Graduate Medical Education Works

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1265. Penicillin Allergy Delabeling: A Quality Improvement Project
(Oxford University Press, 2023-11-27) Shah, Ibrahim; Sheraz, Sana; Ali, Marriam; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: 15% of all hospitalized patients report a penicillin allergy, and greater than 90% of them are not truly allergic. Penicillin allergy labels are associated with worse clinical outcomes, increasing in-hospital mortality, and increasing hospital stays. Historically, penicillin allergies were delabeled by either allergists or infectious disease specialists. Pharmacy-led delabeling programs are emerging but are limited due to pharmacists not having provider status in all states. Also, after successful delabeling, a significant number of patients were relabeled for penicillin allergies on subsequent hospital visits. Methods: We conducted an internal medicine resident-driven quality improvement project in a 350 bed community hospital. Fifty-six patients with a penicillin allergy label in the electronic medical record (EMR) were randomly selected from the inpatient service. If the patient had a non-allergic reaction or had prior exposure to penicillin without a reaction, they were directly delabeled. The remainder underwent risk stratification using the PENFAST scoring tool. Very low-risk and low-risk patients underwent an oral challenge after obtaining written consent. Following this, a hospital-wide pharmacist-triggered physician-driven delabelling protocol was established. Results: We assessed 56 patients between 04/2022 and 09/2022. Thirty-eight patients were delabeled: 18 by direct delabeling and 20 via oral penicillin challenge. One patient who underwent the oral challenge had an adverse reaction (nausea and vomiting). Seven months later, we conducted a secondary survey to assess the durability of our delabeling. Thirteen percent of patients (n=5) had the penicillin allergy label re-added to their chart on subsequent hospital admissions. Conclusion: Delabeling patients on the inpatient service is effective, carries little risk, and requires minimal resources. Additionally, it does not require specialist services. However, the durability of delabeling needs to be reinforced with a robust hospital delabeling protocol, continuous patient education, and EMR alerts to prevent allergy labels from being added back on subsequent visits.
1340. Yield of Repeat Blood Cultures beyond 48 Hours after Negative Initial Cultures in Patients Hospitalized on a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Unit
(Oxford University Press, 2022-12-15) Prather, Cassandra S.; Alali, Muayad; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: Repeat blood cultures (BCxs) beyond 48 hours are often obtained despite negative initial BCxs in hospitalized pediatric hematology/oncology patients. This study seeks to determine the yield of repeat BCxs after negative initial cultures in these patients and to characterize new positive BCxs beyond 48 hours and the clinical contexts in which they were obtained. Methods: A retrospective review utilizing MedMined Inc. Data Mining Surveillance database was conducted on all BCxs obtained on hospitalized patients on the pediatric hematology/oncology unit at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, IN from January 2015 to February 2021. Exclusion criteria are shown in Fig. 1. Patient episodes in which a new pathogen (or commensal treated by the primary team as a pathogen) was identified on a repeat BCx more than 48 hours after negative initial BCxs were further investigated via electronic medical record review. Results: A total of 1,362 BCx sets were obtained beyond 48 hours in 792 patient hospitalizations, resulting in 303 positive BCxs (Fig. 2). Of these positive cultures, 193 were the same pathogen cultured on day 0 and 74 were contaminant cultures (in 4.0% (23/573) of patient hospitalizations without a positive BCx before 48 hours). Only 36 (2.6%) of positive BCxs beyond 48 hours were determined to be new pathogens, or commensals treated as pathogens, that were not cultured before 48 hours, corresponding to seven patient hospitalizations (1.2% (7/573) of patient hospitalizations without a positive BCx before 48 hours). The majority (6/7) of these patients were neutropenic and on broad spectrum antibiotics when the new positive BCxs were obtained. Fever pattern was prolonged in one patient and recurrent in six. No deaths occurred in these seven patients. All patients with new, true pathogens on BCxs beyond 48 hours (n=5) were either hemodynamically unstable (n=3) or had clinical changes (n=2, mucositis, diarrhea) the day the new positive BCx was drawn. Conclusion: The yield of repeat BCxs beyond 48 hours in hospitalized pediatric hematology/oncology patients with negative initial BCxs is low, while the associated costs are high. Repeat BCxs beyond 48 hours after negative initial cultures need not be obtained in febrile patients that remain hemodynamically stable and without clinical changes.
506 Review of Empiric Voriconazole Dosing in Large TBSA Burn Patients – A Case Series
(Oxford University Press, 2023-05-15) Lautenslager, Lauren; Boyd, Allison; Hartman, Brett; Spera, Leigh; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Introduction: Burn patients are significantly immunocompromised and susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections. Treatment includes aggressive surgical debridement with topical and systemic anti-fungal agents. Voriconazole (VCZ) is a systemic anti-fungal and an approved first line treatment of invasive Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Standard dosing is a 6 mg/kg loading dose twice followed by 200 mg enterally twice daily. Therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended to confirm a goal trough concentration of >1 mcg/mL, once steady state is reached, approximately 4-7 days after initiation. At our institution, VCZ levels are a send out lab, averaging 4-7 days for results. We reviewed a series of three patients with invasive fungal infections and their VCZ treatment dosing to assess impact of altered pharmacokinetics and time delays with drug monitoring. Methods: Three patients with significant burn injury (TBSA >40%) and invasive fungal wound infections were reviewed. Two were treated with standard dosing of VCZ (200 mg BID). The %TBSA, weight, albumin at time of VCZ initiation, initial VCZ dosing, initial trough concentration, time from initiation to trough result and final VCZ dose was reviewed. Consideration of the subtherapeutic drug level of prior patients led to initiation of VCZ treatment at an increased initial empiric dose (300 mg BID) for a third patient, followed by assessment and review of the same variables. Results: For the two patients treated with standard VCZ dosing, initial trough concentrations were subtherapeutic (0.4 mcg/mL and 0.9mcg/mL) and took 13 and 10 days from initiation to trough result, respectively. The albumin concentrations for these patients were 2.1 and 1.6 g/dL. Initial trough concentration for the third patient started on increased empiric dosing was therapeutic (4.9 mcg/mL), despite an albumin of < 1 g/dL. (Table 1). Conclusions: Fungal infections significantly increase the morbidity and mortality of burn patients. The time lapse from initial dose to steady state plus turnaround time of send out labs may result in 1-2 weeks of subtherapeutic treatment. Results from our case series demonstrate that standard VCZ dosing could be inadequate for large TBSA burn patients ( >40%) and higher empiric doses should be considered. Applicability of Research to Practice: Consider use of increased initial VCZ dosing for large burn patients to reach therapeutic serum levels more expeditiously.
A Pilot Study of a Mobile Intervention to Support Mental Health and Adherence Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Western Kenya
(Springer, 2022) Chory, Ashley; Callen, Grant; Nyandiko, Winstone; Njoroge, Tabitha; Ashimosi, Celestine; Aluoch, Josephine; Scanlon, Michael; McAteer, Carole; Apondi, Edith; Vreeman, Rachel; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Mobile technologies represent potentially novel and scalable intervention delivery platforms for adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a prospective, mixed methods pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the WhatsApp® platform to deliver individual counseling services and facilitate peer support for ALWH in western Kenya. Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. After 6 months, participants described their experiences with the intervention. Treatment adherence, stigma, and mental and behavioral health were assessed prospectively. Participants reported overall positive experiences and indicated that the platform encouraged peer network development. They endorsed potential benefits for treatment adherence, stigma reduction, and mental and behavioral health. All participants supported intervention expansion. In western Kenya, WhatsApp® was an acceptable and feasible platform for mobile counseling and peer support for ALWH.
Acute psychosis and serotonin syndrome in the setting of "Triple-C" overdose: a case report
(BMC, 2021-11) Bachar, Roudi; Majewski, John Robert; Shrack, Christopher; El-Khoury, Anthony; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
BACKGROUND: Over-the-counter medication overdose is a difficult diagnostic challenge for many physicians as common drug screening assays cannot detect these substances. We present a case of acute psychosis, serotonin syndrome, and anticholinergic overdose-like properties in the setting of Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold tablets, known by their street name Triple-C. This is the first case report we are aware of involving a patient presenting with these symptoms and requiring critical-care-level support. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old African American female with a past medical history of anxiety, childhood asthma, previous methamphetamine abuse, and coronavirus disease 2019 infection in August 2020 was brought to the emergency department by the local police department with altered mental status. Initial blood work, including extended drug screens, were unremarkable for a definitive diagnosis. This patient required critical-care-level support and high sedation because of her symptoms. Collateral history revealed the patient regularly consumed Triple-C daily for the 6 weeks prior to admission. A trial off sedation was attempted after 24 hours with no complications. The patient admitted to regular Triple-C consumption and auditory hallucinations since adolescence. She was discharged safely after 48 hours back into the community. She was lost to follow-up with psychiatry and internal medicine; however, she was evaluated in the emergency room 1 month later with a similar psychiatric presentation. CONCLUSION: Overdose of Triple-C should be kept in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a triad of psychosis, serotonin syndrome, and anticholinergic overdose, in the setting of unknown substance ingestion.
Athlete ECG T-wave abnormality interpretation patterns by non-experts
(Elsevier, 2022-06-16) Torabi, Asad J.; Nahhas, Omar D.; Dunn, Reginald E.; Martinez, Matthew W.; Tucker, Andrew M.; Lincoln, Andrew E.; Kovacs, Richard J.; Emery, Michael S.; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: The presence of T-wave abnormalities (TWA) on an athlete's electrocardiogram (ECG) presents as a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Types of TWA patterns classified as abnormal by inexperienced readers have not been systematically analyzed. Methods: ECGs from the 2011-2015 National Football League Scouting Combine (initially interpreted by general cardiologists) were retrospectively reviewed by expert sports cardiologists with strict application of the 2017 International Criteria. Patterns of TWA that were altered from the original interpretation were analyzed. Results: The study included 1643 athletes (mean age 22 years). There was a 67 % reduction in the number of athletes with any TWA (p < 0.001) with 111 ECGs changed to normal. Inferior TWA was the most common interpreted initial ECG abnormality altered followed by anterior and lateral. Discussion: This analysis revealed an initial high rate of TWA by non-expert readers. Tailored education programs to physicians who interpret athlete ECGs should highlight these specific T-wave patterns. We see this as an opportunity to make more clinicians aware of ECG interpretation guidelines as sports trained cardiologists are mostly self-taught.
Bereavement scheduling policy for emergency medicine residents: A descriptive pilot study
(Wiley, 2024-07-10) Kelly, Timothy D.; de Venecia, Bryce T.; Pang, Peter S.; Turner, Joseph S.; Reed, Kyra D.; Pettit, Katie E.; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has tasked residency programs to prioritize resident wellness, reduce trainee stress, and prevent burnout. Grief and bereavement can significantly impact residents' wellness during difficult clinical training schedules. There are no best practices on how to support residents during this time. Methods: In a split academic county emergency medicine (EM) residency, this pilot study documents a resident-driven change to scheduling practices for bereavement leave. An advisory group of residents, chief residents, and program directors informally polled peer institutions to develop bereavement leave guidelines. Considerations were made to balance resident wellness, education, and patient care in developing a bereavement scheduling policy. Results: The bereavement policy was adopted in January 2023, aiming to "support the resident during a difficult time and reduce concerns around shift coverage" following the death of a family member without impacting sick call. The number of covered days depended on the relationship of the resident to the deceased. Residents covering bereavement days for their peers were financially compensated. During the first 7 months following implementation, five residents utilized the policy. These residents noted this to be the most positive impact on the residency during the past year. Based on resident feedback, the scope was expanded to include grave medical illness of a family member as an implementation criterion. Conclusions: This article outlines the creation, implementation, and benefits of a bereavement scheduling policy within an EM residency. Describing this approach will provide guidance for other residencies to adopt similar wellness-focused strategies.
Changes in OGTT-derived biomarkers in response to lifestyle intervention among Latino adolescents with obesity
(Wiley, 2022) Peña, Armando; Kim, Joon Young; Reyes, Jessica A.; Vander Wyst, Kiley B.; Ayers, Stephanie L.; Olson, Micah L.; Williams, Allison N.; Shaibi, Gabriel Q.; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: Glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) have been used as biomarkers to differentiate type 2 diabetes risk phenotypes. No studies have examined changes in OGTT-glucose phenotypes following lifestyle intervention among high-risk youth. Objective: To examine changes in OGTT-glucose phenotypes following lifestyle intervention and to explore differences in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function among post-intervention phenotypes. Methods: Latino adolescents with obesity (n = 48, age 15.4 ± 1.0, BMI% 98.2 ± 1.4, female 56.3%) completed a 12-week lifestyle intervention that included weekly nutrition education and physical activity. At baseline and 12 weeks, youth completed a 2-h OGTT with glucose and insulin concentrations assessed at 0', 30', 60', 90' and 120'. Glucose concentrations during the OGTT were used to identify biomarkers, 1-h glucose, glucose response curve and time to glucose peak. Using these respective biomarkers, high-risk (1-h glucose ≥ 155 mg/dl, Monophasic, Late Peak) and lower-risk phenotypes (1-h glucose < 155 mg/dl, Biphasic, Early Peak) were categorized. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by whole-body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) and β-cell function by oral disposition index (oDI). Results: Following intervention, the prevalence of Monophasic phenotypes decreased from 81% to 67% (p = 0.048) and 1-h glucose ≥ 155 mg/dl from 38% to 10% (p = 0.054). Although Late Peak phenotypes did not significantly change (from 58% to 29%, p = 0.200), Early Peak phenotypes at post-intervention demonstrated significantly higher WBISI compared to Late Peak (2.3 ± 0.1 vs 1.7 ± 0.2, p = 0.023). Conclusions: OGTT-glucose phenotypes improve following lifestyle intervention among high-risk youth. These findings further support their potential utility as clinical biomarkers to identify diabetes risk and risk reduction in youth.
Clinical Characteristics of Hospital Follow-up for Patients Hospitalized from SARS CoV-2 (COVID 19) in an Academic Outpatient Internal Medicine Clinic
(Sage, 2022) Abohelwa, Mostafa; Peterson, Christopher J.; Landis, Dylan; Le, Duc; Conde, Camila; DeWare, Charles; Elgendy, Fares; Payne, Drew; Nugent, Kenneth; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: As of July 2022, there have been more than 91.3 million cases of COVID-19 and nearly 1.03 million deaths in the United States alone. In addition, many people who survived COVID-19 had long-term symptoms, such as fatigue, dyspnea, loss of smell and taste, depression, and anxiety. Objectives: The purpose of our study is to evaluate the status of COVID-19 patients who were previously hospitalized. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and its affiliated University Medical Center under IRB of L21-144. We included all patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and followed up in our Internal Medicine Clinic at any time between April 1, 2020, and April 1, 2021, and reviewed follow-up data for these patients after discharge. Results: A total of 128 patients were included; 59 (46%) were men, and 69 (54%) were women with an average age of 59.7 ± 14.8 years. Most of the patients (n = 78, 60.9%) identified their race as Hispanic or Latino origin; the next largest group was Caucasian (n = 29, 22.65%). The average number of days until post-hospitalization follow-up was 36 ± 38 days. The 50% of the patients (n = 64) used telemedicine for follow-up visits. Important comorbidities in these patients included diabetes (n = 84, 65.6%) and hypertension (n = 94, 73.4%). Thirty-four patients (26.6%) reported respiratory symptoms at their follow-up appointments, 24 patients (18.8%) reported constitutional symptoms, 12 patients (9.4%) reported GI symptoms, and 25 patients (19.5%) reported other symptoms, such as paresthesia, lower extremity edema, or psychological symptoms. After hospital discharge, 54 patients had follow-up chest x-rays, and 41 (75.9%) still had abnormal findings consistent with COVID-19 imaging characteristics. Follow-up laboratory tests identified 44 patients (77.2%, 57 tested) with elevated D-dimer levels, 44 patients (78.6%, 56 tested) with high ferritin levels, and 21patients (35.6%, 59 tested) with elevated troponin T HS levels. Conclusion: Long-lasting COVID-19 symptoms in these patients included respiratory symptoms (26.6%), constitutional symptoms (18.8%), GI symptoms (9.4%), and other symptoms, such as paresthesia, lower extremity edema, or psychological symptoms (19.5%). The rate of telehealth follow-up was 50%. Many patients had elevated inflammatory markers that will need follow up to determine the clinical implications.
Current Treatment Approaches and Global Consensus Guidelines for Brain Metastases in Melanoma
(Frontiers Media, 2022-05-05) Tan, Xiang-Lin; Le, Amy; Lam, Fred C.; Scherrer, Emilie; Kerr, Robert G.; Lau, Anthony C.; Han, Jiali; Jiang, Ruixuan; Diede, Scott J.; Shui, Irene M.; Graduate Medical Education, School of Medicine
Background: Up to 60% of melanoma patients develop melanoma brain metastases (MBM), which traditionally have a poor diagnosis. Current treatment strategies include immunotherapies (IO), targeted therapies (TT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), but there is considerable heterogeneity across worldwide consensus guidelines. Objective: To summarize current treatments and compare worldwide guidelines for the treatment of MBM. Methods: Review of global consensus treatment guidelines for MBM patients. Results: Substantial evidence supported that concurrent IO or TT plus SRS improves progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Guidelines are inconsistent with regards to recommendations for surgical resection of MBM, since surgical resection of symptomatic lesions alleviates neurological symptoms but does not improve OS. Whole-brain radiation therapy is not recommended by all guidelines due to negative effects on neurocognition but can be offered in rare palliative scenarios. Conclusion: Worldwide consensus guidelines consistently recommend up-front combination IO or TT with or without SRS for the treatment of MBM.

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