Browsing by Author "Lebo, Nicole L."

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    Droplet Exposure Risk to Providers From In-Office Flexible Laryngoscopy: A COVID-19 Simulation
    (Sage, 2021-01) Ye, Michael J.; Sharma, Dhruv; Rubel, Kolin E.; Lebo, Nicole L.; Burgin, Sarah J.; Illing, Elisa A.; Ting, Jonathan Y.; Moore, Michael G.; Yesensky, Jessica A.; Mantravadi, Avinash V.; Sim, Michael W.; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    To provide data on risk of respiratory droplets from common otolaryngologic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, a novel simulation of droplet exposure from flexible laryngoscopy was performed. After completion of a nasal symptom questionnaire, topical fluorescein spray was administered into the nasal and oropharynx of 10 healthy volunteers, who then underwent flexible laryngoscopy under 2 conditions: routine without provoked response and with prompted sneeze/cough. After each, droplets on the proceduralist and participant were counted under ultraviolet A light. Droplets were observed on 1 of 10 volunteers after routine laryngoscopy and 4 of 10 during laryngoscopy with sneeze/cough. A nasal symptom score based on congestion and rhinorrhea was significantly elevated among droplet producers after sneeze/cough (P = .0164). No droplets were observed on the provider. Overall, with adequate personal protective equipment, flexible laryngoscopy poses minimal droplet risk to providers. Nasal symptoms can identify patients more likely to produce droplets after sneeze/cough.
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    Impact of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic on the Otolaryngology Fellowship Application Process
    (SAGE Publications, 2020-06-09) Nesemeier, Bradley R.; Lebo, Nicole L.; Schmalbach, Cecelia E.; Barnes, Kaitlyn J.; Vernon, Dominic J.; Ting, Jonathan Y.; Shipchandler, Taha Z.; Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine
    On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease 2019 a global pandemic. In addition to massive social disruption, this pandemic affected the traditional fellowship interview season for otolaryngology subspecialties, including head and neck surgical oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, laryngology, rhinology, neurotology, and pediatric otolaryngology. The impact on the fellowship interview process, from the standpoint of the institution and the applicant, necessitated the use of alternative interview processes. This change may alter the future of how interviews and the match proceed for years to come, with nontraditional methods of interviewing becoming a mainstay. While the impact this pandemic has on the fellowship match process is not yet fully realized, this commentary aims to discuss the challenges faced on both sides of the equation and to offer solutions during these unprecedented times.