The role of QRS complex prolongation in predicting severe toxicity in single-xenobiotic overdose.

OBJECTIVE: The QRS complex duration is commonly used to prognosticate severity, predict outcomes, and indicate treatment in overdose. However, literature to support this practice is mixed in tricyclic antidepressant overdoses and absent in non-tricyclic antidepressant overdoses. Our objective was to assess the validity of QRS complex duration as a prognostic marker in overdose. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of cases reported to the Toxicology Investigators Consortium between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2022. Cases were assessed to determine the six xenobiotics most associated with QRS complex prolongation. All cases involving these six xenobiotics, regardless of QRS complex duration, constituted the study cohort. Inclusion criteria were cases of patients older than 12 years old with single-xenobiotic exposures. Clinical outcomes evaluated were seizure, ventricular dysrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, and death. RESULTS: Of 94,939 total cases, diphenhydramine, amitriptyline, bupropion, quetiapine, nortriptyline, and cocaine were most associated with QRS complex prolongation. Inclusion criteria were met by 4,655 cases of exposure to these xenobiotics. QRS complex prolongation was associated with increased odds ratio of seizure in all included xenobiotics, of ventricular dysrhythmia in all included xenobiotics except nortriptyline, and of metabolic acidosis or death in all included xenobiotics except nortriptyline and quetiapine. A normal QRS complex duration had a negative predictive value of greater than or equal to 93.0 percent of developing metabolic acidosis and 98.0 percent of developing a ventricular dysrhythmia or death from the xenobiotics studied. DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates that patients with QRS complex prolongation from all six xenobiotics studied had an increased prevalence and odds of developing severe outcomes. Furthermore, patients who did not develop QRS complex prolongation were unlikely to develop a ventricular dysrhythmia, metabolic acidosis, or death. These findings were noted in six xenobiotics that mechanistically can cause QRS complex prolongation through sodium channel or gap junction inhibition. CONCLUSION: Identification of patients at risk for severe outcomes after overdose can be aided by measuring the QRS complex duration. If prospectively validated, these outcomes have implications on risk stratification, disposition level of care, and appropriateness of treatments.

Psychological Burden of Systemic Racism-Related Distress in New York City Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relationship among systemic racism, psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorders), and burnout in healthcare workers (HCWs). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether distress related to awareness of systemic racism contributes to psychological symptoms and/or burnout in HCWs. We explored whether this form of racism-related distress may moderate the relationship between race, ethnicity, psychological symptoms, and burnout. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 19, 2020, through January 11, 2021. Statistical analysis was conducted from May 3, 2022, to June 15, 2022. PARTICIPANTS: Frontline HCWs at an urban tertiary care hospital in New York City. MAIN MEASURES: Distress related to awareness of systemic racism (SR) and racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes (RD), psychological symptoms, and burnout. KEY RESULTS: Two thousand one of 4654 HCWs completed the survey (response rate 43.0%). Most HCWs reported experiencing distress related to awareness of systemic racism (1329 [66.4%]) and to racial disparities in COVID-19 outcomes (1137 [56.8%]). Non-Hispanic Black participants (SR odds ratio (OR) 2.84, p < .001; RD OR 2.34, p < .001), women (SR OR 1.35, p = .01; RD OR 1.67, p < .001), and those with history of mental illness (SR OR 2.13, p < .001; RD OR 1.66, p < .001) were more likely to report SR- and RD-related distress, respectively. HCWs who experienced "quite-a-bit to extreme" SR-related distress were more likely to screen positive for psychological symptoms (OR 5.90, p < .001) and burnout (OR 2.26, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that distress related to awareness of systemic racism, not race/ethnicity, was associated with experiencing psychological symptoms and burnout in HCWs. As the medical community continues to critically examine the role of systemic racism in healthcare, our work is a first step in characterizing its toll on the psychological well-being of HCWs.

Predictors of Mental Health Service Utilization among Frontline Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

(1) Background: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of factors associated with self-reported mental health service use in a longitudinal cohort of frontline health care workers (FHCWs) providing care to patients with COVID-19 throughout 2020. (2) Methods: The study comprised a two-wave survey (n = 780) administered in April-May 2020 (T1) and November 2020-January 2021 (T2) to faculty, staff, and trainees in a large urban medical center. Factors associated with initiation, cessation, or continuation of mental health care over time were examined. (3) Results: A total of 19.1% of FHCWs endorsed currently utilizing mental health services, with 11.4% continuing, 4.2% initiating, and 3.5% ceasing services between T1 and T2. Predisposing and need-related factors, most notably a history of a mental health diagnosis and distress related to systemic racism, predicted service initiation and continuation. Among FHCWs with a prior mental health history, those with greater perceived resilience were less likely to initiate treatment at T2. Descriptive data highlighted the importance of services around basic and safety needs (e.g., reliable access to personal protective equipment) relative to mental health support in the acute phase of the pandemic. (4) Conclusions: Results may be helpful in identifying FHCWs who may benefit from mental health services.

A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Factors Impacting Healthcare Worker Burnout in New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to longitudinally examine the prevalence and correlates of burnout in frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) during COVID-19 in New York City. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 786 FHCWs at Mount Sinai Hospital was conducted during the initial COVID surge in April to May 2020 (T1) and November 2020 to January 2021 (T2) to assess factors impacting burnout. RESULTS: Burnout increased from 38.9% to 44.8% ( P = 0.002); 222 FHCWs (28.3%) had persistent burnout, 82 (10.5%) had early burnout, and 129 (16.5%) had delayed burnout. Relative to FHCWs with no burnout ( n = 350; 44.7%), those with persistent burnout reported more prepandemic burnout (relative risk [RR], 6.67), less value by supervisors (RR, 1.79), and lower optimism (RR, 0.82), whereas FHCWs with delayed burnout reported more prepandemic burnout (RR, 1.75) and caring for patients who died (RR, 3.12). CONCLUSION: FHCW burnout may be mitigated through increasing their sense of value, support, and optimism; treating mental health symptoms; and counseling regarding workplace distress.

A prospective study of transdiagnostic psychiatric symptoms associated with burnout and functional difficulties in COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVE: Frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs) responding to the COVID-19 pandemic develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms. Such symptoms are associated with burnout, occupational and relational difficulties. In the current study, we examined the prospective association between acute transdiagnostic COVID-19-related PTSD, MDD, and GAD symptoms at pandemic outset, and burnout and functional difficulties several months later in FHCWs in New York City. METHODS: Wave 1 symptoms of COVID-19-related PTSD, MDD, and GAD, were assessed in 787 FHCWs from April 14 to May 11th, 2020. Burnout and occupational difficulties were assessed at wave 1 and wave 2, approximately 7 months later. RESULTS: After adjusting for wave 1 burnout, wave 1 MDD symptoms, particularly sleep difficulties, loss of interest, and feeling tired/having little energy, collectively explained 42% incremental variance in this outcome. After adjusting for wave 1 work difficulties, MDD and PTSD symptoms, particularly feeling tired/having little energy, loss of interest, and negative expectations of self/world, collectively explained 42% incremental variance in this outcome. After adjusting for wave 1 relationship difficulties, MDD, GAD, and PTSD symptoms, particularly depressed mood, irritability, and appetite disturbance, explained 26% incremental variance in this outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight psychiatric symptoms assessed during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic that may help predict burnout and work and relationship difficulties in FHCWs. Early interventions aimed at ameliorating transdiagnostic symptoms of MDD, PTSD, and GAD may help mitigate risk for burnout and functional difficulties in this population.

Colorado's first year of extreme risk protection orders.

BACKGROUND: Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) are a relatively new type of law that are being considered or implemented in many states in the United States. Colorado's law went into effect on January 1, 2020, after significant controversy and concern over potential misuse of the law to confiscate weapons; many (n = 37 of 64) counties declared themselves "2nd Amendment (2A) sanctuaries" and said they would not enforce the law. Here, reviewed the patterns of use of the law during its first year. METHODS: We obtained all court records for ERPO petitions filed between January 1 and December 31, 2020. Data elements were abstracted by trained staff using a standardized guide. We calculated the proportion of petitions that were approved or denied/dismissed, identified cases of obvious misuse, and examined patterns by 2A county status. FINDING AND RESULTS: In 2020, 109 ERPO petitions were filed in Colorado; of these, 61 were granted for a temporary ERPO and 49 for a full (year-long) ERPO. Most petitions filed by law enforcement officers were granted (85%), compared to only 15% of petitions filed by family or household members. Of the 37 2A sanctuary counties, 24% had at least one petition filed, versus 48% of non-2A sanctuary counties. Across the 2A counties, there were 1.52 ERPOs filed per 100,000 population, compared to 2.05 ERPOs filed per 100,000 in non-2A counties. There were 4 cases of obvious law misuse; none of those petitions resulted in an ERPO or firearm confiscation. CONCLUSION: State-level studies suggest ERPOs may prevent firearm injuries. Robust implementation, however, is critical for maximal effect. Understanding ERPO experiences and challenges can inform policy creation and enaction in other states, including identifying how best to address concerns and facilitate evaluation.

A comparison of analgesic prescribing among ED back and neck pain visits receiving physical therapy versus usual care.

OBJECTIVE: Physical therapy (PT) is commonly cited as a non-opioid pain strategy, and previous studies indicate PT reduces opioid utilization in outpatients with back pain. No study has yet examined whether PT is associated with lower analgesic prescribing in the ED setting. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of discharged ED visits with a primary ICD-10 diagnosis relating to back or neck pain from 10/1/15 to 2/21/17 at an urban academic ED. Visits receiving a PT evaluation were matched with same-date visits receiving usual care. We compared the primary outcomes of opioid and benzodiazepine prescribing between the two cohorts using chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: 74 ED visits received PT during the study period; these visits were matched with 390 same-date visits receiving usual care. Opioid prescribing among ED-PT visits was not significantly higher compared to usual care visits on both unadjusted analysis (50% vs 42%, p = 0.19) and adjusted analysis (adjOR 1.05, 95% CI 0.48-2.28). However, benzodiazepine prescribing among ED-PT visits was significantly higher than usual care visits on both unadjusted (45% vs 23%, p < 0.001) and adjusted analysis (adjOR 3.65, 95% CI 1.50-8.83). CONCLUSIONS: In this single center study, ED back and neck pain visits receiving PT were no less likely to receive an opioid prescription and were more likely to receive a benzodiazepine than visits receiving usual care. Although prior studies demonstrate that PT may reduce opioid utilization in the subsequent year, these results indicate that analgesic prescribing is not reduced at the initial ED encounter.