A Mediation Analysis Examining High Risk, Anticholinergic Medication Use, Delirium, and Dementia After Major Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Anticholinergic medications are known to cause adverse cognitive effects in community-dwelling older adults and medical inpatients, including dementia. The prevalence with which such medications are prescribed in older adults undergoing major surgery is not well described nor is their mediating relationship with delirium and dementia. We sought to determine the prevalence of high-risk medication use in major surgery patients and their relationship with the subsequent development of dementia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study which used data between January 2013 and December 2019, in a large midwestern health system, including sixteen hospitals. All patients over age 50 undergoing surgery requiring an inpatient stay were included. The primary exposure was the number of doses of anticholinergic medications delivered during the hospital stay. The primary outcome was a new diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias at 1-y postsurgery. Regression methods and a mediation analysis were used to explore relationships between anticholinergic medication usage, delirium, and dementia. RESULTS: There were 39,665 patients included, with a median age of 66. Most patients were exposed to anticholinergic medications (35,957/39,665; 91%), and 7588/39,665 (19.1%) patients received six or more doses during their hospital stay. Patients with at least six doses of these medications were more likely to be female, black, and with a lower American Society of Anesthesiologists class. Upon adjusted analysis, high doses of anticholinergic medications were associated with increased odds of dementia at 1 y relative to those with no exposure (odds ratio 2.7; 95% confidence interval 2.2-3.3). On mediation analysis, postoperative delirium mediated the effect of anticholinergic medications on dementia, explaining an estimated 57.6% of their association. CONCLUSIONS: High doses of anticholinergic medications are common in major surgery patients and, in part via a mediating relationship with postoperative delirium, are associated with the development of dementia 1 y following surgery. Strategies to decrease the use of these medications and encourage the use of alternatives may improve long-term cognitive recovery.

Identifying overlaps and disconnects between media reports and official records of nonfatal firearm injuries in Indianapolis, Indiana, 2021-2022.

OBJECTIVE: Open-source data systems, largely drawn from media sources, are commonly used by scholars due to the lack of a comprehensive national data system. It is unclear if these data provide an accurate and complete representation of firearm injuries and their context. The study objectives were to compare firearm injuries in official police records with media reports to better identify the characteristics associated with media reporting. METHODS: Firearm injuries were identified in open-source media reports and compared to nonfatal firearm injury (n = 1642) data from official police records between January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Events were matched on date, location, and event circumstances. Four multivariate, multi-level mixed effects logistic regression models were conducted to assess which survivor, event, and community characteristics were associated with media reporting. Data were analyzed 2023 - January 2024. RESULTS: Media reported 41% of nonfatal shootings in 2021 and 45% in 2022(p < 0.05), which is approximately two out of every five shootings. Shootings involving multiple survivors, children, and self-defense were more likely to be reported, whereas unintentional shootings and shootings that occurred in structurally disadvantaged communities were less likely to be reported. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that relying on media reports of firearm injuries alone may misrepresent the numbers and contexts of shootings. Public health interventions that educate journalists about these important issues may be an impactful firearm violence prevention strategy. Also, it is critical to link data systems at the local level to ensure interventions are designed and evaluated using accurate data.

Implementation Requires Evaluation of Adoption: Lessons From a Multimodal Pain Regimen Order Set.

INTRODUCTION: Multimodal pain regimen (MMPR) protocols are the standard of care per the 2020 Trauma Quality Improvement Program guidelines. MMPR implementation methodology in trauma services has not been reported. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the adoption of an MMPR order set at a level 1 trauma center and to describe its implementation. We hypothesized that order set utilization would be about 50%, and barriers to adoption would be related to personal biases. METHODS: This was a mixed-methods study at a level 1 trauma center. We retrospectively evaluated MMPR utilization from July 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022. Agile implementation was the method used to implement a clinical decision support tool for the MMPR: a flow chart order set in the electronic medical record. This methodology utilizes short experiment sprints during which data are collected to guide the next iterations. During this process quantitative as well as qualitative data were collected. This included end user testing of the order set and a survey distributed to surgical residents about the order set. Manual thematic network analysis was employed to identify basic and organizing themes from the survey responses. RESULTS: A total of 587 trauma patients were admitted during the study period and 95 patients (16.2%) had MMPR ordered through the order set. The survey response rate was 19% (13/68). We identified ease of use, desire for options, inadequate education, and assumption of personal expertise as the four basic themes from the survey. These basic themes were further analyzed to two organizing themes: heuristics and overconfidence bias. CONCLUSIONS: The MMPR order set was easy to use but had low adoption at our center in the first 8 months of implementation. Agile implementation methodology provided an ideal framework to identify reasons for low adoption and guide the next sprint to address personal biases, improve heuristics, and provide effective education and dissemination. Evaluation of utilization and qualitative analysis are key components to ensuring clinical decision support tool adoption.

Development of a population-level prediction model for intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship and mortality in older adults: A population-based cohort study.

Background and Aims: Given the growing utilization of critical care services by an aging population, development of population-level risk models which predict intensive care unit (ICU) survivorship and mortality may offer advantages for researchers and health systems. Our objective was to develop a risk model for ICU survivorship and mortality among community dwelling older adults. Methods: This was a population-based cohort study of 48,127 patients who were 50 years and older with at least one primary care visit between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. We used electronic health record (EHR) data to identify variables predictive of ICU survivorship. Results: ICU admission and mortality within 2 years after index primary care visit date were used to divide patients into three groups of "alive without ICU admission", "ICU survivors," and "death." Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify EHR predictive variables for the three patient outcomes. Cross-validation by randomly splitting the data into derivation and validation data sets (60:40 split) was used to identify predictor variables and validate model performance using area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUC) curve. In our overall sample, 92.2% of patients were alive without ICU admission, 6.2% were admitted to the ICU at least once and survived, and 1.6% died. Greater deciles of age over 50 years, diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or chronic heart failure, and laboratory abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase, hematocrit, and albumin contributed highest risk score weights for mortality. Risk scores derived from the model discriminated between patients that died versus remained alive without ICU admission (AUC = 0.858), and between ICU survivors versus alive without ICU admission (AUC = 0.765). Conclusion: Our risk scores provide a feasible and scalable tool for researchers and health systems to identify patient cohorts at increased risk for ICU admission and survivorship. Further studies are needed to prospectively validate the risk scores in other patient populations.

Engagement With Mental Health Services Among Survivors of Firearm Injury.

Importance: Despite the prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms after firearm injury, little is known about how firearm injury survivors connect with mental health services. Objective: To determine facilitators and barriers to mental health care engagement among firearm injury survivors. Design, Setting, and Participants: A qualitative study of 1-on-1, semistructured interviews conducted within a community setting in Indianapolis, Indiana, between June 2021 and January 2022. Participants were recruited via community partners and snowball sampling. Participants who survived an intentional firearm injury, were shot within Indianapolis, were aged 13 years or older, and were English speaking were eligible. Participants were asked to discuss their lives after firearm injury, the emotional consequences of their injury, and their utilization patterns of mental health services. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to June 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survivors' lived experience after firearm injury, sources of emotional support, mental health utilization, and their desired engagement with mental health care after firearm injury. Results: A total of 18 participants (17 were Black [94%], 16 were male [89%], and 14 were aged between 13 and 24 years [77%]) who survived a firearm injury were interviewed. Survivors described family members, friends, and informal networks as their main source of emotional support. Barriers to mental health care utilization were perceived as a lack of benefit to services, distrust in practitioners, and fear of stigma. Credible messengers served as facilitators to mental health care. Survivors also described the emotional impact their shooting had on their families, particularly mothers, partners, and children. Conclusions and Relevance: In this study of survivors of firearm injury, findings illustrated the consequences of stigma and fear when seeking mental health care, inadequate trusted resources, and the need for awareness of and access to mental health resources for family members and communities most impacted by firearm injury. Future studies should evaluate whether community capacity building, digital health delivery, and trauma-informed public health campaigns could overcome these barriers to mitigate the emotional trauma of firearm injuries to reduce health disparities and prevent future firearm violence.

Delirium and neuropsychological recovery among emergency general surgery survivors (DANE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and collaborative care intervention.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome which consists of acute and varying changes in cognition and consciousness. Patients who develop delirium are at increased risk for a constellation of physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities long after the delirium has ended. Collaborative care models integrating primary and specialty care in order to address patients with complex biopsychosocial needs have been demonstrated to improve outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of a collaborative care model on the neuropsychologic recovery of delirium survivors following emergency surgery. METHODS: This protocol describes a multicenter (eight hospitals in three states) randomized controlled trial in which 528 patients who develop delirium following emergency surgery will be randomized to either a collaborative care model or usual care. The efficacy of the collaborative care model on cognitive, physical, and psychological recovery in these delirium survivors will then be evaluated over 18 months. DISCUSSION: This will be among the first randomized clinical trials in postoperative delirium survivors evaluating an intervention designed to mitigate the downstream effects of delirium and improve the neuropsychologic recovery after surgery. We hope that the results of this study will add to and inform strategies to improve postoperative recovery in this patient group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05373017. Registered on May 12, 2022.

Delirium and Neuropsychological Recovery among Emergency General Surgery Survivors (DANE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial and collaborative care intervention.

Background: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome which consists of acute and varying changes in cognition and consciousness. Patients who develop delirium are at increased risk for a constellation of physical, cognitive, and psychological disability long after the delirium has ended. Collaborative care models integrating primary and specialty care in order to address patients with complex biopsychosocial needs has been demonstrated to improve outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of a collaborative care model on the neuropsychologic recovery of delirium survivors following emergency surgery. Methods: This protocol describes a multicenter (eight hospitals in three states) randomized controlled trial in which 528 patients who develop delirium following emergency surgery will be randomized to either a collaborative care model or usual care. The efficacy of the collaborative care model on cognitive, physical, and psychological recovery in this delirium survivors will then be evaluated over eighteen months. Discussion: This will be among the first randomized clinical trials in postoperative delirium survivors evaluating an intervention designed to mitigate the downstream effects of delirium and improve the neuropsychologic recovery after surgery. We hope that the results of this study will add to and inform strategies to improve postoperative recovery in this patient group. Trial registration: NCT05373017 (clinicaltrials.gov).

Utility of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor as a Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring Tool in Older Injury Survivors.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor (HABC-M) as a patient-reported outcome tool to measure cognitive, functional, and psychological symptoms among older adults who sustained non-neurologic injuries requiring hospital admission. METHODS: We used data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the utility of the HABC-M Self-Report version in older patients recovering from traumatic injuries. A total of 143 patients without cognitive impairment were included in the analysis. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency, and Spearman's rank correlation test was used to evaluate the relationship of the HABC-M with standard measures of cognitive, functional, and psychological outcomes. RESULTS: The HABC-M subscales and the total scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.64 to 0.77). The HABC-M cognitive subscale did not correlate with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The HABC-M functional and psychological subscales correlated with corresponding standard reference measures (|rs| = 0.24-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: The HABC-M Self-Report version is a practical alternative to administering multiple surveys to monitor functional and psychological sequelae in older patients recovering from recent non-neurologic injuries. Its clinical application may facilitate personalized, multidisciplinary care coordination among older trauma survivors without cognitive impairment.

Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula Following Traumatic Splenectomy: A Morbid and Costly Complication.

INTRODUCTION: Development of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) in adult splenectomies following trauma occur in 1%-3% of cases. We hypothesized that the use of sutures in splenic hilum ligation compared to staples was associated with a reduced rate of CR-POPF incidence. METHODS: Adult trauma patients (age ≥17 y) that underwent nonelective splenectomy from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively evaluated from the trauma registries of all three adult level 1 trauma centers in Indiana. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, currently incarcerated, expired within 72 h of admission, or had a pancreatic injury diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively. A Firth logistic regression using a penalized-maximum likelihood estimate for rare events was used for univariate predictive modeling (SPSS 28.0) of surgical technique on CR-POPF development. RESULTS: Four hundred nineteen adult splenectomies following trauma were conducted; 278 were included. CR-POPF developed in 14 cases (5.0%). Sutures alone were used in 200 cases: seven developed CR-POPF (3.5%). Staples alone or in combination with sutures were used in 74 cases: seven developed CR-POPF (9.5%). There was no statistically significant difference between the use of sutures alone compared to the use of staples alone (P = 0.123) or in combination (P = 0.100) in CR-POPF incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-y retrospective review of CR-POPF finds the complication to be rare but morbid. This study was underpowered to show any difference in surgical technique. However, we do propose a new institutional norm that CR-POPF develop in 5% of splenectomies after trauma and conclude that further study of optimal technique for emergent splenectomy is warranted.

Delirium severity does not differ between medical and surgical intensive care units after adjusting for medication use.

Severe delirium is associated with an increased risk of mortality, institutionalization, and length of stay. Few studies have examined differences in delirium severity between different populations of critically ill patients. The objective of the study was to compare delirium severity and the presence of the four core features between adults in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and medical intensive care unit (MICU) while controlling for variables known to be associated with delirium. This is a secondary analysis of two parallel randomized multi-center trials conducted from March 2009 to January 2015 at 3 Indianapolis hospitals. A total of 474 adults with delirium were included in the analysis. Subjects were randomized in a 1:1 ratio in random blocks of 4 by a computer program. Patients were randomized to either haloperidol prescribing or de-prescribing regimen vs usual care. Delirium severity was assessed daily or twice-daily using the CAM-ICU-7 beginning after 24 h of ICU admission and until discharge from the hospital, death, or 30 days after enrollment. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, hospital and 30-day mortality, and delirium-related adverse events. These outcomes were compared between SICU and MICU settings for this secondary analysis. Out of 474 patients, 237 were randomized to intervention. At study enrollment, the overall cohort had a mean age of 59 (SD 16) years old, was 54% female, 44% African-American, and 81% were mechanically ventilated upon enrollment. MICU participants were significantly older and severely ill with a higher premorbid cognitive and physical dysfunction burden. In univariate analysis, SICU participants had significantly higher mean total CAM-ICU-7 scores, corresponding to delirium severity, (4.15 (2.20) vs 3.60 (2.32), p = 0.02), and a lower mean RASS score (- 1.79 (1.28) vs - 1.53 (1.27), p < 0.001) compared to MICU participants. Following adjustment for benzodiazepines and opioids, delirium severity did not significantly differ between groups. The presence of Feature 3, altered level of consciousness, was significantly associated with the SICU participants, identifying as Black, premorbid functional impairment, benzodiazepines, opioids, and dexmedetomidine. In this secondary analysis examining differences in delirium severity between MICU and SICU participants, we did not identify a difference between participant populations following adjustment for administered benzodiazepines and opioids. We did identify that an altered level of consciousness, core feature 3 of delirium, was associated with SICU setting, identifying as Black, activities of daily living, benzodiazepines and opioid medications. These results suggest that sedation practice patterns play a bigger role in delirium severity than the underlying physiologic insult, and expression of core features of delirium may vary based on individual factors.Trial registration CT#: NCT00842608.

Cuidado enfermero en paciente portador de VIH con bronconeumonía / Nursing care in HIV-positive patients with bronchopneumonia

Objetivo: Analizar los cuidados de enfermería en pacientes portadores de VIH con diagnóstico de Bronco Neumonía. Método: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de documentos científicos basados en los cuidados de enfermería en pacientes portadores de VIH con diagnóstico de Bronco Neumonía. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 15 artículos científicos que van en el rango de publicación del 2020 - 2021 con aportaciones relevantes. Conclusión: La función del profesional de enfermería es atender tanto a la persona sana como enferma, en todo tipo de actividades que contribuyen a su salud o a recuperarla, se estima que del 5 al 20% son afectados, de esta manera es la etiología más frecuente en la población infectada por el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana con mayor incidencia en la población masculina joven.

Objective: To analyze nursing care in HIV patients with a diagnosis of Bronchopneumonia. Methods: A literature review of scientific papers based on nursing care in HIV patients with a diagnosis of Bronchopneumonia was carried out. Results: 15 scientific articles with relevant contributions were selected within the publication range of 2020 - 2021. Conclusion: The role of the nursing professional is to care for both the healthy and sick person, in all types of activities that contribute to their health or to recover it, it is estimated that 5 to 20% are affected, in this way it is the most frequent etiology in the population infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus with higher incidence in the young male population.

Pre-Existing Anxiety and Depression in Injured Older Adults: An Under-Recognized Comorbidity With Major Health Implications.

To compare differences in baseline depression and anxiety screenings between older injured patients with pre-existing diagnoses and those without. Background: Little is known about the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities on early postinjury depression and anxiety in nonneurologically injured older adults. Methods: This was a retrospective post-hoc analysis of data from the Trauma Medical Home, a multicenter randomized controlled trial (R01AG052493-01A1) that explored the effect of a collaborative care model on postinjury recovery for older adults compared to usual care. Results: Nearly half of the patients screened positive for at least mild depressive symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Forty-one percent of the patients screened positive for at least mild anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale. Female patients with a history of concurrent anxiety and depression, greater injury severity scores, and higher Charlson scores were more likely to have mild anxiety at baseline assessment. Patients with a history of depression only, a prior history of depression and concurrent anxiety, and higher Charlson scores (greater medical comorbidity) had greater odds of at least mild depression at the time of hospital discharge after traumatic injury. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are prevalent in the older adult trauma population, and affect women disproportionately. A dual diagnosis of depression and anxiety is particularly morbid. Mental illness must be considered and addressed with the same importance as other medical diagnoses in patients with injuries.

Major Surgery and Long Term Cognitive Outcomes: The Effect of Postoperative Delirium on Dementia in the Year Following Discharge.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is among the most common complications following major surgery. Delirium following medical illness is associated with the development of chronic cognitive decline. The objective of this study was to determine the association of postoperative delirium with dementia in the year following surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study in a large health network (January 2013 to December 2019). All patients over age 50 undergoing surgery requiring an inpatient stay were included. Our main exposure was an episode of delirium. The primary outcome was a new dementia diagnosis in the 1 y following discharge. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay, non-home discharge destination, mortality and rehospitalizations in 1 y. RESULTS: There were 39,665 patients included, with a median age of 66. There were 4156 of 39,665 emergencies (10.5%). Specialties were general surgery (12,285/39,665, 31%) and orthopedics (11,503/39,665, 29%). There were 3327 (8.4%) patients with delirium. Delirious patients were older and were more likely to have comorbid conditions and undergone complex procedures. There were 1353 of 39,665 (3.5%) patients who developed dementia in the year following their surgery; 4930 of 39,665 (12.4%) who died; and 8200 of 39,665 (20.7%) who were readmitted. Delirium was associated with a new dementia diagnosis after adjusting for baseline characteristics (Odds ratio [OR] 13.9; 95% CI, 12.2-15.7). Similarly, delirium was also associated with 1 y mortality (OR 3.1; 95% CI 2.9-3.4) and readmission (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-2.0). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative delirium is the strongest factor associated with development of dementia in the year following a major operation. Strategies to prevent, identify, and treat delirium in the postoperative setting may improve long-term cognitive recovery.

Dynamic Delirium Severity Trajectories and Their Association With 2-Year Healthcare Utilization and Mortality Outcomes.

Delirium severity has been associated with a higher risk of mortality and an increasing morbidity burden. Recently defined delirium severity trajectories were predictive of 30-day mortality in a critically ill patient population. No studies to date have examined associations between delirium severity trajectories and 2-year mortality and healthcare utilization outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between recently defined delirium severity trajectories and 2-year healthcare utilization outcomes of emergency department visits, rehospitalizations, and mortality. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a secondary analysis using data from the randomized controlled clinical trial Pharmacological Management of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit and Deprescribing in the Pharmacologic Management of Delirium trial conducted from 2009 to 2015. Patients who were greater than or equal to 18 years old, were in the ICU for greater than or equal to 24 hours, and had a positive delirium assessment (Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU) were included in the original trial. Participants were included in the secondary analysis if 2-year healthcare utilization and mortality data were available (n = 431). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Healthcare utilization data within 2 years of the initial discharge date were pulled from the Indiana Network for Patient Care. Data over a 2-year period on emergency department visits (days to first emergency department visit, number of emergency department visits), inpatient hospitalizations (days to first hospitalizations, number of hospitalizations), and mortality (time to death) were extracted. Univariate relationships, Cox proportional hazard models, and competing risk modeling were used to examine statistical relationships in SAS v9.4. RESULTS: The overall sample (n = 431) had a mean age of 60 (sd, 16), 56% were females, and 49% African-Americans. No significant associations were identified between delirium severity trajectories and time to event for emergency department visit, mortality, or rehospitalization within 2 years of the index hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This secondary analysis did not identify a significant relationship between delirium severity trajectories and healthcare utilization or mortality within 2 years of hospital discharge.

Preinjury Functional Independence is not Associated with Discharge Location in Older Trauma Patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between pre-injury Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (Katz ADL) functional status and discharge to a facility in non-neurologically injured older trauma patients. METHODS: Data were obtained from 207 patients in the Trauma Medical Home study cohort. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with non-home discharge. RESULTS: Average patient age was 67.9 (SD 11.1). Patients were predominantly white (89.4%) and female (52.2%) with a median ISS of 11 (IQR 9-14). The most common mechanism of injury was fall (48.3%), followed by motor vehicle crash (41.1%). Nearly all patients (94.7%) reported independence in activities of daily living prior to hospitalization for injury. Discharge disposition varied, 51.7% of patients were discharged home, 37.7% to subacute rehabilitation, 10.1% to acute rehabilitation and 0.5% to long-term acute care. There was no relationship between pre-injury independence and likelihood of discharge home (P = 0.1331). Age (P < 0.0001), BMI (P = 0.0002), Charlson comorbidity score of 3 or greater (P = 0.0187), being single (P = 0.0077), ISS ≥ 16 (P = 0.0075) and being female with self-reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression over the past two weeks (P = 0.0092) were associated with significantly greater odds of non-home discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-injury Katz ADL is not associated with discharge disposition, though other significantly associated factors were identified. It is imperative that discussions regarding discharge disposition are initiated early during acute hospitalization. Trauma programs could potentially benefit from implementing an inpatient intervention focused on building coping skills for older patients exhibiting symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Short-term Outcomes for Patients and Providers After Elective Tracheostomy in COVID-19-Positive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Urgent guidance is needed on the safety for providers of percutaneous tracheostomy in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The objective of the study was to demonstrate that percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) with a period of apnea in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 is safe and can be performed for the usual indications in the intensive care unit. METHODS: This study involves an observational case series at a single-center medical intensive care unit at a level-1 trauma center in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were assessed for tracheostomy. Success of a modified technique included direct visualization of tracheal access by bronchoscopy and a blind dilation and tracheostomy insertion during a period of patient apnea to reduce aerosolization. Secondary outcomes include transmission rate of COVID-19 to providers and patient complications. RESULTS: From April 6th, 2020 to July 21st, 2020, 2030 patients were admitted to the hospital with COVID-19, 615 required intensive care unit care (30.3%), and 254 patients required mechanical ventilation (12.5%). The mortality rate for patients requiring mechanical ventilation was 29%. Eighteen patients were assessed for PDT, and 11 (61%) underwent the procedure. The majority had failed extubation at least once (72.7%), and the median duration of intubation before tracheostomy was 15 d (interquartile range 13-24). The median positive end-expiratory pressure at time of tracheostomy was 10.8. The median partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)/FiO2 ratio on the day of tracheostomy was 142.8 (interquartile range 104.5-224.4). Two patients had bleeding complications. At 1-week follow-up, eight patients still required ventilator support (73%). At the most recent follow-up, eight patients (73%) have been liberated from the ventilator, one patient (9%) died as a result of respiratory/multiorgan failure, and two were discharged on the ventilator (18%). Average follow-up was 20 d. None of the surgeons performing PDT have symptoms of or have tested positive for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: and relevance: PDT for patients with COVID-19 is safe for health care workers and patients despite higher positive end-expiratory pressure requirements and should be performed for the same indications as other causes of respiratory failure.

Assessment and management of agitation, sleep, and mental illness in the surgical ICU.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Increased focus on patient-centered outcomes, mental health, and delirium prevention makes this review timely and relevant for critical care. RECENT FINDINGS: This review focuses on patient-centered outcomes in the ICU, highlighting the latest research to promote brain health and psychological recovery during and after perioperative critical illness. Topics include sedation in the obese patient, delirium severity assessments, the role of the Psychiatry Consultation-Liaison in the ICU, Post-intensive care syndrome, and the importance of family engagement in the COVID era. SUMMARY: Highlighting new research, such as novel implementation strategies in addition to a lack of research in certain areas like sleep in the ICU may lead to innovation and establishment of evidence-based practices in critical care. Perioperative brain health is multifaceted, and an increase in multidisciplinary interventions may help improve outcomes and decrease morbidity in ICU survivors.

A trauma medical home, evaluating collaborative care for the older injured patient: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 55 million adults will be 65 years and older in the USA by 2020. These older adults are at increased risk for injury and their recovery is multi-faceted. A collaborative care model may improve psychological and functional outcomes of the non-neurologically impaired older trauma patient and reduce health care costs. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial of 430 patients aged 50 and older who have suffered a non-neurologic injury and are admitted to a level one trauma center in Indianapolis, IN, or Madison, WI. Participants will be assigned to either the Trauma Medical Home (TMH) intervention or usual care. The TMH intervention is a collaborative care model that includes validated protocols addressing the multi-faceted needs of this population, with the help of care coordination software and a mobile office concept. The primary outcome is self-reported physical recovery at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include self-reported psychological recovery, acute health care utilization, and cost-effectiveness of the intervention at 6 and 12 months. The TMH collaborative care model will be delivered by a registered nurse care coordinator. The assessments will be completed by trained blinded research assistants. DISCUSSION: The proposed study will evaluate a collaborative care model to help maximize psychological and functional recovery for non-neurologically injured older patients at four level one trauma centers in the Midwest. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials. NCT03108820 . Registered on 11 April 2017. Protocol Version 6: Study # 1612690852. April 12, 2019. SPONSOR: Indiana University. Human subjects and IRB contact information: irb@iu.edu Prospectively registered in the WHO ICTRP on 4 June 2017.

A Survey of Trauma Surgeon Perceptions of Resources for Patients With Psychiatric Comorbidities.

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric illness is an independent risk factor for trauma and recidivism and is often comorbid in the trauma population. There is no current standard for the delivery of mental health services in trauma care. The purpose of this study was to gauge trauma surgeon perceptions of needed and currently available resources for this patient population at level 1 trauma centers in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 10-question survey was developed to capture the estimated volume of psychiatric patients admitted to level 1 trauma centers, their available psychiatric services, and perceived need for resources. It was sent to 27 trauma surgery colleagues at different level 1 trauma centers across the United States using a public survey tool. Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 27 trauma surgeons responded (81% response rate). Ten centers (48%) estimated admitting 1-5 patients with preexisting serious mental illness weekly, whereas others admitted more. Eight (36%) reported not having acute situational support services available. Ten respondents (46%) did not know how many psychiatric consultants were available at their institution. Twelve surgeons (55%) reported no designated outpatient follow-up for psychiatric issues. Sixteen trauma surgeons (73%) stated that expanded psychiatric services are needed at their trauma center. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma patients frequently present with preexisting serious mental illness and many struggle with psychological sequelae of trauma. Over half of the surveyed surgeons reported no outpatient follow-up for these patients, and almost three quarters perceived the need for expansion of psychiatric services. In addition to a lack of resources, these findings highlight an overlooked gap in high-quality patient-centered trauma care.

Inferior Vena Cava Stent-Graft Sepsis.

We present the case of a patient with a complicated medical history, which included stent grafting as a life-saving measure for an iatrogenic inferior vena cava (IVC) injury. For persistent sepsis secondary to stent-graft infection, the patient underwent extraction of 2 IVC stent grafts, primary repair of a duodenal-caval fistula, and repair of the IVC with an allograft vein patch. Discussion of this case sought to shed light on the intricacies involved in medical decision making in an era of advanced medical technology.