Temporal Trends and Patient Characteristics Associated with 30-Day Hospital Readmission Rates after a First Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist about relatively recent trends in the magnitude and characteristics of patients who are re-hospitalized after hospital admission for an acute myocardial infarction. This study examined trends in the frequency and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after an initial acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 3116 individuals who were hospitalized for a validated first acute myocardial infarction in 6 study periods between 2003 and 2015 at the 3 major medical centers in central Massachusetts. RESULTS: The median age of our population was 67 years, and 42% were women. The risk of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after an initial acute myocardial infarction increased slightly during the most recent study years after controlling for potentially confounding factors. Overall, older adults and patients with previously diagnosed atrial fibrillation, heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease were at higher risk for being readmitted to the hospital than respective comparison groups. For those hospitalized in the most recent study years of 2011/2015, a higher risk of rehospitalization was associated with a previous diagnosis of chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, the presence of 3 or more chronic conditions, and having developed atrial fibrillation or heart failure during the patient's hospitalization for a first acute myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several groups at higher risk for hospital readmission in whom enhanced surveillance efforts as well as tailored educational and treatment approaches remain needed.

Characterizing the Epidemiology and Provider Landscape of Male Infertility Care in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the epidemiology of male factor infertility and identify which types of providers are treating infertile men in the United States. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was queried between 2006 and 2016 for all ambulatory care visits. Men with a diagnosis of infertility were identified by international classification of disease coding. Comorbidities, demographic and visit information were abstracted from the patients' medical record by a combination of trained surveyors and physicians. The survey data was weighted to create nationally representative estimates, and a combination of Chi-squared and Student's t-tests were utilized to determine significance. RESULT(S): Among the 8.7 billion patient visits between 2006 and 2016, there were 3,422,000 male encounters with a diagnosis of male factor infertility. The most common provider type for male factor infertility encounters was urology (42.12%) followed by primary care (39.79%), gynecology (7.05%) and all other provider types (11.01%). A significant number of men seen for infertility had comorbidities such as cancer (115,000 men, 3.36%) diabetes (267,000 men, 7.81%), depression (301,000 men, 8.8%), and active tobacco use (857,000 men, 30.3%). CONCLUSION: In a nationally representative sample, more than 50% of ambulatory care visits for male factor infertility were not seen by urologists. These men also had a significant number of comorbidities for a relatively young cohort, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care for men with a diagnosis of infertility.

Appropriateness of diagnosis and antibiotic use in sepsis patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Indonesia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic and antibiotic treatment strategies for patients suspected of sepsis, in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. This can identify areas for improvement in care provided, and inform diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship activities within the hospital. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records with regards to the diagnosis and management of adult patients with sepsis admitted to a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. We assessed the diagnostic process, and whether or not the antibiotic treatment provided was appropriate for the diagnosis. Appropriateness of antibiotic treatment was classified as being definite appropriate, probable appropriate, inappropriate, or unknown. RESULTS: The study included 535 adult patients, of whom 295 (55%) were diagnosed with a community-acquired sepsis, and 240 (45%) with a hospital-acquired sepsis. A specimen for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was collected from three out of four patients (392/535). All but 10 patients had information on antibiotic treatment at the time of sepsis diagnosis. Of those, nearly 50% (257/525) of the patients received antibiotic treatment with unknown appropriateness because no cultures were taken (n = 141) or all cultures were negative (n = 116). Just 3.4% and 9.1% of the patients received definite or probable appropriate antibiotic treatment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear need in encouraging attending physicians to obtain the much-required blood cultures, or cultures from the suspected source of infection before empirical antibiotic treatment is started. This will improve the use of appropriate antibiotic treatment strategies, and contribute to antimicrobial stewardship.

Twenty-Year Experience of a Single Referral Center on Pediatric Familial Mediterranean Fever: What Has Changed Over the Last Decade?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disease and is characterized by recurrent fever and serositis episodes. We aimed to share our 20-year FMF experience, clarify a phenotype-genotype correlation, and compare the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric FMF patients over the last 2 decades in this study. METHODS: This medical record review study included 714 pediatric FMF patients (340 females, 374 males), diagnosed by Tel Hashomer diagnostic criteria between January 2009 and January 2019 and followed up in our department. Demographic and disease characteristics, obtained from medical records of the patients, were compared between patients with M694V homozygosity and other genotypes and showed whether they were diagnosed before (n = 137) or after January 2010 (n = 577). χ2, Student t, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare categorical and continuous variables between these groups. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were abdominal pain (92%), fever (89.5%), and arthralgia (64.5%). Mean ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 5.16 ± 3.73 and 7.71 ± 3.87 years, respectively. M694V homozygosity was recorded in 111 patients (15.5%). Fever, arthralgia, arthritis, myalgia, erysipela-like erythema, colchicine resistance, and subclinical inflammation were more frequent, and mean disease severity score was higher in patients with M694V homozygosity. Fever, chest pain, and proteinuria were statistically more frequent in patients diagnosed before January 2010. Although M694V homozygosity rate was similar, patients diagnosed in the last decade had lower mean disease severity score. CONCLUSIONS: With this study, we speculate that although genotype and delay in diagnosis were similar, patients diagnosed in the last decade have a milder disease severity.

Prevalence of suspected COVID-19 infection in patients from ethnic minority populations: a cross-sectional study in primary care.

BACKGROUND: The first wave of the London COVID-19 epidemic peaked in April 2020. Attention initially focused on severe presentations, intensive care capacity, and the timely supply of equipment. While general practice has seen a rapid uptake of technology to allow for virtual consultations, little is known about the pattern of suspected COVID-19 presentations in primary care. AIM: To quantify the prevalence and time course of clinically suspected COVID-19 presenting to general practices, to report the risk of suspected COVID-19 by ethnic group, and to identify whether differences by ethnicity can be explained by clinical data in the GP record. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study using anonymised data from the primary care records of approximately 1.2 million adults registered with 157 practices in four adjacent east London clinical commissioning groups. The study population includes 55% of people from ethnic minorities and is in the top decile of social deprivation in England. METHOD: Suspected COVID-19 cases were identified clinically and recorded using SNOMED codes. Explanatory variables included age, sex, self-reported ethnicity, and measures of social deprivation. Clinical factors included data on 16 long-term conditions, body mass index, and smoking status. RESULTS: GPs recorded 8985 suspected COVID-19 cases between 10 February and 30 April 2020.Univariate analysis showed a two-fold increase in the odds of suspected COVID-19 for South Asian and black adults compared with white adults. In a fully adjusted analysis that included clinical factors, South Asian patients had nearly twice the odds of suspected infection (odds ratio [OR] = 1.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.83 to 2.04). The OR for black patients was 1.47 (95% CI = 1.38 to 1.57). CONCLUSION: Using data from GP records, black and South Asian ethnicity remain as predictors of suspected COVID-19, with levels of risk similar to hospital admission reports. Further understanding of these differences requires social and occupational data.

A Clinical Prediction Model of Medication Adherence in Hypertensive Patients in a Chinese Community Hospital in Beijing.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension remains a global health problem. Since, there is a significant positive correlation between antihypertensive medication adherence and blood pressure control, it is therefore of great importance to elucidate the determinants of adherence to antihypertensive medications among hypertensive patients. METHODS: Hereby, we retrospectively analyzed the medical records of a hypertensive cohort recruited from a community hospital in Beijing, China, to investigate the factors affecting adherence to antihypertensive medications using decision trees. In addition, all data were assigned into a training set (75%) and testing set (25%) by the random number seed method to build and validate a compliance predictive model. We identified that how many times patients became nonadherent to antihypertensive medications in the year before the first prescription, types of antihypertensive drugs used in the year before the first prescription, body weight, smoking history, total number of hospital visits in the past year, total number of days of medication use in the year before enrollment, age, total number of outpatient follow-ups in the year after the first prescription, and concurrent diabetes greatly affected the compliance to antihypertensive medications. RESULTS: The compliance predictive model we built showed a 0.78 sensitivity and 0.69 specificity for the prediction of the compliance to antihypertensive medications, with an area under the representative operating characteristics curve of 0.810. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide new insights into the improvements of the compliance to antihypertensive medications, which is beneficial for the management of hypertension, and the compliance predictive model may be used in community-based hypertension management.

Association of Arterial Stiffness With Kidney Function Among Adults Without Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Our aims were to assess whether arterial stiffness is associated with a higher risk for kidney dysfunction among persons without chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We analyzed data from the national health checkup system in Japan; for our analyses, we selected records of individuals who completed assessments of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) and kidney function from 2005 to 2016. We excluded participants who had CKD at baseline, defined as the presence of proteinuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2. We compared 2 groups of CAVI measurements-the highest quartile (≧8.1) and the combined lower 3 quartiles (<8.1). We used Cox proportional hazards models to assess associations between these 2 groups and subsequent CKD events, proteinuria, eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and rapid eGFR decline (greater than or equal to -3 ml/min/1.73 m2 per year). RESULTS: The mean age of the 24,297 included participants was 46.2 years, and 60% were female. Over a mean follow-up of 3.1 years, 1,435 CKD events occurred. In a multivariable analysis, the hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the highest vs. combined lower quartiles of CAVI measurements were 1.3 (1.1, 1.5) for CKD events, 1.3 (0.96, 1.62) for proteinuria, 1.4 (1.1, 1.7) for eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, and the odds ratio with 95% CI was 1.3 (1.1, 1.4) for rapid eGFR decline. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with CAVI measurements ≧8.1 had a higher risk for CKD events compared with their counterparts with CAVI measurements <8.1. Greater arterial stiffness among adults without CKD may be associated with kidney dysfunction.

Opportunities to diagnose fibrotic lung diseases in routine care: A primary care cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Temporal trends of healthcare use in the period before a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis are poorly understood. We investigated trends in respiratory symptoms and LR HRU in the 10 years prior to diagnosis. METHODS: We analysed a primary care clinical cohort database (UK OPCRD) and assessed patients aged ≥40 years who had an electronically coded diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis between 2005 and 2015 and a minimum 2 years of continuous medical records prior to diagnosis. Exclusion criteria consisted of electronic codes for recognized causes of pulmonary fibrosis such as CTD, sarcoidosis or EAA. RESULTS: Data for 2223 patients were assessed. Over the 10 years prior to diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis, there was a progressive increase in HRU across multiple LR-related domains. Five years before diagnosis, 18% of patients had multiple healthcare contacts for LR complaints; this increased to 79% in the year before diagnosis, with 38% of patients having five or more healthcare contacts. CONCLUSION: There are opportunities to diagnose pulmonary fibrosis at an earlier stage; research into case-finding algorithms and strategies to educate primary care physicians is required.

Validation of the NoSAS Score for the Screening of Sleep-Disordered Breathing in a Sleep Clinic.

Background: There is a growing number of patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) referred to sleep clinics. Therefore, a simple but useful screening tool is urgent. The NoSAS score, containing only five items, has been developed and validated in population-based studies. Aim: To evaluate the performance of the NoSAS score for the screening of SDB patients from a sleep clinic in China, and to compare the predictive value of the NoSAS score with the STOP-Bang questionnaire. Methods: We enrolled consecutive patients from a sleep clinic who had undergone apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) testing by type III portable monitor device at the hospital and completed the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The NoSAS score was assessed by reviewing medical records. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of both screening tools were calculated at different AHI cutoffs to compare the performance of SDB screening. Results: Of the 596 eligible patients (397 males and 199 female), 514 were diagnosed with SDB. When predicting overall (AHI ≥ 5), moderate-to-severe (AHI ≥ 15), and severe (AHI ≥ 30) SDB, the sensitivity and specificity of the NoSAS score were 71.2, 80.4, and 83.1% and 62.4, 49.3, and 40.7%, respectively. At all AHI cutoffs, the AUC ranged from 0.688 to 0.715 for the NoSAS score and from 0.663 to 0.693 for the STOP-Bang questionnaire. The NoSAS score had the largest AUC (0.715, 95% CI: 0.655-0.775) of diagnosing SDB at AHI cutoff of ≥5 events/h. NoSAS performed better in discriminating moderate-to-severe SDB than STOP-Bang with a marginally significantly higher AUC (0.697 vs. 0.663, P=0.046). Conclusion: The NoSAS score had good performance on the discrimination of SDB patients in sleep clinic and can be utilized as an effective screening tool in clinical practice.

Prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus in Spain: higher than previously reported in other countries?

OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of SLE varies among studies, being influenced by study design, geographical area and ethnicity. Data about the prevalence of SLE in Spain are scarce. In the EPISER2016 study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, the prevalence estimate of SLE in the general adult population in Spain has been updated and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables has been explored. METHODS: Population-based multicentre cross-sectional study, with multistage stratified and cluster random sampling. Participants were contacted by telephone to carry out a questionnaire for the screening of SLE. Investigating rheumatologists evaluated positive results (review of medical records and/or telephone interview, with medical visit if needed) to confirm the diagnosis. To calculate the prevalence and its 95% CI, the sample design was taken into account and weighing was calculated considering age, sex and geographic origin. Multivariate logistic regression models were defined to analyse which sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables included in the telephone questionnaire were associated with the presence of SLE. RESULTS: 4916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. 16.52% (812/4916) had a positive screening result for SLE. 12 cases of SLE were detected. The estimated prevalence was 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.40). SLE was more prevalent in the rural municipalities, with an odds ratio (OR) = 4.041 (95% CI: 1.216, 13.424). CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of SLE in Spain is higher than that described in most international epidemiological studies, but lower than that observed in ethnic minorities in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Outcomes of surgery for infective endocarditis in children: A 30-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is rare in children. Limited data have been reported on long-term outcomes of children who undergo surgery for IE. METHODS: Data were retrospectively obtained from medical records for all children who underwent surgery for IE. RESULTS: Between 1987 and 2017, 138 children with IE required surgery (mean age, 8.3 ± 6.5 years). The majority of children (80.4% [111 out of 138]) had underlying cardiac structural anomalies. Prior heart surgery was performed in 50.7% of patients (70 out of 138), including 19.6% (27 out of 138) who had valve replacement. Operative mortality was 5.8% (8 out of 138). Mean follow-up time was 9.7 ± 7.6 years. Long-term survival at 5 and 25 years was 91.5% (95% confidence interval, 85.1%-95.2%) and 79.1% (95% confidence interval, 66.3%-87.5%), respectively. Risk factors associated with death were: age (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; P = .015), prosthetic valve IE (HR, 3.86; P = .02), coagulase-negative staphylococci (HR, 4.52; P = .015), increased duration of preoperative antibiotic therapy (HR, 1.02; P = .009), shock (HR, 3.68; P = .028), and aortic valve replacement (HR, 3.22; P = .044). In patients with left-sided IE, risk factors independently associated with death were heart failure (HR, 18.8; P = .025) and vegetation size adjusted to body surface area (HR, 1.06; P = .008). Freedom from recurrent endocarditis was 94.7% (95% confidence interval, 87.7%-97.8%) at 25 years. CONCLUSIONS: Children undergoing surgery for IE had good long-term survival and recurrence of IE was uncommon. Surgery during the active phase of endocarditis did not increase risk of mortality or reoperation. In patients with left-sided IE, vegetation size adjusted for patient body surface area was identified as a risk factor for death, and a useful indicator of prognosis.

Retrieval of chronic hepatitis B patients in the Utrecht region in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: In the Netherlands, approximately 200 patients die annually from a chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, even though effective antiviral treatment is available. There are an estimated 49,000 Dutch CHB patients. Many of these patients have been lost to follow-up (LFU) over time. The study aimed to trace LFU CHB patients in the province of Utrecht and bring them back into care. METHODS: Positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) tests from 2001-2015 were collected from the four hospitals in the Utrecht province and linked to medical records. The general practitioners (GPs) were requested in writing to evaluate LFU CHB patients and to refer patients when needed. In addition, GPs were asked to fill out a questionnaire on the patients' characteristics and to indicate reasons for not being able to perform an evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 2,242 chronic CHB patients were identified based on HBsAg-positive serology. After review of their medical records, 599 (27%) patients were eligible for retrieval. Of those, the GP response rate was 49% (n = 292) and 62 patients (10%) of the eligible CHB patients could be evaluated. Of these, 20 patients (3%) were referred to a hospital and 42 patients (7%) did not have an indication for referral. CONCLUSION: Lost to follow-up CHB patients can be traced through screening of past positive HBsAg tests. There was willingness among GPs to participate in the retrieval of CHB patients. This may contribute to the reduction of the CHB-related burden of disease.

Age Differences in Suicide Risk Screening and Management Prior to Suicide Attempts.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined differences by age in suicide risk screening and clinical actions to reduce suicide risk among patients with visits to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities in the year prior to an attempt. METHODS: Ninety-three VHA patient records were reviewed specific to the last visit before an attempt. Information was extracted regarding documentation of individual suicide risk factors and provider actions to reduce risk. RESULTS: The authors examined differences by patient age (≥50 versus 18-49). Older patients' medical records were less likely to have evidence of 1) screening for impulsivity and firearms access and 2) engagement in safety planning, referrals for mental health services, and consideration of psychiatric hospitalization. General medical providers were less likely to document these risk factors and action steps in comparison with mental health clinicians. CONCLUSION: Lethal means education and collaborative care are universal strategies that may improve identification of and lower suicide risk in older veterans.

The retropubic tension-free vaginal tape procedure-Efficacy, risk factors for recurrence and long-term safety.

INTRODUCTION: The retropubic tension-free vaginal tape has been the preferred method for primary surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence and stress-dominated mixed urinary incontinence in women for more than 20 years. This study presents long-term safety and efficacy data and assesses risk factors for long-term recurrence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a case-series design we assessed a historical cohort of primary surgeries performed with the tension-free vaginal tape procedure in 596 women from 1998 to 2012 with follow up through 2015. Information from the medical records was transferred to a case report form comprising data on early and late complications and recurrence of urinary incontinence defined as bothersome stress urinary incontinence symptoms. All analyses were performed with SPSS using Pearson chi-square, survival and Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: After a 10-year follow up, mixed urinary incontinent women (hazard ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-3.0) had a significantly increased risk of recurrence of stress urinary incontinence symptoms compared with women with pure stress urinary incontinence as the indication for surgery. Overall cumulative cure rates after 1, 5 and 10 years were 92% (95% CI; 90%-94%), 79% (95% CI; 75%-83%) and 69% (95% CI; 63%-75%), respectively. Recurrent surgery (0.3%) and serious tape complications needing major surgical treatment (0.3%) were rare. Six patients (1.0%) had the tape cut due to urinary retention, and nine patients (1.5%) reported urinary retention more than 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The tension-free vaginal tape procedure has a high long-term durability. Mixed urinary incontinence as an indication for surgery predicted long-term recurrence. Long-term complications were rare.

Perfil e adequação do uso de antibacterianos em crianças internadas em hospital geral no sul do brasil / Profile and appropriate use of antibiotics among children in a general hospital in southern brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar o perfil e a adequabilidade do uso de antibacterianos em crianças hospitalizadas. Métodos: Estudo transversal. Foi feita a análise de todas as crianças que utilizaram antibacterianos durante a internação de janeiro a dezembro de 2015, em um hospital filantrópico de direito privado de grande porte no sul do Brasil. As informações foram obtidas por revisão dos prontuários e incluíram dados demográficos (idade, sexo, raça e peso corporal) e clínicos (motivo da internação, uso deantibacterianos e desfecho clínico). Utilizou-se estatística descritiva. Resultados: Dos 318 pacientes incluídos, 61,3% eram do sexo masculino. A faixa etária variou de 2 a 11 anos (média: 5,8±2,9 anos de idade). A prevalência do uso de antibacterianos foi de 24,4% considerando o total de 1.346 crianças que foram hospitalizadas. O tempo de internação apresentou mediana de quatro dias. O principal motivo de internação foi clínico e o antibacteriano mais prescrito foi a cefazolina, sendo a via intravenosa predominante. Em relação ao uso de antibacterianos, 62,2% apresentaram prescrições de antibacterianos consideradas adequadas. A subdosagem e a superdosagem tiveram, respectivamente, os valores de 11,7 e 14,6% dos pacientes incluídos. Quanto aos intervalos de administração, 8% foram caracterizados com intervalos longos e 3,5%, curtos. Conclusões: Apesar de a prevalência encontrada do uso de antibacterianos nas crianças hospitalizadas não ser tão elevada, parte considerável da amostra apresentou inadequabilidade quanto ao uso desse tipo de medicamento, se considerados a dose e o intervalo de utilização. Esses dados são motivo de preocupação para o desenvolvimento de resistência bacteriana e ocorrência de reações adversas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine the profile and appropriate use of antibiotics among hospitalized children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children who had taken antibiotics during hospitalization in a private philanthropic hospital in Southern Brazil, from January to December 2015. The data were obtained by reviewing medical records, encompassing demographic data (age, gender, ethnicity, and body weight) and clinical data (causes of hospitalization, use of antibiotics, and clinical outcome). Descriptive statistics was used to present the data. Results: Of the 318 participants included in the study, 61.3% were male patients. The age range varied between 2 and 11 years, with mean age of 5.8±2.9 years. The prevalence of antibiotics was 24.4% out of the 1,346 hospitalized children. Median hospital stay was four days. The main cause of hospitalization was clinical instability, and the most commonly prescribed antibiotics was Cefazolin, mostly administered intravenously. Regarding the administration of antibiotics, 62.2% were adequately prescribed, even though underdose was 11.7%, and overdose was 14.6% in the studied patients. Antibiotic administration intervals were characterized as long in 8% of cases, and short in 3.5% of cases. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of antibiotics among hospitalized children was not that high, a considerable part of the sample presented inadequacy regarding the dosage and range of use. These data raise concerns about bacterial resistance and adverse reactions.

PROFILE AND APPROPRIATE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG CHILDREN IN A GENERAL HOSPITAL IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL. / PERFIL E ADEQUAÇÃO DO USO DE ANTIBACTERIANOS EM CRIANÇAS INTERNADAS EM HOSPITAL GERAL NO SUL DO BRASIL.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the profile and appropriate use of antibiotics among hospitalized children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with children who had taken antibiotics during hospitalization in a private philanthropic hospital in Southern Brazil, from January to December 2015. The data were obtained by reviewing medical records, encompassing demographic data (age, gender, ethnicity, and body weight) and clinical data (causes of hospitalization, use of antibiotics, and clinical outcome). Descriptive statistics was used to present the data. RESULTS: Of the 318 participants included in the study, 61.3% were male patients. The age range varied between 2 and 11 years, with mean age of 5.8±2.9 years. The prevalence of antibiotics was 24.4% out of the 1,346 hospitalized children. Median hospital stay was four days. The main cause of hospitalization was clinical instability, and the most commonly prescribed antibiotics was Cefazolin, mostly administered intravenously. Regarding the administration of antibiotics, 62.2% were adequately prescribed, even though underdose was 11.7%, and overdose was 14.6% in the studied patients. Antibiotic administration intervals were characterized as long in 8% of cases, and short in 3.5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of antibiotics among hospitalized children was not that high, a considerable part of the sample presented inadequacy regarding the dosage and range of use. These data raise concerns about bacterial resistance and adverse reactions.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o perfil e a adequabilidade do uso de antibacterianos em crianças hospitalizadas. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal. Foi feita a análise de todas as crianças que utilizaram antibacterianos durante a internação de janeiro a dezembro de 2015, em um hospital filantrópico de direito privado de grande porte no sul do Brasil. As informações foram obtidas por revisão dos prontuários e incluíram dados demográficos (idade, sexo, raça e peso corporal) e clínicos (motivo da internação, uso deantibacterianos e desfecho clínico). Utilizou-se estatística descritiva. RESULTADOS: Dos 318 pacientes incluídos, 61,3% eram do sexo masculino. A faixa etária variou de 2 a 11 anos (média: 5,8±2,9 anos de idade). A prevalência do uso de antibacterianos foi de 24,4% considerando o total de 1.346 crianças que foram hospitalizadas. O tempo de internação apresentou mediana de quatro dias. O principal motivo de internação foi clínico e o antibacteriano mais prescrito foi a cefazolina, sendo a via intravenosa predominante. Em relação ao uso de antibacterianos, 62,2% apresentaram prescrições de antibacterianos consideradas adequadas. A subdosagem e a superdosagem tiveram, respectivamente, os valores de 11,7 e 14,6% dos pacientes incluídos. Quanto aos intervalos de administração, 8% foram caracterizados com intervalos longos e 3,5%, curtos. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de a prevalência encontrada do uso de antibacterianos nas crianças hospitalizadas não ser tão elevada, parte considerável da amostra apresentou inadequabilidade quanto ao uso desse tipo de medicamento, se considerados a dose e o intervalo de utilização. Esses dados são motivo de preocupação para o desenvolvimento de resistência bacteriana e ocorrência de reações adversas.

Level of accuracy of diagnoses recorded in discharge summaries: A cohort study in three respiratory wards.

RATIONALE: One of the key functions of the discharge summary is to convey accurate diagnostic description of patients. Inaccurate or missing diagnoses may result in a false clinical picture, inappropriate management, poor quality of care, and a higher risk of re-admission. While several studies have investigated the presence or absence of diagnoses within discharge summaries, there are very few published studies assessing the accuracy of these diagnoses. The aim of this study was to measure the accuracy of diagnoses recorded in sample summaries, and to determine if it was correlated with the type of diagnoses (eg, "respiratory" diagnoses), the number of diagnoses, or the length of patient stay. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in three respiratory wards in a large UK NHS Teaching Hospital. We determined the reference list of diagnoses (the closest to the true state of the patient based on consultant knowledge, patient records, and laboratory investigations) for comparison with the diagnoses recorded in a discharge summary. To enable objective comparison, all patient diagnoses were encoded using a standardized terminology (ICD-10). Inaccuracy of the primary diagnosis alone and all diagnoses in discharge summaries was measured and then correlated with type of diseases, number of diagnoses, and length of patient stay. RESULTS: A total of 107 of 110 consecutive discharge summaries were analysed. The mean inaccuracy rate per discharge summary was 55% [95% CI 52 to 58%]. Primary diagnoses were wrong, inaccurate, missing, or mis-recorded as a secondary diagnosis in half the summaries. The inaccuracy rate was correlated with the type of disease but not with number of diagnoses nor length of patient stay. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that diagnoses were not accurately recorded in discharge summaries, highlighting the need to measure and improve discharge summary quality.

Management strategies for patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorders who underwent pregnancy termination in the second trimester: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The unique clinical features of pregnancy termination in the second trimester with concurrent placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders place obstetricians in a complex and delicate situation. However, there are limited data on this rare and dangerous condition. The objective of this research was to investigate and evaluate the clinical management strategies of this patient group. METHODS: The medical records of patients who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from December 2005 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients were included in this analysis. A prenatal diagnosis was suspected in 8 (27.6%) patients, and the remaining 21 (72.4%) patients were diagnosed after pregnancy termination in the second trimester. In the subgroup with a prenatal diagnosis, a planned hysterotomy was performed in 7 patients who had total placenta previa and previous cesarean delivery. The remaining patient received medical termination. A subtotal hysterectomy was performed in 3 (10.3%) patients for life-threatening bleeding during hysterotomy, and the uterus was preserved with an in situ placenta in the remaining 5 patients. In the subgroup with a postnatal diagnosis, the implanted placenta remained partly or completely in situ in all 21 patients under informed consent. Ultimately, the implanted placenta remained partly or completely in situ in 26 (89.7%) patients in the two subgroups. With the application of adjuvant treatments, including uterine artery embolization and medication followed by curettage under ultrasound guidance, the implanted placenta was passed 76.6 (range: 19 to 192) days after termination. Uterus preservation was achieved in all 26 patients. The complications associated with conservative management included delayed postnatal hemorrhaging (2 cases, 7.7%), fever (6 cases, 23.1%), G1 transaminase disorder (4 cases, 15.4%), and myelosuppression (1 case, 3.8%). Seven women (26.9%) had a spontaneous pregnancy after conservative management, and no patient experienced recurrent PAS disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Leaving the implanted placenta in situ is the preferred choice for patients with PAS disorders who underwent pregnancy termination in the second trimester and desired fertility preservation. Multiple adjuvant treatment modalities, either alone or in combination, may help to promote the passing or absorption of the implanted placenta under close monitoring.

Pulmonary sequestration in adults: a retrospective review of resected and unresected cases.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is a form of congenital pulmonary malformation that is generally diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and usually resected when diagnosed. We aim to identify the clinical presentation and course of patients diagnosed to have PS during adulthood. METHODS: Using a computer-assisted search of Mayo clinic medical records, we identified adult patients with PS diagnosed between 1997 and 2016. Clinical and radiological data were collected including postoperative course for those who underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: We identified 32 adult patients with PS; median age at diagnosis was 42 years (IQR 28-53); 17 patients (53%) were men. The median sequestration size was 6.6 cm (IQR 4.4-9.3). The type of sequestration was intralobar in 81% and extralobar in 19%. The most common location was left lower lobe posteromedially (56%). Forty-seven percent of the patients presented with no relevant symptoms. The most common radiographic finding was mass/consolidation in 61% and the most common feeding artery origin was the thoracic aorta (54%). Surgical resection was performed in 18 patients (56%) and postoperative complication was reported in 5 patients (28%). There was no surgical mortality. Median duration of follow-up after diagnosis for unresected cases, most of whom were asymptomatic, was 19 months (IQR 4-26) with no complications related to the PS reported. CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one-half of adult patients with PS present with no relevant symptoms. The decision regarding surgical resection needs to weigh various factors including clinical manifestations related to PS, risk of surgical complications, comorbidities, and individual patient preferences.