multi-year implementation of a sepsis surveillance coupled with decision support in a tertiary care center. DESIGN: Single center before and after study. SETTING: Large academic Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and Emergency Department (ED). POPULATION: Patients 18 years of age or older admitted to *** Hospital MICU and ED from 09/4/2011 to 05/01/2018 with severe sepsis or septic shock. INTERVENTIONS: Electronic medical record-based sepsis surveillance system augmented by clinical decision support and completion feedback. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There were 1950 patients admitted to the MICU with the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock during the study period. The baseline characteristics were similar before (N = 854) and after (N = 1096) implementation of sepsis surveillance. The performance of the alert was modest with a sensitivity of 79.9%, specificity of 76.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) 27.9%, and negative predictive value (NPV) 97.2%. There were 3424 unique alerts and 1131 confirmed sepsis patients after the sniffer implementation. During the study period average care bundle compliance was higher; however after taking into account improvements in compliance leading up to the intervention, there was no association between intervention and improved care bundle compliance (Odds ratio: 1.16; 95% CI: 0.71 to 1.89; p-value 0.554). Similarly, the intervention was not associated with improvement in hospital mortality (Odds ratio: 1.55; 95% CI: 0.95 to 2.52; p-value: 0.078). CONCLUSIONS: A sepsis surveillance system incorporating decision support or completion feedback was not associated with improved sepsis care and patient outcomes.

Reducing Iatrogenic Pneumothoraces: Using Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance for Pleural Procedures.

OBJECTIVES: Awareness of the impact of bedside ultrasound to reduce iatrogenic pneumothoraces while performing bedside pleural procedures has increased but with little understanding in how ultrasound is used for these procedures. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center in the United States from January 1, 2014, to March 31, 2017. Our study assessed adverse effect rates between real-time ultrasound-guided and ultrasound-marked thoracenteses and thoracostomy tube placements. PATIENTS: Three-hundred ninety-four ICU patients were included in this study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the rate of adverse effects between real-time ultrasound-guided (0.63% [95% CI, 0.11-3.4%]) and ultrasound-marked (6.89% [95% CI, 4.15-11.24%]; p ≤ 0.01) procedures. More specifically, the rate of pneumothoraces was different between the two procedures (0.63% [95% CI, 0.11-3.4%] vs 4.43% [95% CI, 2.35-8.21%]; p = 0.02). In patients mechanically ventilated, there was a significant difference in overall adverse effect rates between groups of ultrasound use (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The use of real-time ultrasound guidance was associated with a lower rate of iatrogenic pneumothoraces.

Effect of plasma exchange on antifactor Xa activity of enoxaparin and serum levetiracetam levels.

PURPOSE: The effect of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on antifactor Xa activity in a patient treated with enoxaparin and levetiracetam is reported. SUMMARY: A 52-year-old woman was treated with levetiracetam and prophylactic enoxaparin while receiving TPE to manage respiratory failure due to anti-MDA5 antibody-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) with dermatomyositis. Due to a scant amount of evidence regarding the management of these medications in TPE, therapeutic monitoring principles were used to assess the effect TPE had on these medications. A pre-TPE antifactor Xa activity level and levetiracetam serum assay, a post-TPE antifactor Xa activity level and levetiracetam serum assay, levetiracetam serum assays at 1 and 6 hours after the patient received her next dose, and a levetiracetam assay of the waste plasma from the TPE were collected for therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic calculations. Utilizing standard population pharmacokinetic data, the expected antifactor Xa activity without TPE was 0.14 IU/mL. This concentration was significantly higher than the undetectable concentration (<0.1 IU/mL) that was drawn immediately after TPE, suggesting significant removal of antifactor Xa activity. The measured levetiracetam level did not significantly differ from the expected post-TPE levetiracetam level that was calculated using patient-specific pharmacokinetic data. CONCLUSION: In a patient receiving TPE to manage anti-MDA5 antibody ILD associated with dermatomyositis and a prior seizure, TPE significantly altered enoxaparin antifactor Xa activity as evidenced by the undetectable antifactor Xa activity level drawn after TPE. Alternatively, TPE had a minimal effect on the clearance of levetiracetam as evidenced by the post-TPE level and fraction elimination of only 5% of total body stores.

Severe Babesia microti infection presenting as multiorgan failure in an immunocompetent host.

A previously healthy 67-year-old farmer presented to an outside hospital after a 2-week history of non-specific respiratory symptoms. A certain diagnosis was not initially apparent, and the patient was discharged home on a regimen for presumed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. He re-presented to the emergency department with shock and hypoxaemic respiratory failure requiring prompt intubation and fluid resuscitation. He was then transferred to our institution due to multiorgan failure. On arrival, the patient demonstrated refractory shock and worsening acute kidney injury, severe anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. The peripheral smear revealed absence of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. A closer review of the smear displayed red blood cell inclusion bodies consistent with babesiosis. The patient was started on clindamycin and loaded with intravenous quinidine, and subsequently transitioned to oral quinine. A red cell exchange transfusion was pursued with improvement of the parasite load. The patient was discharged home on clindamycin/quinine and scheduled for outpatient intermittent haemodialysis.

Early Corticosteroids for Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Adults Without HIV Are Not Associated With Better Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supporting adjunctive corticosteroids during the treatment of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) in adults without HIV is minimal and controversial. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included P jirovecii pneumonia-positive, hospitalized patients without HIV admitted to the Mayo Clinic from 2006 to 2016. Change from baseline in the respiratory component of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (SOFAresp) at day 5 was compared between early (within 48 h) steroid recipients and nonrecipients by using multivariable logistic regression and in a propensity-matched analysis. RESULTS: Among the 323 included patients (early steroids, n = 258; no steroids, n = 65), the median (interquartile range) age was 65 (53, 73) years, 63% were male, and 92% were white. Severity-adjusted regression and propensity-matched analyses found that early administration of steroids was associated with less improvement in SOFAresp at day 5 compared with no steroids (P = .001 and P = .017, respectively). No differences were observed in the odds of having at least a one-point improvement in SOFAresp at day 5 compared with baseline between groups (adjusted OR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.24-2.28]; P = .61). Overall 30-day mortality was 22.9% (95% CI, 18.2-27.4). No differences in mortality, length of stay, admission to the ICU, or need for mechanical ventilation were found between early steroid recipients and nonrecipients. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of early corticosteroids to anti-Pneumocystis therapy in patients without HIV was not associated with improved respiratory outcomes.

Chylothorax as a Risk Factor for Thrombosis in Adults: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative chylothorax in children is associated with an increased risk of vascular thrombosis, hypothesized to be from loss of antithrombin into chylous fluid resulting in a hypercoagulable state. In adults, an increased thrombotic risk with chylothorax has not been described. Adults undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy have two strong thrombotic risk factors-active malignancy and postoperative state-allowing for relative homogeneity in baseline thrombotic risk; therefore, we studied the association of chylothorax with thrombosis in this population. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care academic center. Patients included adults undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2012. We collected demographics, pleural fluid characteristics, and relevant imaging within 30 days after the operation. Using nominal logistic regression, we studied the effects of chylothorax, age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification, operative duration, and hospital length of stay on the incidence of postoperative thrombosis. RESULTS: We identified 608 patients who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy. Of these, 524 (86.2%) had no pleural fluid analysis, 48 (7.9%) had nonchylous effusions, and 36 (5.9%) had chylothoraces, with incident acute vascular thrombosis within 30 days postoperatively occurring in 22 of 524 (4.2%), 2 of 48 (4.2%), and 8 of 36 (22.2%), respectively (p = 0.001). In multivariate analyses, after adjusting for the above factors, chylothorax was associated with significantly higher odds of any vascular thrombosis (odds ratio, 5.46; p = 0.0013) and deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (odds ratio, 6.76; p = 0.0016). CONCLUSIONS: Chylothorax is associated with a significantly higher incidence of vascular thrombosis in adults undergoing Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy. Vascular thrombosis was associated with a significantly higher 90-day mortality rate.

Can a Novel ICU Data Display Positively Affect Patient Outcomes and Save Lives?

The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of ProCCESs AWARE, Ambient Clinical Analytics, Rochester, MN, a novel acute care electronic medical record interface, on a range of care process and patient health outcome metrics in intensive care units (ICUs). ProCCESs AWARE is a novel acute care EMR interface that contains built-in tools for error prevention, practice surveillance, decision support and reporting. We compared outcomes before and after AWARE implementation using a prospective cohort and a historical control. The study population included all critically ill adult patients (over 18 years old) admitted to four ICUs at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, who stayed in hospital at least 24 h. The pre-AWARE cohort included 983 patients from 2010, and the post-AWARE cohort included 856 patients from 2014. We analyzed patient health outcomes, care process quality, and hospital charges. After adjusting for patient acuity and baseline demographics, overall in-hospital and ICU mortality odds ratios associated with AWARE intervention were 0.45 (95% confidence interval 0.30 to 0.70) and 0.38 (0.22, 0.66). ICU length of stay decreased by about 50%, hospital length of stay by 37%, and total charges for hospital stay by 30% in post AWARE cohort (by $43,745 after adjusting for patient acuity and demographics). Better organization of information in the ICU with systems like AWARE has the potential to improve important patient outcomes, such as mortality and length of stay, resulting in reductions in costs of care.

Impact of Telemedicine Monitoring of Community ICUs on Interhospital Transfers.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of tele-ICU monitoring on interhospital transfers from community-based ICUs to the quaternary care hospital at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of data on interhospital transfers comparing trends prior to tele-ICU implementation to those following implementation. SETTING: Tele-ICU programs are increasingly utilized to fill resource gaps in caring for critically ill patients. How such programs impact population and bed management within a healthcare system are not known. Mayo Clinic serves as quaternary referral care center for hospitals in the region within the Mayo Clinic Health System. In August 2013, we implemented tele-ICU monitoring at six Mayo Clinic Health System hospital ICUs. SUBJECTS: All adult ICU admissions during the study period (preimplementation phase: January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012; and postimplementation phase: January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2014) in any of the six specified community ICUs were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Interhospital transfers significantly increased post institution of tele-ICU (p = 0.040) and was attributed primarily to transfer from less specialized ICUs (p = 0.037) as compared with more resource-intensive ICUs (p = 0.88). However, for such patient transfers, there were no significant differences before and after severity of illness scores, ICU mortality, or inhospital mortality. CONCLUSION: In a regional healthcare system, implementation of a tele-ICU program is associated with an increase in interhospital transfers from less resourced ICUs to the referral center, a trend that is not readily explained by increased severity of illness.

Perceived safety and efficacy of neuromuscular blockers for acute respiratory distress syndrome among medical intensive care unit practitioners: A multicenter survey.

PURPOSE: Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are frequently used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The purpose of this survey is to describe providers' knowledge and perceived efficacy and safety of NMBAs in patients with ARDS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective, multicenter survey of medical intensive care unit intensivists, fellows, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician's assistants (PAs), and pharmacists at 5 tertiary care centers between July 2012 and May 2013. RESULTS: A total of 335 surveys were sent to providers, with a 47% response rate. Ninety-eight percent of providers correctly identified that NMBAs lack anxiolytic and analgesic properties. The effect of end-organ damage on NMBA clearance was less commonly identified by NPs/PAs for both hepatic (P=.0077) and renal (P=.0272) dysfunction compared with physicians. More NP/PAs identified the association of consciousness with the use of NMBAs than physicians (P=.047). Forty-two percent of prescribers reported always or frequently using continuous-infusion NMBAs in patients with severe ARDS, with 89% initiating NMBAs because of ventilator dyssynchrony. Prescribers perceived continuous NMBAs to be more effective than inhaled prostaglandins (74% vs 56%) in severe ARDS but less safe (45% vs 84%). Train of 4 was identified by 54% of prescribers as their primary method for titration. CONCLUSION: Providers are knowledgeable about NMBAs, but educational opportunities exist. Perceptions about the efficacy and safety of NMBAs varied among prescribers, and inconsistencies existed in the prioritization of management strategies for ARDS.

Empyema management: A cohort study evaluating antimicrobial therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Empyemas require aggressive antimicrobial and surgical management. However, the specifics of antimicrobial therapy have not been studied in clinical trials. The present study examines management and outcomes among a cohort of patients with empyema cared for in a tertiary-care referral hospital over a decade. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients hospitalized with empyema from January 2000 through December 2010 at one institution. Patient demographics, laboratory findings, treatments, and patient outcomes were abstracted using a standard form. Data were summarized with standard descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients were identified. The predominant organisms were viridans group streptococci, which were isolated in 64% of cases with cultures. The median length of hospitalization was 9 days. Length of antimicrobial therapy from time of source control was variable, with a median (interquartile range) duration of 27 (15-31) days. Of note, longer courses of parenteral, but not oral, therapy were associated with fewer cases of clinical failure. CONCLUSIONS: This descriptive analysis demonstrated a higher rate of viridans group streptococci than expected. Three weeks of therapy was generally adequate and prevented clinical failure, but further study is needed with a much larger cohort to better define the optimal drug regimen, route, and duration of antimicrobial therapy for empyema.

Patients With Fibrotic Interstitial Lung Disease Hospitalized for Acute Respiratory Worsening: A Large Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory worsening (ARW) requiring hospitalization in patients with fibrotic interstitial lung disease (f-ILD) is common. Little is known about the frequency and implications of ARW in IPF and non-IPF ILD patients hospitalized for acute exacerbation (AE) vs known causes of ARW. METHODS: All consecutive patients with f-ILD hospitalized with ARW at our institution from 2000 to 2014 were reviewed. ARW was defined as any worsening of respiratory symptoms with new or worsened hypoxemia or hypercapnia within 30 days of admission. Suspected AE was defined using modified 2007 American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society criteria. Known causes of ARW were reviewed and collated along with in-hospital and all-cause mortality postdischarge. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients (100 with IPF and 120 non-IPF) composed 311 admissions for ARW. Suspected AE (SAE) comprised 52% of ARW admissions, followed by infection (20%), and subacute progression of disease (15%). In-hospital mortality was similar in patients with IPF vs patients without (55 vs 45%, P = .18), but worse in suspected AE admission types (OR, 3.1 [1.9-5.14]). One-year survival after last ARW admission for the whole cohort was 22%, despite only 27% of patients presenting with baseline oxygen requirement at admission and a mean admission Charlson Comorbidity Index score of 5.4 (expected 1-year survival, 89%). Survival after discharge was similar between SAE and secondary ARW admission types in both IPF and non-IPF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with f-ILD, hospitalization for ARW appears associated with significant in-hospital and postdischarge mortality regardless of underlying fibrotic lung disease or non-AE cause of acute respiratory decline.

Intensive Care Nurses' Knowledge About Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents in Patients With Respiratory Failure.

BACKGROUND: The recent increase in use of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is set against a backdrop of concerns about harm associated with use of these high-risk drugs. Bedside nurses play a pivotal role in the safe and effective use of these agents. OBJECTIVE: To describe critical care nurses' knowledge of the therapeutic properties, adverse effects, and monitoring parameters associated with NMBAs. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter survey of medical intensive care unit nurses between July 2012 and May 2013. The web-based survey instrument was designed, pretested, and administered under the direction of a multidisciplinary group of individuals. RESULTS: Responses from 160 nurses (22% of eligible nurses) were analyzed. Most respondents were able to identify NMBAs correctly as nonanalgesic (93%) and nonanxiolytic (83%). The perceived durations of action of NMBAs varied widely, and few nurses were familiar with patient-specific considerations related to drug elimination. Most (70%) recognized the independent associations between NMBAs and footdrop, muscle breakdown, and corneal ulceration. Pressure ulcers and a history of neuromuscular disease were the characteristics of patients perceived to most heighten the risk of NMBA use. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care nurses are knowledgeable about the importance of concurrent analgesia and sedation during use of NMBAs. Routes of elimination, duration of action, and adverse effects were less commonly known and represent areas for focused education and quality improvement surrounding use of NMBAs in the intensive care unit.

Tension chylothorax following pneumonectomy.

Post-pneumonectomy chylothorax is an uncommon complication following surgery, with an estimated incidence of less than 0.7%. Post-pneumonectomy tension chylothorax, where rapid accumulation of chyle in the post-pneumonectomy space results in hemodynamic compromise, is exceedingly rare, with just 7 cases previously reported. All prior cases of tension chylothorax were managed operatively with decompressive chest tube placement followed by open thoracic duct repair. Our case is the first reported tension chylothorax to be managed conservatively by thoracostomy drainage coupled with a period of parenteral nutrition followed by a medium chain triglyceride-restricted diet.