Comparing Hepatitis C Virus Screening in Clinics Versus the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: New evidence suggests that emergency department (ED)-based infectious diseases screening programs have utility. We aimed to compare clinic-based and ED-based hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening programs within a single health system, to identify key differences in HCV antibody (Ab) positivity and chronic HCV, as well as population demographics. METHODS: In the clinic-based program, adults in the birth cohort (born 1945-1965) were screened for HCV. In the ED-based program, non-targeted HCV screening of all adults was conducted. We included patients screened between June 2019-June 2020. Patients were screened for anti-HCV Ab, and positive results were followed by HCV viral load (VL) testing. Our primary outcomes were seroprevalence of HCV Ab and HCV VL. RESULTS: There were 1,296 and 12,778 patients screened for HCV in the clinics and the ED, respectively. In the clinic setting, 13 patients (1%) screened positive for HCV Ab and nine (69%) completed VL testing, which was positive in one patient (11%). In the ED, 1,053 patients (8%) screened positive for HCV Ab and 847 (80%) underwent reflex VL testing, which was positive in 381 patients (45%). In an ED birth cohort sub-analysis, Hepatitis C virus Ab seroprevalence was 15% (675/4521). CONCLUSION: In this study of patients in a single healthcare system, ED-based HCV screening was higher yield than clinic-based screening.

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a care partner assisted intervention to improve oral health of individuals with mild dementia.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with mild dementia are at high risk of poor oral health outcomes. To address this issue, we describe an intervention to teach care partners skills to guide individuals with mild dementia in proper oral hygiene techniques and provide reminders to practice oral hygiene care. By providing support to perform these tasks successfully, we aim to delay oral health decline among this vulnerable population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multisite study is a three-arm randomised controlled trial. The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to improve oral hygiene outcomes by promoting positive oral hygiene behaviours and skills among individuals with mild dementia. Care partners' behaviour factors, such as oral care self-efficacy and implementation of the care plan, serve as mediators of the intervention. Participant-care partner dyads will be randomly assigned to either Treatment Group 1, Treatment Group 2 or the Control Group. All groups will receive an educational booklet. Treatment Group 1 and Treatment Group 2 will receive a smart electronic toothbrush. Treatment Group 2 (the intervention group) will also receive an oral hygiene care skill assessment, personalised oral hygiene instruction and treatment plan; and care partners will receive in-home and telephone coaching on behaviour change. Oral health outcomes will be compared across the three groups. The duration of the active intervention is 3 months, with an additional 3-month maintenance phase. Data collection will involve three home visits: baseline, 3 months and 6 months. The study enrollment started in November 2021, and the data collection will end in Spring 2024. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Duke University, and is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov. A Data Safety Monitoring Board has been constituted. The study findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and social media. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04390750.

Perceptions of a virtual interview process for pharmacy residents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multisite survey of residency candidates, preceptors, and residency program directors.

PURPOSE: To describe the perceptions of residency candidates, residency practitioners (current residents and preceptors), and residency program directors (RPDs) regarding a virtual interview process for pharmacy residency programs across multiple institutions. METHODS: In May 2021, an anonymous web-based questionnaire characterizing perceptions of the virtual interview process used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was distributed to residency candidates, residency practitioners, and RPDs across 13 institutions. Quantitative responses measured on a 5-point Likert scale were summarized with descriptive statistics, and open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic qualitative methods. RESULTS: 236 residency candidates and 253 residency practitioners/RPDs completed the questionnaire, yielding response rates of 27.8% (236 of 848), and 38.1% (253 of 663), respectively. Overall, both groups perceived the virtual interview format positively. When asked whether virtual interviews should replace in-person interviews moving forward, 60.0% (18 of 30) of RPDs indicated they agreed or strongly agreed, whereas only 30.5% (61 of 200) of current preceptors/residents and 28.7% (66 of 230) of residency candidates agreed or strongly agreed. Thematic analysis of qualitative responses revealed that while virtual interviews were easier logistically, the lack of in-person interactions was a common concern for many stakeholders. Lastly, the majority (65.0%) of residency candidates reported greater than $1,000 in savings with virtual interviews. CONCLUSION: Virtual interviews offered logistical and financial benefits. The majority of RPDs were in favor of offering virtual interviews to replace in-person interviews, whereas the majority of residency candidates and practitioners preferred on-site interviews. As restrictions persist with the ongoing pandemic, our results provide insight into best practices for virtual pharmacy residency interviews.

Care partner-assisted intervention to improve oral health for older adults with cognitive impairment: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Older adults with cognitive impairment often experience poor oral health outcomes due to inadequate oral hygiene practices. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a care partner-assisted intervention to improve the oral hygiene of community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 6-month intervention included 25 older adults with mild dementia or mild cognitive impairment, who were randomly assigned to Treatment Group 1 or Treatment Group 2. Treatment Group 1 (n = 7) received an educational booklet. Treatment Group 2 (n = 18) received a booklet, a tailored care plan for the participants with cognitive impairment and the care partner received four coaching sessions to learn to facilitate good oral hygiene. Both groups received electric toothbrushes. The study consisted of a 3-month active intervention and 3-month maintenance phase. The outcomes of gingival index, plaque index and overall oral health status based on the Oral Health Assessment Tool were measured at baseline, 3 months (end of active intervention) and 6 months of the study. RESULTS: This study had very low dropout rate. Participants' oral hygiene improved in this study. In comparison to Treatment Group 1, participants in Treatment Group 2 had a greater reduction in plaque level and gingival inflammation, and greater improvement in overall oral health status. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of this intervention designed to improve the oral health of persons with cognitive impairment and it lays the foundation for using this protocol in a future large randomised clinical trial.

Effectiveness of a Mouth Care Program Provided by Nursing Home Staff vs Standard Care on Reducing Pneumonia Incidence: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

Importance: Pneumonia affects more than 250 000 nursing home (NH) residents annually. A strategy to reduce pneumonia is to provide daily mouth care, especially to residents with dementia. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Mouth Care Without a Battle, a program that increases staff knowledge and attitudes regarding oral hygiene, changes mouth care, and improves oral hygiene, in reducing the incidence of pneumonia among NH residents. Design, Setting, and Participants: This pragmatic cluster randomized trial observing 2152 NH residents for up to 2 years was conducted from September 2014 to May 2017. Data collectors were masked to study group. The study included 14 NHs from regions of North Carolina that evidenced proportionately high rehospitalization rates for pneumonia and long-term care residents. Nursing homes were pair matched and randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Intervention: Mouth Care Without a Battle is a standardized program that teaches that mouth care is health care, provides instruction on individualized techniques and products for mouth care, and trains caregivers to provide care to residents who are resistant and in special situations. The control condition was standard mouth care. Main Outcomes and Measures: Pneumonia incidence (primary) and hospitalization and mortality (secondary), obtained from medical records. Results: Overall, the study enrolled 2152 residents (mean [SD] age, 79.4 [12.4] years; 1281 [66.2%] women; 1180 [62.2%] white residents). Participants included 1219 residents (56.6%) in 7 intervention NHs and 933 residents (43.4%) in 7 control NHs. During the 2-year study period, the incidence rate of pneumonia per 1000 resident-days was 0.67 and 0.72 in the intervention and control NHs, respectively. Neither the primary (unadjusted) nor secondary (covariate-adjusted) analyses found a significant reduction in pneumonia due to Mouth Care Without a Battle during 2 years (unadjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.90; upper bound of 1-sided 95% CI, 1.24; P = .27; adjusted incidence rate ratio, 0.92; upper bound of 1-sided 95% CI, 1.27; P = .30). In the second year, the rate of pneumonia was nonsignificantly higher in intervention NHs. Adjusted post hoc analyses limited to the first year found a significant reduction in pneumonia incidence in intervention NHs (IRR, 0.69; upper bound of 1-sided 95% CI, 0.94; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance: This matched-pairs cluster randomized trial of a mouth care program compared with standard care was not effective in reducing pneumonia incidence at 2 years, although reduction was found during the first year. The lack of significant results in the second year may be associated with sustainability. Improving mouth care in US NHs may require the presence and support of dedicated oral care aides. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03817450.

Working together to learn new oral hygiene techniques: Pilot of a carepartner-assisted intervention for persons with cognitive impairment.

We pilot tested a carepartner-assisted intervention to improve oral hygiene in persons with cognitive impairment (participants) and help carepartners become leaders who can adapt approaches that foster participants' ability to develop new skills for oral hygiene care. Following the intervention, we conducted interviews with participants and carepartners to understand their challenges in working together to learn new oral hygiene skills. Participants reported challenges such as frustration using the electric toothbrush correctly, lack of desire to change, uncertainty about correctness of technique, and difficulty sustaining two minutes of toothbrushing. Carepartners reported challenges such as learning a new way of toothbrushing, learning new communication techniques, switching from instructing to working together, learning to balance leading with being too bossy, and being mindful of word choices. Findings suggested that despite challenges, participants were able to learn adaptive strategies to support new oral hygiene behaviors with support of the carepartner as the adaptive leader.

Improving Nursing Home Residents' Oral Hygiene: Results of a Cluster Randomized Intervention Trial.

OBJECTIVE: A 2-year cluster randomized trial of Mouth Care Without a Battle (MCWB) was conducted in nursing homes (NHs) to determine if recommended mouth care practices provided by NH staff could improve residents' oral hygiene and denture outcomes. DESIGN: Cluster randomized trial of NHs. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Seven MCWB NHs and 6 control NHs. A total of 219 NH residents completed baseline and 24-month oral examinations and, if applicable, denture assessments (control = 98, intervention = 121). INTERVENTION: The intervention consisted of training NH staff in the MCWB protocol, and providing support in its use for 2 years. MEASURES: Descriptive data from the Minimum Data Set and clinical oral health assessments: the Plaque Index for Long-Term Care (range 0‒3), the Gingival Index for Long-Term Care (range 0‒4), and the Denture Plaque Index (range 0‒4), with lower scores indicating better oral health. RESULTS: There were no significant demographic or health differences between groups at baseline. Residents' mean age (standard deviation) was 77.8 years (13.5), 71% were female, and 49% had cognitive impairment. At 24 months, there were significant improvements in oral and denture hygiene in the intervention group compared with control (all P < .05) with mean changes in indices that were 0.44 (Plaque Index for Long-Term Care), 0.55 (Gingival Index for Long-Term Care), and 0.67 (Denture Plaque Index) points lower in intervention NHs than control NHs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Training NH staff to attend to residents' oral hygiene and denture care had a sustained, favorable impact on residents' oral and denture hygiene after 24 months compared with usual care. The protocol, MCWB, can be used by direct caregivers to improve the oral hygiene and denture care of NH residents.

Readily Identifiable Risk Factors of Nursing Home Residents' Oral Hygiene: Dementia, Hospice, and Length of Stay.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The poor oral hygiene of nursing home (NH) residents is a matter of increasing concern, especially because of its relationship with pneumonia and other health events. Because details and related risk factors in this area are scant and providers need to be able to easily identify those residents at most risk, this study comprehensively examined the plaque, gingival, and denture status of NH residents, as well as readily available correlates of those indicators of oral hygiene, including items from the Minimum Data Set (MDS). DESIGN: Oral hygiene assessment and chart abstract conducted on a cross-section of NH residents. SETTING: NHs in North Carolina (N = 14). PARTICIPANTS: NH residents (N = 506). MEASUREMENTS: Descriptive data from the MDS and assessments using three standardized measures: the Plaque Index for Long-Term Care (PI-LTC), the Gingival Index for Long-Term Care (GI-LTC), and the Denture Plaque Index (DPI). RESULTS: Oral hygiene scores averaged 1.7 (of 3) for the PI-LTC, 1.5 (of 4) for the GI-LTC, and 2.2 (of 4) for the DPI. Factors most strongly associated with poor oral hygiene scores included having dementia, being on hospice care, and longer stay. MDS ratings of gingivitis differed significantly from oral hygiene assessments. CONCLUSIONS: The findings identify resident subgroups at especially high risk of poor oral health who can be targeted in quality improvement efforts related to oral hygiene; they also indicate need to improve the accuracy of how MDS items are completed.

Characteristics, Malignancy Rate, and Follow-up of BI-RADS Category 3 Lesions Identified at Breast MR Imaging: Implications for MR Image Interpretation and Management.

Purpose To (a) evaluate the frequency of Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 3 assessment in screening and diagnostic breast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, (b) review findings considered indicative of BI-RADS category 3, and (c) determine outcomes of BI-RADS category 3 lesions, including upgrades, downgrades, and malignancy rates. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board and compliant with HIPAA. The authors retrospectively reviewed the breast MR imaging database (2009-2011) to identify breast MR images classified as showing BI-RADS category 3 lesions. There were 9216 BI-RADS assessments in 5778 examinations (3360 women). Of the 9216 assessments, 567 (6%) in 483 women (average age, 47.2 years; median age, 47.0 years) were assigned BI-RADS category 3. In women with more than one BI-RADS category 3 lesion, the first lesion reported in the impression was used for data analysis. Outcomes data were available for 435 of the 483 women (90.1%). These women comprised the study cohort. Medical records from January 1, 2009, to May 31, 2015, were reviewed to obtain demographic characteristics and outcomes. χ(2) statistics and 95% exact confidence intervals (CIs) were constructed. Results MR imaging was performed for high-risk screening in 240 of the 435 patients (55.2%) and for diagnostic purposes in 195 (44.8%). Findings included mass (n = 125, 28.7%), focus (n = 111, 25.5%), nonmass enhancement (n = 80, 18.3%), moderate or marked background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) (n = 91, 20.9%), posttreatment changes (n = 16, 3.8%), and other findings (n = 12, 2.8%). Outcomes were as follows: 339 of the 435 patients (78%) did not have evidence of malignancy at more than 24 months, 28 (6.4%) underwent mastectomy (all benign), and 68 (15.6%) had lesion upgrades, with 11 cancers (2.5%). All 11 cancers were diagnosed in women with a genetic mutation or a personal history of breast cancer. No cancer was detected in cases of moderate or marked BPE. Conclusion Six percent of all breast MR imaging assessments were categorized as BI-RADS category 3, with a cancer rate of 2.5% (95% CI: 1.3%, 4.5%). All cancers were in women with a genetic mutation or personal history of breast cancer. Marked BPE does not necessitate a BI-RADS 3 assessment. (©) RSNA, 2016.

Screening Breast MRI in Patients Previously Treated for Breast Cancer: Diagnostic Yield for Cancer and Abnormal Interpretation Rate.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the cancer detection rate and abnormal interpretation rate of screening breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in previously treated breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board-approved retrospective review of the breast MRI database from 2009 to 2011 identified a total of 3297 screening examinations. After excluding genetic mutation carriers, untested first-degree relatives of known mutation carriers, and patients with a history of chest irradiation, there were 1194 (36.2%) examinations in 691 patients previously treated for breast cancer. MRI reports were reviewed to determine MRI findings and breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) assessments. The longitudinal medical record was reviewed to determine patient demographics and outcomes of imaging surveillance and biopsy. RESULTS: Mean patient age at initial cancer diagnosis was 46.1 years, and mean patient age during the study interval was 52 years. Cancer detection rate was 10 per 1000 (1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.5%-1.8%]; 12 of 1194 examinations). Overall 10.7% (128 of 1194) of examinations received an abnormal interpretation, including 5.4% (65 of 1194) BI-RADS 4 or 5 and 5.3% (63 of 1194) BI-RADS 3 assessments with a 9.4% positive predictive value (PPV1; 12 of 128 examinations) and a 17.9% PPV3 (12 malignancies per 67 biopsies). CONCLUSIONS: Screening breast MRI in women previously treated for breast cancer detected cancer in 1.0% of examinations, with a 10.7% abnormal interpretation rate, and a PPV for malignancy of 17.9%.

Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification in 51 excised palpable pediatric breast masses.

INTRODUCTION: The American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification was developed to risk stratify breast lesions and guide surgical management based on imaging. Previous studies validating BI-RADS for US do not include pediatric patients. Most pediatric breast masses present as palpable lesions and frequently undergo ultrasound, which is often accompanied with a BI-RADS classification. Our study aimed to correlate BI-RADS with pathology findings to assess applicability of the classification system to pediatric patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent excision of a breast mass at a single center from July 2010 to November 2013. We identified all patients who underwent preoperative ultrasound with BI-RADS classification. Demographic data, imaging results, and surgical pathology were analyzed and correlated. RESULTS: A total of 119 palpable masses were excised from 105 pediatric patients during the study period. Of 119 masses, 81 had preoperative ultrasound, and BI-RADS categories were given to 51 masses. Of these 51, all patients were female and the average age was 15.9 years. BI-RADS 4 was given to 25 of 51 masses (49%), and 100% of these lesions had benign pathology, the most common being fibroadenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment algorithm based on BI-RADS classification may not be valid in pediatric patients. In this study, all patients with a BI-RADS 4 lesion had benign pathology. BI-RADS classification may overstate the risk of malignancy or need for biopsy in this population. Further validation of BI-RADS classification with large scale studies is needed in pediatric and adolescent patients.

Effect of a person-centered mouth care intervention on care processes and outcomes in three nursing homes.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and test a person-centered, evidence-based mouth care program in nursing homes. DESIGN: Pre-post assessment, with an 8-week intervention period and a pilot 6-month extension at one site. SETTING: Three North Carolina nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven residents and six certified nursing assistants (CNAs). INTERVENTION: CNAs already working in the facilities were trained as dedicated mouth care aides. A psychologist and dental hygienist provided didactic and hands-on training in evidence-based mouth care products and techniques and in person-centered behavioral care. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measures for natural teeth were the Plaque Index for Long-Term Care (PI-LTC) and Gingival Index for Long-Term Care(GI-LTC) and for dentures the Denture Plaque Index (DPI); a dentist unmasked to study design obtained measures. Secondary outcomes included quantity and quality of care provided. RESULTS: Outcome scores significantly improved (P < .001 for PI-LTC and GI-LTC; P = .04 for DPI). Coding of videotaped care episodes indicated that care was more thorough (P < .001-P = .03) but took more time (P < .001) after training. Consistency of care appeared to be more important for natural teeth than dentures. CONCLUSION: As little as 8 weeks of mouth care can significantly improve oral hygiene outcomes. Given the consequences of poor oral hygiene, greater attention to mouth care education and provision are merited. The dedicated worker model is controversial, and future work should assess whether other models of care are equally beneficial.

Two-dimensional sonographic cine imaging improves confidence in the initial evaluation of the fetal heart.

OBJECTIVES: Initial screening sonography of the fetal heart with static images is often inadequate, resulting in repeated imaging or failure to detect abnormalities. We hypothesized that the addition of short cine clips would reduce the need for repeated imaging. METHODS: Two-dimensional (2D) static sonograms and short 2D cine clips of the 4-chamber view and left and right ventricular outflow tracts were obtained from 342 patients with gestational ages of greater than 16 weeks. A diagnostic radiologist and a perinatologist retrospectively reviewed the static and cine images independently and graded them as normal, abnormal, or suboptimal. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the number of structures called normal was seen when 2D cine clips were added to static imaging for both observers (P < .05); the radiologist called 86.5% normal with combined static and cine images versus 61.9% with static images alone, whereas the perinatologist recorded 68.1% as normal versus 58.8%, respectively. The radiologist called 77.8% of structures normal with cine images only versus 61.9% with static images only (P < .001), whereas the perinatologist called fewer structures normal with cine images alone (38.9%) versus static images alone (58.8%). The use of cine loops alone resulted in no significant increase in the ability to clear the heart as normal. The maternal body mass index was inversely associated with the ability to clear structures when 2D cine images were added to static images (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of 2D cine clips to standard 2D static imaging of the fetal heart significantly improves the number of structures cleared as normal. Two-dimensional cine clips are easily obtained, add little time to a study, and require minimal archival space.

Primary tuberculosis in a malnourished adolescent.

Although the overall prevalence of tuberculosis has decreased in the United States, with the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis globally, higher rates of tuberculosis in some states and localities have been reported, with some component probably related to immigrant populations. We report a case of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in a malnourished adolescent.