A Clinical Pharmacist-Led Transitions of Care Program for Veterans with Two Planned Care Transitions (Hospital to Skilled Care and Skilled Care to Home) amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Transitional care teams have been shown to improve patient safety. We describe a novel transitional care team with a clinical pharmacist as team leader initiated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program focused on Veterans with 2 planned transitions of care: hospital to skilled nursing facility (SNF) and from SNF to home. Ninety older Veterans were enrolled, and 79 medication errors and 80 appointment errors were identified. We conclude that a pharmacist-led program can improve safety in patients with 2 planned transitions of care.

Powered air-purifying respirators used during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly reduce speech perception.

BACKGROUND: Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, interventions in the upper airways are considered high-risk procedures for otolaryngologists and their colleagues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate limitations in hearing and communication when using a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) system to protect against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission and to assess the benefit of a headset. METHODS: Acoustic properties of the PAPR system were measured using a head and torso simulator. Audiological tests (tone audiometry, Freiburg speech test, Oldenburg sentence test (OLSA)) were performed in normal-hearing subjects (n = 10) to assess hearing with PAPR. The audiological test setup also included simulation of conditions in which the target speaker used either a PAPR, a filtering face piece (FFP) 3 respirator, or a surgical face mask. RESULTS: Audiological measurements revealed that sound insulation by the PAPR headtop and noise, generated by the blower-assisted respiratory protection system, resulted in significantly deteriorated hearing thresholds (4.0 ± 7.2 dB hearing level (HL) vs. 49.2 ± 11.0 dB HL, p < 0.001) and speech recognition scores in quiet (100.0 ± 0.0% vs. 2.5 ± 4.2%, p < 0.001; OLSA: 20.8 ± 1.8 dB vs. 61.0 ± 3.3 dB SPL, p < 0.001) when compared to hearing without PAPR. Hearing with PAPR was significantly improved when the subjects were equipped with an in-ear headset (p < 0.001). Sound attenuation by FFP3 respirators and surgical face masks had no clinically relevant impact on speech perception. CONCLUSIONS: The PAPR system evaluated here can be considered for high-risk procedures in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, provided that hearing and communication of the surgical team are optimized by the additional use of a headset.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Hearing Implants - Follow-up on Prevalence and Complications.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations performed in patients with hearing implants and to quantify side effects or complications related to this procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Questionnaire. SETTING: Tertiary referral center, academic hospital. PATIENTS: One thousand four hundred sixty-onepatients with an implanted hearing system. INTERVENTION: Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire either during a visit to the clinic (304) or by mail contact (1,157) between February 2018 and March 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of examinations by means of MRI per patient and number of side effects or complications. RESULTS: A total of 711 questionnaires were returned. After excluding nonvalid information on the questionnaire, 12.8% of patients were identified who had undergone an MRI after having received their hearing implant. Within this group of 91 patients, the most common precaution undertaken was a head bandage (69%). Side effects were mainly pain (37%), followed by anxiety (15%) and tinnitus (9%). The MRI had to be aborted in 14% and dislocation of the magnet occurred in 7% of examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that patients undergoing hearing implant surgery need better information about the limitations and requirements of MRI. The occurrence of side effects is likely as only half of the patients in our study group were completely free of symptoms. Dislocation of the implant magnet was observed in several cases, hence patients and physicians need to be educated about this potential complication.

Typical symptoms of common otorhinolaryngological diseases may mask a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

PURPOSE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replicates predominantly in the upper respiratory tract and is primarily transmitted by droplets and aerosols. Taking the medical history for typical COVID-19 symptoms and PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 testing have become established as screening procedures. The aim of this work was to describe the clinical appearance of SARS-CoV-2-PCR positive patients and to determine the SARS-CoV-2 contact risk for health care workers (HCW). METHODS: The retrospective study included n = 2283 SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests from n = 1725 patients with otorhinolaryngological (ORL) diseases performed from March to November 2020 prior to inpatient treatment. In addition, demographic data and medical history were assessed. RESULTS: n = 13 PCR tests (0.6%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The positive rate showed a significant increase during the observation period (p < 0.01). None of the patients had clinical symptoms that led to a suspected diagnosis of COVID-19 before PCR testing. The patients were either asymptomatic (n = 4) or had symptoms that were interpreted as symptoms typical of the ORL disease or secondary diagnoses (n = 9). CONCLUSION: The identification of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients is a considerable challenge in clinical practice. Our findings illustrate that taking a medical history alone is of limited value and cannot replace molecular SARS-CoV-2 testing, especially for patients with ORL diseases. Our data also demonstrate that there is a high probability of contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in everyday clinical practice, so that the use of personal protective equipment, even in apparently "routine cases", is highly recommended.

In vitro comparison of surgical techniques in times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: electrocautery generates more droplets and aerosol than laser surgery or drilling.

INTRODUCTION: Based on current knowledge, the SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted via droplet, aerosols and smear infection. Due to a confirmed high virus load in the upper respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients, there is a potential risk of infection for health care professionals when performing surgical procedures in this area. The aim of this study was the semi-quantitative comparison of ENT-typical interventions in the head and neck area with regard to particle and aerosol generation. These data can potentially contribute to a better risk assessment of aerogenic SARS-CoV-2-transmission caused by medical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As a model, a test chamber was created to examine various typical surgical interventions on porcine soft and hard tissues. Simultaneously, particle and aerosol release were recorded and semi-quantitatively evaluated time-dependently. Five typical surgical intervention techniques (mechanical stress with a passive instrument with and without suction, CO2 laser treatment, drilling and bipolar electrocoagulation) were examined and compared regarding resulting particle release. RESULTS: Neither aerosols nor particles could be detected during mechanical manipulation with and without suction. The use of laser technique showed considerable formation of aerosol. During drilling, mainly solid tissue particles were scattered into the environment (18.2 ± 15.7 particles/cm2/min). The strongest particle release was determined during electrocoagulation (77.2 ± 30.4 particles/cm2/min). The difference in particle release between electrocoagulation and drilling was significant (p < 0.05), while particle diameter was comparable. In addition, relevant amounts of aerosol were released during electrocoagulation (79.6% of the maximum flue gas emission during laser treatment). DISCUSSION: Our results demonstrated clear differences comparing surgical model interventions. In contrast to sole mechanical stress with passive instruments, all active instruments (laser, drilling and electrocoagulation) released particles and aerosols. Assuming that particle and aerosol exposure is clinically correlated to the risk of SARS-CoV-2-transmission from the patient to the physician, a potential risk for health care professionals for infection cannot be excluded. Especially electrocautery is frequently used for emergency treatment, e.g., nose bleeding. The use of this technique may, therefore, be considered particularly critical in potentially infectious patients. Alternative methods may be given preference and personal protective equipment should be used consequently.

The role of structured reporting and structured operation planning in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Computed tomography (CT) scans represent the gold standard in the planning of functional endoscopic sinus surgeries (FESS). Yet, radiologists and otolaryngologists have different perspectives on these scans. In general, residents often struggle with aspects involved in both reporting and operation planning. The aim of this study was to compare the completeness of structured reports (SR) of preoperative CT images and structured operation planning (SOP) to conventional reports (CR) and conventional operation planning (COP) to potentially improve future treatment decisions on an individual level. In total, 30 preoperative CT scans obtained for surgical planning of patients scheduled for FESS were evaluated using SR and CR by radiology residents. Subsequently, otolaryngology residents performed a COP using free texts and a SOP using a specific template. All radiology reports and operation plannings were evaluated by two experienced FESS surgeons regarding their completeness for surgical planning. User satisfaction of otolaryngology residents was assessed by using visual analogue scales. Overall radiology report completeness was significantly higher using SRs regarding surgically important structures compared to CRs (84.4 vs. 22.0%, p<0.001). SOPs produced significantly higher completeness ratings (97% vs. 39.4%, p<0.001) regarding pathologies and anatomical variances. Moreover, time efficiency was not significantly impaired by implementation of SR (148 s vs. 160 s, p = 0.61) and user satisfaction was significantly higher for SOP (VAS 8.1 vs. 4.1, p<0.001). Implementation of SR and SOP results in a significantly increased completeness of radiology reports and operation planning for FESS. Consequently, the combination of both facilitates surgical planning and may decrease potential risks during FESS.

[Implementation of an operational concept in an ENT clinic in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Implementierung eines Betriebskonzeptes in einer HNO-Klinik im Rahmen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic poses major challenges for the entire medical care system. Especially in university institutions as maximum care providers, a higher exposure to potentially infectious patients or actual COVID-19 patients is to be expected. In a short period of time, an operational concept had to be developed regarding the current hygiene recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the leading medical societies and the internal hospital hygiene plan. Here, patient safety and employee protection are equally important.In cooperation with the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene and the occupational medical service, interventions were defined to develop solutions to minimize the COVID-19 transmission risk for examiners and patients despite limited diagnostic and equipment resources. For this purpose, an operational concept was developed, consisting of various individual actions, e. g. the reduction of outpatient treatment to emergencies, life-threatening diseases and urgent aftercare, a double triage of patients and the introduction of treatment teams.The newly developed operational concept was successfully implemented within a few days. After the initial rollout and several "hygiene inspections" only minor improvements to the concept were necessary. All measures were documented in the internal quality handbook and are accessible to all employees. Since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a dynamic process with regular changes in the development and information status, the operational concept is regularly reviewed for validity and adjusted as necessary.

Evaluation of a bone groove geometry for fixation of a cochlear implant electrode.

PURPOSE: Electrode migration is a rare, but relevant complication in cochlear implant (CI) surgery. An effective countermeasure is to create a bone groove in the facial recess to secure the electrode lead. We use this method routinely since 2013, but still experienced sporadic electrode migration events most likely due to an improper surgical execution. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum groove geometry. METHODS: Grooves of defined geometry were created in specimens of fresh porcine femur compacta by use of a CNC milling machine. Electrode dummies were fixed in the groove and then exposed to tensile stress. Force measurements were carried out to examine the effect of groove diameter and opening width on the holding force. The mechanical impact on the electrode cable during insertion into the groove was recorded and the electrode lead was examined under microscopic magnification to assess potential structural damage. RESULTS: Optimum groove geometry (diameter 1.10 mm, opening width 0.90 mm) ensured an average holding force of 830 mN which is equivalent to the established fixation by use of a titanium clip. None of the microscopic inspections revealed any morphological deterioration of the electrode lead. CONCLUSION: The fixation of a CI electrode in a bone groove in the facial recess appears to be effective and safe. Furthermore, this method does not require additional costs or foreign material. The optimum geometry defined in this study helped us to refine our surgical standard produce and to generate more consistent results.

A new adhesive bone conduction hearing system as a treatment option for transient hearing loss after middle ear surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this prospective, single-subject, repeated measures study was to evaluate the audiological benefit and patient satisfaction with an adhesive, pressure-free bone conduction hearing system (ADHEAR; MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria) in patients who underwent middle ear surgery with transient hearing loss due to auditory canal tamponade. METHODS: Eleven adult subjects suffering from transient conductive hearing loss were enrolled in the study and followed up to 3 weeks after middle ear surgery. Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured pre and postoperatively to evaluate eligibility for enrollment. Postoperative unaided and aided sound-field thresholds, as well as speech tests in quiet and noise were compared to confirm hearing improvement with the hearing system. To determine patient satisfaction, the SSQ12 and a system-specific quality of life questionnaire was administered to all subjects. RESULTS: Speech perception for monosyllables in quiet improved by 46%, with statistical significance for the ADHEAR system compared to the unaided condition after one week. The functional hearing gain improved by 19 dB. Speech perception in noise with the device was - 6.7 dB SNR on average, with a statistically significant improvement of 2.7 dB SNR. The results of the questionnaire showed a high level of patient satisfaction and subjective hearing improvement. No serious skin reactions or other severe complications occurred. CONCLUSION: As long as the auditory canal is blocked due to tamponade, patients benefit from hearing rehabilitation. This adhesive hearing system is a safe and effective device to treat transient conductive hearing loss and may considerably improve treatment for patients even with short-term hearing loss.

Metformin reduces glucose intolerance caused by rapamycin treatment in genetically heterogeneous female mice.

The use of rapamycin to extend lifespan and delay age-related disease in mice is well-established despite its potential to impair glucose metabolism which is driven partially due to increased hepatic gluconeogenesis. We tested whether a combination therapeutic approach using rapamycin and metformin could diminish some of the known metabolic defects caused by rapamycin treatment in mice. In genetically heterogeneous HET3 mice, we found that chronic administration of encapsulated rapamycin by diet caused a measurable defect in glucose metabolism in both male and female mice as early as 1 month after treatment. In female mice, this defect was alleviated over time by simultaneous treatment with metformin, also by diet, such that females treated with both drugs where indistinguishable from control mice during glucose tolerance tests. While rapamycin-mediated glucose intolerance was unaffected by metformin in males, we found metformin prevented rapamycin-mediated reduction in insulin and leptin concentrations following 9 months of co-treatment. Recently, the Interventions Testing Program showed that mice treated with metformin and rapamycin live at least as long as those treated with rapamycin alone. Together, our data provide compelling evidence that the pro-longevity effects of rapamycin can be uncoupled from its detrimental effects on metabolism through combined therapeutic approaches.

Improvement of speech perception in quiet and in noise without decreasing localization abilities with the bone conduction device Bonebridge.

The aim of this study was to examine the functional hearing results regarding speech perception and auditory sound localization in a high-resolution directional hearing setup following implantation with a new bone conduction device (MED-EL Bonebridge, Innsbruck, Austria). In addition, we assessed the patient acceptance of the Bonebridge system using a questionnaire. The study design is retrospective study. The setting is University Hospital Frankfurt. 18 patients implanted with a Bonebridge device from May 2012 to January 2015 were participated in this study. Speech perception in quiet was tested with the Freiburg monosyllable test at a presentation level of 65 dB SPL. Speech perception in noise was tested post-operatively with the Oldenburg sentence test (OLSA) in best-aided condition. We assessed auditory sound localization with a high-resolution directional hearing setup. To evaluate the acceptance by patients using the Bonebridge in daily life, we used a modified questionnaire. The overall average of functional hearing gain (n = 18) was 29.3 dB (±20.7 dB). Speech perception of monosyllabic words in quiet improved by 20.7% on average, compared with the pre-operative aided condition. Mean speech reception thresholds (SRTs) of the Oldenburg sentence test (OLSA) improved significantly from -3.8 dB SNR (range -5.7 to 5.8 dB SNR) to -5.2 dB SNR (range -6.3 to -0.6 dB SNR) after implantation. Regarding localization abilities, no significant difference was found between the unaided and aided conditions following Bonebridge implantation. A survey of patients' acceptance and handling of the Bonebridge implant in daily life revealed high patient satisfaction. All patients accepted and benefited from the implanted system. No infections or adverse surgical effects occurred. Speech perception significantly improved in quiet and in noise. No significant difference in sound localization was observed. Acceptance of the Bonebridge implant, tested with a modified questionnaire, was high.