Implementation of an accelerated discharge process following percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes.

AIMS: Historically, patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) are monitored as inpatients following successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but accumulating evidence demonstrates that accelerated discharge is safe, reduces cost, and enhances patient satisfaction. This quality improvement project examined the impact of implementing a post-PCI streamlined discharge process for NSTE-ACS patients on length of stay (LOS), major adverse cardiovascular events, and provider utilization at a university-affiliated hospital system. METHODS AND RESULTS: Clinical characteristics, the timing of admission, PCI, and discharge data were collected prospectively from patients presenting to the catheterization laboratory for intervention for NSTE-ACS during 90-day historical control and implementation periods. The knowledge to action implementation model was employed to establish a peer-coaching based educational tool for educating interventional cardiologists and inpatient clinicians regarding patients with low-risk characteristics suitable for same-day discharge (SDD) following PCI. Patient characteristics were similar between the historical and implementation periods. Although total hospital LOS did not decrease (51 ± 24 vs. 41 ± 18 h; P = 0.14), the discharge process reduced LOS after PCI among low-risk patients (22 ± 6 vs. 17 ± 8 h; P = 0.003). Complication and readmission rates were unchanged by SDD. Provider utilization of the discharge process increased four-fold during the implementation period (8% vs. 32%; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an accelerated discharge process following PCI for low-risk NSTE-ACS patients reduced post-PCI LOS without increasing readmissions or complications. Increased utilization of the process throughout the implementation period may be attributed to peer coaching.

Social work education in suicide intervention and prevention: an unmet need?

Research shows that social work graduate programs offer little education in suicide prevention and intervention, yet social workers' experiences and attitudes regarding suicide education are unknown. This Web-based survey of 598 social workers found that almost all respondents had worked with at least one suicidal client, but most received little, if any, training in suicide prevention or intervention while in graduate school. Respondents largely viewed their social work program's training in suicide prevention and intervention as inadequate. Implications for social work education and practice are discussed.

The interventional cardiologist as cath lab team leader.

Interventional cardiologists act as leaders every time they step into a catheterization laboratory (cath lab), but leadership training is rarely included in cardiology training programs. Cath lab physicians should cultivate and practice effective leadership skills. Specifically, (1) before each procedure assess whether the cath lab team is prepared; (2) delegate authority to trainees and team members when appropriate; (3) use every procedure to improve the performance of team members through teaching, coaching, and mentorship; (4) debrief the team after adverse events; (5) develop the traits, styles, and skills associated with successful leadership; and (6) provide team training for the cath lab team.

Tonsillar lymphoma as a cause of obstructive sleep apnea.

Infrequently in adults, isolated lesions of the upper airway, larynx, and trachea can produce obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We describe a case of OSA found to be caused by tonsillar lymphoma presenting as asymmetric tonsillar hypertrophy. Tonsillar lymphoma is rare, but can present as hypertrophied tonsils and/or adenopathy and lead to the development of OSA. This report emphasizes the importance of a thorough upper airway examination of all patients undergoing evaluation for OSA.

Preventing suicide through improved training in suicide risk assessment and care: an American Association of Suicidology Task Force report addressing serious gaps in U.S. mental health training.

There are twice as many suicides as homicides in the United States, and the suicide rate is rising. Suicides increased 12% between 1999 and 2009. Mental health professionals often treat suicidal patients, and suicide occurs even among patients who are seeking treatment or are currently in treatment. Despite these facts, training of most mental health professionals in the assessment and management of suicidal patients is surprisingly limited. The extant literature regarding the frequency with which mental health professionals encounter suicidal patients is reviewed, as is the prevalence of training in suicide risk assessment and management. Most importantly, six recommendations are made to address the longstanding insufficient training within the mental health professions regarding the assessment and management of suicidal patients.

Men's adjustment to their partners' breast cancer: a dyadic coping perspective.

The continuing increase in cancer rates among women in the United States is forcing more men to experience the impact of breast cancer on their relationships. Using 71 male partners of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, this study assessed how dyadic coping strategies affected men's adjustment to their partners' illness. While their partners were undergoing treatment, participants completed standardized instruments that measured emotional well-being, illness intrusiveness, and dyadic coping styles. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between coping styles and illness intrusiveness. In addition, depression predisposed men to poorer adjustment and affected their coping patterns. The findings emphasize that social workers must work with patients and partners to develop positive couple coping strategies. Practice implications for social workers are addressed.

The Influence of relational factors on men's adjustment to their partners' newly-diagnosed breast cancer.

Steadily rising breast cancer rates in America's women are forcing more men to confront challenges of living with a partner afflicted with this disease. This study assesses teh impact of mutual emotional support as perceived by male partners on their adjustment to the diagnosis and the illness and on interactions between their perceived emotional support nd their coping methods. Seventy-one male partners of newly-diagnosed breast cancer patients completed standardized instruments that measured emotional wellbeing, illness intrusiveness, emotional support, dyadic coping styles and demographic factors. Regression analysis revealed significant associations between perceived emotional support and men's coping strategies, and between coping styles and illness intrusiveness. Also, a history of depression predisposes men to poorer adjustment and affects their coping patterns. Findings suggest that as the health care system continues to relocate burden of care to partners and families, social workers must increase their understanding of how to effectively assist patients' partners. This study emphasizes the need to work with patients and partners to develop positive coping strategies as a couple.