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The severe mismatch between solid bioelectronics and dynamic biological tissues has posed enduring challenges in the biomonitoring community. Here, we developed a reconfigurable liquid cardiac sensor capable of adapting to dynamic biological tissues, facilitating ambulatory cardiac monitoring unhindered by motion artifacts or interference from other biological activities. We employed an ultrahigh-resolution 3D scanning technique to capture tomographic images of the skin on the wrist. Then, we established a theoretical model to gain a deep understanding of the intricate interaction between our reconfigurable sensor and dynamic biological tissues. To properly elucidate the advantages of this sensor, we conducted cardiac monitoring alongside benchmarks such as the electrocardiogram. The liquid cardiac sensor was demonstrated to produce stable signals of high quality (23.1 dB) in ambulatory settings.

OBJECTIVE: Implantable loop recorders (ILRs) are increasingly used for long-term rhythm monitoring after ischaemic and cryptogenic stroke, with the goal of detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) and subsequent initiation of oral anticoagulation to reduce risk of adverse clinical outcomes. There is a need to determine the effectiveness of different rhythm monitoring strategies in this context. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of individuals with commercial and Medicare Advantage insurance in Optum Labs Data Warehouse who had incident ischaemic or cryptogenic stroke and no prior cardiovascular implantable electronic device from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2021. Patients were stratified by rhythm monitoring strategy: ILR, long-term continuous external cardiac monitor (>48 hours to 30 days) or Holter monitor (≤48 hours). The primary outcome was risk-adjusted all-cause mortality at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included new diagnosis of AF and oral anticoagulation, bleeding, and costs. RESULTS: Among 48 901 patients with ischaemic or cryptogenic stroke, 9235 received an ILR, 29 103 long-term continuous external monitor and 10 563 Holter monitor only. Mean age was 69.9 (SD 11.9) years and 53.5% were female. During the 12-month follow-up period, patients who received ILRs compared with those who received long-term continuous external monitors had a higher odds of new diagnosis of AF and oral anticoagulant initiation (adjusted OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.09 to 2.48). Compared with patients who received long-term continuous external monitors, those who received ILRs had similar 12-month mortality (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.89 to 1.12), with approximately $13 000 higher costs at baseline (including monitor cost) and $2500 higher costs during 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this large real-world study of patients with ischaemic or cryptogenic stroke, ILR placement resulted in more diagnosis of AF and initiation of oral anticoagulation, but no difference in mortality compared with long-term continuous external monitors.

Context: As pediatric palliative care (PPC) expands within institutions and nationally, little guidance is available on building outpatient programs. Objectives: We asked outpatient PPC (OPPC) program leaders in the United States about clinic development experiences to gather advice for growing programs. Methods: As part of a larger OPPC study, 48 freestanding children's hospitals with inpatient PPC programs were invited to complete a survey on OPPC. Self-selected participants were sent a follow-up survey soliciting free-text responses about development experiences. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Qualitative data underwent inductive content analysis. Results: Thirty-six hospitals completed the initial survey, and 28 (78%) reported practicing clinic-based OPPC. Twenty-two of 28 completed program development questions. More than half (12/22, 55%) recommended a minimum total billable full-time equivalent (FTE) ≥3 before expanding into the outpatient setting. About two-thirds (14/22, 64%) suggested a minimum billable FTE ≥4 for 24/7 coverage. Half (50%) reported that their program grew from subspecialty clinics, most frequently hematology-oncology (10/11, 91%). Half (50%) placed initial limits on referrals, with many restricting schedule availability (7/11, 64%). Six of 12 participants (50%) willing to share more about their development experience completed a follow-up survey, from which three themes emerged: program logistics, expectations and boundaries, and establishing role and workflow. Participants focused advice on slow programmatic growth to optimize sustainability. Conclusion: Program leaders offer tangible guidance informed by their OPPC development experience. Future work is needed to leverage this advice within institutions to promote resilient and sustainable PPC growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Concerns remain with regards to safety of fast-track (FT) and especially outpatient procedures. The purpose of this study was to compare complication rates and clinical outcomes of propensity-matched patients who received FT total hip arthroplasty (THA) in outpatient versus inpatient settings. The hypothesis was that 90-day postoperative complication rates of outpatient FT THA would not be higher than after inpatient FT THA. Methods: This is a prospective study of consecutive patients who received FT THA at various rates of outpatient and inpatient surgery by 10 senior surgeons (10 centres). The decision between outpatient and inpatient surgery was made on a case-by-case basis depending on the surgeon and patient. All patients were followed until 90 days after surgery. Complications, readmissions and reoperations were collected, and their severity was assessed according to Clavien-Dindo. Patients completed Oxford Hip Score (OHS) at the latest follow-up. Results: Compared to inpatient FT THA, patients scheduled for outpatient FT THA had no significant differences in 90-day postoperative complication rates (10.7% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.129). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in 90-day readmission rates and reoperation rates, in severity of postoperative complications, and in time of occurrence of postoperative complications. Conclusions: There were no differences in rates of intraoperative complications, 90-day postoperative complications, readmissions, or reoperations between outpatient and inpatient FT THA. These findings may help hesitant surgeons to move towards outpatient THA pathways as there is no greater risk of early postoperative complications that could be more difficult to manage after discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This quality improvement initiative is a continued pursuit to optimize outcomes by iteratively improving our opioid sparing anesthesia protocol for tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy at our pediatric ambulatory surgical center through data driven Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles. Methods: From 1/2015 through 12/2023, our standardized tonsillectomy protocol underwent nine procedure‐specific perioperative Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles, three procedure‐specific postoperative prescription Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles, and four general ambulatory surgical center enhanced recovery Plan‐Do‐Study‐Act cycles. We analyzed data from the medical record using statistical process control charts. The primary outcome measure was the percent of patients requiring intravenous opioid in the post anesthesia care unit. Secondary outcomes included maximum post anesthesia care unit pain score, the percent of patients requiring treatment for nausea and/or vomiting in the post anesthesia care unit, and the number of postoperative opioid prescription dosages. Balancing measures were average post anesthesia care unit length of stay, percent of patients with prolonged Post Anesthesia Care Unit length of stay (>120 min), and 30‐day reoperation rate. Results: A total of 5654 tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy cases were performed at our ambulatory surgical center from 2015 to 2023. The incidence of intravenous opioid administered in the post anesthesia care unit initially rose with opioid free anesthesia launch, but subsequently decreased below the target of 10%. Maximum post anesthesia care unit pain scores rose from mean 3.6 to 4.5, but subsequently returned to the baseline of 3.5, while the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting improved. The average post anesthesia care unit length of stay increased by 10 min with opioid free anesthesia; however, prolonged post anesthesia care unit stay and 30‐day reoperation rates were unchanged. Conclusions: The continued refinement of our opioid sparing anesthesia protocol has led to reduced perioperative and home opioid use, stable maximum post anesthesia care unit pain scores, and improved postoperative nausea and vomiting rates, with only a slight increase in mean post anesthesia care unit length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Investigated the impact of forced awakening on morning BP surge (MBPS). • Measured MBPS and sleep under free-living conditions. • MBPS increased by 74 % during forced awakening compared with natural awakening. • Forced awakening related to greater MBPS, regardless of sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can cause an increase in morning blood pressure surge (MBPS), an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Awakening induced by external factors such as alarm clocks, may also contribute to increased MBPS. To (1) compare the MBPS and sleep quality parameters between natural and forced awakenings and (2) examine the potential impact of forced awakening on MBPS, independent of sleep quality. Thirty-two healthy adults participated in this pilot study, which included one night of natural awakening and one night of forced awakening (i.e., sleep was interrupted by an alarm after five hours). Objective and self-reported sleep quality parameters were measured using a multisensory wristband and sleep diaries, respectively, and beat-to-beat blood pressure variability was assessed using a continuous blood pressure monitor. Analyses included a paired t -test (objective 1) and linear mixed models (objective 2). Participants predominantly consisted of young, healthy, and highly educated Asian adults. During the night of sleep with forced awakening, significantly higher MBPS, lower objective wakefulness after sleep onset, and lower self-reported sleep latency were observed, compared to the night with natural awakening. Forced awakening was significantly associated with increased MBPS after controlling for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, and sleep quality. Forced awakening may significantly increase MBPS, consequently heightening the risk of CVD events. Study findings should be validated in a larger sample. Further research is also warranted to examine the impact of forced awakening on MBPS in individuals with CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Consumer facing wearable devices capture significant amounts of biometric data. The primary aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of consumer-facing wearable technology for continuous monitoring compared to standard anesthesia monitoring during endoscopic procedures. Secondary aims were to assess patient and provider perceptions of these devices in clinical settings. Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopy with anesthesia support from June 2021 to June 2022 were provided a smartwatch (Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA) and accessories including continuous ECG monitor and pulse oximeter (Qardio Inc., San Francisco, CA) for the duration of their procedure. Vital sign data from the wearable devices was compared to inroom anesthesia monitors. Concordance with anesthesia monitoring was assessed with interclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Surveys were then distributed to patients and clinicians to assess patient and provider preferences regarding the use of the wearable devices during procedures. Results: 292 unique procedures were enrolled with a median anesthesia duration of 34 min (IQR 25--47). High fidelity readings were successfully recorded with wearable devices for heart rate in 279 (95.5%) cases, oxygen in 203 (69.5%), and respiratory rate in 154 (52.7%). ICCs for watch and accessories were 0.54 (95% CI 0.46--0.62) for tachycardia, 0.03 (95% CI 0--0.14) for bradycardia, and 0.33 (0.22--0.43) for oxygen desaturation. Patients generally felt the devices were more accurate (56.3% vs. 20.0% agree, p < 0.001) and more permissible (53.9% vs. 33.3% agree, p < 0.001) to wear during a procedure than providers. Conclusion: Smartwatches perform poorly for continuous data collection compared to gold standard anesthesia monitoring. Refinement in software development is required if these devices are to be used for continuous, intensive vital sign monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of a wearable flexible patch ECG instrument in arrhythmia, the alarm situation during clinical application, patient satisfaction and safety. Methods A total of 1 443 subjects wore flexible patch ECG and conventional dynamic ECG (control) for 24 h to test the validity and consistency of arrhythmia diagnosis, and counted the alarm of remote ECG and the occurrence of related adverse events during the wearing of the instrument. Results There were 987 cases of arrhythmia detected by flexible patch ECG and 992 cases by conventional dynamic ECG. The total coincidence rate of arrhythmia diagnosis was 98.7%. The mean heart rate was measured by flexible patch ECG (75.4±11.4) times/min, conventional dynamic heart rate (71.5±12.1) times/min, the intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC) of 2 instruments was 0.892 (95%CI: 0.537-0.956), with good repeatability. The correct alarm rate of flexible patch ECG was 100%. The incidences of skin pruritus (0.28% vs.1.32%), skin allergy, redness and swelling (0.14% vs. 0.69%) and electrode strip shedding (0 vs. 0.28%) during wearing the flexible patch electrocardiogram were lower than those of the conventional holter electrocardiogram (P＜0.05). Conclusion The flexible patch ECG has few adverse reactions, high comfort, good safety and clinical applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In achievement contexts like end-of-semester exam preparation, students experience a variety of positive and negative achievement emotions, and their regulation is crucial. Despite its relevance, the interplay between, and dynamics of, emotions and their regulation is still little understood, particularly as prior research primarily relied on between-person research. In the present study, we use a situated assessment approach and a novel statistical approach, dynamic network modeling, to simultaneously analyze between-person associations, contemporaneous within-person associations as well as temporal lagged within-person associations and stability of achievement emotions and emotion regulation strategies in multivariate models. We used a total of 6,915 assessments of 201 German undergraduate students on six emotions (joy, pride, hope, satisfaction, anxiety, anger, and boredom) and eight emotion regulation strategies (activation, social support, positive refocusing, rumination, reappraisal, suppression, expression, taking action) during exam preparation in two assessment waves (5 weeks prior, and 1 week before important exams). The results uncovered distinct communities of emotions and emotion regulation strategies, wherein taking action and reappraisal held a particularly central position in explaining their linkages. We found evidence for effects from emotions on the use of emotion regulation strategies, and vice versa, and identified self-enforcing loops and carryover effects. We also observed differences in the stability of the assessed constructs over time, and between the week before the exam and 5 weeks before, that emphasize the consideration of not only person and situation-specific components, but also the respective context at hand, to which end dynamic network analyses emerge as a promising research avenue. Educational Impact and Implications Statement: This study sheds light on how students navigate their emotions during exam preparation and underscores the critical role of effective emotion regulation. By examining real-time emotional experiences and regulation strategies, we uncovered distinct communities of emotions and emotion regulation strategies, with "taking action" (i.e., actively acting to improve the situation) and "reappraisal" (i.e., changing the way one thinks about a situation) emerging as particularly central strategies. Following up on these networks of emotions and regulation strategies can pave the way for the development of personalized emotion regulation skills, enhancing students' overall exam preparation and academic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective study aimed to compare the complication rates and clinical outcomes of propensity-matched patients who received fast-track total knee arthroplasty (FT TKA) in outpatient versus inpatient settings. Patients (n = 629) who received FT TKA at various outpatient (n = 176) and inpatient (n = 462) surgery rates were prospectively followed until 90 days after surgery. The decision between inpatient versus outpatient FT TKA was made on a case-by-case basis, depending on consultation between the surgeon and patient. Complications were collected to distinguish between intraoperative complications, complications with no readmission, complications with readmission, and complications with reoperation. Propensity scores based on age, sex, body mass index, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists score were used to match outpatient to inpatient FT TKA. A cumulative incidence function was computed by taking the time to diagnose any postoperative complication in the first 90 days as the end point. Propensity score matching (1:2 ratio) for comparison resulted in 173 outpatient FT TKAs and 316 inpatient FT TKAs. No significant differences were observed between outpatient versus inpatient FT TKA for intraoperative complication rates (2% in both groups). At 90-day follow-up, no significant differences were observed between outpatient versus inpatient FT TKA for total complications with no readmission (8.0 versus 7.9%), complications with readmission but no reoperation (1.1 versus 0.6%), and complications with reoperation (4.0 versus 4.4%). A comparison of postoperative complication diagnosis time using the cumulative incidence function revealed no significant differences between outpatient versus inpatient FT TKA. The present study revealed that there were no differences in 90-day postoperative complication rates between outpatient and inpatient FT TKA and that there were also no differences in rates of intraoperative complications, readmissions, or reoperations. These findings may encourage hesitant surgeons to move toward outpatient TKA pathways, as there is no greater risk of early postoperative complications that could be more difficult to manage after discharge. Level II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit head instability during simple overground walking, which may comprise sensory input and reduce stepping accuracy. Investigations of head stability during more challenging tasks, where fall risk may be increased, are limited. This study explored differences in head stability between ambulatory children with hemiplegic CP (N = 9) and diplegia (N = 9) (GMFCS I and II) and typically developing (TD) children (N = 8) during a targeted stepping task. All children completed five trials stepping into two successive rectangular floor-based targets whilst walking along an 8 m walkway. Three-dimensional motion capture enabled calculation of head stability and foot placement within and before each target. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA compared differences between all groups and target approach. Children with diplegic CP showed greater sagittal, frontal, and resultant head-to-laboratory and head-to-trunk head instability compared to children with hemiplegic CP and TD children. Anteroposterior foot placement error was significantly greater in children with hemiplegic CP (8.5 ± 5.0 cm) compared to TD children (3.8 ± 1.5 cm). Group differences in head instability were not consistent with group differences in foot placement error. To better understand how head instability might affect fall risk in children with CP, more challenging environments should be tested in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals with obesity face unique challenges when visiting healthcare providers, including inadequate equipment. These negative care experiences, often exacerbated by weight stigma, frequently lead to mistrust and reluctance to seek future care. Currently, few instruments exist to ensure that an ambulatory clinic is welcoming to patients with obesity. The following clinical environment checklist was created with an aim to identify weaknesses in accommodating individuals of size. Methods: A checklist of equipment considered ideal for the care of patients with obesity was developed through a comprehensive review of the literature and feedback from office staff. Eight ambulatory clinics within an urban Midwest setting were assessed, focusing on their accommodations for patients with obesity. Feedback from clinic staff was incorporated to further refine the checklist. Results: Common equipment deficiencies included extra‐large blood pressure cuffs, wheelchair‐accessible scales, 2XL gowns, and adequate seat dimensions in the waiting area. Healthcare workers reported moral distress for their patients when unable to provide proper care due to these limitations. Newly constructed clinics exhibited better‐equipped facilities for patients with obesity. Conclusions: Many clinics lack proper equipment to accommodate patients with obesity, resulting in negative care experiences. This clinical environment checklist can identify problem areas and provide solutions to create more welcoming environments, encouraging future care‐seeking behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous pneumothorax is an increasingly common clinical presentation, the management of which, until recent years, had remained unchanged for decades. A recent surge in pneumothorax research has produced the largest randomised controlled trials in the field yet and has revolutionised the management of spontaneous pneumothorax. The body of evidence supporting the introduction of conservative and ambulatory care in appropriate patients in recent guidelines now allows these patients, many of whom would otherwise have been admitted to hospital, to be managed in the outpatient setting and reduces their risk of complications compared to conventional chest drain insertion. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the management of pneumothorax and the evidence underpinning contemporary guidelines. We aim to equip physicians with the knowledge to engage their patients in the decision-making process regarding their pneumothorax, whilst keeping patient safety and patients' own preferences at the centre of their care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: A urodynamic study (UDS) is a routine clinic procedure that can cause significant discomfort for certain patients, with no satisfactory analgesic alternatives currently available. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose self-adjusted nitrous oxide (SANO), titrated to the patient’s desired effect, on standard metrics for bladder function and on patient-reported pain and anxiety. Methods: We conducted a single-institution, double-blind, randomized crossover trial in adults undergoing UDS. Each patient underwent two consecutive UDS runs, randomized to receive oxygen during the first run followed by SANO during the second run, or vice versa. UDS outcomes (capacity, detrusor strength, residual volume) and patient subjective outcomes (Visual Analog Scale for pain and anxiety, operator assessment of verbal feedback) were compared between the two runs. Secondary analyses were performed to compare outcomes during the first UDS run and adjust for treatment order. A paired Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test and McNemar’s χ2 test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Adverse events were recorded. Key findings and limitations: Nineteen patients were randomized (10 to oxygen for the first run, 9 to SANO for the first run). UDS outcomes did not differ between the two arms. Patients reported significantly less pain during the SANO run than during the oxygen run (p = 0.046). Verbal feedback was significantly better with SANO (p = 0.001). Most patients (15/19, 79%) stated that they would prefer to receive SANO during future UDS. There were no significant complications. Conclusions and clinical implications: SANO oxide is a safe and effective means of preserving standard adult UDS metrics while significantly reducing patient-reported pain. Patient summary: Urodynamic tests (UDS) for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms can cause discomfort and pain. Our study shows that nitrous oxide gas self-adjusted by patients had no effect on UDS test outcomes or on verbal feedback during the procedure, and reduced discomfort and pain in comparison to oxygen. Nitrous oxide may an attractive option for patients who are reluctant to undergo UDS.

Abstract Background Vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD, 50–75 nmolˑl− 1) is a common issue within healthy adults and elite athletes and is associated with decreased musculoskeletal health and performance. However, few studies have identified the prevalence and risk factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency within elite Para-Athletes. Methods An electronic search was completed on the 5th January 2023 and updated on the 21st June 2024, searching Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and EASY (originally OpenGrey). To meet the eligibility criteria, retrieved studies were required to include at least one baseline measure of a vitamin D biomarker from elite Para-Athletes performing at national or international levels and therefore all quantitative study designs could be included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist (8-item) for analytical cross-sectional studies. Data from the eligible studies was extracted and charted, with a supporting narrative synthesis. Results The search strategy retrieved 3083 articles, of which ten studies met the inclusion criteria. In total there were n = 355 Para-Athletes, 69.6% of which comprised of males in the included studies. Across the ten included studies, n = 546 samples were taken from n = 355 Para-Athletes across different seasons and based upon the 25(OH)D insufficiency and deficiency thresholds set by each individual study 43.2% of the samples were considered insufficient and 28.1% deficient. During the winter months vitamin D insufficiency was at its most prevalent at 74.1%, compared to 57.1% in summer of the 25(OH)D samples measured in Para-Athletes. Wheelchair athletes who competed in indoor sports were also more susceptible to low vitamin D. Conclusion This review has highlighted that vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is highly prevalent in elite level Para-Athletes, all year, across both summer and winter months. Therefore, this review highlights the need for education, treatment, and preventative measures in elite Para-Athletes throughout the year. Registration The following systematic review was prospectively registered through PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO registration ID number: CRD42022362149).

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a prevalent complication of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is the gold standard for diagnosis. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of obtaining ABPM and to identify barriers to ABPM in this pediatric patient population. METHOD: In this retrospective analysis of patients with CKD stage 3-5 who were seen in one academic medical centers outpatient Pediatric Nephrology clinics between 2018 and 2021, we performed logistic regression to evaluate for associations between demographic factors and odds of having an ABPM. RESULT: Among 96 patients included in the study, 48 patients carried a diagnosis of hypertension. 31 patients had ABPM performed with usable data. In those who had ABPM done, 21 had normotension and 10 had undertreated hypertension. Our study also showed 1 had masked hypertension and 5 had white coat hypertension or effect. We did not find a statistically significant difference in those who did or did not undergo ABPM evaluation based on gender, previous diagnosis of hypertension, distance from clinic, language preference, or racial or ethnic identity. CONCLUSION: ABPM is a useful tool in our CKD population for the diagnosis and management of hypertension. We did not identify specific barriers to ABPM in our CKD population, and there were no differences in patients who obtained ABPM when looking at specific demographic and disease characteristics. Given these findings, we recommend focusing on areas of future improvement in spheres of patient and provider education as well as better quantification using surveys to further illuminate barriers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although dispositional optimism and pessimism have been prospectively associated with health outcomes, little is known about how these associations manifest in everyday life. This study examined how short-term optimistic and pessimistic expectations were associated with psychological and physiological stress processes. METHODS: A diverse sample of adults (N = 300) completed a 2-day/1-night ecological momentary assessment and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) protocol at ∼45-minute intervals. RESULTS: Moments that were more optimistic than typical for a person were followed by moments with lower likelihood of reporting a stressor, higher positive affect (PA), lower negative affect (NA), and less subjective stress (SS). Moments that were more pessimistic than typical were not associated with any affective stress outcome at the following moment. Neither optimism nor pessimism were associated with ABP, and did not moderate associations between reporting a stressor and outcomes. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that intraindividual fluctuations in optimistic and pessimistic expectations are associated with stressor appraisals.

ObjectiveThis study examined the within- and between-person associations of acute and chronic stress with blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) using an app-based research platform.MethodsWe examined data from 31,964 adults (aged 18-90 years) in an app-based ecological momentary assessment study that used a research-validated optic sensor to measure BP.ResultsWithin-person associations revealed that moments with (versus without) acute stress exposure were associated with higher systolic (SBP; b = 1.54) and diastolic BP (DBP; b = 0.79) and HR ( b = 1.53; p values < .001). During moments with acute stress exposure, higher acute stress severity than usual was associated with higher SBP ( b = 0.26), DBP ( b = 0.09), and HR ( b = 0.40; p values < .05). During moments without acute stress, higher background stress severity than usual was associated with higher BP and HR (SBP: b = 0.87, DBP: b = 0.51, HR: b = 0.69; p values < .001). Between-person associations showed that individuals with more frequent reports of acute stress exposure or higher chronic stress severity had higher SBP, DBP, and HR ( p values < .05). Between-person chronic stress severity moderated within-person physiological responses to stress such that individuals with higher chronic stress severity had higher average BP and HR levels but showed smaller responses to momentary stress.ConclusionsTechnological advancements with optic sensors allow for large-scale physiological data collection, which provides a better understanding of how stressors of different timescales and severity contribute to momentary BP and HR in daily life.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to describe trends in inpatient and outpatient upper extremity fracture surgery between 2008 and 2021, along with identifying patient factors (age, sex, race, socioeconomic status) associated with outpatient surgery. Methods: Retrospectively, 12,593 adult patients who underwent upper extremity fracture repair from 2008 to 2021 at one of five urban hospitals in the Northeastern USA were identified. Using Distressed Communities Index (DCI), patients were divided into five quintiles based on their level of socioeconomic distress. Multivariable logistic regression was performed on patients from 2008 to 2019 to identify independent factors associated with outpatient management. Results: From 2008 to 2019, outpatient procedures saw an average increase of 31%. The largest increases in the outpatient management were seen in humerus (132%) and forearm fractures (127%). Carpal and hand surgeries had the lowest percent increase of 8.1%. Clavicle and wrist fractures were independently associated with outpatient management. Older age, male sex, higher Elixhauser comorbidity index, DCI scores in the 4th or 5th quintile, and fractures of the scapula, humerus, elbow, and forearm were associated with inpatient management. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in outpatient procedures. Conclusion: There is a shift toward outpatient surgical management of upper extremity fractures from 2008 to 2021. Application of our findings can serve as an institutional guide to allocate patients to appropriate surgical settings. Moreover, physicians and institutions should be aware of the potential socioeconomic disparities and implement plans to allow for equal access to care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Unplanned admission after surgery at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is an established measure of the quality of care and can affect the patient’s experience. Previous studies on this topic are generally dated, focused on a single specialty, or studied 30-day admissions after ambulatory surgery. Few studies have reported admission within 24 h after surgery at an ASC which is a different but important measure of the quality of anesthetic and surgical care. Understanding admissions within 24 h of surgery can identify opportunities for improvement immediately after surgery. Therefore, our study was designed to assess the incidence and risk factors for unplanned hospital admissions within 24 h after surgery performed at a hospital ASC. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective analysis was performed on all adult patients who underwent surgery at a US ASC between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022. Data were obtained from the hospital’s electronic medical record. The study sample was divided into two groups: those with an unplanned hospital admission within 24 h after surgery and those without an unplanned hospital admission. To evaluate risk factors for unplanned hospital admissions, univariate analyses with p value

Background: Unplanned admission after surgery at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is an established measure of the quality of care and can affect the patient's experience. Previous studies on this topic are generally dated, focused on a single specialty, or studied 30-day admissions after ambulatory surgery. Few studies have reported admission within 24 h after surgery at an ASC which is a different but important measure of the quality of anesthetic and surgical care. Understanding admissions within 24 h of surgery can identify opportunities for improvement immediately after surgery. Therefore, our study was designed to assess the incidence and risk factors for unplanned hospital admissions within 24 h after surgery performed at a hospital ASC. Methods: After Institutional Review Board approval, a retrospective analysis was performed on all adult patients who underwent surgery at a US ASC between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2022. Data were obtained from the hospital's electronic medical record. The study sample was divided into two groups: those with an unplanned hospital admission within 24 h after surgery and those without an unplanned hospital admission. To evaluate risk factors for unplanned hospital admissions, univariate analyses with p value < 0.05 were utilized to identify significant patient variables related to hospital admissions. These variables were further adjusted using a multivariable Firth logistic regression. Descriptive statistics were used to explore the number of patients in different variable categories. Results: Overall, 53,185 cases were identified for the 7-year period. The incidence of unplanned hospital admission over this period was 0.09% (95% CI 0.07–0.1122%; ranging from 0.05 to 0.12% per year. In the multivariable model, surgery duration (OR 1.010, 95% CI 1.007–1.012, p value < 0.0001), peripheral vascular disease (OR 14.489, 95% CI 4.862–43.174, p value < 0.0001), and deep venous thrombosis (OR 5.527, 95% CI 1.909–16.001, p value = 0.0016) were significantly associated with unplanned hospital admission. Conclusion: The overall incidence of unplanned hospital admission after surgery at a large tertiary care ambulatory surgery center is very low. This admission rate can also serve as a reference point for future studies and quality improvement initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal endoscopy units, both freestanding and associated with ambulatory surgical centers, are on the increase, and the trend is likely to continue. The concept is relatively new, and there are insufficient guidelines and a general dearth of information for prospective planners and physicians. Debate continues in areas such as the selection of patients, appropriateness of procedures, and access to tertiary care. Leaders often scramble to address both critical and non-critical issues, often after the center has opened to the public. They often encounter issues which were not anticipated. In this review, we have provided comprehensive and concise information on the various aspects of starting and running an endoscopy unit. Some of the areas considered are referral and recruitment systems, determination of the need and site selection, layout and regulations, aspects related to drugs, equipment, medical emergencies, and emergency room transfers, discharge criteria, post-discharge follow-up, and finally, we have addressed issues related to avoiding and managing cancelations. It is assumed that a majority of the procedures are performed with predominantly propofol-induced deep sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deprescribing is an effective strategy to manage polypharmacy and improve patient outcomes. The notion of a potential role for pharmacists in a multidisciplinary team approach to deprescribing has been identified in quantitative and qualitative literature. However, stakeholders' perceptions of this role, and factors that may impede or facilitate the pharmacist's involvement have not been elucidated. The application in ambulatory care also requires clarification. Understanding stakeholders' views is essential to optimise involvement of the pharmacist in deprescribing and improve practice. First, to synthesize the perspectives and experiences of stakeholders (primary care providers, pharmacists, patients, and carers) regarding the role and involvement of the pharmacist in deprescribing in ambulatory care settings. Second, to identify barriers and strategies to enhancing pharmacist involvement in deprescribing. A systematic search was conducted across CINAHL, Embase, Medline, and Scopus from database inception to April 2023 for qualitative studies in English exploring the pharmacist's role in deprescribing. Data were extracted for iterative and inductive development of themes. A meta-synthesis facilitated the identification of overarching themes. Qualitative secondary analysis enabled identification of barriers and facilitators to the pharmacist's involvement in deprescribing. From 285 articles identified, 9 studies were included which explored the views of general practitioners, specialist physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, patients, carers, and general practice and clinic staff as stakeholders in deprescribing in ambulatory care. The meta-synthesis identified 4 over-arching themes: (1) therapeutic impetus and the status quo mentality, (2) role and responsibility, (3) multidisciplinary care, and (4) conflicting interests in pharmacy practice. Strategies to enhance pharmacists' involvement in deprescribing emerged from the data, and the pharmacist's role was strongly encouraged by stakeholders despite logistical and perceptual barriers identified. Incorporation of the strategies to enhance the pharmacist's involvement in deprescribing identified in this review is encouraged to optimise patient-centred care and improve practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care for the management of multiple myeloma and has a well-established role in the treatment of some types of lymphoma. Over the last decades, the number of ASCT performed has increased significantly, leading to elevated pressure and cost for healthcare services. Conventional model of ASCT includes the admission of patients to a specialized Transplant Unit at any stage of the procedure. To optimize healthcare provision, ambulatory (outpatient/at-home) setting should be the focus moving forward. Thus, ambulatory ASCT model permits reducing average hospital stays and pressures on healthcare services, with significant costsaving benefits and high degree of patient and caregiver satisfaction. In addition, it facilitates the bed resource for other complex procedures such as allografts or CAR-T cell therapy. The aim of this systematic review is to document the health impact, feasibility and safety of the outpatient/at-home ASCT models, which are increasingly being applied around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: COVID-19 increased moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) among healthcare professionals (HCPs). The purpose of this study was to examine MD and MI among inpatient and outpatient HCPs during March of 2022. The study sought to examine (1) the relationship between MD and MI; (2) the relationship between MD/MI and pandemic-related burnout and resilience; and (3) the degree to which HCPs experienced pandemic-related MD and MI based on background characteristics. Methods: A survey was conducted to measure MD, MI, burnout, resilience, and intent to leave healthcare at two academic medical centers during a 4-week period. A convenience sample of 184 participants (physicians, nurses, residents, respiratory therapists, advanced practice providers) completed the survey. In this mixed-methods approach, researchers analyzed both quantitative and qualitative survey data and triangulated the findings. Results: A moderate association was found between MD and MI (r =.47, P <.001). Regression results indicated that burnout was significantly associated with both MD and MI (P =.02 and P <.001, respectively), while intent to leave was associated only with MD (P <.001). Qualitative results yielded eight sources of MD and MI: workload, distrust, lack of teamwork/collaboration, loss of connection, lack of leadership, futile care, outside stressors, and vulnerability. Conclusions: While interrelated conceptually, MD and MI should be viewed as distinct constructs. Many HCPs were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with MD and MI being experienced by those in all HCP categories. Understanding the sources of MD and MI among HCPs could help to improve well-being, work satisfaction, and the quality of patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims and Objectives Background Design Methods Results Conclusions Relevance to clinical practice Reporting Method To determine the effect of immersive virtual reality (VR) on perceived pain and fear in children during vaccination and parental satisfaction with the procedure.Virtual reality can reduce the perception of pain by children but only three studies have analysed its use during vaccination to date; these had small sample sizes and imperfect methodological designs.A randomised controlled clinical trial.One hundred and sixty participants from the Tres Forques Health Center were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) (n = 82) in which distraction with immersive VR was used during the vaccination, while standard distraction techniques were used for the control group (n = 80). The primary outcome was pain (Wong–Baker FACES). Secondary outcomes included (Children's Fear Scale) and parental satisfaction with the vaccination procedure. Chi‐squared tests were used for qualitative variables, relationships between quantitative variables were tested with Spearman correlations, and Mann–Whitney U‐ or Student t‐tests were employed to assess the relationship between quantitative and qualitative variables.Compared to the controls, the children in the IG reported significantly less pain and fear, while parental satisfaction was significantly higher. Reported pain and fear did not differ according to the sex of the patient. Child age was not linked to fear but was related to pain: the younger the patient, the greater the pain they described.Immersive VR effectively controlled pain and fear in children during vaccination and increased parent satisfaction with the vaccination process. Patient sex did not influence the level of pain and fear but age did.Improving vaccination experiences can reduce perceived pain and fear in children and increase parent satisfaction, thereby enhancing vaccination schedule adherence and improving group immunity.The CONSORT Statement for non‐pharmacological randomised clinical trials were followed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are no systematic measures of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in patients maintaining central venous catheters (CVCs) outside acute care hospitals. To clarify the burden of CLABSIs in these patients, we characterized patients with CLABSI present on hospital admission (POA). Methods Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients with CLABSI-POA in 3 health systems covering 11 hospitals across Maryland, Washington DC, and Missouri from November 2020 to October 2021. CLABSI-POA was defined using an adaptation of the acute care CLABSI definition. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were collected via record review. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess factors associated with the all-cause mortality rate within 30 days. Results A total of 461 patients were identified as having CLABSI-POA. CVCs were most commonly maintained in home infusion therapy (32.8%) or oncology clinics (31.2%). Enterobacterales were the most common etiologic agent (29.2%). Recurrent CLABSIs occurred in a quarter of patients (25%). Eleven percent of patients died during the hospital admission. Among patients with CLABSI-POA, mortality risk increased with age (hazard ratio vs age <20 years by age group: 20–44 years, 11.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.46–86.22]; 45–64 years, 20.88 [2.84–153.58]; ≥65 years, 22.50 [2.98–169.93]) and lack of insurance (2.46 [1.08–5.59]), and it decreased with CVC removal (0.57 [.39–.84]). Conclusions CLABSI-POA is associated with significant in-hospital mortality risk. Surveillance is required to understand the burden of CLABSI in the community to identify targets for CLABSI prevention initiatives outside acute care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine the utilization and characteristics related to the use of hysteroscopy at the time of endometrial evaluation for endometrial hyperplasia in the outpatient surgery setting. Methods: This cross-sectional study queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample. The study population was 3218 patients with endometrial hyperplasia who underwent endometrial evaluation from January 2016 to December 2019. Performance and clinical characteristics of hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation were assessed with multivariable binary logistic regression models. Results: A total of 2654 (82.5%) patients had hysteroscopic endometrial tissue evaluation. Patients with postmenopausal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, and polycystic ovary syndrome were more likely to undergo hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation in multivariable analysis (all, adjusted-P < 0.001). Uterine injury occurred in 4.9 per 1000 hysteroscopic endometrial evaluations; none had uterine injury in the non-hysteroscopy cohort. Among the 2654 patients who had hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation, 106 (4.0%) patients had intrauterine device insertion at surgery, and the utilization increased from 2.9 to 5.8% during the study period (P-trend < 0.001). Younger age, more recent year surgery, and obesity were independently associated with increased utilization of intrauterine device insertion at hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation (all, adjusted-P < 0.05). Among 2023 reproductive-age patients with endometrial hyperplasia, 1666 (82.4%) patients underwent hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation. On multivariable analysis, patients with heavy menstrual bleeding were more likely to have hysteroscopic endometrial evaluation (adjusted-P < 0.05). Intrauterine device insertion increased from 3.7% in 2016 to 8.0% in 2019 (P-trend = 0.007). Conclusion: This nationwide analysis suggests that the insertion of intrauterine devices at the time of hysteroscopic endometrial tissue evaluation for endometrial hyperplasia is increasing among reproductive-age population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elastomeric infusion devices or 'Infusors' are commonly used to administer 24‐h continuous intravenous infusions to hospital patients at home, a service which can increase hospital capacity. Aim: This study sought to determine Infusor efficiency by measuring infusion lengths administered by Infusors to patients in the community setting and reviewing any impacting factors on varying infusion rates, if observed. Method: Patients and nurses completed data collection forms daily over a 12‐month period. The following information was recorded: time Infusor attached to patient, time Infusor emptied, Infusor 'empty' or 'not empty' when removed, volume of antibiotic solution remaining, Infusor storage details, antibiotic solution and dose, indication for treatment, and date (season). Statistical analyses was conducted using Stata. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including median and range for continuous variables, and frequency counts and percentages for categorical variables. Ethical approval was granted by Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) Research Office (Reference no: RESP/14/184), the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (Reference no: LNR/14/HAWKE/265) and the study conforms to the Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Informed consent was obtained from all participants via a study information leaflet that was provided with the patient questionnaire and patients were informed that their participation in the study was optional. Patients indicated their consent by completing the data collection form for each day of treatment. Results: A significant number of Infusors (27%) emptied outside the expected infusion duration of 24 h ± 10% (21.6–26.4 h) and Infusors were removed 'not empty' when the nurse visited >24 h on 35% of occasions. Infusors were more likely to empty >24 h if they contained piperacillin‐tazobactam 13.5 g (predicted probability = 1.0), in winter (predicted probability = 0.83), and in cooler overnight storage locations (predicted probability = 0.64). Infusors were more likely to empty <24 h if they contained vancomycin (predicted probability = 0.12). Conclusion: Infusors delivering 24‐h continuous intravenous infusions in the home setting may empty at unpredictable times and may be affected by temperature or solutions with varying doses. Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy clinicians should be aware of possible unfinished infusions from Infusors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes standardizing ambulatory oncology nursing orientation within an academic comprehensive cancer center to reduce turnover rates. The nursing professional development specialist created a standardized orientation using templates to ensure consistency and diseasespecific experiences because this center is organized into 17 interprofessional disease teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Anaesthesia / Journal Canadien d'Anesthésie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

(1) Background: The surgical procedure to create an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) can be performed in either an ambulatory or in-patient hospital setting, depending on the case's complexity, the anesthesia type used, and the patient's comorbidities. The main scope of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness and clinical implications of surgically creating an AVF in both ambulatory and in-hospital settings. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study, in which we initially enrolled all patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) admitted to the Vascular Surgery Department, Emergency County Hospital of Targu Mures, Romania, to surgically create an AVF for dialysis, between January 2020 and December 2022. The primary endpoint of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of surgically creating an AVF in an ambulatory vs. in-hospital setting by comparing the costs required for the two types of admissions. Further, the 116 patients enrolled in this study were divided into two groups based on their preference for hospitalization: out-patients and in-patients. (3) Results: Regarding in-patient comorbidities, there was a higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) (p = 0.006), malignancy (p = 0.020), and previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.012). In addition, active smoking (p = 0.006) and obesity (p = 0.018) were more frequent among these patients. Regarding the laboratory data, the in-patients had lower levels of white blood cells (WBC) (p = 0.004), neutrophils count (p = 0.025), lymphocytes (p = 0.034), and monocytes (p = 0.032), but there were no differences between the two groups regarding the systemic inflammatory biomarkers or the AVF type. Additionally, we did not register any difference regarding the outcomes: local complications (p = 0.588), maturation failure (p = 0.267), and primary patency (p = 0.834). In our subsequent analysis, we discovered no significant difference between the hospitalization type chosen by patients regarding AVF primary patency failure (p = 0.195). We found no significant association between the hospitalization type and the recorded outcomes (all ps > 0.05) in both multivariate linear regression and Cox proportional hazard analysis. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, there are no significant differences in the clinical implications, short-term and long-term complications of AVF for out-patient and in-patient admissions. Additionally, we found no variation in the costs associated with laboratory tests and surgical supplies for an AVF creation. Therefore, it is safe to perform ambulatory AVFs, which can reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections and provide greater comfort to the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Negative interpersonal interactions are associated with acute increases in ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Yet, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. PURPOSE: This study tested whether negative interpersonal interactions predict higher ABP both in the moment and during subsequent observations, and whether increases in negative mood mediate these relations. These associations were tested among Black and Hispanic urban adults who may be at higher risk for negative interpersonal interactions as a function of discrimination. Race/ethnicity and lifetime discrimination were tested as moderators. METHODS: Using a 24-hr ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design, 565 Black and Hispanic participants (aged 23-65, M = 39.06, SD = 9.35; 51.68% men) had their ABP assessed every 20 min during daytime accompanied by an assessment of negative interpersonal interactions and mood. This produced 12,171 paired assessments of ABP and self-reports of participants interpersonal interactions, including how much the interaction made them feel left out, harassed, and treated unfairly, as well as how angry, nervous, and sad they felt. RESULTS: Multilevel models revealed that more intense negative interpersonal interactions predicted higher momentary ABP. Mediation analyses revealed that increased negative mood explained the relationship between negative interpersonal interactions and ABP in concurrent and lagged analyses. Discrimination was associated with more negative interpersonal interactions, but neither race/ethnicity nor lifetime discrimination moderated findings. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide a clearer understanding of the psychobiological mechanisms through which interpersonal interactions influence cardiovascular health and may contribute to health disparities. Implications include the potential for just-in-time interventions to provide mood restoring resources after negative interactions.

BackgroundEngagement with self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) declines, on average, over time but may vary substantially by individual.ObjectivesWe aimed to describe different 1-year patterns (groups) of self-monitoring of BP behaviors, identify predictors of those groups, and examine the association of self-monitoring of BP groups with BP levels over time.MethodsWe analyzed device-recorded BP measurements collected by the Health eHeart Study-an ongoing prospective eCohort study-from participants with a wireless consumer-purchased device that transmitted date- and time-stamped BP data to the study through a full 12 months of observation starting from the first day they used the device. Participants received no instruction on device use. We applied clustering analysis to identify 1-year self-monitoring, of BP patterns.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 52 years and were male and White. Using clustering algorithms, we found that a model with three groups fit the data well: persistent daily use (9.1% of participants), persistent weekly use (21.2%), and sporadic use only (69.7%). Persistent daily use was more common among older participants who had higher Week 1 self-monitoring of BP frequency and was associated with lower BP levels than the persistent weekly use or sporadic use groups throughout the year.ConclusionWe identified three distinct self-monitoring of BP groups, with nearly 10% sustaining a daily use pattern associated with lower BP levels.

Abstract Objective Individuals with obesity face unique challenges when visiting healthcare providers, including inadequate equipment. These negative care experiences, often exacerbated by weight stigma, frequently lead to mistrust and reluctance to seek future care. Currently, few instruments exist to ensure that an ambulatory clinic is welcoming to patients with obesity. The following clinical environment checklist was created with an aim to identify weaknesses in accommodating individuals of size. Methods A checklist of equipment considered ideal for the care of patients with obesity was developed through a comprehensive review of the literature and feedback from office staff. Eight ambulatory clinics within an urban Midwest setting were assessed, focusing on their accommodations for patients with obesity. Feedback from clinic staff was incorporated to further refine the checklist. Results Common equipment deficiencies included extra‐large blood pressure cuffs, wheelchair‐accessible scales, 2XL gowns, and adequate seat dimensions in the waiting area. Healthcare workers reported moral distress for their patients when unable to provide proper care due to these limitations. Newly constructed clinics exhibited better‐equipped facilities for patients with obesity. Conclusions Many clinics lack proper equipment to accommodate patients with obesity, resulting in negative care experiences. This clinical environment checklist can identify problem areas and provide solutions to create more welcoming environments, encouraging future care‐seeking behaviors.

Background: There is a paucity of validated risk stratification tools to assess which patients can safely and predictably undergo outpatient total hip (THA) or knee arthroplasty (TKA) in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Methods: Our novel patient selection tool was prospectively applied to 190 consecutive primary THA and TKA performed by a single surgeon at a single ASC. We identified the proportion of patients discharged home the same day, those requiring a one-night stay, or those with failed discharge within 23 hours. A retrospective chart review was performed to determine if any demographic parameters were risk factors for an overnight stay. Results: Overall, 190 (100%) patients selected for outpatient THA and TKA were discharged home within 23 hours. One hundred and four patients (55%) were discharged the same day of surgery, whereas 86 (45%) required overnight stay and were discharged on postoperative day 1. Female sex (odds ratio [OR]: 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0-8.2, P < .001), THA (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1-5.5, P = .022), and heavier body mass index (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2, P = .022) were identified as independent risk factors for staying overnight in the ASC. Conclusions: In this pilot study, we found that 100% of outpatient THA and TKA-eligible patients were able to be discharged home by postoperative day 1. Additionally, we found that this selection tool is safe and effective at predicting short-stay discharge in an ASC.

BackgroundConsumer facing wearable devices capture significant amounts of biometric data. The primary aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of consumer-facing wearable technology for continuous monitoring compared to standard anesthesia monitoring during endoscopic procedures. Secondary aims were to assess patient and provider perceptions of these devices in clinical settings.MethodsPatients undergoing endoscopy with anesthesia support from June 2021 to June 2022 were provided a smartwatch (Apple Watch Series 7, Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA) and accessories including continuous ECG monitor and pulse oximeter (Qardio Inc., San Francisco, CA) for the duration of their procedure. Vital sign data from the wearable devices was compared to in-room anesthesia monitors. Concordance with anesthesia monitoring was assessed with interclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Surveys were then distributed to patients and clinicians to assess patient and provider preferences regarding the use of the wearable devices during procedures.Results292 unique procedures were enrolled with a median anesthesia duration of 34 min (IQR 25–47). High fidelity readings were successfully recorded with wearable devices for heart rate in 279 (95.5%) cases, oxygen in 203 (69.5%), and respiratory rate in 154 (52.7%). ICCs for watch and accessories were 0.54 (95% CI 0.46–0.62) for tachycardia, 0.03 (95% CI 0–0.14) for bradycardia, and 0.33 (0.22–0.43) for oxygen desaturation. Patients generally felt the devices were more accurate (56.3% vs. 20.0% agree, p

BackgroundCoffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages in the world, but the acute health effects of coffee consumption remain uncertain.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, randomized, case-crossover trial to examine the effects of caffeinated coffee on cardiac ectopy and arrhythmias, daily step counts, sleep minutes, and serum glucose levels. A total of 100 adults were fitted with a continuously recording electrocardiogram device, a wrist-worn accelerometer, and a continuous glucose monitor. Participants downloaded a smartphone application to collect geolocation data. We used daily text messages, sent over a period of 14 days, to randomly instruct participants to consume caffeinated coffee or avoid caffeine. The primary outcome was the mean number of daily premature atrial contractions. Adherence to the randomization assignment was assessed with the use of real-time indicators recorded by the participants, daily surveys, reimbursements for date-stamped receipts for coffee purchases, and virtual monitoring (geofencing) of coffee-shop visits.ResultsThe mean (±SD) age of the participants was 39±13 years; 51% were women, and 51% were non-Hispanic White. Adherence to the random assignments was assessed to be high. The consumption of caffeinated coffee was associated with 58 daily premature atrial contractions as compared with 53 daily events on days when caffeine was avoided (rate ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.20; P = 0.10). The consumption of caffeinated coffee as compared with no caffeine consumption was associated with 154 and 102 daily premature ventricular contractions, respectively (rate ratio, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.94); 10,646 and 9665 daily steps (mean difference, 1058; 95% CI, 441 to 1675); 397 and 432 minutes of nightly sleep (mean difference, 36; 95% CI, 25 to 47); and serum glucose levels of 95 mg per deciliter and 96 mg per deciliter (mean difference, -0.41; 95% CI, -5.42 to 4.60).ConclusionsIn this randomized trial, the consumption of caffeinated coffee did not result in significantly more daily premature atrial contractions than the avoidance of caffeine. (Funded by the University of California, San Francisco, and the National Institutes of Health; CRAVE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03671759.).

BACKGROUND: Self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) is essential to effective management of hypertension. This study aims to evaluate effectiveness and implementation of SMBP that leverages: cellular-enabled home BP monitors without a need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth; simple communication modalities such as text messaging to support patient engagement; and integration into existing team-based workflows in safety-net clinics. METHODS: This study will be conducted with patients in San Francisco who are treated within a network of safety-net clinics. English and Spanish-speaking patients with diagnosed hypertension will be eligible for the trial if they have recent BP readings ≥140/90 mmHg and do not have co-morbid conditions that make home BP monitoring more complex to manage. This study will implement a three-arm randomized controlled trial to compare varying levels of implementation support: 1) cellular-enabled BP monitors (with minimal implementation support), 2) cellular-enabled BP monitors with protocol-based implementation support (text reminders for patients; aggregated BP summaries sent to primary care providers), and 3) cellular-enabled BP monitors and pharmacist-led support (pharmacist coaching and independent medication adjustments). RESULTS: For the main analysis, we will use mixed effects linear regression to compare the change in primary outcome of systolic BP. Secondary outcomes include BP control (

BackgroundBlack adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher rates of hypertension as compared to White adults with CKD. Little is known of how race and ethnicity associate with the prevalence of hypertension in pediatric CKD patients. The aim was to compare ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) results for patients with CKD enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study across racial-ethnic groups.MethodsPatients from the CKiD study who identified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, or Hispanic were included to analyze differences in ABPM results across these racial-ethnic groups. The outcomes were fitted using 3 progressively adjusted models.ResultsThis study included 501 CKiD participants with at least one successful ABPM study. Compared to White participants, Black participants had 4.2 mmHg higher mean sleep systolic blood pressure and 2.7 mmHg higher mean sleep diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Additionally, Black participants had higher odds of abnormal wake systolic load (OR 1.88, 1.21-2.91, p = 0.005), wake diastolic load (OR 1.68, 1.03-2.73, p = 0.04), sleep systolic load (OR 2.19, 1.36-3.5, p = 0.001), sleep diastolic load (OR 2.01, 1.28-3.15, p = 0.002), systolic non-dipping (OR 2.02, 1.31-3.10, p = 0.001), and diastolic non-dipping (OR 2.69, 1.60-4.51, p

Background Uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) remains a leading cause of death in the United States. The American Medical Association developed a quality improvement program to improve BP control, but it is unclear how to efficiently implement this program at scale across multiple health systems. Methods and Results We conducted BP MAP (Blood Pressure Measure Accurately, Act Rapidly, and Partner With Patients), a comparative effectiveness trial with clinic-level randomization to compare 2 scalable versions of the quality improvement program: Full Support (with support from quality improvement expert) and Self-Guided (using only online materials). Outcomes were clinic-level BP control (

Objective: Clinical decisions on managing epilepsy patients rely on patient accuracy regarding seizure reporting. Studies have noted disparities between patient‐reported seizures and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings during video‐EEG monitoring periods, chiefly highlighting underreporting of seizures, a well‐recognized phenomenon. However, seizure overreporting is a significant problem discussed within the literature, although not in such a large cohort. Our aim is to quantify the over‐ and underreporting of seizures in a large cohort of ambulatory EEG patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective data analysis on 3407 patients referred to a diagnostic service for ambulatory video‐EEG between 2020 and 2022. Both patient‐reported events and events discovered on review of the video‐EEG were analyzed and classified as epileptic, psychogenic (typically clinical motor events, without accompanying EEG change), or noncorrelated events (NCEs; without perceivable clinical or EEG change). Events were analyzed by state of arousal and indication for referral. Subgroup analysis was performed in patients with focal and generalized epilepsies. Results: A total of 21 024 events were recorded by 3407 patients. Fifty‐eight percent of reported events were NCEs, whereas 27% of all events were epileptic. Sixty‐four percent of epileptic seizures were not reported by the patient but discovered by the clinical service on review of the recording. NCEs were in the highest proportion in the awake and drowsy arousal states and were the most common event type for the majority of referral indications. Subgroup analysis found a significantly higher proportion of NCEs in the patients with focal epilepsy (23%) compared to generalized epilepsy (10%; p <.001, chi‐squared proportion test). Significance: Our results reaffirm the phenomenon of underreporting and highlight the prevalence of overreporting. Overreporting likely represents irrelevant symptoms or electrographic discharges not represented on scalp electrodes, identification of which has important clinical relevance. Future studies should analyze events by risk factors to elucidate relationships clinicians can use and investigate the etiology of NCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore sleep structure in participants with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and comorbid insomnia (COMISA) and participants with OSA without insomnia (OSA-only) using both single-night polysomnography and multi-night wrist-worn photoplethysmography/accelerometry. Multi-night 4-class sleep-staging was performed with a validated algorithm based on actigraphy and heart rate variability, in 67 COMISA (23 women, median age: 51 years) and 50 OSA-only (15 women, median age: 51) participants. Sleep statistics were compared using linear regression models and mixed-effects models. Multi-night variability was explored using a clustering approach and between- and within-participant analysis. Polysomnographic parameters showed no significant group differences. Multi-night measurements, during 13.4 ± 5.2 nights per subject, demonstrated a longer sleep onset latency and lower sleep efficiency for the COMISA group. Detailed analysis of wake parameters revealed longer mean durations of awakenings in COMISA, as well as higher numbers of awakenings lasting 5 min and longer (WKN ≥5min) and longer wake after sleep onset containing only awakenings of 5 min or longer. Within-participant variance was significantly larger in COMISA for sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, mean duration of awakenings and WKN ≥5min. Unsupervised clustering uncovered three clusters; participants with consistently high values for at least one of the wake parameters, participants with consistently low values, and participants displaying higher variability. Patients with COMISA more often showed extended, and more variable periods of wakefulness. These observations were not discernible using single night polysomnography, highlighting the relevance of multi-night measurements to assess characteristics indicative for insomnia. • Single-night sleep measurements show limited value in the differentiation between OSA and COMISA. • COMISA patients more often show extended periods of wakefulness over multiple nights. • Combined photoplethysmography and actigraphy can adequately capture these differences. • Multi-night assessment is useful to objectively identify comorbid insomnia and prompt further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Same day discharge (SDD) for colorectal surgery shows increasing promise in the era of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols and minimally invasive surgery. It has become increasingly relevant due to the constraints posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to compare SDD and postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge to understand the clinical outcomes and financial impact on factors such as cost, charge, revenue, contribution margin and readmission. Method: A retrospective review of colectomies was performed at a single institution over a 2‐year period (n = 143). Two populations were identified: SDD (n = 51) and POD1 (n = 92). Patients were selected by International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems‐10 (ICD‐10) and Diagnosis Related Grouper (DRG) codes. Results: There was a statistically significant difference favouring SDD in total hospital cost (p < 0.0001), average direct costs (p < 0.0001) and average charges (p < 0.0016). SDD average hospital costs were $8699 (values in USD throughout) compared with $11 652 for POD 1 (p < 0.0001), and average SDD hospital charges were $85 506 compared with $97 008 for POD1 (p < 0.0016). The net revenue for SDD was $22 319 while for POD1 it was $26 173 (p = 0.14). Upon comparison of contribution margins (SDD $13 620 vs. POD1 $14 522), the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.73). There were no identified statistically significant differences in operating room time, robotic console time, readmission rates or surgical complications. Conclusions: Amidst the pandemic‐related constraints, we found that SDD was associated with lower hospital costs and comparable contribution margins compared with POD1. Additionally, the study was unable to identify any significant difference between operating time, readmissions, and surgical complications when performing SDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrocardiogram (ECG) can now be measured using mobile devices. Mobile ECG devices, which are defined as devices capable of recording and transmitting non-standard ECGs, offer numerous advantages such as cost-effectiveness and being user-friendly. Mobile ECG can also extend recording lengths (e.g., 2 days, 14 days), which is necessary to capture important intermittent events (e.g., cardiac arrhythmias) and evaluate prognostic risk markers (e.g., prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval). Some mobile ECG devices can even connect to broadband networks allowing patients to remotely transmit their ECG to a clinician. This article systematically examines different mobile ECG devices used in prior studies and provides a detailed assessment of five diverse yet commonly used mobile ECG devices: AliveCor KardiaMobile; AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L; iRhythm ZioPatch; Apple Smartwatch ECG; and CardioSecur System. These mobile ECG devices are diverse in the number of leads measured and the duration of monitoring. Similar to their diversity, there has been a wide range of clinical applications of mobile ECG devices. Despite significant progress, questions regarding data quality, and clinican and patient acceptance and compliance persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Same-day discharge (SDD) after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is an effective means to spare healthcare resources. However, safety remains a concern, and besides structural adaptations, SDD requires more efficient logistics and coordination. Therefore, in this study, we implement a streamlined, nurse-coordinated SDD programme following a standardized protocol. Methods and results As a dedicated SDD coordinator, a nurse specialized in ambulatory cardiac interventions was in charge of the full SDD protocol, including eligibility, patient flow, in-hospital logistics, patient education, and discharge as well as early post-discharge follow-up by smartphone-based virtual visits. Patients planned for AF ablation were considered eligible if they had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥35%, with basic support at home and accessibility of the hospital within 60 min also forming a part of the eligibility criteria. A total of 420 consecutive patients were screened by the SDD coordinator, of whom 331 were eligible for SDD. The reasons for exclusion were living remotely (29, 6.9%), lack of support at home (19, 4.5%), or LVEF <35% (17, 4.0%). Of the eligible patients, 300 (91%) were successfully discharged the same day. There were no major post-SDD complications. Rates of unplanned medical attention (19, 6.3%) and 30-day readmission (5, 1.6%) were extremely low and driven by femoral access–site complications. These were significantly reduced upon the introduction of compulsory ultrasound-guided punctures after the initial 150 SDD patients (P = 0.0145). Standardized SDD coordination resulted in efficient workflows and reduced the total workload of the medical staff. Conclusion Same-day discharge after AF ablation following a nurse-coordinated standardized protocol is safe and efficient. The concept of ambulatory cardiac intervention nurses functioning as dedicated coordinators may be key in the future transition of hospitals to SDD. Ultrasound-guided femoral puncture virtually eliminated relevant femoral access–site complications in our cohort and should therefore be a prerequisite for SDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]