Impacts of health insurance on tympanostomy tube outcomes in the pediatric population.

Objectives: Tympanostomy tube (TT) placement is a common surgical procedure for treating pediatric patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) with or without recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM). Prior work suggests children from low-income families face significant disparities in access to care for rAOM or COME. The impact of these health disparities in the care of children with rAOM or COME has yet to be investigated in a state with an expanded public health insurance model.

The intestinal microbiota predicts COVID-19 severity and fatality regardless of hospital feeding method.

SARS-CoV-2-positive patients exhibit gut and oral microbiome dysbiosis, which is associated with various aspects of COVID-19 disease (1-4). Here, we aim to identify gut and oral microbiome markers that predict COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients, specifically severely ill patients compared to moderately ill ones. Moreover, we investigate whether hospital feeding (solid versus enteral), an important cofounder, influences the microbial composition of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Prospective Evaluation of a Tiered Opioid Prescribing Guideline for Inpatient Colorectal Operations.

Objective: This study sought to prospectively validate an institutional prescribing guideline based on previously defined opioid consumption patterns following inpatient colorectal operations.

Background: In light of the opioid epidemic, reducing excess prescription quantities is key while still tailoring to patient needs.

Methods: This is a cohort study of elective colorectal operations (colectomies, proctectomies, and ostomy reversals) at a single tertiary care medical center.